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Buonaguro L, Tagliamonte M. Peptide-based vaccine for cancer therapies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1210044. [PMID: 37654484 PMCID: PMC10467431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1210044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Different strategies based on peptides are available for cancer treatment, in particular to counter-act the progression of tumor growth and disease relapse. In the last decade, in the context of therapeutic strategies against cancer, peptide-based vaccines have been evaluated in different tumor models. The peptides selected for cancer vaccine development can be classified in two main type: tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), which are captured, internalized, processed and presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to cell-mediated immunity. Peptides loaded onto MHC class I are recognized by a specific TCR of CD8+ T cells, which are activated to exert their cytotoxic activity against tumor cells presenting the same peptide-MHC-I complex. This process is defined as active immunotherapy as the host's immune system is either de novo activated or restimulated to mount an effective, tumor-specific immune reaction that may ultimately lead to tu-mor regression. However, while the preclinical data have frequently shown encouraging results, therapeutic cancer vaccines clinical trials, including those based on peptides have not provided satisfactory data to date. The limited efficacy of peptide-based cancer vaccines is the consequence of several factors, including the identification of specific target tumor antigens, the limited immunogenicity of peptides and the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). An effective cancer vaccine can be developed only by addressing all such different aspects. The present review describes the state of the art for each of such factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - “Fond G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
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2
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Circulating the HLA-DR+ T Cell Ratio Is a Prognostic Factor for Recurrence of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Curative Surgery. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:1875153. [PMID: 36873738 PMCID: PMC9981292 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1875153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Background HLA-DR+ T cell, accounting for 1.2%-5.8% of peripheral lymphocyte, is a type of activated T lymphocyte. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of HLA-DR+ T cell for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after curative surgery. Patients and Methods. Clinicopathological data of 192 patients who underwent curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the affiliated hospital of Qingdao University between January 2013 and December 2021 were collected and analyzed. Statistical tests used in this study were the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. The prognostic value of the HLA-DR+ T cell ratio was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn by the R programming language. Results HCC patients were divided into high (≥5.8%) and low (<5.8%) HLADR+ T cell ratio groups. Cox regression analysis indicated that a high HLA-DR+ T cell ratio was positively related to the PFS in HCC patients (P=0.003) and AFP-positive (≥20 ng/ml) HCC patients (P=0.020). HCC patients and AFP-positive HCC patients in the high HLA-DR+ T cell ratio group were prone to have a higher T cell ratio, a higher CD8+T cell ratio, and a lower B cell ratio than the low HLA-DR+ T cell ratio group. However, the HLA-DR+ T cell ratio was not a statistically significant predictor for OS in HCC patients (P=0.57) as well as PFS (P=0.088) and OS (P=0.63) in AFP-negative HCC patients. Conclusions This study confirmed that the HLA-DR+ T cell ratio was a significant predictor of PFS in HCC patients and AFP-positive HCC patients after curative surgery. This association may have guiding significance for the follow-up work of HCC patients after surgery.
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3
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Lutz J, Meister M, Habbeddine M, Fiedler K, Kowalczyk A, Heidenreich R. Local immunotherapy with the RNA-based immune stimulator CV8102 induces substantial anti-tumor responses and enhances checkpoint inhibitor activity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1075-1087. [PMID: 36319717 PMCID: PMC10110722 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractImmunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment in recent years. Although currently approved checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) yield remarkable anti-tumoral responses in several cancer types, a substantial proportion of patients do not benefit from such therapies. Local activation of innate immune signaling pathways is a promising approach to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, induce anti-tumor immunity, and improve the efficacy of CPI therapies. Here, we assessed the mode of action and efficacy of the RNA-based innate immune stimulator CV8102 for local immunotherapy in preclinical models. Intratumoral (i.t.) administration of CV8102 activated innate immune responses in the tumor microenvironment and draining lymph nodes, resulting in a dose-dependent anti-tumoral response. Combining i.t. CV8102 with systemic anti-programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment further enhanced anti-tumoral responses, inducing tumor infiltration and activation of CD8+ T cells. The resulting memory response prevented tumor growth in rechallenged animals and impaired the growth of non-injected distal tumors. Therefore, i.t. CV8102 delivery is a promising approach for local cancer immunotherapy, especially in combination with CPIs. Clinical testing of CV8102 is ongoing (NCT03291002).
