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Kubo S, Takagi-Kimura M, Kasahara N. Efficient tumor transduction and antitumor efficacy in experimental human osteosarcoma using retroviral replicating vectors. Cancer Gene Ther 2018; 26:41-47. [PMID: 30042500 PMCID: PMC6760559 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0037-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Retroviral replicating vectors (RRVs) have achieved efficient tumor transduction and enhanced therapeutic benefit in a wide variety of cancer models. Here, we evaluated two different RRVs derived from amphotropic murine leukemia virus (AMLV) and gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV), which utilize different cellular receptors (PiT-2 and PiT-1, respectively) for viral entry, in human osteosarcoma cells. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that low levels of expression of both receptors were observed in normal and non-malignant cells. However, high PiT-2 (for AMLV) and low PiT-1 (for GALV) expression was observed in most osteosarcoma cell lines. Accordingly, AMLV expressing the green fluorescent protein gene infected and replicated more efficiently than GALV in most osteosarcoma cell lines. Furthermore, RRVs expressing the cytosine deaminase prodrug activator gene showed differential cytotoxicity that correlated with the results of viral spread. AMLV-RRV-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy achieved significant inhibition of subcutaneous MG-63 tumor growth over GALV in nude mice. These data indicate that AMLV vectors predominate over GALV in human osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, our findings support the potential utility of the two RRVs in personalized cancer virotherapy on the basis of receptor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Kubo
- Unit of Molecular and Genetic Therapeutics, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.
| | - Misato Takagi-Kimura
- Unit of Molecular and Genetic Therapeutics, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Departments of Cell Biology and Pathology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Hogan DJ, Zhu JJ, Diago OR, Gammon D, Haghighi A, Lu G, Das A, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ, Ostertag D. Molecular Analyses Support the Safety and Activity of Retroviral Replicating Vector Toca 511 in Patients. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:4680-4693. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Hiraoka K, Inagaki A, Kato Y, Huang TT, Mitchell LA, Kamijima S, Takahashi M, Matsumoto H, Hacke K, Kruse CA, Ostertag D, Robbins JM, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ, Kasahara N. Retroviral replicating vector-mediated gene therapy achieves long-term control of tumor recurrence and leads to durable anticancer immunity. Neuro Oncol 2018; 19:918-929. [PMID: 28387831 PMCID: PMC5574670 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prodrug-activator gene therapy with Toca 511, a tumor-selective retroviral replicating vector (RRV) encoding yeast cytosine deaminase, is being evaluated in recurrent high-grade glioma patients. Nonlytic retroviral infection leads to permanent integration of RRV into the cancer cell genome, converting infected cancer cell and progeny into stable vector producer cells, enabling ongoing transduction and viral persistence within tumors. Cytosine deaminase in infected tumor cells converts the antifungal prodrug 5-fluorocytosine into the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil, mediating local tumor destruction without significant systemic adverse effects. Methods Here we investigated mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of this approach in orthotopic brain tumor models, employing both human glioma xenografts in immunodeficient hosts and syngeneic murine gliomas in immunocompetent hosts. Results In both models, a single injection of replicating vector followed by prodrug administration achieved long-term survival benefit. In the immunodeficient model, tumors recurred repeatedly, but bioluminescence imaging of tumors enabled tailored scheduling of multicycle prodrug administration, continued control of disease burden, and long-term survival. In the immunocompetent model, complete loss of tumor signal was observed after only 1-2 cycles of prodrug, followed by long-term survival without recurrence for >300 days despite discontinuation of prodrug. Long-term survivors rejected challenge with uninfected glioma cells, indicating immunological responses against native tumor antigens, and immune cell depletion showed a critical role for CD4+ T cells. Conclusion These results support dual mechanisms of action contributing to the efficacy of RRV-mediated prodrug-activator gene therapy: long-term tumor control by prodrug conversion-mediated cytoreduction, and induction of antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Hiraoka
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Akihito Inagaki
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yuki Kato
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tiffany T Huang
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Leah A Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shuichi Kamijima
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Masamichi Takahashi
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hiroshi Matsumoto
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Katrin Hacke
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Carol A Kruse
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Derek Ostertag
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joan M Robbins
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Harry E Gruber
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Douglas J Jolly
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Mitchell LA, Lopez Espinoza F, Mendoza D, Kato Y, Inagaki A, Hiraoka K, Kasahara N, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ, Robbins JM. Toca 511 gene transfer and treatment with the prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine, promotes durable antitumor immunity in a mouse glioma model. Neuro Oncol 2018; 19:930-939. [PMID: 28387849 PMCID: PMC5570153 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) is a retroviral replicating vector encoding an optimized yeast cytosine deaminase (CD). Tumor-selective expression of CD converts the prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), into the active chemotherapeutic, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). This therapeutic approach is being tested in a randomized phase II/III trial in recurrent glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma (NCT0241416). The aim of this study was to identify the immune cell subsets contributing to antitumor immune responses following treatment with 5-FC in Toca 511–expressing gliomas in a syngeneic mouse model. Methods. Flow cytometry was utilized to monitor and characterize the immune cell infiltrate in subcutaneous Tu-2449 gliomas in B6C3F1 mice treated with Toca 511 and 5-FC. Results. Tumor-bearing animals treated with Toca 511 and 5-FC display alterations in immune cell populations within the tumor that result in antitumor immune protection. Attenuated immune subsets were exclusive to immunosuppressive cells of myeloid origin. Depletion of immunosuppressive cells temporally preceded a second event which included expansion of T cells which were polarized away from Th2 and Th17 in the CD4+ T cell compartment with concomitant expansion of interferon gamma–expressing CD8+ T cells. Immune alterations correlated with clearance of Tu-2449 subcutaneous tumors and T cell–dependent protection from future tumor challenge. Conclusions. Treatment with Toca 511 and 5-FC has a concentrated effect at the site of the tumor which causes direct tumor cell death and alterations in immune cell infiltrate, resulting in a tumor microenvironment that is more permissive to establishment of a T cell mediated antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah A Mitchell
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Fernando Lopez Espinoza
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Daniel Mendoza
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Yuki Kato
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Akihito Inagaki
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Kei Hiraoka
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Harry E Gruber
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Douglas J Jolly
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Joan M Robbins
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California; DNAtrix Inc., Houston, Texas; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
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Therapeutic activity of retroviral replicating vector-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy for pancreatic cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2018; 25:184-195. [PMID: 29735994 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0020-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Toca 511, a retroviral replicating vector (RRV) encoding the yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD) prodrug activator gene, which mediates conversion of the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is currently being evaluated in Phase II/III clinical trials for glioma, and showing highly promising evidence of therapeutic activity. Here we evaluated RRV-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy as a new therapeutic approach for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). RRV spread rapidly and conferred significant cytotoxicity with prodrug in a panel of PDAC cells. Efficient intratumoral replication and complete inhibition of tumor growth upon 5-FC administration were observed in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent subcutaneous PDAC models. Biodistribution of RRV was highly restricted in normal tissues, especially in immunocompetent hosts. Tumor growth inhibition by Toca 511 followed by 5-FC was also confirmed in the orthotopic PDAC model. This study provides the first proof-of-concept for application of Toca 511 and Toca FC (extended release 5-FC) to the treatment of human PDAC, and provided support for inclusion of PDAC in a Phase I study evaluating Toca 511 in various systemic malignancies, (NCT02576665), which has recently been initiated.
