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Rotta G, Puca E, Cazzamalli S, Neri D, Dakhel Plaza S. Cytokine Biopharmaceuticals with "Activity-on-Demand" for Cancer Therapy. Bioconjug Chem 2024. [PMID: 38885090 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Cytokines are small proteins that modulate the activity of the immune system. Because of their potent immunomodulatory properties, some recombinant cytokines have undergone clinical development and have gained marketing authorization for the therapy of certain forms of cancer. Recombinant cytokines are typically administered at ultralow doses, as many of them can cause substantial toxicity even at submilligram quantities. In an attempt to increase the therapeutic index, fusion proteins based on tumor-homing antibodies (also called "immunocytokines") have been considered, and some products in this class have reached late-stage clinical trials. While antibody-cytokine fusions, which preferentially localize in the neoplastic mass, can activate tumor-resident leukocytes and may be more efficacious than their nontargeted counterparts, such products typically conserve an intact cytokine activity, which may prevent escalation to curative doses. To further improve tolerability, several strategies have been conceived for the development of antibody-cytokine fusions with "activity-on-demand", acting on tumors but helping spare normal tissues from undesired toxicity. In this article, we have reviewed some of the most promising strategies, outlining their potential as well as possible limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Rotta
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | | | | | - Dario Neri
- Philogen S.p.A, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Ruopp M, Zhu S, Worschech R, Haas D, Maschauer S, Prante O, Meinel L, Lühmann T. Bioconjugation of a Fibroblast Activation Protein Targeted Interleukin-4. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5580-5588. [PMID: 37721169 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is an immune-modulating therapeutic with growing potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Current challenges of IL-4 therapy include a low serum half-life and pleiotropic activity, suggesting effective targeting of IL-4. To develop an interleukin-4 bioconjugate with rapid targeting to inflammatory disease sites, we report the chemical synthesis, bioconjugation, and in vitro characterization of a murine interleukin-4 (mIL-4) conjugate decorated with a fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI). The FAPI targeting moiety features 2,2',2″,2‴-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrayl)tetraacetic acid (DOTA) to allow future biodistribution and imaging studies of the FAPI-mIL-4 bioconjugate. We demonstrated site-specific coupling of mIL-4 and FAPI-DOTA deploying chemo-enzyme and enzyme chemistries with a high purity exceeding 95%. The FAPI-DOTA modified mIL-4 was bioactive with polarization of murine macrophages into the M2 state while maintaining specific binding to FAP on fibroblast cells. Together, these results point to future in vivo use of the FAPI-mIL-4 bioconjugate to assess biodistribution and biological effects in animal models of inflammatory joint disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Ruopp
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sha Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Translational Research Center, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rafael Worschech
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dorothee Haas
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Simone Maschauer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Translational Research Center, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olaf Prante
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Translational Research Center, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Yang H, Ulge UY, Quijano-Rubio A, Bernstein ZJ, Maestas DR, Chun JH, Wang W, Lin JX, Jude KM, Singh S, Orcutt-Jahns BT, Li P, Mou J, Chung L, Kuo YH, Ali YH, Meyer AS, Grayson WL, Heller NM, Garcia KC, Leonard WJ, Silva DA, Elisseeff JH, Baker D, Spangler JB. Design of cell-type-specific hyperstable IL-4 mimetics via modular de novo scaffolds. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1127-1137. [PMID: 37024727 PMCID: PMC10697138 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01313-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokine plays a critical role in modulating immune homeostasis. Although there is great interest in harnessing this cytokine as a therapeutic in natural or engineered formats, the clinical potential of native IL-4 is limited by its instability and pleiotropic actions. Here, we design IL-4 cytokine mimetics (denoted Neo-4) based on a de novo engineered IL-2 mimetic scaffold and demonstrate that these cytokines can recapitulate physiological functions of IL-4 in cellular and animal models. In contrast with natural IL-4, Neo-4 is hyperstable and signals exclusively through the type I IL-4 receptor complex, providing previously inaccessible insights into differential IL-4 signaling through type I versus type II receptors. Because of their hyperstability, our computationally designed mimetics can directly incorporate into sophisticated biomaterials that require heat processing, such as three-dimensional-printed scaffolds. Neo-4 should be broadly useful for interrogating IL-4 biology, and the design workflow will inform targeted cytokine therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Yang
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Umut Y Ulge
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alfredo Quijano-Rubio
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zachary J Bernstein
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David R Maestas
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jung-Ho Chun
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wentao Wang
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kevin M Jude
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Srujan Singh
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Peng Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jody Mou
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liam Chung
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yun-Huai Kuo
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yasmin H Ali
- College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Aaron S Meyer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Warren L Grayson
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicola M Heller
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel-Adriano Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer H Elisseeff
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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4
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Yu B, Yoo D, Kim KH, Kim TW, Park S, Kim Y, Son Y, Kim J, Noh I, Whang C, Chung J, Jon S. Effective Combination Immunotherapy through Vessel Normalization Using a Cancer‐Targeting Antiangiogenic Peptide–Antibody Hybrid. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Byeongjun Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Dohyun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Ki Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seoul National University College of Medicine 103 Daehak‐ro Seoul 03080 Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Seho Park
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Youngju Son
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Jinjoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Ilkoo Noh
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Chang‐Hee Whang
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Junho Chung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seoul National University College of Medicine 103 Daehak‐ro Seoul 03080 Republic of Korea
| | - Sangyong Jon
- Department of Biological Sciences KAIST Institute for the BioCentury Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Center for Precision Bio‐Nanomedicine Korea Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak‐ro Daejeon 34141 Korea
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5
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Paillet J, Plantureux C, Lévesque S, Le Naour J, Stoll G, Sauvat A, Caudana P, Tosello Boari J, Bloy N, Lachkar S, Martins I, Opolon P, Checcoli A, Delaune A, Robil N, de la Grange P, Hamroune J, Letourneur F, Autret G, Leung PS, Gershwin ME, Zhu JS, Kurth MJ, Lekbaby B, Augustin J, Kim Y, Gujar S, Coulouarn C, Fouassier L, Zitvogel L, Piaggio E, Housset C, Soussan P, Maiuri MC, Kroemer G, Pol JG. Autoimmunity affecting the biliary tract fuels the immunosurveillance of cholangiocarcinoma. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20200853. [PMID: 34495298 PMCID: PMC8429038 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) results from the malignant transformation of cholangiocytes. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are chronic diseases in which cholangiocytes are primarily damaged. Although PSC is an inflammatory condition predisposing to CCA, CCA is almost never found in the autoimmune context of PBC. Here, we hypothesized that PBC might favor CCA immunosurveillance. In preclinical murine models of cholangitis challenged with syngeneic CCA, PBC (but not PSC) reduced the frequency of CCA development and delayed tumor growth kinetics. This PBC-related effect appeared specific to CCA as it was not observed against other cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma. The protective effect of PBC was relying on type 1 and type 2 T cell responses and, to a lesser extent, on B cells. Single-cell TCR/RNA sequencing revealed the existence of TCR clonotypes shared between the liver and CCA tumor of a PBC host. Altogether, these results evidence a mechanistic overlapping between autoimmunity and cancer immunosurveillance in the biliary tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Paillet
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Céleste Plantureux
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sarah Lévesque
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Julie Le Naour
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Gautier Stoll
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Allan Sauvat
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Pamela Caudana
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U932, Paris, France
| | - Jimena Tosello Boari
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U932, Paris, France
| | - Norma Bloy
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sylvie Lachkar
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Martins
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Andrea Checcoli
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U900, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Juliette Hamroune
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Franck Letourneur
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Gwennhael Autret
- Université de Paris, Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U970, Paris, France
| | - Patrick S.C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - Jie S. Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Mark J. Kurth
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Bouchra Lekbaby