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Qin S, Tang X, Chen Y, Chen K, Fan N, Xiao W, Zheng Q, Li G, Teng Y, Wu M, Song X. mRNA-based therapeutics: powerful and versatile tools to combat diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:166. [PMID: 35597779 PMCID: PMC9123296 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic use of messenger RNA (mRNA) has fueled great hope to combat a wide range of incurable diseases. Recent rapid advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine have enabled the production of almost any functional protein/peptide in the human body by introducing mRNA as a vaccine or therapeutic agent. This represents a rising precision medicine field with great promise for preventing and treating many intractable or genetic diseases. In addition, in vitro transcribed mRNA has achieved programmed production, which is more effective, faster in design and production, as well as more flexible and cost-effective than conventional approaches that may offer. Based on these extraordinary advantages, mRNA vaccines have the characteristics of the swiftest response to large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the currently devastating pandemic COVID-19. It has always been the scientists’ desire to improve the stability, immunogenicity, translation efficiency, and delivery system to achieve efficient and safe delivery of mRNA. Excitingly, these scientific dreams have gradually been realized with the rapid, amazing achievements of molecular biology, RNA technology, vaccinology, and nanotechnology. In this review, we comprehensively describe mRNA-based therapeutics, including their principles, manufacture, application, effects, and shortcomings. We also highlight the importance of mRNA optimization and delivery systems in successful mRNA therapeutics and discuss the key challenges and opportunities in developing these tools into powerful and versatile tools to combat many genetic, infectious, cancer, and other refractory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shugang Qin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoshan Tang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kepan Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Na Fan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guohong Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Teng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA
| | - Xiangrong Song
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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5
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Cavalluzzo B, Ragone C, Mauriello A, Petrizzo A, Manolio C, Caporale A, Vitagliano L, Ruvo M, Buonaguro L, Tagliamonte M. Identification and characterization of heteroclitic peptides in TCR-binding positions with improved HLA-binding efficacy. J Transl Med 2021; 19:89. [PMID: 33637105 PMCID: PMC7913412 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02757-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The antigenicity as well as the immunogenicity of tumor associated antigens (TAAs) may need to be potentiated in order to break the immunological tolerance. To this aim, heteroclitic peptides were designed introducing specific substitutions in the residue at position 4 (p4) binding to TCR. The effect of such modifications also on the affinity to the major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) molecule was assessed. The Trp2 antigen, specific for the mouse melanoma B16F10 cells, as well as the HPV-E7 antigen, specific for the TC1 tumor cell lines, were used as models. Affinity of such heteroclitic peptides to HLA was predicted by bioinformatics tools and the most promising ones were validated by structural conformational and HLA binding analyses. Overall, we demonstrated that TAAs modified at the TCR-binding p4 residue are predicted to have higher affinity to MHC-I molecules. Experimental evaluation confirms the stronger binding, suggesting that this strategy may be very effective for designing new vaccines with improved antigenic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Cavalluzzo
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Ragone
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Mauriello
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Annacarmen Petrizzo
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Manolio
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Caporale
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy.,Istituto Di Cristallografia-CNR, c/o area Science Park S.S. 14 Km 163.5 Basovizza, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Innovative Immunological Models Lab, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fond. G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 1, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Van Hoecke L, Roose K, Ballegeer M, Zhong Z, Sanders NN, De Koker S, Saelens X, Van Lint S. The Opposing Effect of Type I IFN on the T Cell Response by Non-modified mRNA-Lipoplex Vaccines Is Determined by the Route of Administration. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 22:373-381. [PMID: 33230442 PMCID: PMC7533292 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