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56
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Hofacre A, Yagiz K, Mendoza D, Lopez Espinoza F, Munday AW, Burrascano C, Singer O, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ, Lin AH. Efficient Therapeutic Protein Expression Using Retroviral Replicating Vector with 2A Peptide in Cancer Models. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:437-451. [PMID: 29216761 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toca 511, a retroviral replicating vector (RRV), uses an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) to express an optimized yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD2), which converts 5-fluorocytosine to 5-fluorouracil. This configuration is genetically stable in both preclinical mouse models and human clinical trials. However, the use of IRES (∼600 bp) restricts choices of therapeutic transgenes due to limits in RRV genome size. This study replaced IRES with 2A peptides derived from picornaviruses with or without a GSG linker. The data show that GSG-linked 2A (g2A) peptide resulted in higher polyprotein separation efficiency than non-GSG linked 2A peptide. The study also shows that RRV can tolerate insertion of two separate 2A peptides to allow expression of two transgenes without compromising the assembly and function of the virus in addition to insertion of a single 2A peptide to confirm genetic stability with yCD2, green fluorescent protein, and HSV-1 thymidine kinase. In a parallel comparison of the RRV-IRES-yCD2 and RRV-g2A-yCD2 configurations, the study shows the yCD2 protein expressed from RRV-g2A-yCD2 has higher activity, resulting in a higher survival benefit in an intracranial tumor mouse model. These data enable a wider range of potential product candidates that could be developed using the RRV platform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy H Lin
- Tocagen, Inc. , San Diego, California
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57
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Yagiz K, Rodriguez-Aguirre ME, Lopez Espinoza F, Montellano TT, Mendoza D, Mitchell LA, Ibanez CE, Kasahara N, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ, Robbins JM. A Retroviral Replicating Vector Encoding Cytosine Deaminase and 5-FC Induces Immune Memory in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Models. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2018; 8:14-26. [PMID: 29322091 PMCID: PMC5751967 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of tumors with Toca 511, a gamma retroviral replicating vector encoding cytosine deaminase, followed by 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) kills tumors by local production of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In brain tumor models, this treatment induces systemic anti-tumor immune responses and long-term immune-mediated survival. Phase 1 Toca 511 and Toca FC (extended-release 5-FC) clinical trials in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma show durable complete responses and promising survival data compared to historic controls. The work described herein served to expand on our earlier findings in two models of metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). Intravenous (i.v.) delivery of Toca 511 resulted in substantial tumor-selective uptake of vector into metastatic lesions. Subsequent treatment with 5-FC resulted in tumor shrinkage, improved survival, and immune memory against future rechallenge with the same CT26 CRC cell line. Similar results were seen in a brain metastasis model of mCRC. Of note, 5-FC treatment resulted in a significant decrease in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in mCRC tumors in both the liver and brain. These results support the development of Toca 511 and Toca FC as a novel immunotherapeutic approach for patients with mCRC. A phase 1 study of i.v. Toca 511 and Toca FC in solid tumors, including mCRC, is currently underway (NCT02576665).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kader Yagiz
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Mendoza
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Leah A. Mitchell
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Carlos E. Ibanez
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Harry E. Gruber
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Douglas J. Jolly
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Joan M. Robbins
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill St., Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
- DNAtrix, Inc., 2450 Holcombe Boulevard, Suite X+ 200, Houston, TX 77021, USA
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58
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Cloughesy TF, Landolfi J, Hogan DJ, Bloomfield S, Carter B, Chen CC, Elder JB, Kalkanis SN, Kesari S, Lai A, Lee IY, Liau LM, Mikkelsen T, Nghiemphu PL, Piccioni D, Walbert T, Chu A, Das A, Diago OR, Gammon D, Gruber HE, Hanna M, Jolly DJ, Kasahara N, McCarthy D, Mitchell L, Ostertag D, Robbins JM, Rodriguez-Aguirre M, Vogelbaum MA. Phase 1 trial of vocimagene amiretrorepvec and 5-fluorocytosine for recurrent high-grade glioma. Sci Transl Med 2017; 8:341ra75. [PMID: 27252174 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad9784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) is an investigational nonlytic, retroviral replicating vector (RRV) that delivers a yeast cytosine deaminase, which converts subsequently administered courses of the investigational prodrug Toca FC (extended-release 5-fluorocytosine) into the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil. Forty-five subjects with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma were treated. The end points of this phase 1, open-label, ascending dose, multicenter trial included safety, efficacy, and molecular profiling; survival was compared to a matching subgroup from an external control. Overall survival for recurrent high-grade glioma was 13.6 months (95% confidence interval, 10.8 to 20.0) and was statistically improved relative to an external control (hazard ratio, 0.45; P = 0.003). Tumor samples from subjects surviving more than 52 weeks after Toca 511 delivery disproportionately displayed a survival-related mRNA expression signature, identifying a potential molecular signature that may correlate with treatment-related survival rather than being prognostic. Toca 511 and Toca FC show excellent tolerability, with RRV persisting in the tumor and RRV control systemically. The favorable assessment of Toca 511 and Toca FC supports confirmation in a randomized phase 2/3 trial (NCT02414165).
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neuro-Oncology and Department of Neurosurgery, 710 Westwood Plaza, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Joseph Landolfi
- New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, 65 James Street, Edison, NJ 08820, USA
| | - Daniel J Hogan
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Stephen Bloomfield
- New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, 65 James Street, Edison, NJ 08820, USA
| | - Bob Carter
- Moores Cancer Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Clark C Chen
- Moores Cancer Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - J Bradley Elder
- Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Steven N Kalkanis
- Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- Moores Cancer Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Albert Lai
- Department of Neuro-Oncology and Department of Neurosurgery, 710 Westwood Plaza, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ian Y Lee
- Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Linda M Liau
- Department of Neuro-Oncology and Department of Neurosurgery, 710 Westwood Plaza, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tom Mikkelsen
- Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Phioanh Leia Nghiemphu
- Department of Neuro-Oncology and Department of Neurosurgery, 710 Westwood Plaza, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David Piccioni
- Moores Cancer Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tobias Walbert
- Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Alice Chu
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Asha Das
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Oscar R Diago
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Dawn Gammon
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Harry E Gruber
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Michelle Hanna
- Ribomed Biotechnologies Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA. University of Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Douglas J Jolly
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Department of Cell Biology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - David McCarthy
- Ribomed Biotechnologies Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Leah Mitchell
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Derek Ostertag
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Joan M Robbins
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
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Moradian Tehrani R, Verdi J, Noureddini M, Salehi R, Salarinia R, Mosalaei M, Simonian M, Alani B, Ghiasi MR, Jaafari MR, Mirzaei HR, Mirzaei H. Mesenchymal stem cells: A new platform for targeting suicide genes in cancer. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:3831-3845. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rana Moradian Tehrani
- Department of Applied Cell SciencesSchool of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical SciencesKashanIran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell SciencesSchool of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical SciencesKashanIran
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mahdi Noureddini
- Department of Applied Cell SciencesSchool of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical SciencesKashanIran
| | - Rasoul Salehi
- Department of Genetic and Molecular BiologyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Reza Salarinia
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Molecular SciencesSchool of MedicineNorth Khorasan University of Medical SciencesBojnurdIran
| | - Meysam Mosalaei
- Department of Genetic and Molecular BiologyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Miganosh Simonian
- Department of Genetic and Molecular BiologyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Behrang Alani
- Department of Applied Cell SciencesSchool of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical SciencesKashanIran
| | - Moosa Rahimi Ghiasi
- Department of Genetic and Molecular BiologyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- School of PharmacyNanotechnology Research CenterMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Hamed Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory SciencesSchool of Allied Medical SciencesKashan University of Medical SciencesKashanIran
- Department of Immunology, School of MedicineTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Clinical Research DivisionFred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleWashington
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
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Melvin RL, Gmeiner WH, Salsbury FR. All-Atom MD Predicts Magnesium-Induced Hairpin in Chemically Perturbed RNA Analog of F10 Therapeutic. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:7803-7812. [PMID: 28745046 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b04724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Given their increasingly frequent usage, understanding the chemical and structural properties which allow therapeutic nucleic acids to promote the death of cancer cells is critical for medical advancement. One molecule of interest is a 10-mer of FdUMP (5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-O-monophosphate) also called F10. To investigate causes of structural stability, we have computationally restored the 2' oxygen on each ribose sugar of the phosphodiester backbone, creating FUMP[10]. Microsecond time-scale, all-atom, simulations of FUMP[10] in the presence of 150 mM MgCl2 predict that the strand has a 45% probability of folding into a stable hairpin-like secondary structure. Analysis of 16 μs of data reveals phosphate interactions as likely contributors to the stability of this folded state. Comparison with polydT and polyU simulations predicts that FUMP[10]'s lowest order structures last for one to 2 orders of magnitude longer than similar nucleic acid strands. Here we provide a brief structural and conformational analysis of the predicted structures of FUMP[10], and suggest insights into its stability via comparison to F10, polydT, and polyU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan L Melvin
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109, United States.,Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109, United States
| | - William H Gmeiner
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine , Winston-Salem North Carolina 27101, United States
| | - Freddie R Salsbury
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109, United States
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Christie C, Pomeroy A, Nair R, Berg K, Hirschberg H. Photodynamic therapy enhances the efficacy of gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2017; 18:140-148. [PMID: 28257943 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) employing the cytosine deaminase (CD) gene, which encodes an enzyme that converts the nontoxic agent 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), has shown promise both in experimental animals and in clinical trials. Nevertheless, with the transfection systems available presently the percentage of tumor cells incorporating the desired gene is usually too low for successful therapy. We have examined the ability of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to enhance the efficacy of the metabolites, converted from 5-FC by CD gene transfected rat glioma cells. METHODS Hybrid tumor cell spheroids consisting of CD poitive and CD negative F98 glioma cells in varying ratios were used as in vitro tumor models. PDT was performed with the photosensitizer AlPcS2a and λ=670nm laser irradiance, both before and after confrontation with 5-FC. RESULTS PDT increased the toxicity of 5-FU either as pure drug or derived from monolayers of CD positive cells chalanged with 5-FC. PDT in combination with 5-FC resulted in a significantly enhanced inhibition of hybrid spheroid growth compared to non light treated controls. This was the case even at tumor to producer cell ratios as high as 40:1. CONCLUSION The results of the present study show that GDEPT and PDT interact in a synergistic manner over a range of prodrug concentration and tumor to transfected cell ratios. The degree of synergy was significant regardless if PDT treatment was given before or after 5-FC administration. The highest degree of interaction was observed though, when PDT was delivered prior to prodrug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Christie
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Aftin Pomeroy
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Rohit Nair
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Kristian Berg
- Dept. of Radiation Biology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Henry Hirschberg
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd Irvine, CA 92617, USA.