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Augustin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Département de Pathologie, Paris, France
| | - Youra Kim
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Rennes 1, Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling, UMR_S 1242, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Laura Fouassier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Eliane Piaggio
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie 1428, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Housset
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis, Department of Hepatology, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Soussan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Maria Chiara Maiuri
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
- Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan G. Pol
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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6
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Rosini E, Volpi NA, Ziffels B, Grimaldi A, Sacchi S, Neri D, Pollegioni L. An antibody-based enzymatic therapy for cancer treatment: The selective localization of D-amino acid oxidase to EDA fibronectin. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 36:102424. [PMID: 34174417 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In order to generate an antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy, here we designed a chimeric protein by fusing the F8 antibody that recognizes the EDA of fibronectin (expressed on the tumor neovasculature) and an evolved variant of the ROS-generating enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO). The F8(scFv)-DAAO-Q144R recombinant protein is expressed by both CHO-S and E. coli cells. The F8(scFv)-DAAO-Q144R from E. coli cells is fully soluble, shows a high specific activity, is more thermostable in blood than the native DAAO, possesses a binding affinity for EDA well suited for efficient tumor accumulation, and localizes in tumor tissues. Notably, the F8(scFv)-DAAO-Q144R conjugate generates a stronger cytotoxicity to tumor cells than the native enzyme, especially when an inhibitor of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is used, making it a promising candidate for a selective antitumor oxidative therapy controlled by the substrate addition, in the so called "activity on demand", thus sparing normal tissue from damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rosini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
| | - Noemi Antonella Volpi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Barbara Ziffels
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Grimaldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Silvia Sacchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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7
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Runbeck E, Crescioli S, Karagiannis SN, Papa S. Utilizing Immunocytokines for Cancer Therapy. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:antib10010010. [PMID: 33803078 PMCID: PMC8006145 DOI: 10.3390/antib10010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokine therapy for cancer has indicated efficacy in certain diseases but is generally accompanied by severe toxicity. The field of antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (immunocytokines) arose to target these effector molecules to the tumor environment in order to expand the therapeutic window of cytokine therapy. Pre-clinical evidence has shown the increased efficacy and decreased toxicity of various immunocytokines when compared to their cognate unconjugated cytokine. These anti-tumor properties are markedly enhanced when combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and checkpoint inhibitor antibodies. Clinical trials that have continued to explore the potential of these biologics for cancer therapy have been conducted. This review covers the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence for the application of immunocytokines in immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Runbeck
- ImmunoEngineering Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK;
| | - Silvia Crescioli
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; (S.C.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Sophia N. Karagiannis
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; (S.C.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Sophie Papa
- ImmunoEngineering Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Studies, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK;
- Correspondence:
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Stringhini M, Mock J, Fontana V, Murer P, Neri D. Antibody-mediated delivery of LIGHT to the tumor boosts natural killer cells and delays tumor progression. MAbs 2021; 13:1868066. [PMID: 33404287 PMCID: PMC7808322 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1868066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
LIGHT is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, which has been claimed to mediate anti-tumor activity on the basis of cancer cures observed in immunocompetent mice bearing transgenic LIGHT-expressing tumors. The preclinical development of a LIGHT-based therapeutic has been hindered by the lack of functional stability exhibited by this protein. Here, we describe the cloning, expression, and characterization of five antibody-LIGHT fusion proteins, directed against the alternatively spliced extra domain A of fibronectin, a conserved tumor-associated antigen. Among the five tested formats, only the sequential fusion of the F8 antibody in single-chain diabody format, followed by the LIGHT homotrimer expressed as a single polypeptide, yielded a protein (termed "F8-LIGHT") that was not prone to aggregation. A quantitative biodistribution analysis in tumor-bearing mice, using radio-iodinated protein preparations, confirmed that F8-LIGHT was able to preferentially accumulate at the tumor site, with a tumor-to-blood ratio of ca. five to one 24 hours after intravenous administration. Tumor therapy experiments, performed in two murine tumor models (CT26 and WEHI-164), featuring different levels of lymphocyte infiltration into the neoplastic mass, revealed that F8-LIGHT could significantly reduce tumor-cell growth and was more potent than a similar fusion protein (KSF-LIGHT), directed against hen egg lysozyme and serving as negative control of irrelevant specificity in the mouse. At a mechanistic level, the activity of F8-LIGHT was mainly due to an intratumoral expansion of natural killer cells, whereas there was no evidence of expansion of CD8 + T cells, neither in the tumor, nor in draining lymph nodes. Abbreviations: CTLA-4: Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes-associated protein 4; EGFR: Epidermal growth factor receptor; HVEM: Herpesvirus entry mediator; IFNγ: Interferon-gamma; LIGHT: Lymphotoxin, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for binding to herpesvirus entry mediator, a receptor expressed on T lymphocytes; LTβR: Lymphotoxin beta receptor; NF-κB: Nuclear factor "kappa-light-chain-enhancer" of activated B cells; NK: Natural killer cells; PD-1: Programmed cell death protein 1; PD-L1: Programmed death-ligand 1; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/metabolism
- CHO Cells
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cricetinae
- Cricetulus
- Disease Progression
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacokinetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology
- Tissue Distribution
- Tumor Burden/drug effects
- Tumor Burden/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14/genetics
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Stringhini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Mock
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Fontana
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Murer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
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Shofolawe-Bakare OT, Stokes LD, Hossain M, Smith AE, Werfel TA. Immunostimulatory biomaterials to boost tumor immunogenicity. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:5516-5537. [PMID: 33049007 PMCID: PMC7837217 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01183e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is exhibiting great promise as a new therapeutic modality for cancer treatment. However, immunotherapies are limited by the inability of some tumors to provoke an immune response. These tumors with a 'cold' immunological phenotype are characterized by low numbers of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, high numbers of immunosuppressive leukocytes (e.g. regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages), and high production of immune-dampening signals (e.g. IL-10, TGF-β, IDO-1). Strategies to boost the aptitude of tumors to initiate an immune response (i.e. boost tumor immunogenicity) will turn 'cold' tumors 'hot' and augment the anti-tumor efficacy of current immunotherapies. Approaches to boost tumor immunogenicity already show promise; however, multifaceted delivery and immunobiology challenges exist. For instance, systemic delivery of many immune-stimulating agents causes off-target toxicity and/or the development of autoimmunity, limiting the administrable dose below the threshold needed to achieve efficacy. Moreover, once administered in vivo, molecules such as the nucleic acid-based agonists for many pattern recognition receptors are either rapidly cleared or degraded, and don't efficiently traffic to the intracellular compartments where the receptors are located. Thus, these nucleic acid-based drugs are ineffective without a delivery system. Biomaterials-based approaches aim to enhance current strategies to boost tumor immunogenicity, enable novel strategies, and spare dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we review recent progress to improve cancer immunotherapies by boosting immunogenicity within tumors using immunostimulatory biomaterials.
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10
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Enhancing the Efficacy of CAR T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061389. [PMID: 32481570 PMCID: PMC7353070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis and lowest survival rate among all types of cancers and thus, there exists a strong need for novel therapeutic strategies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells present a new potential option after successful FDA-approval in hematologic malignancies, however, current CAR T cell clinical trials in pancreatic cancer failed to improve survival and were unable to demonstrate any significant response. The physical and environmental barriers created by the distinct tumor microenvironment (TME) as a result of the desmoplastic reaction in pancreatic cancer present major hurdles for CAR T cells as a viable therapeutic option in this tumor entity. Cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts express extracellular matrix molecules, enzymes, and growth factors, which can attenuate CAR T cell infiltration and efficacy. Recent efforts demonstrate a niche shift where targeting the TME along CAR T cell therapy is believed or hoped to provide a substantial clinical added value to improve overall survival. This review summarizes therapeutic approaches targeting the TME and their effect on CAR T cells as well as their outcome in preclinical and clinical trials in pancreatic cancer.