mRNA-lipoplex vaccines are currently being explored in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. Mechanistically, these mRNA-lipoplex vaccines are characterized by the induction of type I interferon (IFN) centered innate responses. Earlier studies have identified type I IFNs as major regulators of the T cell response instigated by mRNA-lipoplex vaccines. However, stimulatory or, in contrast, profound inhibitory effects of type I IFNs were described depending on the study. In this mouse study, we demonstrated that the opposing roles of type I IFN signaling on the magnitude of the vaccine-evoked T cell responses is dependent on the route of mRNA-lipoplex administration and is regulated at the level of the T cells rather than indirectly through modulation of dendritic cell function. This study helps to understand the double-edged sword character of type I IFN induction upon mRNA-based vaccine treatment and may contribute to a more rational design of mRNA vaccination regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van Hoecke
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kenny Roose
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Lint
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) has immense potential for developing a wide range of therapies, including immunotherapy and protein replacement. As mRNA presents no risk of integration into the host genome and does not require nuclear entry for transfection, which allows protein production even in nondividing cells, mRNA-based approaches can be envisioned as safe and practical therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, mRNA presents unfavorable characteristics, such as large size, immunogenicity, limited cellular uptake, and sensitivity to enzymatic degradation, which hinder its use as a therapeutic agent. While mRNA stability and immunogenicity have been ameliorated by direct modifications on the mRNA structure, further improvements in mRNA delivery are still needed for promoting its activity in biological settings. In this regard, nanomedicine has shown the ability for spatiotemporally controlling the function of a myriad of bioactive agents in vivo. Direct engineering of nanomedicine structures for loading, protecting, and releasing mRNA and navigating in biological environments can then be applied for promoting mRNA translation toward the development of effective treatments. Here, we review recent approaches aimed at enhancing mRNA function and its delivery through nanomedicines, with particular emphasis on their applications and eventual clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Uchida
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Federico Perche
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR4301 CNRS Rue Charles Sadron Orléans, Orléans 45071 Cedex 02, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR4301 CNRS Rue Charles Sadron Orléans, Orléans 45071 Cedex 02, France.,Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Orléans, Orléans 45071 Cedex 02, France
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
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8
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Van Hoecke L, Verbeke R, De Vlieger D, Dewitte H, Roose K, Van Nevel S, Krysko O, Bachert C, Schepens B, Lentacker I, Saelens X. mRNA Encoding a Bispecific Single Domain Antibody Construct Protects against Influenza A Virus Infection in Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 20:777-787. [PMID: 32438313 PMCID: PMC7240188 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To date, mRNA-based biologics have mainly been developed for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination to combat infectious diseases or cancer. In the past years, optimization of the characteristics of in vitro transcribed mRNA has led to significant reduction of the inflammatory responses. Thanks to this, mRNA therapeutics have entered the field of passive immunization. Here, we established an mRNA treatment that is based on mRNA that codes for a bispecific single-domain antibody construct that can selectively recruit innate immune cells to cells infected with influenza A virus. The constructs consist of a single-domain antibody that binds to the ectodomain of the conserved influenza A matrix protein 2, while the other single-domain antibody binds to the activating mouse Fcγ receptor IV. Formulating the mRNA into DOTAP (1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane)/cholesterol nanoparticles and delivering these intratracheally to mice allowed the production of the bispecific single-domain antibody in the lungs, and administration of these mRNA-particles prior to influenza A virus infection was associated with a significant reduction in viral titers and a reduced morbidity in mice. Overall, our data provide evidence that the local delivery of mRNA encoding a bispecific single-domain antibody format in the lungs could be a promising pulmonary antiviral prophylactic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van Hoecke
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rein Verbeke
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dorien De Vlieger
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Jette, Belgium
| | - Kenny Roose
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sharon Van Nevel
- Upper Airways Research Laboratory, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olga Krysko
- Upper Airways Research Laboratory, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claus Bachert