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Parker Kerrigan BC, Shimizu Y, Andreeff M, Lang FF. Mesenchymal stromal cells for the delivery of oncolytic viruses in gliomas. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:445-457. [PMID: 28233640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a type of adult stem cell that has been exploited for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer. In particular, MSCs have been studied extensively for their ability to treat glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and deadly form of brain cancer in adults. MSCs are attractive therapeutics because they can be obtained relatively easily from patients, are capable of being expanded numerically in vitro, can be easily engineered and are inherently capable of homing to tumors, making them ideal vehicles for delivering biological antitumoral agents. Oncolytic viruses are promising biological therapeutic agents that have been used in the treatment of GBMs, and MSCs are currently being explored as a means of delivering these viruses. Here we review the role of MSCs in the treatment of GBMs, focusing on the intersection of MSCs and oncolytic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany C Parker Kerrigan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yuzaburo Shimizu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Frederick F Lang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; The Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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63
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Puduvalli VK, Chaudhary R, McClugage SG, Markert J. Beyond Alkylating Agents for Gliomas: Quo Vadimus? Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2017; 37:175-186. [PMID: 28561663 PMCID: PMC5803081 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_175003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in therapies have yielded notable success in terms of improved survival in several cancers. However, such treatments have failed to improve outcome in patients with gliomas for whom surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy with alkylating agents remain the standard of care. Genetic and epigenetic studies have helped identify several alterations specific to gliomas. Attempts to target these altered pathways have been unsuccessful due to various factors, including tumor heterogeneity, adaptive resistance of tumor cells, and limitations of access across the blood-brain barrier. Novel therapies that circumvent such limitations have been the focus of intense study and include approaches such as immunotherapy, targeting of signaling hubs and metabolic pathways, and use of biologic agents. Immunotherapeutic approaches including tumor-targeted vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, antibody-drug conjugates, and chimeric antigen receptor-expressing cell therapies are in various stages of clinical trials. Similarly, identification of key metabolic pathways or converging hubs of signaling pathways that are tumor specific have yielded novel targets for therapy of gliomas. In addition, the failure of conventional therapies against gliomas has led to a growing interest among patients in the use of alternative therapies, which in turn has necessitated developing evidence-based approaches to the application of such therapies in clinical studies. The development of these novel approaches bears potential for providing breakthroughs in treatment of more meaningful and improved outcomes for patients with gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay K Puduvalli
- From The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Rekha Chaudhary
- From The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Samuel G McClugage
- From The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - James Markert
- From The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Lin AH, Twitty CG, Burnett R, Hofacre A, Mitchell LA, Espinoza FL, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ. Retroviral Replicating Vector Delivery of miR-PDL1 Inhibits Immune Checkpoint PDL1 and Enhances Immune Responses In Vitro. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 6:221-232. [PMID: 28325288 PMCID: PMC5363416 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells express a number of immunosuppressive molecules that can suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Efficient delivery of small interfering RNAs to treat a wide range of diseases including cancers remains a challenge. Retroviral replicating vectors (RRV) can be used to stably and selectively introduce genetic material into cancer cells. Here, we designed RRV to express shRNA (RRV-shPDL1) or microRNA30-derived shRNA (RRV-miRPDL1) using Pol II or Pol III promoters to downregulate PDL1 in human cancer cells. We also designed RRV expressing cytosine deaminase (yCD2) and miRPDL1 for potential combinatorial therapy. Among various configurations tested, we showed that RRV-miRPDL1 vectors with Pol II or Pol III promoter replicated efficiently and exhibited sustained downregulation of PDL1 protein expression by more than 75% in human cancer cell lines with high expression of PDL1. Immunologic effects of RRV-miRPDL1 were assessed by a trans-suppression lymphocyte assay. In vitro data showed downregulation of PDL1+ tumor cells restored activation of CD8+ T cells and bio-equivalency compared to anti-PDL1 antibody treatment. These results suggest RRV-miRPDL1 may be an alternative therapeutic approach to enhance anti-tumor immunity by overcoming PDL1-induced immune suppression from within cancer cells and this approach may also be applicable to other cancer targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy H Lin
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | | | - Ryan Burnett
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Andrew Hofacre
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Leah A Mitchell
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | | | - Harry E Gruber
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
| | - Douglas J Jolly
- Tocagen Inc., 3030 Bunker Hill Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92109, USA.
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Chimeric adeno-associated virus and bacteriophage: a potential targeted gene therapy vector for malignant glioma. Ther Deliv 2016; 5:975-90. [PMID: 25375341 DOI: 10.4155/tde.14.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incipient development of gene therapy for cancer has fuelled its progression from bench to bedside in mere decades. Of all malignancies that exist, gliomas are the largest class of brain tumors, and are renowned for their aggressiveness and resistance to therapy. In order for gene therapy to achieve clinical success, a multitude of barriers ranging from glioma tumor physiology to vector biology must be overcome. Many viral gene delivery systems have been subjected to clinical investigation; however, with highly limited success. In this review, the current progress and challenges of gene therapy for malignant glioma are discussed. Moreover, we highlight the hybrid adeno-associated virus and bacteriophage vector as a potential candidate for targeted gene delivery to brain tumors.
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Yagiz K, Huang TT, Lopez Espinoza F, Mendoza D, Ibañez CE, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ, Robbins JM. Toca 511 plus 5-fluorocytosine in combination with lomustine shows chemotoxic and immunotherapeutic activity with no additive toxicity in rodent glioblastoma models. Neuro Oncol 2016; 18:1390-401. [PMID: 27166379 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/now089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toca 511, a gamma retroviral replicating vector encoding cytosine deaminase, used in combination with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) kills tumor by local production of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), inducing local and systemic immunotherapeutic response resulting in long-term survival after cessation of 5-FC. Toca 511 and Toca FC (oral extended-release 5-FC) are under investigation in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. Lomustine is a treatment option for patients with high-grade glioma. METHODS We investigated the effects of lomustine combined with Toca 511 + 5-FC in syngeneic orthotopic glioma models. Safety and survival were evaluated in immune-competent rat F98 and mouse Tu-2449 models comparing Toca 511 + 5-FC to lomustine + 5-FC or the combination of Toca 511 + 5-FC + lomustine. After intracranial implantation of tumor, Toca 511 was delivered transcranially followed by cycles of intraperitoneal 5-FC with or without lomustine at the first or fourth cycle. RESULTS Coadministration of 5-FC with lomustine was well tolerated. In F98, combination Toca 511 + 5-FC and lomustine increased median survival, but "cures" were not achieved. In Tu-2449, combination Toca 511 + 5-FC and lomustine increased median survival and resulted in high numbers of cure. Rejection of tumor rechallenge occurred after treatment with Toca 511 + 5-FC or combined with lomustine, but not with lomustine + 5-FC. Mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell reactions using splenocytes from cured animals showed robust killing of target cells in an effector:target ratio-dependent manner with Toca 511 + 5-FC and Toca 511 + 5-FC + lomustine day 10. CONCLUSION The combination of Toca 511 + 5-FC and lomustine shows promising efficacy with no additive toxicity in murine glioma models. Immunotherapeutic responses resulting in long-term survival were preserved despite lomustine-related myelosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kader Yagiz
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Tiffany T Huang
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Fernando Lopez Espinoza
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Daniel Mendoza
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Carlos E Ibañez
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Harry E Gruber
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Douglas J Jolly
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
| | - Joan M Robbins
- Tocagen Inc., San Diego, California (K.Y., T.T.H., F.L.E., D.M., C.E.I., H.E.G., D.J.J., J.M.R.)
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Progress and problems with the use of suicide genes for targeted cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 99:113-128. [PMID: 26004498 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Among various gene therapy methods for cancer, suicide gene therapy attracts a special attention because it allows selective conversion of non-toxic compounds into cytotoxic drugs inside cancer cells. As a result, therapeutic index can be increased significantly by introducing high concentrations of cytotoxic molecules to the tumor environment while minimizing impact on normal tissues. Despite significant success at the preclinical level, no cancer suicide gene therapy protocol has delivered the desirable clinical significance yet. This review gives a critical look at the six main enzyme/prodrug systems that are used in suicide gene therapy of cancer and familiarizes readers with the state-of-the-art research and practices in this field. For each enzyme/prodrug system, the mechanisms of action, protein engineering strategies to enhance enzyme stability/affinity and chemical modification techniques to increase prodrug kinetics and potency are discussed. In each category, major clinical trials that have been performed in the past decade with each enzyme/prodrug system are discussed to highlight the progress to date. Finally, shortcomings are underlined and areas that need improvement in order to produce clinical significance are delineated.