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Neri D. Antibody-Cytokine Fusions: Versatile Products for the Modulation of Anticancer Immunity. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 7:348-354. [PMID: 30824549 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable clinical success of immune-checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of a growing number of cancer types has sparked interest in the discovery of novel forms of immunotherapy, which may be used alone or in combination. In this context, cytokine-based therapeutics are well poised to play a role in modern cancer therapy. This article focuses on antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (also called "immunocytokines") as one class of biopharmaceuticals that can substantially improve the therapeutic index and, thus, the applicability of cytokine products. In many preclinical settings, antibodies can be used to preferentially deliver many (but not all) types of cytokines to primary and metastatic tumor lesions. The antibody-based delivery of certain proinflammatory payloads (such as IL2, IL12, and TNF) to the tumor microenvironment can lead to a dramatic potentiation of their anticancer activity. However, although some fusion proteins have advanced to late-stage clinical trials, much work remains to be done in order to fully characterize the mechanism of action and the pharmaceutical potential of immunocytokines in the clinical setting. Various factors contribute to in vivo performance, including the target antigen, the antibody properties, the nature of the payload, the format of the fusion protein, the dose, and schedule, as well as their use in combination with other therapeutic modalities. Protein engineering opportunities and insights in cancer immunology are contributing to the development of next-generation immunocytokine products and of novel therapeutic concepts, with the goal to increase antitumor activity and reduce systemic toxicity (a common problem for cytokine-based biopharmaceuticals).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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12
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Dakhel S, Ongaro T, Gouyou B, Matasci M, Villa A, Neri D, Cazzamalli S. Targeted enhancement of the therapeutic window of L19-TNF by transient and selective inhibition of RIPK1-signaling cascade. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6678-6690. [PMID: 31803362 PMCID: PMC6877107 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cytokine-based products are gaining importance for cancer immunotherapy. L19-TNF is a clinical-stage antibody-cytokine fusion protein that selectively accumulates to tumors and displays potent anticancer activity in preclinical models. Here, we describe an innovative approach to transiently inhibit off-target toxicity of L19-TNF, while maintaining antitumor activity. Methods GSK’963, a potent small molecule inhibitor of RIPK1, was tested in tumor-bearing mice for its ability to reduce acute toxicity associated with TNF signaling. The biological effects of L19-TNF on tumor cells, lymphocytes and tumor vessels were investigated with the aim to enable the administration of TNF doses, which would otherwise be lethal. Results Transient inhibition of RIPK1 allowed to increase the maximal tolerated dose of L19-TNF. The protective effect of GSK’963 did not affect the selective localization of the immunocytokine to tumors as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution analysis and allowed to reach high local TNF concentrations around tumor blood vessels, causing diffused vascular shutdown and hemorrhagic necrosis within the neoplastic mass. Conclusions The selective inhibition of RIPK1 with small molecule inhibitors can be used as a pharmaceutical tool to transiently mask TNF activity and improve the therapeutic window of TNF-based biopharmaceuticals. Similar approaches may be applicable to other pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dario Neri
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zurich CH-8093, Switzerland
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13
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Murer P, Neri D. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins: A novel class of biopharmaceuticals for the therapy of cancer and of chronic inflammation. N Biotechnol 2019; 52:42-53. [PMID: 30991144 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins represent a novel class of biopharmaceuticals, with the potential to increase the therapeutic index of cytokine 'payloads' and to promote leukocyte infiltration at the site of disease. In this review, we present a survey of immunocytokines that have been used in preclinical models of cancer and in clinical trials. In particular, we highlight how antibody format, choice of target antigen and cytokine engineering, as well as combination strategies, may have a profound impact on therapeutic performance. Moreover, by using anti-inflammatory cytokines, antibody fusion strategies can conveniently be employed for the treatment of auto-immune and chronic inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Murer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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14
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Hutmacher C, Gonzalo Núñez N, Liuzzi AR, Becher B, Neri D. Targeted Delivery of IL2 to the Tumor Stroma Potentiates the Action of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors by Preferential Activation of NK and CD8 + T Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:572-583. [PMID: 30782667 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant human IL2 is being considered as a combination partner for immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy, but the product only has a narrow therapeutic window. Therefore, we used F8-IL2, an antibody-IL2 fusion protein capable of selective localization to the tumor site, in combination with antibodies against murine CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1. In immunocompetent mice bearing CT26 tumors, the combination of F8-IL2 with CTLA-4 blockade was efficacious, leading to increased progression-free survival and protective immunity against subsequent tumor rechallenges. The combination with anti-PD-1 induced substantial tumor growth retardation, but tumor clearance was rare, whereas the combination with anti-PD-L1 exhibited the lowest activity. A detailed high-parametric single-cell analysis of the tumor leukocyte composition revealed that F8-IL2 had a strong impact on NK-cell activity without collateral immune activation in the systemic immune compartment, whereas CTLA-4 blockade led to significant changes in the T-cell compartment. Leukocyte depletion studies revealed that CD8+ T and NK cells were the main drivers of the therapeutic activity. We extended the experimental observations to a second model, treating MC38 tumor-bearing mice with F8-IL2 and/or CTLA-4 blockade. Only the combination treatment displayed potent anticancer activity, characterized by an increase in cytolytic CD8+ T and NK cells in tumors and draining lymph nodes. A decrease in the regulatory T cell frequency, within the tumors, was also observed. The results provide a rationale for the combined use of engineered IL2 therapeutics with immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Hutmacher
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Anna Rita Liuzzi
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland.
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15
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Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins: Biopharmaceuticals with immunomodulatory properties for cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:67-91. [PMID: 30201522 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines have long been used for therapeutic applications in cancer patients. Substantial side effects and unfavorable pharmacokinetics limit their application and may prevent dose escalation to therapeutically active regimens. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (often referred to as immunocytokines) may help localize immunomodulatory cytokine payloads to the tumor, thereby activating anticancer immune responses. A variety of formats (e.g., intact IgGs or antibody fragments), molecular targets (e.g., extracellular matrix components and cell membrane antigens) and cytokine payloads have been considered for the development of this novel class of biopharmaceuticals. This review presents the basic concepts on the design and engineering of immunocytokines, reviews their potential limitations, points out emerging opportunities and summarizes key features of preclinical and clinical-stage products.
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16
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Schwager S, Renner S, Hemmerle T, Karaman S, Proulx ST, Fetz R, Golding-Ochsenbein AM, Probst P, Halin C, Neri D, Detmar M. Antibody-mediated delivery of VEGF-C potently reduces chronic skin inflammation. JCI Insight 2018; 3:124850. [PMID: 30518687 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
VEGF-C is an important mediator of lymphangiogenesis and has been shown to alleviate chronic inflammation in a variety of disease models. In this study, we investigated whether targeted delivery of VEGF-C to sites of inflammation and site-specific activation of lymphatic vessels would represent a clinically feasible strategy for treating chronic skin inflammation. To this end, we generated a fusion protein consisting of human VEGF-C fused to the F8 antibody (F8-VEGF-C), which is specific for the alternatively spliced, angiogenesis-marking extradomain A (EDA) of fibronectin. In two mouse models of psoriasis-like skin inflammation, mediated by transgenic VEGF-A overexpression or repeated application of imiquimod, intravenous treatment with F8-VEGF-C but not with untargeted VEGF-C significantly reduced ear skin edema and was as effective as the clinically used TNF-α receptor-Fc fusion protein (TNFR-Fc). Treatment with F8-VEGF-C led to a marked expansion of lymphatic vessels in the inflamed skin and significantly improved lymphatic drainage function. At the same time, treatment with F8-VEGF-C significantly reduced leukocyte numbers, including CD4+ and γδ T cells. In sum, our results reveal that targeted delivery of VEGF-C and site-specific induction of lymphatic vessels represent a potentially new and promising approach for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
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17
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Marzouk H, Farag Y, El-Hanafi HM, Ibrahim E. Serum IL 4 and its gene polymorphism (rs79071878) in Egyptian children with familial Mediterranean fever. Clin Rheumatol 2018; 37:3397-3403. [PMID: 30014360 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-018-4214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disorder. It is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene encoding the pyrin protein, which regulates the innate inflammatory response. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between serum Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and its gene polymorphism, namely rs79071878, and FMF occurrence, severity, and response to treatment in Egyptian children harboring the disease. Fifty Egyptian children diagnosed as having FMF were included in this study. They were divided equally into two groups according to disease activity. Forty controls, age- and gender-matched, were also included. Serum IL-4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The IL-4 rs79071878 polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution of IL-4 gene rs79071878 between patients and controls (p = 0.286) and had no correlation with FMF severity or response to colchicine therapy. Serum IL-4 level had no significant difference between children with FMF attack and those in attack-free period compared to controls (p = 0. 794) and had no correlation with any of demographic, or clinical characteristics, disease severity, or response to colchicine therapy. Serum IL-4 level and its gene polymorphism were not found to have any increase risk of FMF occurrence, disease severity, or response to treatment in the Egyptian children. Further studies are needed to verify these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huda Marzouk
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Yomna Farag
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hadeel M El-Hanafi
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman Ibrahim