- Upper Airways Research Laboratory, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Schepens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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9
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Mauriello A, Manolio C, Cavalluzzo B, Avallone A, Borrelli M, Morabito A, Iovine E, Chambery A, Russo R, Tornesello ML, Buonaguro FM, Tagliamonte M, Buonaguro L. Immunological effects of adjuvants in subsets of antigen presenting cells of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. J Transl Med 2020; 18:34. [PMID: 31973714 PMCID: PMC6977281 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02218-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We have previously shown that HCC patients and healthy subjects are equally responsive to a RNAdjuvant®, a novel TLR-7/8/RIG-I agonist based on noncoding RNA developed by CureVac, by an ex vivo evaluation. However, the immunological effect of adjuvants on immune cells from cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy remains to be demonstrated. Different adjuvants currently used in cancer vaccine clinical trials were evaluated in the present study on immune cells from cancer patients before and after chemotherapy in an ex vivo setting. Methods PBMCs were obtained from 4 healthy volunteers and 23 patients affected by either colon (OMA) or lung cancer (OT). The effect of CpG, Poly I:C, Imiquimod and RNA-based adjuvant (RNAdjuvant®) was assessed using a multiparametric approach to analyze network dynamics of early immune responses. Evaluation of CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR expression as well as the downstream effect on CD4+ T cell phenotyping was performed by flow cytometry; cytokine and chemokine production was evaluated by Bio-Plex ProTM. Results Treatment with RNAdjuvant® induced the strongest response in cancer patients in terms of activation of innate and adoptive immunity. Indeed, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR expression was found upregulated in circulating dendritic cells, which promoted a CD4+ T cell differentiation towards an effector phenotype. RNAdjuvant® was the only one to induce most of the cytokines/chemokines tested with a pronounced Th1 cytokine pattern. According to the different parameters evaluated in the study, no clear cut difference in immune response to adjuvants was observed between healthy subjects and cancer patients. Moreover, in the latter group, the chemotherapy treatment did not consistently correlate to a significant altered response in the different parameters. Conclusions The present study is the first analysis of immunological effects induced by adjuvants in cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy, who are enrolled in the currently ongoing cancer vaccine clinical trials. The results show that the RNAdjuvant® is a potent and Th1 driving adjuvant, compared to those tested in the present study. Most importantly, it is demonstrated that chemotherapy does not significantly impair the immune system, implying that cancer patients are likely to respond to a cancer vaccine even after a chemotherapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mauriello
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Manolio
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cavalluzzo
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Avallone
- GI Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Borrelli
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Morabito
- Thoracic Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Iovine
- Thoracic Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Dept, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Dept, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Franco M Buonaguro
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunoregulation, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, IRCCS "Fondazione Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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10
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Different types of adjuvants in prophylactic and therapeutic human papillomavirus vaccines in laboratory animals: a systematic review. Arch Virol 2019; 165:263-284. [PMID: 31802228 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04479-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical carcinoma, which and is the third most common cancer, accounting for 275,000 deaths annually worldwide. Adjuvants have a key role in promotion of vaccine efficacy; therefore, using prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines combined with adjuvant could be of great benefit in prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. There are different types of adjuvants, including MF59TM adjuvants, RNA-based, JY (interleukin2/chitosan), cholera toxin (CT), heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), Freund's adjuvant, alum, SA-4-1BBL, λ-carrageenan (λ-CGN), heat shock proteins (HSPs), juzen-taiho-to (JTT) and hochu-ekki-to (HET), ISCOM and ISCOMATRIX™, very small size proteoliposomes (VSSPs), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Adjuvants have various functions, especially in therapeutic vaccines, and they lead to an increase in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), so they are important in the design of vaccines. Here, we review the currently used adjuvants and their combinations with HPV protein vaccines in order to introduce an appropriate adjuvant for HPV vaccines.