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Reddy AB, Manjula B, Jayaramudu T, Sadiku ER, Anand Babu P, Periyar Selvam S. 5-Fluorouracil Loaded Chitosan-PVA/Na +MMT Nanocomposite Films for Drug Release and Antimicrobial Activity. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2016; 8:260-269. [PMID: 30460286 PMCID: PMC6223683 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-016-0086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were blended with different concentrations of sodium montmorillonite (Na+MMT) clay solution by a solvent casting method. X-ray diffraction and transition electron microscope results show that the film properties are related to the co-existence of Na+MMT intercalation/exfoliation in the blend and the interaction between chitosan-PVA and Na+MMT. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was loaded with chitosan-PVA/Na+MMT nanocomposite films for in vitro drug delivery study. The antimicrobial activity of the chitosan-PVA/Na+MMT films showed significant effect against Salmonella (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), whereas 5-FU encapsulated chitosan-PVA/Na+MMT bio-nanocomposite films did not show any inhibition against bacteria. Our results indicate that combination of a flexible and soft polymeric material with high drug loading ability of a hard inorganic porous material can produce improved control over degradation and drug release. It will be an economically viable method for preparation of advanced drug delivery vehicles and biodegradable implants or scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Babul Reddy
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, CSIR Campus, Building 14D, Lynwood Ridge, Private Bag X025, Pretoria, 0040 South Africa
| | - B. Manjula
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, CSIR Campus, Building 14D, Lynwood Ridge, Private Bag X025, Pretoria, 0040 South Africa
| | - T. Jayaramudu
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, CSIR Campus, Building 14D, Lynwood Ridge, Private Bag X025, Pretoria, 0040 South Africa
| | - E. R. Sadiku
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, CSIR Campus, Building 14D, Lynwood Ridge, Private Bag X025, Pretoria, 0040 South Africa
| | - P. Anand Babu
- Department of Food Process Engineering, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - S. Periyar Selvam
- Department of Food Process Engineering, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
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Lin AH, Liu Y, Burrascano C, Cunanan K, Logg CR, Robbins JM, Kasahara N, Gruber H, Ibañez C, Jolly DJ. Extensive Replication of a Retroviral Replicating Vector Can Expand the A Bulge in the Encephalomyocarditis Virus Internal Ribosome Entry Site and Change Translation Efficiency of the Downstream Transgene. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2016; 27:59-70. [PMID: 26918465 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2015.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed retroviral replicating vectors (RRV) derived from Moloney murine gammaretrovirus with an amphotropic envelope and an encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-transgene cassette downstream of the env gene. During long-term (180 days) replication of the vector in animals, a bulge of 7 adenosine residues (A's) in the J-K bifurcation domain sometimes serially added A's. Therefore, vectors with 4-12 A's in the A bulge in the J-K bifurcation domain were generated, and the impact of the variants on transgene protein expression, vector stability, and IRES sequence upon multiple infection cycles was assessed in RRV encoding yeast-derived cytosine deaminase and green fluorescent protein in vitro. For transgene protein expression, after multiple infection cycles, RRV-IRES with 5-7 A's gave roughly comparable levels, 4 and 8 A's were within about 4-5-fold of the 6 A's, whereas 10 and 12 A's were marked lower. In terms of stability, after 10 infection cycles, expansion of A's appeared to be a more frequent event affecting transgene protein expression than viral genome deletions or rearrangement: 4 and 5 A's appeared completely stable; 6, 7, and particularly 8 A's showed some level of expansion in the A bulge; 10 and 12 A's underwent both expansion and transgene deletion. The strong relative translational activity of the 5 A's in the EMCV IRES has not been reported previously. The 5A RRV-IRES may have utility for preclinical and clinical applications where extended replication is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy H Lin
- 1 Tocagen Inc. , San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | - Christopher R Logg
- 2 Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- 2 Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California.,3 Department of Cell Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami , Miami, Florida
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Chakraborty S, Bodhinayake I, Chiluwal A, Langer DJ, Ruggieri R, Symons M, Boockvar JA. Neuro-oncology biotech industry progress report. J Neurooncol 2016; 128:175-182. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-016-2087-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Pol J, Buqué A, Aranda F, Bloy N, Cremer I, Eggermont A, Erbs P, Fucikova J, Galon J, Limacher JM, Preville X, Sautès-Fridman C, Spisek R, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial Watch-Oncolytic viruses and cancer therapy. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1117740. [PMID: 27057469 PMCID: PMC4801444 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1117740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy relies on the administration of non-pathogenic viral strains that selectively infect and kill malignant cells while favoring the elicitation of a therapeutically relevant tumor-targeting immune response. During the past few years, great efforts have been dedicated to the development of oncolytic viruses with improved specificity and potency. Such an intense wave of investigation has culminated this year in the regulatory approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a genetically engineered oncolytic viral strain for use in melanoma patients. Here, we summarize recent preclinical and clinical advances in oncolytic virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pol
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Aitziber Buqué
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Group of Immune receptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d’Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Norma Bloy
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Cremer
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 13, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Jitka Fucikova
- Sotio, Prague, Czech Republic
- Dept. of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jérôme Galon
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Catherine Sautès-Fridman
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 13, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Radek Spisek
- Sotio, Prague, Czech Republic
- Dept. of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- INSERM, U1015, CICBT507, Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Center de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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Twitty CG, Diago OR, Hogan DJ, Burrascano C, Ibanez CE, Jolly DJ, Ostertag D. Retroviral Replicating Vectors Deliver Cytosine Deaminase Leading to Targeted 5-Fluorouracil-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Multiple Human Cancer Types. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2015; 27:17-31. [PMID: 26467507 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2015.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toca 511 is a modified retroviral replicating vector based on Moloney γ-retrovirus with an amphotropic envelope. As an investigational cancer treatment, Toca 511 preferentially infects cancer cells without direct cell lysis and encodes an enhanced yeast cytosine deaminase that converts the antifungal drug 5-fluorocytosine to the anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil. A panel of established human cancer cell lines, derived from glioblastoma, colon, and breast cancer tissue, was used to evaluate parameters critical for effective anticancer activity. Gene transfer, cytosine deaminase production, conversion of 5-fluorocytosine to 5-fluorouracil, and subsequent cell killing occurred in all lines tested. We observed >50% infection within 25 days in all lines and 5-fluorocytosine LD50 values between 0.02 and 6 μg/ml. Although we did not identify a small number of key criteria, these studies do provide a straightforward approach to rapidly gauge the probability of a Toca 511 and 5-fluorocytosine treatment effect in various cancer indications: a single MTS assay of maximally infected cancer cell lines to determine 5-fluorocytosine LD50. The data suggest that, although there can be variation in susceptibility to Toca 511 and 5-fluorocytosine because of multiple mechanistic factors, this therapy may be applicable to a broad range of cancer types and individuals.
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73
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Kane JR, Miska J, Young JS, Kanojia D, Kim JW, Lesniak MS. Sui generis: gene therapy and delivery systems for the treatment of glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2015; 17 Suppl 2:ii24-ii36. [PMID: 25746089 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy offers a multidimensional set of approaches intended to treat and cure glioblastoma (GBM), in combination with the existing standard-of-care treatment (surgery and chemoradiotherapy), by capitalizing on the ability to deliver genes directly to the site of neoplasia to yield antitumoral effects. Four types of gene therapy are currently being investigated for their potential use in treating GBM: (i) suicide gene therapy, which induces the localized generation of cytotoxic compounds; (ii) immunomodulatory gene therapy, which induces or augments an enhanced antitumoral immune response; (iii) tumor-suppressor gene therapy, which induces apoptosis in cancer cells; and (iv) oncolytic virotherapy, which causes the lysis of tumor cells. The delivery of genes to the tumor site is made possible by means of viral and nonviral vectors for direct delivery of therapeutic gene(s), tumor-tropic cell carriers expressing therapeutic gene(s), and "intelligent" carriers designed to increase delivery, specificity, and tumoral toxicity against GBM. These vehicles are used to carry genetic material to the site of pathology, with the expectation that they can provide specific tropism to the desired site while limiting interaction with noncancerous tissue. Encouraging preclinical results using gene therapies for GBM have led to a series of human clinical trials. Although there is limited evidence of a therapeutic benefit to date, a number of clinical trials have convincingly established that different types of gene therapies delivered by various methods appear to be safe. Due to the flexibility of specialized carriers and genetic material, the technology for generating new and more effective therapies already exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Robert Kane
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason Miska
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jacob S Young
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Deepak Kanojia
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Julius W Kim
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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74
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Huang TT, Parab S, Burnett R, Diago O, Ostertag D, Hofman FM, Espinoza FL, Martin B, Ibañez CE, Kasahara N, Gruber HE, Pertschuk D, Jolly DJ, Robbins JM. Intravenous administration of retroviral replicating vector, Toca 511, demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in orthotopic immune-competent mouse glioma model. Hum Gene Ther 2015; 26:82-93. [PMID: 25419577 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2014.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec), a nonlytic, amphotropic retroviral replicating vector (RRV), encodes and delivers a functionally optimized yeast cytosine deaminase (CD) gene to tumors. In orthotopic glioma models treated with Toca 511 and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) the CD enzyme within infected cells converts 5-FC to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), resulting in tumor killing. Toca 511, delivered locally either by intratumoral injection or by injection into the resection bed, in combination with subsequent oral extended-release 5-FC (Toca FC), is under clinical investigation in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG). If feasible, intravenous administration of vectors is less invasive, can easily be repeated if desired, and may be applicable to other tumor types. Here, we present preclinical data that support the development of an intravenous administration protocol. First we show that intravenous administration of Toca 511 in a preclinical model did not lead to widespread or uncontrolled replication of the RVV. No, or low, viral DNA was found in the blood and most of the tissues examined 180 days after Toca 511 administration. We also show that RRV administered intravenously leads to efficient infection and spread of the vector carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding gene (Toca GFP) through tumors in both immune-competent and immune-compromised animal models. However, initial vector localization within the tumor appeared to depend on the mode of administration. Long-term survival was observed in immune-competent mice when Toca 511 was administered intravenously or intracranially in combination with 5-FC treatment, and this combination was well tolerated in the preclinical models. Enhanced survival could also be achieved in animals with preexisting immune response to vector, supporting the potential for repeated administration. On the basis of these and other supporting data, a clinical trial investigating intravenous administration of Toca 511 in patients with recurrent HGG is currently open and enrolling.