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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De Luca R, Neri D. Potentiation of PD-L1 blockade with a potency-matched dual cytokine-antibody fusion protein leads to cancer eradication in BALB/c-derived tumors but not in other mouse strains. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:1381-1391. [PMID: 29971465 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2194-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We have recently described a novel therapeutic antibody product (IL2-F8-TNFmut), featuring the simultaneous fusion of murine IL2 and of a TNF mutant with scFv(F8), an antibody specific to the alternatively-spliced extra domain A of fibronectin (EDA). Here, we report on the in vivo characterization of the anti-cancer activity of IL2-F8-TNFmut in four immunocompetent murine models of cancer, CT26, WEHI-164, F9 teratocarcinoma and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), using the product alone or in combination with a monoclonal antibody specific to murine PD-L1. All four models exhibited a strong expression of EDA-fibronectin, which was confined to vascular structures for F9 tumors, while the other three malignancies exhibited a more stromal pattern of staining. A complete and long-lasting tumor eradication of CT26 and WEHI-164 tumors was observed in BALB/c mice when IL2-F8-TNFmut was used in combination with PD-L1 blockade. The combination treatment led to improved tumor growth inhibition in 129/SvEv mice bearing murine teratocarcinoma or in C57BL/6 mice bearing murine LLC, but those cancer cures were difficult to achieve in those models. A microscopic analysis of tumor sections, obtained 24 h after pharmacological treatment, revealed that the PD-L1 antibody had homogenously reached tumor cells in vivo and that the combination of PD-L1 blockade with IL2-F8-TNFmut stimulated an influx of NK cells and of T cells into the neoplastic mass. These data indicate that potency-matched dual-cytokine fusion proteins may be ideally suited to potentiate the therapeutic activity of immune check-point inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto De Luca
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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19
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Schmid AS, Hemmerle T, Pretto F, Kipar A, Neri D. Antibody-based targeted delivery of interleukin-4 synergizes with dexamethasone for the reduction of inflammation in arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018; 57:748-755. [PMID: 29365185 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kex447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We have previously reported that F8-IL4, a fusion protein consisting of the F8 antibody specific to the alternatively-spliced extra domain A of fibronectin and of murine IL-4, cures mice with established arthritis, when used in combination with dexamethasone (DXM). The goal of this study was to assess whether other therapeutic agents, besides DXM, could induce cures in combination with F8-IL4 and to elucidate which leucocytes are most affected by the pharmacological treatment. Methods We performed therapy experiments in mice with CIA, using intravenous administrations of F8-IL4 in combination with DXM, MTX, murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 fused to the fragment crystallizable portion of murine IgG2a, as well as mAbs to murine IL17A or the p40 subunit of murine IL12/IL23. Histology and immunohistochemistry for the identification of the various leucocytes were performed on the paws of mice euthanized at different therapy time points. Results Only the use of F8-IL4 in combination with DXM induced complete remissions, while all other combinations did not lead to cures. The light microscopical evaluation of paws with arthritis revealed a predominant infiltration of neutrophils, which substantially decreased 24 h after treatment with F8-IL4 and DXM. Conclusion The combination of F8-IL4 with DXM promotes a rapid anti-arthritic action by potently inhibiting neutrophil activity. A fully human analogue of F8-IL4 may find clinical utility for the treatment of neutrophil-driven chronic inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Sophie Schmid
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Teresa Hemmerle
- Philochem AG, Otelfingen, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Pretto
- Philochem AG, Otelfingen, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
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20
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Novel antibody-cytokine fusion proteins featuring granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, interleukin-3 and interleukin-4 as payloads. J Biotechnol 2018; 271:29-36. [PMID: 29438784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophils can strongly influence disease activity in cancer and in chronic inflammation. Here, we report for the first time the construction and characterization of antibody-fusion proteins featuring granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and interleukin-3 as payloads capable of enhancing neutrophil activity and a novel antibody-interleukin-4 fusion protein with neutrophil inhibitory potential. We used the F8 antibody specific to the alternatively-spliced extra domain A (EDA) of fibronectin as a targeting agent, since the cognate antigen is strongly upregulated in diseases characterized by angiogenesis. The fusion proteins GCSF-F8, F8-IL3 and F8-IL4-F8, were cloned, expressed, and their targeting ability assessed, exhibiting preferential tumor uptake with tumor:blood ratios at 24 h after injection of 3.3, 18.2 and 27.3, respectively. In F9 tumor bearing-mice GCSF-F8 and F8-IL3 did not provide a therapeutic benefit, while F8-IL4-F8 showed a potent tumor growth retardation. In the collagen-induced model of arthritis, GCSF-F8 and F8-IL3 induced a worsening of the disease, while F8-IL4-F8 slowed arthritis progression but, surprisingly, exhibited substantial toxicity when used in combination with dexamethasone. Collectively, the results indicate that the novel fusion proteins could be expressed and efficiently delivered to the site of disease. However, they were not superior to other antibody-cytokine fusions previously described by our laboratory.
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Menssen HD, Harnack U, Erben U, Neri D, Hirsch B, Dürkop H. Antibody-based delivery of tumor necrosis factor (L19-TNFα) and interleukin-2 (L19-IL2) to tumor-associated blood vessels has potent immunological and anticancer activity in the syngeneic J558L BALB/c myeloma model. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018; 144:499-507. [PMID: 29327244 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-017-2564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the impact of TNFα or IL2 on human lymphocytes in vitro and the anti-tumor and immune-modifying effects of L19-IL2 and L19-TNFα on subcutaneously growing J558L myeloma in immunocompetent mice. METHODS PBMCs from three healthy volunteers were incubated with IL2, TNFα, or with IL2 plus addition of TNFα (final 20 h). BALB/c J558L mice with subcutaneous tumors were treated with intravenous L19-TNFα plus L19-IL2, or controls. Tumor growth and intra- and peri-tumoral tissues were analyzed for micro-vessel density, necrosis, immune cell composition, and PD1 or PD-L1 expressing cells. RESULTS Exposure of PBMC in vitro to IL2, TNFα, or to IL2 over 3 and 5 days plus TNFα for the final 20 h resulted in an approximately 50 and 75% reduction of the CD25low effector cell/CD25high Treg cell ratio, respectively, compared to medium control. IL2 or TNFα increased the proportion of CD4- CD25low effector lymphocytes while reducing the proportion of CD4+ CD25low Teff cells. In the J558L myeloma model, tumor eradication was observed in 58, 42, 25, and 0% of mice treated with L19-TNFα plus L19-IL2, L19-TNFα, L19-IL2, and PBS, respectively. L19-TNFα/L19-IL2 combination caused tumor necrosis, capillary density doubling, peri-tumoral T cell and PD1+ T cell reduction (- 50%), and an increase in PD-L1+ myeloma cells. CONCLUSION IL2, TNFα, or IL2 plus TNFα (final 20 h) increased the proportion of CD4- CD25low effector lymphocytes possibly indicating immune activation. L19-TNFα/L19-IL2 combination therapy eradicated tumors in J558L myeloma BALB/c mice likely via TNFα-induced tumor necrosis and L19-TNFα/L19-IL2-mediated local cellular immune reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans D Menssen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Department of Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ulf Harnack
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Campus Mitte, Department of Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité-Platz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Erben
- Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Medical Department, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 10, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Hirsch
- Department of Pathology at Campus Benjamin Franklin, Campus Mitte, Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Virchowweg 15, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Campus Mitte, Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Virchowweg 15, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Horst Dürkop
- Pathodiagnostik Berlin, Komturstrasse 58-62, 12099, Berlin, Germany
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Bhavsar C, Momin M, Khan T, Omri A. Targeting tumor microenvironment to curb chemoresistance via novel drug delivery strategies. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2018; 15:641-663. [PMID: 29301448 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2018.1424825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tumor is a heterogeneous mass of malignant cells co-existing with non-malignant cells. This co-existence evolves from the initial developmental stages of the tumor and is one of the hallmarks of cancer providing a protumorigenic niche known as tumor microenvironment (TME). Proliferation, invasiveness, metastatic potential and maintenance of stemness through cross-talk between tumors and its stroma forms the basis of TME. AREAS COVERED The article highlights the developmental phases of a tumor from dysplasia to the formation of clinically detectable tumors. The authors discuss the mechanistic stages involved in the formation of TME and its contribution in tumor outgrowth and chemoresistance. The authors have reviewed various approaches for targeting TME and its hallmarks along with their advantages and pitfalls. The authors also highlight cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are resistant to chemotherapeutics and thus a primary reason for tumor recurrence thereby, posing a challenge for the oncologists. EXPERT OPINION Recent understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in acquired chemoresistance has enabled scientists to target the tumor niche and TME and modulate and/or disrupt this communication leading to the transformation from a tumor-supportive niche environment to a tumor-non-supporting environment and give synergistic results towards an effective management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chintan Bhavsar
- a Department of Pharmaceutics, SVKMs Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy , University of Mumbai , Mumbai , India
| | - Munira Momin
- a Department of Pharmaceutics, SVKMs Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy , University of Mumbai , Mumbai , India
| | - Tabassum Khan
- b Department of Quality Assurance and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SVKMs Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy , University of Mumbai , Mumbai , India
| | - Abdelwahab Omri
- c The Novel Drug & Vaccine Delivery Systems Facility, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Laurentian University , Sudbury , ON , Canada
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Abstract
As of May 1, 2017, 74 antibody-based molecules have been approved by a regulatory authority in a major market. Additionally, there are 70 and 575 antibody-based molecules in phase III and phase I/II clinical trials, respectively. These total 719 antibody-based clinical stage molecules include 493 naked IgGs, 87 antibody-drug conjugates, 61 bispecific antibodies, 37 total Fc fusion proteins, 17 radioimmunoglobulins, 13 antibody fragments, and 11 immunocytokines. New uses for these antibodies are being discovered each year. For oncology, many of the exciting new approaches involve antibody modulation of T-cells. There are over 80 antibodies in clinical trials targeting T cell checkpoints, 26 T-cell-redirected bispecific antibodies, and 145 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell-based candidates (all currently in phase I or II clinical trials), totaling more than 250 T cell interacting clinical stage antibody-based candidates. Finally, significant progress has been made recently on routes of delivery, including delivery of proteins across the blood-brain barrier, oral delivery to the gut, delivery to the cellular cytosol, and gene- and viral-based delivery of antibodies. Thus, there are currently at least 864 antibody-based clinical stage molecules or cells, with incredible diversity in how they are constructed and what activities they impart. These are followed by a next wave of novel molecules, approaches, and new methods and routes of delivery, demonstrating that the field of antibody-based biologics is very innovative and diverse in its approaches to fulfill their promise to treat unmet medical needs.