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11
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Kwon SM, Budhu A, Woo HG, Chaisaingmongkol J, Dang H, Forgues M, Harris CC, Zhang G, Auslander N, Ruppin E, Mahidol C, Ruchirawat M, Wang XW. Functional Genomic Complexity Defines Intratumor Heterogeneity and Tumor Aggressiveness in Liver Cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16930. [PMID: 31729408 PMCID: PMC6858353 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52578-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation and chromosome aneuploidy are major traits of primary liver cancer (PLC), which represent the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Increased cancer fitness and aggressiveness of PLC may be achieved by enhancing tumoral genomic complexity that alters tumor biology. Here, we developed a scoring method, namely functional genomic complexity (FGC), to determine the degree of molecular heterogeneity among 580 liver tumors with diverse ethnicities and etiologies by assessing integrated genomic and transcriptomic data. We found that tumors with higher FGC scores are associated with chromosome instability and TP53 mutations, and a worse prognosis, while tumors with lower FGC scores have elevated infiltrating lymphocytes and a better prognosis. These results indicate that FGC scores may serve as a surrogate to define genomic heterogeneity of PLC linked to chromosomal instability and evasion of immune surveillance. Our findings demonstrate an ability to define genomic heterogeneity and corresponding tumor biology of liver cancer based only on bulk genomic and transcriptomic data. Our data also provide a rationale for applying this approach to survey liver tumor immunity and to stratify patients for immune-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Mee Kwon
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Anuradha Budhu
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Hyun Goo Woo
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Jittiporn Chaisaingmongkol
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Hien Dang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Marshonna Forgues
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Curtis C Harris
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Gao Zhang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Noam Auslander
- Cancer Data Science Lab, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of health, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Lab, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of health, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Chulabhorn Mahidol
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Mathuros Ruchirawat
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis and Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA.
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12
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Doener F, Hong HS, Meyer I, Tadjalli-Mehr K, Daehling A, Heidenreich R, Koch SD, Fotin-Mleczek M, Gnad-Vogt U. RNA-based adjuvant CV8102 enhances the immunogenicity of a licensed rabies vaccine in a first-in-human trial. Vaccine 2019; 37:1819-1826. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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13
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Van Hoecke L, Roose K. How mRNA therapeutics are entering the monoclonal antibody field. J Transl Med 2019; 17:54. [PMID: 30795778 PMCID: PMC6387507 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1804-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1975, Milstein and Köhler revolutionized the medical world with the development of the hybridoma technique to produce monoclonal antibodies. Since then, monoclonal antibodies have entered almost every branch of biomedical research. Antibodies are now used as frontline therapeutics in highly divergent indications, ranging from autoimmune disease over allergic asthma to cancer. Wider accessibility and implementation of antibody-based therapeutics is however hindered by manufacturing challenges and high development costs inherent to protein-based drugs. For these reasons, alternative ways are being pursued to produce and deliver antibodies more cost-effectively without hampering safety. Over the past decade, messenger RNA (mRNA) based drugs have emerged as a highly appealing new class of biologics that can be used to encode any protein of interest directly in vivo. Whereas current clinical efforts to use mRNA as a drug are mainly situated at the level of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination, three recent preclinical studies have addressed the feasibility of using mRNA to encode therapeutic antibodies directly in vivo. Here, we highlight the potential of mRNA-based approaches to solve several of the issues associated with antibodies produced and delivered in protein format. Nonetheless, we also identify key hurdles that mRNA-based approaches still need to take to fulfill this potential and ultimately replace the current protein antibody format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van Hoecke
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kenny Roose