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75
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Saha D, Ahmed SS, Rabkin SD. EXPLORING THE ANTITUMOR EFFECT OF VIRUS IN MALIGNANT GLIOMA. DRUG FUTURE 2015; 40:739-749. [PMID: 26855472 DOI: 10.1358/dof.2015.040.11.2383070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Malignant gliomas are the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor with no effective treatments. Current conventional therapies (surgical resection, radiation therapy, temozolomide (TMZ), and bevacizumab administration) typically fail to eradicate the tumors resulting in the recurrence of treatment-resistant tumors. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to improve therapeutic outcomes. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are excellent candidates as a more effective therapeutic strategy for aggressive cancers like malignant gliomas since OVs have a natural preference or have been genetically engineered to selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells. OVs have been used in numerous preclinical studies in malignant glioma, and a large number of clinical trials using OVs have been completed or are underway that have demonstrated safety, as well as provided indications of effective antiglioma activity. In this review, we will focus on those OVs that have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of malignant gliomas (herpes simplex virus, adenovirus, parvovirus, reovirus, poliovirus, Newcastle disease virus, measles virus, and retrovirus) and OVs examined preclinically (vesicular stomatitis virus and myxoma virus), and describe how these agents are being used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipongkor Saha
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Seemin S Ahmed
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Samuel D Rabkin
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Guinn BA, Braidwood L, Parker A, Peng KW, Seymour L. 8th international conference on oncolytic virus therapeutics. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 25:1062-84. [PMID: 25274574 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2014.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The 8th International Conference on Oncolytic Virus Therapeutics meeting was held from April 10-13, 2014, in Oxford, United Kingdom. It brought together experts in the field of oncolytics from Europe, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas and provided a unique opportunity to hear the latest research findings in oncolytic virotherapy. Presentations of recent work were delivered in an informal and intimate setting afforded by a small group of attendees and an exquisitely focused conference topic. Here we describe the oral presentations and enable the reader to share in the benefits of bringing together experts to share their findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara-Ann Guinn
- 1 Department of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire , Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, United Kingdom
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77
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Wright RC, Khakhar A, Eshleman JR, Ostermeier M. Advancements in the development of HIF-1α-activated protein switches for use in enzyme prodrug therapy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114032. [PMID: 25426963 PMCID: PMC4245239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy has shown potential as a cancer therapeutic in animal and clinical trials, concerns over the efficacy, selectivity, and safety of gene delivery vehicles have restricted its advance. In an attempt to relieve some of the demands on targeted gene delivery vehicles and achieve the full potential of enzyme prodrug therapy, cancer-targeted activity can be engineered into the enzyme itself. We previously engineered a switchable prodrug-activating enzyme that selectively kills human cancer cells accumulating the cancer marker hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). This HIF-1α-activated protein switch (Haps59) is designed to increase its ability to convert the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine into the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil in a HIF-1α-dependent manner. However, in cancer cell lines expressing Haps59 the 5FC sensitivity difference between the presence and absence of HIF-1α was not as large as desired. In this work, we aimed to improve the cancer specificity of this switch via a directed evolution approach utilizing random mutagenesis, linker mutagenesis, and random insertion and circular permutation. We identified improved HIF-1α-activated protein switches that confer E. coli with modest increases in HIF-1α-dependent 5FC toxicity. Additionally, the current bottleneck in the development of improved HIF-1α-activated protein switches is screening switch candidates in mammalian cells. To accommodate higher throughput and reduce experimental variability, we explored the use of Flp recombinase-mediated isogenic integration in 293 cells. These experiments raised the possibility that Haps59 can be activated by other interactors of the CH1 domain, and experiments in E. coli indicated that CITED2 can also activate Haps59. Although many CH1 binding partners are also oncogenes, CH1's promiscuous binding and subsequent off-target activation of Haps59 needs to be examined under normal physiological conditions to identify off-target activators. With aberrant activating molecules identified, further directed evolution can be performed to improve the cancer specificity of HIF-1α-activated protein switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Clay Wright
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Arjun Khakhar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - James R. Eshleman
- Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marc Ostermeier
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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78
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Takahashi M, Valdes G, Hiraoka K, Inagaki A, Kamijima S, Micewicz E, Gruber HE, Robbins JM, Jolly DJ, McBride WH, Iwamoto KS, Kasahara N. Radiosensitization of gliomas by intracellular generation of 5-fluorouracil potentiates prodrug activator gene therapy with a retroviral replicating vector. Cancer Gene Ther 2014; 21:405-410. [PMID: 25301172 PMCID: PMC4246057 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2014.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A tumor-selective non-lytic retroviral replicating vector (RRV), Toca 511, and an extended-release formulation of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), Toca FC, are currently being evaluated in clinical trials in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (NCT01156584, NCT01470794 and NCT01985256). Tumor-selective propagation of this RRV enables highly efficient transduction of glioma cells with cytosine deaminase (CD), which serves as a prodrug activator for conversion of the anti-fungal prodrug 5-FC to the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) directly within the infected cells. We investigated whether, in addition to its direct cytotoxic effects, 5-FU generated intracellularly by RRV-mediated CD/5-FC prodrug activator gene therapy could also act as a radiosensitizing agent. Efficient transduction by RRV and expression of CD were confirmed in the highly aggressive, radioresistant human glioblastoma cell line U87EGFRvIII and its parental cell line U87MG (U87). RRV-transduced cells showed significant radiosensitization even after transient exposure to 5-FC. This was confirmed both in vitro by a clonogenic colony survival assay and in vivo by bioluminescence imaging analysis. These results provide a convincing rationale for development of tumor-targeted radiosensitization strategies utilizing the tumor-selective replicative capability of RRV, and incorporation of radiation therapy into future clinical trials evaluating Toca 511 and Toca FC in brain tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamichi Takahashi
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gilmer Valdes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kei Hiraoka
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Akihito Inagaki
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shuichi Kamijima
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ewa Micewicz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - William H McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Keisuke S Iwamoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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Maguire CA, Ramirez SH, Merkel SF, Sena-Esteves M, Breakefield XO. Gene therapy for the nervous system: challenges and new strategies. Neurotherapeutics 2014; 11:817-39. [PMID: 25159276 PMCID: PMC4391389 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-014-0299-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Current clinical treatments for central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and glioblastoma do not halt disease progression and have significant treatment morbidities. Gene therapy has the potential to "permanently" correct disease by bringing in a normal gene to correct a mutant gene deficiency, knocking down mRNA of mutant alleles, and inducing cell-death in cancer cells using transgenes encoding apoptosis-inducing proteins. Promising results in clinical trials of eye disease (Leber's congenital aumorosis) and Parkinson's disease have shown that gene-based neurotherapeutics have great potential. The recent development of genome editing technology, such as zinc finger nucleases, TALENS, and CRISPR, has made the ultimate goal of gene correction a step closer. This review summarizes the challenges faced by gene-based neurotherapeutics and the current and recent strategies designed to overcome these barriers. We have chosen the following challenges to focus on in this review: (1) delivery vehicles (both virus and nonviral), (2) use of promoters for vector-mediated gene expression in CNS, and (3) delivery across the blood-brain barrier. The final section (4) focuses on promising pre-clinical/clinical studies of neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey A Maguire
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, 13th Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA,
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80
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Martin SE, Ganguly T, Munske GR, Fulton MD, Hopkins MR, Berkman CE, Black ME. Development of inhibitor-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (IDEPT) for prostate cancer. Bioconjug Chem 2014; 25:1752-60. [PMID: 25157916 PMCID: PMC4198102 DOI: 10.1021/bc500362n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Prostate
cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer
death among American men after lung cancer. Unfortunately, current
therapies do not provide effective treatments for patients with advanced,
metastatic, or hormone refractory disease. Therefore, we seek to generate
therapeutic agents for a novel PCa treatment strategy by delivering
a suicide enzyme (yCDtriple) to a cell membrane bound biomarker
found on PCa cells (prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)). This
approach has resulted in a new PCa treatment strategy reported here
as inhibitor-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (IDEPT). The therapeutic
agents described were generated using a click chemistry reaction between
the unnatural amino acid (p-azidophenylalanine (pAzF)) incorporated into yCDtriple and the dibenzylcyclooctyne
moiety of our PSMA targeting agent (DBCO-PEG4-AH2-TG97). After characterization of the therapeutic agents, we demonstrate
significant PCa cell killing of PSMA-positive cells. Importantly,
we demonstrate that this click chemistry approach can be used to efficiently
couple a therapeutic protein to a targeting agent and may be applicable
to the ablation of other types of cancers and/or malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy E Martin
- School of Molecular Biosciences and §Department of Chemistry, Washington State University , Pullman, Washington 99164-7520, United States
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81
