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Morera-Díaz Y, Canaán-Haden C, Sánchez-Ramírez J, Bequet-Romero M, Gonzalez-Moya I, Martínez R, Falcón V, Palenzuela D, Ayala-Ávila M, Gavilondo JV. Active immunization with a structurally aggregated PD-L1 antigen breaks T and B immune tolerance in non-human primates and exhibits in vivo anti-tumoral effects in immunocompetent mouse tumor models. Cancer Lett 2023; 561:216156. [PMID: 37019172 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the clinical success of the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking therapy in cancer treatment, only a subset of patients exhibits durable responses, therefore further exploration of other immunotherapeutic alternatives are needed. This paper reported the development of the PKPD-L1Vac vaccine, a new protein vaccine candidate that uses aluminum phosphate as an adjuvant and as an antigen the extracellular domain of human PD-L1 fused to a 47 amino-terminal portion of the LpdA protein from N. meningitides (PKPD-L1). The PKPD-L1 antigen has different physical and biological characteristics than those found in the natural molecule and in others PD-L1 vaccine candidates. The quimeric protein has a reduced binding capacity to the PD-1 and CD80 receptors to decrease their pro-tumoral activity. Besides, the distinctive feature of the PKPD-L1 polypeptide to be structurally aggregated could be desirable for its immunogenic properties. PKPD-L1Vac elicited anti-PD-L1-specific IgG antibodies and T lymphocyte-mediated immunity in mice and non-human primates. The vaccine administration demonstrated antitumor activity on CT-26 and B16-F10 primary tumor models in mice. Moreover, the immunization with PKPD-L1Vac increased the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and decreased the proportion of CD3+CD8+PD1+high anergic T cells in CT-26 tumor tissues, suggesting that the vaccine may remodel the tumor microenvironment. In summary, the PKPD-L1Vac vaccine exhibits very promising preclinical results and deserves to move forward to a phase I clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Morera-Díaz
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba.
| | - C Canaán-Haden
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - J Sánchez-Ramírez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - M Bequet-Romero
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - I Gonzalez-Moya
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - R Martínez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - V Falcón
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - D Palenzuela
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - M Ayala-Ávila
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - J V Gavilondo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
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Khan ANH, Emmons TR, Magner WJ, Alqassim E, Singel KL, Ricciuti J, Eng KH, Odunsi K, Tomasi TB, Lee K, Abrams SI, Mesa C, Segal BH. VSSP abrogates murine ovarian tumor-associated myeloid cell-driven immune suppression and induces M1 polarization in tumor-associated macrophages from ovarian cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2355-2369. [PMID: 35166871 PMCID: PMC10591410 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03156-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by the accumulation of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and granulocytic cells. Very small size particles (VSSP), comprised of the ganglioside NAcGM3 and Neisseria meningitidis derived outer membrane vesicles, is being developed as a nanoparticulated modulator of innate immunity. Prior studies have shown that VSSP enhanced antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses and reduced the suppressive phenotype of splenic granulocytic cells in tumor-bearing mice. Here, we hypothesized that intraperitoneal VSSP would modify myeloid cell accumulation and phenotypes in the ovarian TME and abrogate suppressor function of TAMs and tumor-associated granulocytic cells. In the ID8 syngeneic model of epithelial ovarian cancer, VSSP reduced peritoneal TAMs and induced M1-like polarization in TAMs. In addition, VSSP stimulated peritoneal inflammation characterized by increased granulocytes and monocytes, including inflammatory monocytic cells. VSSP treatment resulted in peritoneal TAMs and granulocytic cells being less suppressive of ex vivo stimulated CD8+ T cell responses. VSSP alone and combined with anti-PD-1 modestly but significantly prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, ex vivo treatment with VSSP induced M1-like polarization in TAMs from patients with metastatic ovarian cancer and variably abrogated their suppressor phenotype. VSSP treatment also partially abrogated the induction of suppressor function in healthy donor neutrophils exposed to ascites supernatants from patients with ovarian cancer. Together, these results point to VSSP reprogramming myeloid responses resulting in abrogation of suppressive pathways and raise the potential for administration of VSSP into the TME to enhance anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anm Nazmul H Khan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany R Emmons
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William J Magner
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Emad Alqassim
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kelly L Singel
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Office of Evaluation, Performance, and Reporting; Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives; Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jason Ricciuti
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kevin H Eng
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Thomas B Tomasi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kelvin Lee
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Scott I Abrams