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Departement of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Trepotec Z, Aneja MK, Geiger J, Hasenpusch G, Plank C, Rudolph C. Maximizing the Translational Yield of mRNA Therapeutics by Minimizing 5'-UTRs. Tissue Eng Part A 2018; 25:69-79. [PMID: 29638193 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2017.0485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of mRNA contains structural elements, which are recognized by cell-specific RNA-binding proteins, thereby affecting the translation of the molecule. The activation of an innate immune response upon transfection of mRNA into cells is reduced when the mRNA comprises chemically modified nucleotides, putatively by altering the secondary structure of the molecule. Such alteration in the 5'-UTR in turn may affect the functionality of mRNA. In this study, we report on the impact of seven synthetic minimalistic 5'-UTR sequences on the translation of luciferase-encoding unmodified and different chemically modified mRNAs upon transfection in cell culture and in vivo. One minimalistic 5'-UTR, consisting of 14 nucleotides combining the T7 promoter with a Kozak consensus sequence, yielded similar or even higher expression than a 37 nucleotides human alpha-globin 5'-UTR containing mRNA in HepG2 and A549 cells. Furthermore, also the kind of modified nucleotides used in in vitro transcription, affected mRNA translation when using different translation regulators (Kozak vs. translation initiator of short UTRs). The in vitro data were confirmed by bioluminescence imaging of expression in mouse livers, 6 h postintravenous injection of a lipidoid nanoparticle-formulated RNA in female Balb/c mice. Luciferase measurements from liver and spleen showed that minimal 5'-UTRs (3 and 7) were either equally effective or better than human alpha-globin 5'-UTR. These findings were confirmed with a human erythropoietin (hEPO)-encoding mRNA. Significantly, higher levels of hEPO could be quantified in supernatants from A549 cells transfected with minimal 5'-UTR7 containing RNA when compared to commonly used benchmarks 5'-UTRs. Our results demonstrate the superior potential of synthetic minimalistic 5'-UTRs for use in transcript therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeljka Trepotec
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christian Plank
- 2 Ethris GmbH, Planegg, Germany.,3 Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Rudolph
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,2 Ethris GmbH, Planegg, Germany
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15
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Mukaida N, Nakamoto Y. Emergence of immunotherapy as a novel way to treat hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:1839-1858. [PMID: 29740200 PMCID: PMC5937202 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i17.1839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunity proceeds through multiple processes, which consist of antigen presentation by antigen presenting cells (APCs) to educate effector cells and destruction by the effector cytotoxic cells. However, tumor immunity is frequently repressed at tumor sites. Malignantly transformed cells rarely survive the attack by the immune system, but cells that do survive change their phenotypes to reduce their immunogenicity. The resultant cells evade the attack by the immune system and form clinically discernible tumors. Tumor microenvironments simultaneously contain a wide variety of immune suppressive molecules and cells to dampen tumor immunity. Moreover, the liver microenvironment exhibits immune tolerance to reduce aberrant immune responses to massively-exposed antigens via the portal vein, and immune dysfunction is frequently associated with liver cirrhosis, which is widespread in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Immune therapy aims to reduce tumor burden, but it is also expected to prevent non-cancerous liver lesions from progressing to HCC, because HCC develops or recurs from non-cancerous liver lesions with chronic inflammatory states and/or cirrhosis and these lesions cannot be cured and/or eradicated by local and/or systemic therapies. Nevertheless, cancer immune therapy should augment specific tumor immunity by using two distinct measures: enhancing the effector cell functions such as antigen presentation capacity of APCs and tumor cell killing capacity of cytotoxic cells, and reactivating the immune system in immune-suppressive tumor microenvironments. Here, we will summarize the current status and discuss the future perspective on immune therapy for HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Antigen Presentation/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Humans
- Immune Tolerance/genetics
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Immunotherapy/trends
- Liver/immunology
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/therapy
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/immunology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/therapy
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Naofumi Mukaida
- Division of Molecular Bioregulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yasunari Nakamoto
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
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16