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Okura H, Smith CA, Rutka JT. Gene therapy for malignant glioma. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR THERAPIES 2014; 2:21. [PMID: 26056588 PMCID: PMC4451964 DOI: 10.1186/2052-8426-2-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and devastating primary brain tumor in adults. Despite current treatment modalities, such as surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, only modest improvements in median survival have been achieved. Frequent recurrence and invasiveness of GBM are likely due to the resistance of glioma stem cells to conventional treatments; therefore, novel alternative treatment strategies are desperately needed. Recent advancements in molecular biology and gene technology have provided attractive novel treatment possibilities for patients with GBM. Gene therapy is defined as a technology that aims to modify the genetic complement of cells to obtain therapeutic benefit. To date, gene therapy for the treatment of GBM has demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy in pre-clinical studies and promising safety profiles in clinical studies. However, while this approach is obviously promising, concerns still exist regarding issues associated with transduction efficiency, viral delivery, the pathologic response of the brain, and treatment efficacy. Tumor development and progression involve alterations in a wide spectrum of genes, therefore a variety of gene therapy approaches for GBM have been proposed. Improved viral vectors are being evaluated, and the potential use of gene therapy alone or in synergy with other treatments against GBM are being studied. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly studied gene therapy approaches for the treatment of GBM in preclinical and clinical studies including: prodrug/suicide gene therapy; oncolytic gene therapy; cytokine mediated gene therapy; and tumor suppressor gene therapy. In addition, we review the principles and mechanisms of current gene therapy strategies as well as advantages and disadvantages of each.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidehiro Okura
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ; Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421 Japan
| | - Christian A Smith
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada
| | - James T Rutka
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, 149 College Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1P5 Canada ; Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Suite 1503, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8 Canada
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82
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Okura H, Smith CA, Rutka JT. Gene therapy for malignant glioma. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR THERAPIES 2014; 2:21. [PMID: 26056588 PMCID: PMC4451964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and devastating primary brain tumor in adults. Despite current treatment modalities, such as surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, only modest improvements in median survival have been achieved. Frequent recurrence and invasiveness of GBM are likely due to the resistance of glioma stem cells to conventional treatments; therefore, novel alternative treatment strategies are desperately needed. Recent advancements in molecular biology and gene technology have provided attractive novel treatment possibilities for patients with GBM. Gene therapy is defined as a technology that aims to modify the genetic complement of cells to obtain therapeutic benefit. To date, gene therapy for the treatment of GBM has demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy in pre-clinical studies and promising safety profiles in clinical studies. However, while this approach is obviously promising, concerns still exist regarding issues associated with transduction efficiency, viral delivery, the pathologic response of the brain, and treatment efficacy. Tumor development and progression involve alterations in a wide spectrum of genes, therefore a variety of gene therapy approaches for GBM have been proposed. Improved viral vectors are being evaluated, and the potential use of gene therapy alone or in synergy with other treatments against GBM are being studied. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly studied gene therapy approaches for the treatment of GBM in preclinical and clinical studies including: prodrug/suicide gene therapy; oncolytic gene therapy; cytokine mediated gene therapy; and tumor suppressor gene therapy. In addition, we review the principles and mechanisms of current gene therapy strategies as well as advantages and disadvantages of each.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidehiro Okura
- />The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada
- />Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421 Japan
| | - Christian A Smith
- />The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada
| | - James T Rutka
- />The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, 17th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada
- />Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, 149 College Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1P5 Canada
- />Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Suite 1503, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8 Canada
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83
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Blockade of type I interferon (IFN) production by retroviral replicating vectors and reduced tumor cell responses to IFN likely contribute to tumor selectivity. J Virol 2014; 88:10066-77. [PMID: 24965455 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02300-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED We developed a Moloney mouse leukemia virus (MLV)-based retroviral replicating vector (RRV), Toca 511, which has displayed tumor specificity in resected brain tumor material and blood in clinical trials. Here, we investigated the interaction between Toca 511 and human host cells, and we show that RRVs do not induce type I interferon (IFN) responses in cultured human tumor cells or cultured human primary cells. However, exogenous type I IFN inhibited RRV replication in tumor cells and induced IFN-regulated genes, albeit at a lower level than in primary cells. Unexpectedly, RRVs did not induce IFN-α production upon incubation in vitro with human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), whereas lentivirus vector and heat-treated RRVs did. Coincubation of RRVs with heat-treated RRVs or with lentivirus vector suppressed IFN-α production in pDCs, suggesting that native RRV has a dominant inhibitory effect on type I IFN induction. This effect is sensitive to trypsin treatment. In addition, heat treatment inactivated that activity but exposed an immune-stimulatory activity. The immune-stimulating component is sensitive to deglycosidases, trypsin, and phospholipase C treatment. Experiments with retroviral nonreplicating vectors and virus-like particles demonstrated that the immunosuppressive activity is not associated with the amphotropic envelope or the glyco-Gag protein. In summary, our data provide evidence that RRVs do not directly trigger type I IFN responses in IFN-responsive tumor cells. Moreover, RRVs appear to carry a heat-labile component that actively suppresses activation of cellular innate immune responses in pDCs. Inhibition of IFN induction by RRVs and the reduced response to IFN should facilitate tumor-specific infection in vivo. IMPORTANCE RRVs have a convincing preference for replicating in tumor cells in animal models, and we observed similar preferences in the initial treatment of human glioblastoma patients. This study investigates the basis for the interaction between RRV and human host cells (tumor versus nontumor) in vitro. We found that RRVs do not trigger an IFN-α/β response in tumor cells, but the cells are capable of responding to type I IFNs and of producing them when stimulated with known agonists. Surprisingly, the data show that RRVs can actively inhibit induction of cellular innate immunity and that this inhibitory activity is heat labile and trypsin sensitive and not attributable to the envelope protein. These data partially explain the observed in vivo tumor specificity.
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84
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Burnett R, Ibañez CE, Pettersson PL, Chen CI, Parab S, Huang T, Robbins J, Bankiewicz K, Aghi M, Logg C, Kasahara N, Pertschuk D, Gruber HE, Jolly DJ. Maintaining therapeutic activity in the operating room: compatibility of a gamma-retroviral replicating vector with clinical materials and biofluids. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:14024. [PMID: 26015967 PMCID: PMC4362351 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Toca 511 is a novel retroviral replicating vector, encoding a modified yeast cytosine deaminase, administered to recurrent high grade glioma patients in Phase 1 trials by stereotactic, transcranial injection into the tumor or into the walls of the resection cavity. A key issue, with little published data, is vector biocompatibility with agents likely to be encountered in a neurosurgical setting. We tested biocompatibility of Toca 511 with: delivery devices; MRI contrast agents, including ProHance supporting coinjection for real time MRI-guided intratumoral delivery; hemostatic agents; biofluids (blood and cerebrospinal fluid); potential adjuvants; and a needleless vial adapter that reduces risk of accidental needle sticks. Toca 511 is stable upon thawing at ambient temperature for at least 6 hours, allowing sufficient time for administration, and its viability is not reduced in the presence of: stainless steel and silica-based delivery devices; the potential MRI contrast agent, Feraheme; ProHance at several concentrations; the hemostatic agent SURGIFOAM; blood; cerebrospinal fluid; and the needleless vial adapter. Toca 511 is not compatible with the hemostatic agent SURGICEL or with extended exposures to titanium-based biopsy needles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Burnett
- Tocagen Inc., Bunker Hill St. , San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Ching-I Chen
- Tocagen Inc., Bunker Hill St. , San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Joan Robbins
- Tocagen Inc., Bunker Hill St. , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Krystof Bankiewicz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) , San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Manish Aghi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) , San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Logg
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Noriyuki Kasahara
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) , Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Lin AH, Timberlake N, Logg CR, Liu Y, Kamijima S, Diago O, Wong K, Gammon DK, Ostertag D, Hacke K, Yang EC, Gruber H, Kasahara N, Jolly DJ. MicroRNA 142-3p attenuates spread of replicating retroviral vector in hematopoietic lineage-derived cells while maintaining an antiviral immune response. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 25:759-71. [PMID: 24825189 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We are developing a retroviral replicating vector (RRV) encoding cytosine deaminase as an anticancer agent for gliomas. Despite its demonstrated natural selectivity for tumors, and other safety features, such a virus could potentially cause off-target effects by productively infecting healthy tissues. Here, we investigated whether incorporation of a hematopoietic lineage-specific microRNA target sequence in RRV further restricts replication in hematopoietic lineage-derived human cells in vitro and in murine lymphoid tissues in vivo. One or four copies of a sequence perfectly complementary to the guide strand of microRNA 142-3p were inserted into the 3' untranslated region of the RRV genome expressing the transgene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). Viral spread and GFP expression of these vectors in hematopoietic lineage cells in vitro and in vivo were measured by qPCR, qRT-PCR, and flow cytometry. In hematopoietic lineage-derived human cell lines and primary human stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, vectors carrying the 142-3pT sequence showed a remarkable decrease in GFP expression relative to the parental vector, and viral spread was not observed over time. In a syngeneic subcutaneous mouse tumor model, RRVs with and without the 142-3pT sequences spread equally well in tumor cells; were strongly repressed in blood, bone marrow, and spleen; and generated antiviral immune responses. In an immune-deficient mouse model, RRVs with 142-3pT sequences were strongly repressed in blood, bone marrow, and spleen compared with unmodified RRV. Tissue-specific microRNA-based selective attenuation of RRV replication can maintain antiviral immunity, and if needed, provide an additional safeguard to this delivery platform for gene therapy applications.