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Circe Mesa
- Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
- Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance, S. A. Mariel, Artemisa, Cuba
| | - Brahm H Segal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Ayala Ávila M. Potential mechanisms involved on how systemic IgG antibodies specific to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and induced by active immunotherapy decrease platelet derived free-VEGF. Platelets 2022; 33:964-968. [DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2022.2042235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala Ávila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, Cuba
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Rodríguez-Álvarez Y, Batista-Roche LG, Llopiz-Arzuaga A, Puente-Pérez P, Martínez-Castillo R, Castro-Velazco J, Santos-Savio A. Immunogenicity profile in African green monkeys of a vaccine candidate based on a mutated form of human Interleukin-15. BMC Immunol 2021; 22:79. [PMID: 34922462 PMCID: PMC8684083 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-021-00470-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin (IL)-15 is a proinflammatory T-cell growth factor overexpressed in several autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Our initial strategy to neutralize the increased levels of IL-15 consisted in a vaccine candidate based on the recombinant modified human IL-15 (mhIL-15) mixed with the alum adjuvant. A previous study in non-human primates Macaca fascicularis has shown that vaccination induces neutralizing antibodies against native IL-15, without affecting animal behavior, clinical status, or the percentage of IL-15-dependent cell populations. However, the mhIL-15 used as an antigen was active in the IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cell line CTLL-2, which could hinder its therapeutic application. The current article evaluated the immunogenicity in African green monkeys of a vaccine candidate based on IL-15 mutant D8SQ108S, an inactive form of human IL-15. RESULTS IL-15 D8SQ108S was inactive in the CTLL-2 bioassay but was able to competitively inhibit the biological activity of human IL-15. Immunization with 200 µg of IL-15 mutant combined with alum elicited anti-IL-15 IgG antibodies after the second and third immunizations. The median values of anti-IL-15 antibody titers were slightly higher than those generated in animals immunized with 200 µg of mhIL-15. The highest antibody titers were induced after the third immunization in monkeys vaccinated with 350 µg of IL-15 D8SQ108S. In addition, sera from immunized animals inhibited the biological activity of human IL-15 in CTLL-2 cells. The maximum neutralizing effect was observed after the third immunization in sera of monkeys vaccinated with the highest dose of the IL-15 mutant. These sera also inhibited the proliferative activity of simian IL-15 in the CTLL-2 bioassay and did not affect the IL-2-induced proliferation of the aforementioned T-cell line. Finally, it was observed that vaccination neither affects the animal behavior nor the general clinical parameters of immunized monkeys. CONCLUSION Immunization with inactive IL-15 D8SQ108S mixed with alum generated neutralizing antibodies specific for human IL-15 in African green monkeys. Based on this fact, the current vaccine candidate could be more effective than the one based on biologically active mhIL-15 for treating autoimmune disorders involving an uncontrolled overproduction of IL-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunier Rodríguez-Álvarez
- Pharmaceutical Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Lino Gerardo Batista-Roche
- Pharmaceutical Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Alexey Llopiz-Arzuaga
- Chemistry and Physics Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Pedro Puente-Pérez
- Animal Facility Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Rafael Martínez-Castillo
- Animal Facility Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Jorge Castro-Velazco
- Animal Facility Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Alicia Santos-Savio
- Pharmaceutical Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31, PO Box 6162, 10 600, Havana, Cuba
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Zahedipour F, Zamani P, Jamialahmadi K, Jaafari MR, Sahebkar A. Vaccines targeting angiogenesis in melanoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 912:174565. [PMID: 34656608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis has a significant role in metastasis and progression of melanoma. Even small tumors may be susceptible to metastasis and hence lead to a worse outcome in patients with melanoma. One of the anti-angiogenic treatment approaches that is undergoing comprehensive study is specific immunotherapy. While tumor cells are challenging targets for immunotherapy due to their genetic instability and heterogeneity, endothelial cells (ECs) are genetically stable. Therefore, vaccines targeting angiogenesis in melanoma are appropriate choices that target both tumor cells and ECs while capable of inducing strong, anti-tumor immune responses with limited toxicity. The main targets of angiogenesis are VEGFs and their receptors but other potential targets have also been investigated, especially in preclinical studies. Various types of vaccines that target angiogenesis in melanoma have been studied including DNA, peptide, protein, dendritic cell-based, and endothelial cell vaccines. This review outlines a number of target antigens that are important for potential progress in developing vaccines for targeting angiogenesis in melanoma. We also discuss different types of vaccines that have been investigated, delivery mechanisms and popular adjuvants, and suggest ways to improve future clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parvin