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Fercher C, Keshvari S, McGuckin MA, Barnard RT. Evolution of the magic bullet: Single chain antibody fragments for the targeted delivery of immunomodulatory proteins. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2017; 243:166-183. [PMID: 29256259 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217748575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunocytokines are fusion proteins that combine the specific antigen binding capacities of an antibody or derivative thereof and the potent bioactivity of a cytokine partner. These novel biopharmaceuticals have been directed to various targets of oncological as well as non-oncological origin and a handful of promising constructs are currently advancing in the clinical trial pipeline. Several factors such as the choice of a disease specific antigen, the antibody format and the modulatory nature of the payload are crucial, not only for therapeutic efficacy and safety but also for the commercial success of such a product. In this review, we provide an overview of the basic principles and obstacles in immunocytokine design with a specific focus on single chain antibody fragment-based constructs that employ interleukins as the immunoactive component. Impact statement Selective activation of the immune system in a variety of malignancies represents an attractive approach when existing strategies have failed to provide adequate treatment options. Immunocytokines as a novel class of bifunctional protein therapeutics have emerged recently and generated promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. In order to harness their full potential, multiple different aspects have to be taken into consideration. Several key points of these fusion constructs are discussed here and should provide an outline for the development of novel products based on an overview of selected formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Fercher
- 1 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sahar Keshvari
- 2 Inflammatory Diseases Biology and Therapeutics, Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Michael A McGuckin
- 2 Inflammatory Diseases Biology and Therapeutics, Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ross T Barnard
- 1 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,3 Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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De Luca R, Soltermann A, Pretto F, Pemberton-Ross C, Pellegrini G, Wulhfard S, Neri D. Potency-matched Dual Cytokine-Antibody Fusion Proteins for Cancer Therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:2442-2451. [PMID: 28716814 PMCID: PMC5844457 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A novel biopharmaceutical, consisting of the F8 mAb (specific to a splice isoform of fibronectin) simultaneously fused to both TNF and IL2, was found to react with the majority of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies in mouse and man, but not with healthy adult tissues. The product selectively localized to neoplastic lesions in vivo, as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution studies using radioiodinated protein preparations. When the potency of the cytokine payloads was matched by a single-point mutation, the resulting fusion protein (IL2-F8-TNFmut) eradicated soft-tissue sarcomas in immunocompetent mice, which did not respond to individual antibody-cytokine fusion proteins or by standard doxorubicin treatment. Durable complete responses were also observed in mice bearing CT26, C1498, and F9 tumors. The simultaneous delivery of multiple proinflammatory payloads to the cancer site conferred protective immunity against subsequent tumor challenges. A fully human homolog of IL2-F8-TNFmut, which retained selectivity similar to its murine counterpart when tested on human material, may open new clinical applications for the immunotherapy of cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(11); 2442-51. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto De Luca
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Soltermann
- Institut für Klinische Pathologie, Universitätspital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Giovanni Pellegrini
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland.
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Addressing the Immunogenicity of the Cargo and of the Targeting Antibodies with a Focus on Demmunized Bacterial Toxins and on Antibody-Targeted Human Effector Proteins. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5020028. [PMID: 28574434 PMCID: PMC5489814 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5020028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Third-generation immunotoxins are composed of a human, or humanized, targeting moiety, usually a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment, and a non-human effector molecule. Due to the non-human origin of the cytotoxic domain, these molecules stimulate potent anti-drug immune responses, which limit treatment options. Efforts are made to deimmunize such immunotoxins or to combine treatment with immunosuppression. An alternative approach is using the so-called “human cytotoxic fusion proteins”, in which antibodies are used to target human effector proteins. Here, we present three relevant approaches for reducing the immunogenicity of antibody-targeted protein therapeutics: (1) reducing the immunogenicity of the bacterial toxin, (2) fusing human cytokines to antibodies to generate immunocytokines and (3) addressing the immunogenicity of the targeting antibodies.
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Kwon D, Cha BG, Cho Y, Min J, Park EB, Kang SJ, Kim J. Extra-Large Pore Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Directing in Vivo M2 Macrophage Polarization by Delivering IL-4. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:2747-2756. [PMID: 28422506 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b04130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) smaller than 200 nm with a high colloidal stability have been extensively studied for systemic drug delivery. Although small molecule delivery via MSNs has been successful, the encapsulation of large therapeutic biomolecules, such as proteins or DNA, is limited due to small pore size of the conventional MSNs obtained by soft-templating. Here, we report the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with extra-large pores (XL-MSNs) and their application to in vivo cytokine delivery for macrophage polarization. Uniform, size-controllable XL-MSNs with 30 nm extra-large pores were synthesized using organic additives and inorganic seed nanoparticles. XL-MSNs showed significantly higher loadings for the model proteins with different molecular weights compared to conventional small pore MSNs. XL-MSNs were used to deliver IL-4, which is an M2-polarizing cytokine and very quickly degraded in vivo, to macrophages and polarize them to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in vivo. XL-MSNs induced a low level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and no pro-inflammatory cytokines in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and in mice injected intravenously with XL-MSNs. We found that the injected XL-MSNs were targeted to phagocytic myeloid cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Finally, we demonstrated that the injection of IL-4-loaded XL-MSNs successfully triggered M2 macrophage polarization in vivo, suggesting the clinical potential of XL-MSNs for modulating immune systems via targeted delivery of various cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dohyeong Kwon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Geun Cha
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuri Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoun Min
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Byeol Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Jo Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyun Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Seidi K, Jahanban-Esfahlan R, Zarghami N. Tumor rim cells: From resistance to vascular targeting agents to complete tumor ablation. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317691001. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317691001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Current vascular targeting strategies pursue two main goals: anti-angiogenesis agents aim to halt sprouting and the formation of new blood vessels, while vascular disrupting agents along with coaguligands seek to compromise blood circulation in the vessels. The ultimate goal of such therapies is to deprive tumor cells out of oxygen and nutrients long enough to succumb cancer cells to death. Most of vascular targeting agents presented promising therapeutic potential, but the final goal which is cure is rarely achieved. Nevertheless, in both preclinical and clinical settings, tumors tend to grow back, featuring a highly invasive, metastatic, and extremely resistant form. This review highlights the critical significance of tumor rim cells as the main factor, determining therapy success with vascular targeting agents. We present an overview of different single and combination treatments with vascular targeting agents that enable efficient targeting of tumor rim cells and long-lasting tumor cure. Understanding the nature of tumor rim cells, how they establish, how they manage to survive of vascular targeting agents, and how they contribute in tumor refractoriness, may open new avenues to the development of beneficial strategies, capable to eliminate residual rim cells, and enable tumor ablation once and forever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Seidi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Rana Jahanban-Esfahlan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nosratollah Zarghami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Vera-Aguilera J, Perez-Torres A, Beltran D, Villanueva-Ramos C, Wachtel M, Moreno-Aguilera E, Vera-Aguilera C, Ventolini G, Martínez-Zaguilán R, Sennoune SR. Novel Treatment of Melanoma: Combined Parasite-Derived Peptide GK-1 and Anti-Programmed Death Ligand 1 Therapy. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2017; 32:49-56. [DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2016.2123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Vera-Aguilera
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Division of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Internal Medicine, School of Medicine at the Permian Basin, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Odessa, Texas
| | - Armando Perez-Torres
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, Mexico
| | - Diego Beltran
- Internal Medicine, School of Medicine at the Permian Basin, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Odessa, Texas
| | - Cynthia Villanueva-Ramos
- Family Medicine, School of Medicine at the Permian Basin, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Odessa, Texas
| | - Mitchell Wachtel
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Eduardo Moreno-Aguilera
- Servicio de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Carlos Vera-Aguilera
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, Mexico
| | - Gary Ventolini
- Internal Medicine, School of Medicine at the Permian Basin, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Odessa, Texas
| | - Raul Martínez-Zaguilán
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Souad R. Sennoune
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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30
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Novel biotechnology approaches in colorectal cancer diagnosis and therapy. Biotechnol Lett 2017; 39:785-803. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-017-2303-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Abstract
During cancer progression, the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes dramatic changes, which promote cancer cell migration and invasion. In the remodeled tumor ECM, fibronectin (FN) level is upregulated to assist tumor growth, progression, and invasion. FN serves as a central organizer of ECM molecules and mediates the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells. Its upregulation is correlated with angiogenesis, cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. A number of FN-targeting ligands have been developed for cancer imaging and therapy. Thus far, FN-targeting imaging agents have been tested for nuclear imaging, MRI, and fluorescence imaging, for tumor detection and localization. FN-targeting therapeutics, including nuclear medicine, chemotherapy drugs, cytokines, and photothermal moieties, were also developed in cancer therapy. Because of the prevalence of FN overexpression in cancer, FN targeting imaging agents and therapeutics have the promise of broad applications in the diagnosis, treatment, and image-guided interventions of many types of cancers. This review will summarize current understanding on the role of FN in cancer, discuss the design and development of FN-targeting agents, and highlight the applications of these FN-targeting agents in cancer imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Bootz F, Venetz D, Ziffels B, Neri D. Different tissue distribution properties for glycosylation variants of fusion proteins containing the p40 subunit of murine interleukin-12. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:445-455. [PMID: 27515704 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based fusion proteins are gaining increasing importance for therapeutic applications, but the impact of glycosylation on in vivo biopharmaceutical performance is not always completely understood. In this article, we have analyzed biochemical and pharmaceutical properties of fusion proteins, consisting of the F8 antibody (specific to the EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of tissue remodeling and of angiogenesis) and of the p40 subunit of interleukin-12, an inhibitor of inflammation. The corresponding fusion protein (F8-IL12p40), which inhibits colitis development in mice, is a glycosylated protein with suboptimal disease targeting properties in vivo Since the protein was extensively glycosylated, as evidenced by PNGase F treatment and mass spectrometric analysis, we mutated four asparagine residues in various combinations. The corresponding proteins exhibited similar biochemical and antigen-binding properties, but differences in thermal stability and bioactivity. Asparagine mutations did not lead to recovery of disease targeting performance in vivo, as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution studies with radioiodinated protein preparations in tumor-bearing mice. By contrast, an almost complete recovery of targeting was achieved with an enzymatically deglycosylated protein preparation. These findings reinforce the concept that different glycostructures can have an impact on tissue distribution properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bootz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