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Pol J, Bloy N, Obrist F, Eggermont A, Galon J, Cremer I, Erbs P, Limacher JM, Preville X, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial Watch:: Oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy. Oncoimmunology 2014; 3:e28694. [PMID: 25097804 PMCID: PMC4091053 DOI: 10.4161/onci.28694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are natural or genetically modified viral species that selectively infect and kill neoplastic cells. Such an innate or exogenously conferred specificity has generated considerable interest around the possibility to employ oncolytic viruses as highly targeted agents that would mediate cancer cell-autonomous anticancer effects. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that the therapeutic potential of oncolytic virotherapy is not a simple consequence of the cytopathic effect, but strongly relies on the induction of an endogenous immune response against transformed cells. In line with this notion, superior anticancer effects are being observed when oncolytic viruses are engineered to express (or co-administered with) immunostimulatory molecules. Although multiple studies have shown that oncolytic viruses are well tolerated by cancer patients, the full-blown therapeutic potential of oncolytic virotherapy, especially when implemented in the absence of immunostimulatory interventions, remains unclear. Here, we cover the latest advances in this active area of translational investigation, summarizing high-impact studies that have been published during the last 12 months and discussing clinical trials that have been initiated in the same period to assess the therapeutic potential of oncolytic virotherapy in oncological indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pol
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Paris, France
| | - Norma Bloy
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Paris, France
| | - Florine Obrist
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Paris, France
| | | | - Jérôme Galon
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI; Paris, France ; INSERM, UMRS1138; Paris, France ; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Cremer
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI; Paris, France ; INSERM, UMRS1138; Paris, France ; Equipe 13, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U1015; CICBT507; Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP; Paris, France ; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms; Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France
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Increased sensitivity of glioma cells to 5-fluorocytosine following photo-chemical internalization enhanced nonviral transfection of the cytosine deaminase suicide gene. J Neurooncol 2014; 118:29-37. [PMID: 24610460 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1410-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the outcomes of patients with GBM have not significantly improved. Tumor recurrence in the resection margins occurs in more than 80% of cases indicating aggressive treatment modalities, such as gene therapy are warranted. We have examined photochemical internalization (PCI) as a method for the non-viral transfection of the cytosine deaminase (CD) suicide gene into glioma cells. The CD gene encodes an enzyme that can convert the nontoxic antifungal agent, 5-fluorocytosine, into the chemotherapeutic drug, 5-fluorouracil. Multicell tumor spheroids derived from established rat and human glioma cell lines were used as in vitro tumor models. Plasmids containing either the CD gene alone or together with the uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRT) gene combined with the gene carrier protamine sulfate were employed in all experiments.PCI was performed with the photosensitizer AlPcS2a and 670 nm laser irradiance. Protamine sulfate/CD DNA polyplexes proved nontoxic but inefficient transfection agents due to endosomal entrapment. In contrast, PCI mediated CD gene transfection resulted in a significant inhibition of spheroid growth in the presence of, but not in the absence of, 5-FC. Repetitive PCI induced transfection was more efficient at low CD plasmid concentration than single treatment. The results clearly indicate that AlPcS2a-mediated PCI can be used to enhance transfection of a tumor suicide gene such as CD, in malignant glioma cells and cells transfected with both the CD and UPRT genes had a pronounced bystander effect.
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Zamora G, Wang F, Sun CH, Trinidad A, Kwon YJ, Cho SK, Berg K, Madsen SJ, Hirschberg H. Photochemical internalization-mediated nonviral gene transfection: polyamine core-shell nanoparticles as gene carrier. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2014; 19:105009. [PMID: 25341069 PMCID: PMC4206751 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.19.10.105009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The overall objective of the research was to investigate the utility of photochemical internalization (PCI) for the enhanced nonviral transfection of genes into glioma cells. The PCI-mediated introduction of the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) or the cytosine deaminase (CD) pro-drug activating gene into U87 or U251 glioma cell monolayers and multicell tumor spheroids were evaluated. In the study reported here, polyamine-DNA gene polyplexes were encapsulated in a nanoparticle (NP) with an acid degradable polyketal outer shell. These NP synthetically mimic the roles of viral capsid and envelope, which transport and release the gene, respectively. The effects of PCI-mediated suppressor and suicide genes transfection efficiency employing either “naked” polyplex cores alone or as NP-shelled cores were compared. PCI was performed with the photosensitizer AlPcS 2a and λ=670-nm laser irradiance. The results clearly demonstrated that the PCI can enhance the delivery of both the PTEN or CD genes in human glioma cell monolayers and multicell tumor spheroids. The transfection efficiency, as measured by cell survival and inhibition of spheroid growth, was found to be significantly greater at suboptimal light and DNA levels for shelled NPs compared with polyamine-DNA polyplexes alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genesis Zamora
- University of California, Beckman Laser Institute, 1002 Health Sciences Road East, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Frederick Wang
- University of California, Beckman Laser Institute, 1002 Health Sciences Road East, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Chung-Ho Sun
- University of California, Beckman Laser Institute, 1002 Health Sciences Road East, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Anthony Trinidad
- University of California, Beckman Laser Institute, 1002 Health Sciences Road East, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Young Jik Kwon
- University of California, Department of Chemical Engineering/Material Science, 916 Engineering Tower, Irvine, California 92697-2575, United States
- University of California, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 147 Bison Modular, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Soo Kyung Cho
- University of California, Department of Chemical Engineering/Material Science, 916 Engineering Tower, Irvine, California 92697-2575, United States
| | - Kristian Berg
- Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Department of Radiation Biology, Ullernchausseen 70, Oslo 0379, Norway
| | - Steen J. Madsen
- University of Nevada, Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, United States
| | - Henry Hirschberg
- University of California, Beckman Laser Institute, 1002 Health Sciences Road East, Irvine, California 92612, United States
- University of Nevada, Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, United States
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Kwiatkowska A, Nandhu MS, Behera P, Chiocca EA, Viapiano MS. Strategies in gene therapy for glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 5:1271-305. [PMID: 24202446 PMCID: PMC3875940 DOI: 10.3390/cancers5041271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, with a dismal prognosis and extremely low percentage of survivors. Novel therapies are in dire need to improve the clinical management of these tumors and extend patient survival. Genetic therapies for GBM have been postulated and attempted for the past twenty years, with variable degrees of success in pre-clinical models and clinical trials. Here we review the most common approaches to treat GBM by gene therapy, including strategies to deliver tumor-suppressor genes, suicide genes, immunomodulatory cytokines to improve immune response, and conditionally-replicating oncolytic viruses. The review focuses on the strategies used for gene delivery, including the most common and widely used vehicles (i.e., replicating and non-replicating viruses) as well as novel therapeutic approaches such as stem cell-mediated therapy and nanotechnologies used for gene delivery. We present an overview of these strategies, their targets, different advantages, and challenges for success. Finally, we discuss the potential of gene therapy-based strategies to effectively attack such a complex genetic target as GBM, alone or in combination with conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Kwiatkowska
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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90
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Piccioni DE, Kesari S. Clinical trials of viral therapy for malignant gliomas. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2013; 13:1297-305. [PMID: 24138481 DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2013.851160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent scientific advances in the understanding of the biology of malignant gliomas, there has been little change in the overall survival for this devastating disease. New and innovative treatments are under constant investigation. Starting in the 1990s, there was an interest in using viral therapeutics for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Multiple strategies were pursued, including oncolytic viral therapy, enzyme/pro-drug combinations and gene transfer with viral vectors. Multiple Phase I and II trials demonstrated the safety of these techniques, but clinically showed limited efficacy. However, this led to a better understanding of the pitfalls of viral therapy and encouraged the development of new approaches and improved delivery methods. Here we review the prior and ongoing clinical trials of viral therapy for gliomas, and discuss how novel strategies are currently being utilized in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Piccioni
- Department of Neurosciences, Moores Cancer Center, Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratories, 3855 Health Sciences Dr. #0819, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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91
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Hickey MJ, Kasahara N, Mueller BM, Kruse CA. Combining cellular and gene therapy approaches for treatment of intracranial tumors. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e25989. [PMID: 24244896 PMCID: PMC3825732 DOI: 10.4161/onci.25989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
New treatments are needed for brain metastasis, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Two novel cellular and gene therapy modalities were evaluated in xenograft models for human breast cancer. The individual and especially the combined treatments with alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes and replicating retroviral vectors coding for prodrug activating enzymes followed later with nontoxic prodrug demonstrated efficacy without off-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Hickey
- Department of Neurosurgery; University of California Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA USA
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92
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Toca 511 gene transfer and 5-fluorocytosine in combination with temozolomide demonstrates synergistic therapeutic efficacy in a temozolomide-sensitive glioblastoma model. Cancer Gene Ther 2013; 20:544-51. [PMID: 23969884 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2013.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec), an amphotropic retroviral replicating vector (RRV), can successfully and safely deliver a functional, optimized cytosine deaminase (CD) gene to tumors in orthotopic glioma models. This agent, in conjunction with subsequent oral extended-release 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) (Toca FC), is currently under investigation in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma . Temozolomide (TMZ) with radiation is the most frequently used first-line treatment for patients with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer in adults. However, subsets of patients with certain genetic alterations do not respond well to TMZ treatment and the overall median survival for patients who respond remains modest, suggesting that combinatorial approaches may be necessary to significantly improve outcomes. We show that in vitro TMZ delays but does not prevent RRV spread, nor interfere with Toca 511+5-FC-mediated cell killing in glioma tumor cells, and in vivo there is no significant hematologic effect from the combination of 5-FC and the clinically relevant dose of TMZ. A synergistic long-term survival advantage is observed in mice bearing an orthotopic TMZ-sensitive glioma after Toca 511 administration followed by coadministration of TMZ and 5-FC. These results provide support for the investigation of this novel combination treatment strategy in patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma.