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Hochnadel I, Kossatz-Boehlert U, Jedicke N, Lenzen H, Manns MP, Yevsa T. Cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutic approaches in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:2931-2952. [PMID: 29112462 PMCID: PMC5718787 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1359362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers along with other gastrointestinal malignancies remain the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Strategies developed in the recent years on immunotherapy and cancer vaccines in the setting of primary liver cancer as well as in pancreatic cancer are the scope of this review. Significance of orthotopic and autochthonous animal models which mimic and/or closely reflect human malignancies allowing for a prompt and trustworthy analysis of new therapeutics is underlined. Combinational approaches that on one hand, specifically target a defined cancer-driving pathway, and on the other hand, restore the functions of immune cells, which effector functions are often suppressed by a tumor milieu, are shown to have the strongest perspectives and future directions. Among combinational immunotherapeutic approaches a personalized- and individual cancer case-based therapy is of special importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Hochnadel
- a Department of Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Uta Kossatz-Boehlert
- b Institute for Neuroanatomy, Eberhard-Karls University Tuebingen , Tuebingen , Germany
| | - Nils Jedicke
- a Department of Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Henrike Lenzen
- a Department of Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- a Department of Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Tetyana Yevsa
- a Department of Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
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17
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Vasou A, Sultanoglu N, Goodbourn S, Randall RE, Kostrikis LG. Targeting Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) for Vaccine Adjuvantation: From Synthetic PRR Agonists to the Potential of Defective Interfering Particles of Viruses. Viruses 2017; 9:v9070186. [PMID: 28703784 PMCID: PMC5537678 DOI: 10.3390/v9070186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern vaccinology has increasingly focused on non-living vaccines, which are more stable than live-attenuated vaccines but often show limited immunogenicity. Immunostimulatory substances, known as adjuvants, are traditionally used to increase the magnitude of protective adaptive immunity in response to a pathogen-associated antigen. Recently developed adjuvants often include substances that stimulate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), essential components of innate immunity required for the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which serve as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Nearly all PRRs are potential targets for adjuvants. Given the recent success of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists in vaccine development, molecules with similar, but additional, immunostimulatory activity, such as defective interfering particles (DIPs) of viruses, represent attractive candidates for vaccine adjuvants. This review outlines some of the recent advances in vaccine development related to the use of TLR agonists, summarizes the current knowledge regarding DIP immunogenicity, and discusses the potential applications of DIPs in vaccine adjuvantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andri Vasou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, 1 University Avenue, Aglatzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus.
| | - Nazife Sultanoglu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, 1 University Avenue, Aglatzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus.
| | - Stephen Goodbourn
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK.
| | - Richard E Randall
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, The North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK.
| | - Leondios G Kostrikis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, 1 University Avenue, Aglatzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus.
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Buonaguro
- Lab. of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis, National Cancer Institute "Fond. G. Pascale", Naples, Italy.
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- Lab. of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis, National Cancer Institute "Fond. G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
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19
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Circelli L, Tornesello M, Buonaguro FM, Buonaguro L. Use of adjuvants for immunotherapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1774-1777. [PMID: 28604160 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1321725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the body's immune system to kill tumor cells. To improve their immunogenicity, vaccine antigens must be combined with adjuvants which are able to stimulate the innate immunity and potentiate the adaptive immune response. In the last years a new generation of adjuvants mimicking the natural microbial ligands have been developed. In particular, several TLR ligands have been extensively explored as vaccine adjuvants and many preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted. However, the road to approval of such adjuvants for clinical use is still to go.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Circelli
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori , "Fondazione Pascale" - IRCCS , Naples , Italy
| | - Marialina Tornesello
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori , "Fondazione Pascale" - IRCCS , Naples , Italy
| | - Franco M Buonaguro
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori , "Fondazione Pascale" - IRCCS , Naples , Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- a Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori , "Fondazione Pascale" - IRCCS , Naples , Italy
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