| | - D Venetz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
| | - B Ziffels
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
| | - D Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
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Neri D, Sondel PM. Immunocytokines for cancer treatment: past, present and future. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 40:96-102. [PMID: 27060634 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Immunocytokines are antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, with the potential to preferentially localize on tumor lesions and to activate anticancer immunity at the site of disease. Various tumor targets (e.g., cell membrane antigens and extracellular matrix components) and antibody formats (e.g., intact IgG and antibody fragments) have been considered for immunocytokine development and some products have advanced to clinical trials. In this review, we present relevant concepts and strategies for the design and use of anticancer immunocytokine products. In addition, we discuss emerging strategies for the pharmaceutical development and clinical application of this promising class of biopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Paul M Sondel
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Oncology and Genetics, and UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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Pérez-Torres A, Vera-Aguilera J, Sahaza JH, Vera-Aguilera C, Moreno-Aguilera E, Pulido-Camarillo E, Nuñez-Ochoa L, Jeganathan P. Hematological Effects, Serum, and Pulmonary Cytokine Profiles in a Melanoma Mouse Model Treated with GK1. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2016; 30:247-54. [PMID: 26181852 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2015.1835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In a previous study, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of a subcutaneous injection of GK1 peptide in a melanoma mouse model, effectively increasing the mean survival time by 42.58%, delaying tumor growth, and increasing intratumoral necrosis compared with the control. As a first approach to investigate the anti-melanoma effect of GK1, this study was carried out to determine the hematological effects along with both serum and lung cytokine profiles in a melanoma lung metastatic model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen C57BL6 female mice were transfected in the lateral tail vein with 2×10(5) B16-F0 melanoma cells. After 7 days, mice were separated in two different groups and treatments were initiated (day 0): The GK1-treated group (seven mice) were injected every 5 days intravenously with GK1 (10 μg) in the lateral tail vein, and the control group (six mice) were injected every 5 days with intravenous saline solution. Blood samples were collected every 5 days from day 0; tumor samples were obtained for cytokine measurements on the day of sacrifice. RESULTS In the peripheral blood, mice treated with GK1 presented a statistically significant decrease in IFN-γ (p<0.05), and lymphocytes tended to be lower compared with the control mice (p=0.06). Lung metastatic analysis demonstrated a significant increase in IFN-γ and IL-12p70 (p<0.05); a significant decrease in IL-17, IL-4, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-12p40 (p<0.05); and a marginal decrease in IL-1β (p=0.07) compared with the control. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that an intratumoral increase of cytokines with antitumor activity along with an intratumoral decrease of cytokines with protumor activity could explain, in part, the anti-melanoma effects of GK1 in a lung metastatic melanoma mouse model. Further studies must be performed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action for GK1 peptide against melanoma, and their eventual application in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Pérez-Torres
- 1 Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , México City, México
| | | | - Jorge H Sahaza
- 3 Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB) , Unidad de Micología Médica y Experimental, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos Vera-Aguilera
- 1 Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , México City, México
| | - Eduardo Moreno-Aguilera
- 4 Servicio de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades , Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México DF, México
| | - Evelyn Pulido-Camarillo
- 1 Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , México City, México
| | - Luis Nuñez-Ochoa
- 5 Departamento de Patología Clínica/Oncología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , México City, México
| | - Pratheepa Jeganathan
- 6 Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University , Lubbock, Texas
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Kiefer JD, Neri D. Immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies: two complementary strategies for the selective activation of immune cells at the tumor site. Immunol Rev 2016; 270:178-92. [PMID: 26864112 PMCID: PMC5154379 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The activation of the immune system for a selective removal of tumor cells represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of metastatic malignancies, which cannot be cured by existing methodologies. In this review, we examine the design and therapeutic potential of immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies, two classes of bifunctional products which can selectively activate the immune system at the tumor site. Certain protein engineering aspects, such as the choice of the antibody format, are common to both classes of therapeutic agents and can have a profound impact on tumor homing performance in vivo of individual products. However, immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies display different mechanisms of action. Future research activities will reveal whether an additive of even synergistic benefit can be obtained from the judicious combination of these two types of biopharmaceutical agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Kiefer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
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Gulbake A, Jain A, Jain A, Jain A, Jain SK. Insight to drug delivery aspects for colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:582-599. [PMID: 26811609 PMCID: PMC4716061 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i2.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Revised: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed worldwide in human beings. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies are the conventional four approaches which are currently used for the treatment of CRC. The site specific delivery of chemotherapeutics to their site of action would increase effectiveness with reducing side effects. Targeted oral drug delivery systems based on polysaccharides are being investigated to target and deliver chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents directly to colon and rectum. Site-specific drug delivery to colon increases its concentration at the target site, and thus requires a lower dose and hence abridged side effects. Some novel therapies are also briefly discussed in article such as receptor (epidermal growth factor receptor, folate receptor, wheat germ agglutinin, VEGF receptor, hyaluronic acid receptor) based targeting therapy; colon targeted proapoptotic anticancer drug delivery system, gene therapy. Even though good treatment options are available for CRC, the ultimate therapeutic approach is to avert the incidence of CRC. It was also found that CRCs could be prevented by diet and nutrition such as calcium, vitamin D, curcumin, quercetin and fish oil supplements. Immunotherapy and vaccination are used nowadays which are showing better results against CRC.
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Marusic C, Novelli F, Salzano AM, Scaloni A, Benvenuto E, Pioli C, Donini M. Production of an active anti-CD20-hIL-2 immunocytokine in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2016; 14:240-51. [PMID: 25879373 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Anti-CD20 murine or chimeric antibodies (Abs) have been used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) and other diseases characterized by overactive or dysfunctional B cells. Anti-CD20 Abs demonstrated to be effective in inducing regression of B-cell lymphomas, although in many cases patients relapse following treatment. A promising approach to improve the outcome of mAb therapy is the use of anti-CD20 antibodies to deliver cytokines to the tumour microenvironment. In particular, IL-2-based immunocytokines have shown enhanced antitumour activity in several preclinical studies. Here, we report on the engineering of an anti-CD20-human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) immunocytokine (2B8-Fc-hIL2) based on the C2B8 mAb (Rituximab) and the resulting ectopic expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. The scFv-Fc-engineered immunocytokine is fully assembled in plants with minor degradation products as assessed by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. Purification yields using protein-A affinity chromatography were in the range of 15-20 mg/kg of fresh leaf weight (FW). Glycopeptide analysis confirmed the presence of a highly homogeneous plant-type glycosylation. 2B8-Fc-hIL2 and the cognate 2B8-Fc antibody, devoid of hIL-2, were assayed by flow cytometry on Daudi cells revealing a CD20 binding activity comparable to that of Rituximab and were effective in eliciting antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of human PBMC versus Daudi cells, demonstrating their functional integrity. In 2B8-Fc-hIL2, IL-2 accessibility and biological activity were verified by flow cytometry and cell proliferation assay. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a recombinant immunocytokine based on the therapeutic Rituximab antibody scaffold, whose expression in plants may be a valuable tool for NHLs treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Marusic
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Novelli
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology and Biomedicine, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna M Salzano
- Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Scaloni
- Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Napoli, Italy
| | - Eugenio Benvenuto
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Pioli
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology and Biomedicine, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Donini
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Bootz F, Neri D. Immunocytokines: a novel class of products for the treatment of chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:180-189. [PMID: 26526566 PMCID: PMC5144993 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, often referred to as immunocytokines, represent a novel class of biopharmaceutical agents that combine the disease-homing activity of certain antibodies with the immunomodulatory properties of cytokine payloads. Originally, immunocytokines were mainly developed for cancer therapy applications. More recently, however, the use of anti-inflammatory cytokines for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions and to treat autoimmune diseases has been considered. This review analyzes basic principles in the design of immunocytokines and describes the most advanced products in preclinical and clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Bootz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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From mice to men: Murine models of colorectal cancer for use in translational research. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2015; 98:94-105. [PMID: 26558688 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common carcinoma worldwide and despite advances in treatment, survival for patients with metastatic disease remains poor. With nearly 50% of patients developing metastases, in vivo investigation is essential to improve outcomes for these patients and numerous murine models of CRC have been developed to allow the study of chemoprevention and chemotherapy, in addition to improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of CRC. Selecting the most appropriate murine model for a specific application will maximize the conversion of potential therapies from the laboratory to clinical practice and requires an understanding of the various models available. This review will provide an overview of the murine models currently used in CRC research, discussing the limitations and merits of each and their most relevant application. It is aimed at the developing researcher, acting as a guide to prompt further reading in planning a specific study.