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93
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Hickey MJ, Malone CC, Erickson KL, Lin A, Soto H, Ha ET, Kamijima S, Inagaki A, Takahashi M, Kato Y, Kasahara N, Mueller BM, Kruse CA. Combined alloreactive CTL cellular therapy with prodrug activator gene therapy in a model of breast cancer metastatic to the brain. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:4137-48. [PMID: 23780889 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-3735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Individual or combined strategies of cellular therapy with alloreactive CTLs (alloCTL) and gene therapy using retroviral replicating vectors (RRV) encoding a suicide prodrug activating gene were explored for the treatment of breast tumors metastatic to the brain. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AlloCTL, sensitized to the HLA of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, were examined in vitro for antitumor functionality toward breast cancer targets. RRV encoding the yeast cytosine deaminase (CD) gene was tested in vivo for virus spread, ability to infect, and kill breast cancer targets when exposed to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Individual and combination treatments were tested in subcutaneous and intracranial xenograft models with 231BR, a brain tropic variant. RESULTS AlloCTL preparations were cytotoxic, proliferated, and produced IFN-γ when coincubated with target cells displaying relevant HLA. In vivo, intratumorally placed alloCTL trafficked through one established intracranial 231BR focus to another in contralateral brain and induced tumor cell apoptosis. RRV-CD efficiently spread in vivo, infected 231BR and induced their apoptosis upon 5-FC exposure. Subcutaneous tumor volumes were significantly reduced in alloCTL and/or gene therapy-treated groups compared to control groups. Mice with established intracranial 231BR tumors treated with combined alloCTL and RRV-CD had a median survival of 97.5 days compared with single modalities (50-83 days); all experimental treatment groups survived significantly longer than sham-treated groups (median survivals 31.5 or 40 days) and exhibited good safety/toxicity profiles. CONCLUSION The results indicate combining cellular and suicide gene therapies is a viable strategy for the treatment of established breast tumors in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Hickey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Abstract
This study presents a computational tool for auto-segmenting the distribution of brain infusions observed by magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical usage of direct infusion is increasing as physicians recognize the need to attain high drug concentrations in the target structure with minimal off-target exposure. By co-infusing a Gadolinium-based contrast agent and visualizing the distribution using real-time using magnetic resonance imaging, physicians can make informed decisions about when to stop or adjust the infusion. However, manual segmentation of the images is tedious and affected by subjective preferences for window levels, image interpolation and personal biases about where to delineate the edge of the sloped shoulder of the infusion. This study presents a computational technique that uses a Gaussian Mixture Model to efficiently classify pixels as belonging to either the high-intensity infusate or low-intensity background. The algorithm was implemented as a distributable plug-in for the widely used imaging platform OsiriX®. Four independent operators segmented fourteen anonymized datasets to validate the tool’s performance. The datasets were intra-operative magnetic resonance images of infusions into the thalamus or putamen of non-human primates. The tool effectively reproduced the manual segmentation volumes, while significantly reducing intra-operator variability by 67±18%. The tool will be used to increase efficiency and reduce variability in upcoming clinical trials in neuro-oncology and gene therapy.
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95
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Yin D, Zhai Y, Gruber HE, Ibanez CE, Robbins JM, Kells AP, Kasahara N, Forsayeth J, Jolly DJ, Bankiewicz KS. Convection-enhanced delivery improves distribution and efficacy of tumor-selective retroviral replicating vectors in a rodent brain tumor model. Cancer Gene Ther 2013; 20:336-41. [PMID: 23703472 PMCID: PMC3733370 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2013.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we compared the therapeutic effect of tumor-selective retroviral replicating vectors (RRV) expressing the yeast cytosine deaminase (CD) delivered by CED or simple injection, followed by systemic administration of the pro-drug, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Treatment with RRV-CD and systemic 5-FC significantly increased survival in rodent U87MG glioma model in comparison to controls (p<0.01). Interestingly, CED of RRV-CD followed by 5-FC further enhanced survival in this animal model in comparison to intra-tumoral injection of RRV-CD followed by systemic 5-FC (p<0.05). High expression levels of Ki-67 were found in untreated tumors compared to treated. Untreated tumors were also much larger than treated. CED resulted in excellent distribution of RRV while only partial distribution of RRV was obtained after injection. Furthermore, RRV-CD and cytosine deaminase were also found in tumors from treated rats at study end-points. These results demonstrated that RRV vectors may efficiently transduce and stably propagate in malignant human glioma, thereby achieving a significant in-situ amplification effect after initial administration. We conclude that delivery of RRV into the glioma by CED provides much wider vector distribution than simple, injection, and this correlated with better therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
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96
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Current status of gene therapy for brain tumors. Transl Res 2013; 161:339-54. [PMID: 23246627 PMCID: PMC3733107 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest primary brain tumor in adults, with current treatments having limited impact on disease progression. Therefore the development of alternative treatment options is greatly needed. Gene therapy is a treatment strategy that relies on the delivery of genetic material, usually transgenes or viruses, into cells for therapeutic purposes, and has been applied to GBM with increasing promise. We have included selectively replication-competent oncolytic viruses within this strategy, although the virus acts directly as a complex biologic anti-tumor agent rather than as a classic gene delivery vehicle. GBM is a good candidate for gene therapy because tumors remain locally within the brain and only rarely metastasize to other tissues; the majority of cells in the brain are post-mitotic, which allows for specific targeting of dividing tumor cells; and tumors can often be accessed neurosurgically for administration of therapy. Delivery vehicles used for brain tumors include nonreplicating viral vectors, normal adult stem/progenitor cells, and oncolytic viruses. The therapeutic transgenes or viruses are typically cytotoxic or express prodrug activating suicide genes to kill glioma cells, immunostimulatory to induce or amplify anti-tumor immune responses, and/or modify the tumor microenvironment such as blocking angiogenesis. This review describes current preclinical and clinical gene therapy strategies for the treatment of glioma.
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97
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Rapid inverse planning for pressure-driven drug infusions in the brain. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56397. [PMID: 23457563 PMCID: PMC3574124 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Infusing drugs directly into the brain is advantageous to oral or intravenous delivery for large molecules or drugs requiring high local concentrations with low off-target exposure. However, surgeons manually planning the cannula position for drug delivery in the brain face a challenging three-dimensional visualization task. This study presents an intuitive inverse-planning technique to identify the optimal placement that maximizes coverage of the target structure while minimizing the potential for leakage outside the target. The technique was retrospectively validated using intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging of infusions into the striatum of non-human primates and into a tumor in a canine model and applied prospectively to upcoming human clinical trials.
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98
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Lam P, Khan G, Stripecke R, Hui KM, Kasahara N, Peng KW, Guinn BA. The innovative evolution of cancer gene and cellular therapies. Cancer Gene Ther 2013; 20:141-9. [PMID: 23370333 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2012.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We provide an overview of the latest developments in cancer gene therapy--from the bench to early-stage clinical trials. We describe the most recent work of worldwide teams including experienced scientists and clinicians, reflecting the recent emergence of gene therapy from the 'Valley of Death'. The treatment efficacy of clinical gene therapy has now been shown in a number of diseases including cancer and we are observing a renewed interest by big pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies most obviously demonstrated by Amgen's acquisition of Biovex for up to USD$1 billion. There is an opportunity to be cautiously hopeful regarding the future of gene therapy in the clinic and we review here some of the most recent progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lam
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
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99
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Tobias A, Ahmed A, Moon KS, Lesniak MS. The art of gene therapy for glioma: a review of the challenging road to the bedside. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2013; 84:213-22. [PMID: 22993449 PMCID: PMC3543505 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2012-302946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive brain tumour that is unvaryingly fatal in humans despite even aggressive therapeutic approaches such as surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unconventional treatment options such as gene therapy provide an intriguing option for curbing glioma related deaths. To date, gene therapy has yielded encouraging results in preclinical animal models as well as promising safety profiles in phase I clinical trials, but has failed to demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy in phase III clinical trials. The most widely studied antiglioma gene therapy strategies are suicide gene therapy, genetic immunotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy, and we have attributed the challenging transition of these modalities into the clinic to four major roadblocks: (1) anatomical features of the central nervous system, (2) the host immune system, (3) heterogeneity and invasiveness of GBM and (4) limitations in current GBM animal models. In this review, we discuss possible ways to jump these hurdles and develop new gene therapies that may be used alone or in synergy with other modalities to provide a powerful treatment option for patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Tobias
- Brain Tumour Center, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Ave, MC 3026, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Salehi A, Chen CC, Carter BS. Viral vectors: promising new therapeutics in the battle against glioblastoma. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2012; 5:489-91. [PMID: 23121267 DOI: 10.1586/ecp.12.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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