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Truong AD, Hong YH, Lillehoj HS. RNA-seq Profiles of Immune Related Genes in the Spleen of Necrotic Enteritis-afflicted Chicken Lines. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2015; 28:1496-511. [PMID: 26323406 PMCID: PMC4554858 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.15.0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to compare the necrotic enteritis (NE)-induced transcriptome differences between the spleens of Marek’s disease resistant chicken line 6.3 and susceptible line 7.2 co-infected with Eimeria maxima/Clostridium perfringens using RNA-Seq. Total RNA from the spleens of two chicken lines were used to make libraries, generating 42,736,296 and 42,617,720 usable reads, which were assembled into groups of 29,897 and 29,833 mRNA genes, respectively. The transcriptome changes were investigated using the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) package, which indicated 3,255, 2,468 and 2,234 DEGs of line 6.3, line 7.2, and comparison between two lines, respectively (fold change ≥2, p<0.01). The transcription levels of 14 genes identified were further examined using qRT-PCR. The results of qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA-seq data. All of the DEGs were analysed using gene ontology terms, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and the DEGs in each term were found to be more highly expressed in line 6.3 than in line 7.2. RNA-seq analysis indicated 139 immune related genes, 44 CD molecular genes and 150 cytokines genes which were differentially expressed among chicken lines 6.3 and 7.2 (fold change ≥2, p<0.01). Novel mRNA analysis indicated 15,518 novel genes, for which the expression was shown to be higher in line 6.3 than in line 7.2 including some immune-related targets. These findings will help to understand host-pathogen interaction in the spleen and elucidate the mechanism of host genetic control of NE, and provide basis for future studies that can lead to the development of marker-based selection of highly disease-resistant chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duc Truong
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Services, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yeong Ho Hong
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Services, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Hyun S Lillehoj
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Services, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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Alternatively Spliced EDA Domain of Fibronectin Is a Target for Pharmacodelivery Applications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2015; 21:1908-17. [PMID: 25993691 DOI: 10.1097/mib.0000000000000440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The antibody-based pharmacodelivery of cytokines to sites of disease has been extensively studied for various indications but not for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, we report that the alternatively spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis and of tissue remodeling, is expressed in the dextran sodium sulfate mouse model of colitis and in patients with inflammatory bowel conditions, while being virtually undetectable in most normal adult tissues. Radiolabeled preparations of the F8 antibody, specific to the EDA domain of fibronectin, were shown to selectively localize to sites of inflammation in mice with colitis, as revealed by autoradiographic analysis. Fusion proteins of the F8 antibody with various murine payloads (interleukin-4, the p40 subunit of interleukin-12, interleukin-13) were administered to mice with colitis. IL12p40-F8 mediated an anti-inflammatory activity, which was comparable with the one of cyclosporine, whereas F8-IL4 did not inhibit colitis and F8-IL13 worsened the inflammatory conditions.
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Müller D. Antibody fusions with immunomodulatory proteins for cancer therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 154:57-66. [PMID: 26145167 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The potential of immunomodulatory proteins, in particular cytokines, for cancer therapy is well recognized, but hampered by the toxicity associated with their systemic application. In order to address this problem, targeted delivery by antibody fusion proteins has been early proposed and their development intensively pursued over the last decade. Here, factors influencing the selection and modification of cytokines and antibody formats for this approach are being discussed, indicating current developments and translational advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Müller
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Glioblastoma, an incurable, malignant, and highly vascular tumor, is a seemingly ideal target for anti-angiogenic therapies such as bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody. Phase II trials in recurrent glioblastoma demonstrated bevacizumab was associated with clinical benefits, including decreases in brain edema and corticosteroids use resulting from reduced vascular permeability, as well as radiographic responses in 25 %-40 % of patients. In newly diagnosed disease, a phase III trial (AVAglio) showed adding bevacizumab to standard chemoradiotherapy improved progression free survival (PFS), with preservation of quality of life, and reduced corticosteroids use, but did not improve overall survival (OS). Another similar phase III trial (RTOG 0825) found similar PFS and OS trends, but suggested that the addition of bevacizumab resulted in more frequent cognitive decline compared with standard chemoradiotherapy. However, interpretation of those findings is limited by the fact that progressing patients were not evaluated, and patients remained longer on study in the bevacizumab arm. It is possible that the observed cognitive decline represented unrecognized tumor progression, rather than deleterious bevacizumab effects. Regardless, even if real, it is difficult to ascertain how improvements in PFS and quality of life compare with the associated economic costs and increased toxicities of bevacizumab, in the setting of no survival benefit. Further studies in recurrent disease are being conducted; preliminary results of a randomized trial showed favorable results with the combination with CCNU, and final results are awaited. Meanwhile, outside the realm of clinical trials, the current trend appears to be to reserve bevacizumab for use in recurrent disease, or for patients with moderate or severe neurologic symptoms, either in the newly diagnosed or recurrent setting. Further research efforts are needed to determine optimal candidates for this treatment from a molecular standpoint, as well as to develop imaging tools capable of accurately identifying response and progression, and to establish new drug combinations that could result in unquestionable clinical benefit and improved survival in these patients.
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Franz M, Doll F, Grün K, Richter P, Köse N, Ziffels B, Schubert H, Figulla HR, Jung C, Gummert J, Renner A, Neri D, Berndt A. Targeted delivery of interleukin-10 to chronic cardiac allograft rejection using a human antibody specific to the extra domain A of fibronectin. Int J Cardiol 2015; 195:311-22. [PMID: 26056964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.05.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Management of chronic rejection is challenging since there are not sufficient preventive or therapeutic strategies. The rejection process leads to overexpression of ED-A(+) fibronectin (ED-A(+) Fn). The human antibody F8, specific to ED-A(+) Fn, may serve as a vehicle for targeted delivery of bioactive payloads, e.g. interleukin 10 (IL-10). The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of the fusion protein F8-interleukin-10 (F8-IL10) in the process of chronic rejection development. METHODS A heterotopic rat heart transplantation model was used to induce chronic rejection. For therapeutic interventions, the immunocytokines F8-humanIL10 (DEKAVIL), F8-ratIL10 as well as KSF-humanIL10 (irrelevant antigen-specificity) were used. Treatment was performed weekly for 10 weeks starting at day 7 after transplantation (1mg/animal). RESULTS In the cardiac allografts, treatment with F8-huIL10 or F8-ratIL10 was associated with increased heart weights, a higher grade of chronic rejection, increased CIF, higher protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), an augmented infiltration with inflammatory cells (CD4+, CD8+ and CD68+ cells) and higher serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) compared to the control groups. CONCLUSIONS All observed treatment effects are transplantation-specific since the F8 antibody is specific to ED-A(+) Fn that is not expressed in healthy hearts. A clear targeting effect of F8-huIL10 as well as F8-ratIL10 could be proven. Against that background, a further study is needed to address the question, if F8-IL10 treatment is capable to reduce CAV and CIF starting at a time point when chronic rejection has fully developed (therapeutic approach).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Franz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Fabia Doll
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katja Grün
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Petra Richter
- Institute of Pathology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Nilay Köse
- Institute of Pathology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Barbara Ziffels
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Harald Schubert
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Hans R Figulla
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Jan Gummert
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - André Renner
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Dario Neri
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
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Hess C, Neri D. The antibody-mediated targeted delivery of interleukin-13 to syngeneic murine tumors mediates a potent anticancer activity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:635-44. [PMID: 25722088 PMCID: PMC11029586 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1666-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We describe the expression and in vivo characterization of an antibody-cytokine fusion protein, based on murine Interleukin-13 (IL13) and the monoclonal antibody F8, specific to the alternatively spliced extra domain A of fibronectin, a marker of neo-angiogenesis. The IL13 moiety was fused at the C-terminal extremity of the F8 antibody in diabody format. The resulting F8-IL13 immunocytokine retained the full binding properties of the parental antibody and cytokine bioactivity. The fusion protein could be expressed in mammalian cells, purified to homogeneity and showed a preferential accumulation at the tumor site. When used as single agent at doses of 200 μg, F8-IL13 exhibited a strong inhibition of tumor growth rate in two models of cancer (F9 teratocarcinoma and Wehi-164), promoting an infiltration of various types of leukocytes into the neoplastic mass. This anticancer activity could be potentiated by combination with an immunocytokine based on the F8 antibody and murine IL12, leading to complete and long-lasting tumor eradications. Mice cured from Wehi-164 sarcomas acquired a durable protective antitumor immunity, and selective depletion of immune cells revealed that the antitumor activity was mainly mediated by cluster of differentiation 4-positive T cells. This study indicates that IL13 can be efficiently delivered to the tumor neo-vasculature and that it mediates a potent anticancer activity in the two models of cancer investigated in this study. The observed mechanism of action for F8-IL13 was surprising, since immunocytokines based on other payloads (e.g., IL2, IL4, IL12 and TNF) eradicate cancer by the combined contribution of natural killer cells and cluster of differentiation 8-positive T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hess
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Quattrone F, Sanchez AM, Pannese M, Hemmerle T, Viganò P, Candiani M, Petraglia F, Neri D, Panina-Bordignon P. The Targeted Delivery of Interleukin 4 Inhibits Development of Endometriotic Lesions in a Mouse Model. Reprod Sci 2015; 22:1143-52. [PMID: 25850899 DOI: 10.1177/1933719115578930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is caused by the displacement of endometrium outside the uterus contributing heavily to infertility and debilitating pelvic pain. Ectopic adhesion and growth are believed to occur under the influence of a favorable hormonal environment and immunological factors. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of a targeted therapy with an antibody-based pharmacodelivery of interleukin 4 (F8-IL4) in a mouse model of experimentally induced endometriosis. Endometriosis-like lesions were induced in Balb/c mice. The animals were treated intravenously with F8-IL4 or with untargeted IL4 (KSF-IL4). Twelve days after disease induction, the lesions were isolated. A significant reduction in the number of total lesions/mouse and in the total volume of lesions/mouse was observed in mice treated with F8-IL4 compared to controls (P = .029 and P = .006, respectively), while no difference was found between KSF-IL4-treated mice and their controls. Gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Expression of genes involved in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix invasion, and neovascularization was significantly downregulated in F8-IL4-treated mice compared to their controls (integrin β1: P = .02; metalloproteinase [MMP] 3: P = .02; MMP9: P = .04; vascular endothelial growth factor: P = .04). Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, IL1β, IL1α, and IL6) did not vary in the ectopic lesions isolated from F8-IL4-treated mice compared to their controls. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significantly reduced expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in the lesions of mice treated with F8-IL4. Our results show that the antibody-mediated targeted delivery of IL4 inhibits the development of endometriosis in a syngeneic mouse model by likely impairing adhesion, invasion, and vascularization of the ectopic endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Quattrone
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Maria Sanchez
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Pannese
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Hemmerle
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Viganò
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Candiani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Panina-Bordignon
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Danielli R, Patuzzo R, Ruffini PA, Maurichi A, Giovannoni L, Elia G, Neri D, Santinami M. Armed antibodies for cancer treatment: a promising tool in a changing era. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:113-21. [PMID: 25314912 PMCID: PMC11028442 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1621-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of tumor immunology and molecular biology of melanoma cells have favored a larger application of immunotherapy and targeted therapies in the clinic. Several selective mutant gene inhibitors and immunomodulating antibodies have been reported to improve overall survival or progression-free survival in metastatic melanoma patients. However, despite impressive initial responses, patients treated with selective inhibitors relapse quickly, and toxicities associated to the use of immunomodulating antibodies are not easily manageable. In this sense, the concept of using antibodies as delivery vehicles for the preferential in vivo localization of the drug at the site of disease with reduction of side effects has raised particular interest. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (termed immunocytokines) represent a new simple and effective way to deliver the immunomodulatory payload at the tumor site, with the aim of inducing both local and systemic antitumoral immune responses and limiting systemic toxicities. Several clinical trials have been conducted and are actually ongoing with different immunocytokines, in several tumor histotypes. In metastatic melanoma patients, different drug delivery modalities such as systemic, loco-regional and intratumoral are under investigation. In this review, the rationale for the use of L19-IL2 and L19-TNF, two clinical stage immunocytokines produced by the Philogen group, as well as opportunities for their future development will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Danielli
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Istituto Toscano Tumori, University Hospital of Siena, Strada delle Scotte, 53100, Siena, Italy,
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Zegers CML, Rekers NH, Quaden DHF, Lieuwes NG, Yaromina A, Germeraad WTV, Wieten L, Biessen EAL, Boon L, Neri D, Troost EGC, Dubois LJ, Lambin P. Radiotherapy combined with the immunocytokine L19-IL2 provides long-lasting antitumor effects. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 21:1151-60. [PMID: 25552483 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy modifies the tumor microenvironment and causes the release of tumor antigens, which can enhance the effect of immunotherapy. L19 targets the extra domain B (ED-B) of fibronectin, a marker for tumor neoangiogenesis, and can be used as immunocytokine when coupled to IL2. We hypothesize that radiotherapy in combination with L19-IL2 provides an enhanced antitumor effect, which is dependent on ED-B expression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Mice were injected with syngeneic C51 colon carcinoma, Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), or 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells. Tumor growth delay, underlying immunologic parameters, and treatment toxicity were evaluated after single-dose local tumor irradiation and systemic administration of L19-IL2 or equimolar controls. RESULTS ED-B expression was high, intermediate, and low for C51, LLC, and 4T1, respectively. The combination therapy showed (i) a long-lasting synergistic effect for the C51 model with 75% of tumors being cured, (ii) an additive effect for the LLC model, and (iii) no effect for the 4T1 model. The combination treatment resulted in a significantly increased cytotoxic (CD8(+)) T-cell population for both C51 and LLC. Depletion of CD8(+) T cells abolished the benefit of the combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS These data provide the first evidence for an increased therapeutic potential by combining radiotherapy with L19-IL2 in ED-B-positive tumors. This new opportunity in cancer treatment will be investigated in a phase I clinical study for patients with an oligometastatic solid tumor (NCT02086721). An animation summarizing our results is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHbwQuCTkRc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina M L Zegers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Nicolle H Rekers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dana H F Quaden
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Natasja G Lieuwes
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ala Yaromina
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfred T V Germeraad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Erik A L Biessen
- Experimental Vascular Pathology Group, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Esther G C Troost
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Sun W, Lu Y, Gu Z. Advances in Anticancer Protein Delivery Using Micro-/ Nanoparticles. PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION : MEASUREMENT AND DESCRIPTION OF PARTICLE PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR IN POWDERS AND OTHER DISPERSE SYSTEMS 2014; 31:1204-1222. [PMID: 27642232 PMCID: PMC5026193 DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.201400140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Proteins exhibiting anticancer activities, especially those capable of discriminately killing cancer cells, have attracted increasing interest in developing protein-based anticancer therapeutics. This progress report surveys recent advances in delivering anticancer proteins directly to tumor tissue for inducing apoptosis/necrosis or indirectly to antigen presenting cells for provoking immune responses. Protein delivery carriers such as inorganic particles, lipid particles, polymeric particles, DNA/protein based biomacromolecular particles as well as cell based carriers are reviewed with comments on their advantages and limitations. Future challenges and opportunities are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wujin Sun
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yue Lu
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zhen Gu
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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50
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Abstract
Angiostatic therapies are now routinely embedded in the daily clinical management of cancer. Although these agents clearly benefit patient survival rates, the effect is only moderate with sometimes considerable side effects. A major cause of failure in this respect is the induction of resistance and tolerability against these drugs. Most angiostatic drugs are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that aim to inhibit or neutralize the activity of tumour-produced growth factors. Frustrating the tumour cells in this way results in genetic adaptations in the cells, turning them into mutants that are dependent on other growth mechanisms. It may therefore be necessary to shift to another class of drugs that directly target the tumour vasculature. It is evident that improvement of future angiogenesis inhibitors can only arise from two efforts. First, through the identification of better targets, preferably specifically expressed in the tumour vasculature. Secondly, through the development of combination therapies. The present review highlights the current efforts and challenges in trying to develop effective angiostatic combination therapies.
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