Zamani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Hernández-Bernal F, Martín Bauta Y, Selman-Housein Bernal KH, de la Torre Santos AV, Pérez de la Iglesia M, Trimiño Lorenzo L, Ayala Avila M. Specific humoral response in cancer patients treated with a VEGF-specific active immunotherapy procedure within a compassionate use program. BMC Immunol 2020; 21:12. [PMID: 32171254 PMCID: PMC7071683 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-020-0338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CIGB-247 is a cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses as antigen a variant of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mixed with the bacterially-derived adjuvant VSSP. CIGB-247 has been already evaluated in two phase I clinical trials (CENTAURO and CENTAURO-2), showing to be safe and immunogenic in advanced cancer patients selected under well-defined and controlled clinical conditions. Surviving patients were submitted to monthly re-immunizations and some of them showed objective clinical benefits. Based on these results, a compassionate use program (CUP) with CIGB-247 was initiated for patients that did not meet the strict entry criteria applied for the CENTAURO and CENTAURO-2 clinical trials, but could potentially benefit from the application of this cancer therapeutic vaccine. RESULTS Polyclonal IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies specific for VEGF were detected by ELISA in serum samples from patients vaccinated with 400 μg of antigen combined with 200 μg of VSSP. Polyclonal antibody response showed no cross reactivity for other VEGF family member molecules like VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Serum from immunized individuals was able to block the binding of VEGF to its receptors VEGFR2 and VEGFR1. IgG fraction purified from immune sera shared the aforementioned characteristics and also inhibited the interaction between VEGF and the therapeutic recombinant antibody bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic drug approved for the treatment of different tumors. No serious adverse events attributable to CIGB-247 have been documented yet in participants of the CIGB-247 CUP. The present paper is a first report of our findings concerning the humoral response and safety characteristics in treated CIGB-247 CUP cancer patients. The study has provided the unique opportunity of not only testing CIGB-247 in a broader clinical spectrum sample of Cuban cancer patients, but also within the context of the day-to-day clinical practice and treatment settings for these diseases in Cuban medical institutions. CONCLUSIONS The CIGB-247 CUP has demonstrated that immunization and follow-up of a variety of cancer patients, under day-to-day clinical practice conditions in several Cuban medical institutions, replicate our previous findings in clinical trials: CIGB-247 is safe and immunogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marta Ayala Avila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
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7
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Bequet-Romero M, Morera Díaz Y, Hernández-Bernal F, de la Torre Santos A, Selman-Housein Bernal KH, Martín Bauta Y, Bermúdez Badell CH, Limonta Fernández M, Ayala Avila M. Evaluation of methodologies to determine the effect of specific active immunotherapy on VEGF levels in phase I clinical trial patients with advanced solid tumors. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00906. [PMID: 30426104 PMCID: PMC6223189 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Two phase I clinical trials were conducted to evaluate, among other parameters, the humoral response elicited by a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-based therapeutic vaccine in cancer patients with advanced solid tumors. VEGF reduction was studied using an indirect methodology named as “Platelet VEGF”. This methodology is based on the estimation of VEGF within platelets by subtracting the plasma VEGF level from the serum level and dividing this by the platelet count, and then this latter expression is additionally corrected by the hematocrit. However, there is broad debate, whether serum or plasma VEGF or platelet-derived VEGF measurements is the most appropriate strategy to study the changes that occur on ligand bioavailability when patients are submitted to a VEGF-based immunotherapy. The current research is a retrospective study evaluating the changes on VEGF levels in serum and plasma as well as platelet-derived measurements. Changes in VEGF levels were related with the humoral response seen in cancer patients after an active immunotherapy with a VEGF-based vaccine. The present study indicates that “Platelet VEGF” is the most reliable methodology to investigate the effect of VEGF-based immunotherapies on ligand bioavailability. “Platelet VEGF” was associated with those groups of individuals that exhibited the best specific humoral response and the variation of “Platelet VEGF” showed the strongest negative correlation with VEGF-specific IgG antibody levels. This methodology will be very useful for the investigation of this VEGF-based vaccine in phase II clinical trials and could be applied to immunotherapies directed to other growth factors that are actively sequestered by platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | - Yenima Martín Bauta
- Department of Clinical Research, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Cimara H Bermúdez Badell
- Department of Clinical Research, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Miladys Limonta Fernández
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala Avila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
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Wagner SC, Ichim TE, Bogin V, Min WP, Silva F, Patel AN, Kesari S. Induction and characterization of anti-tumor endothelium immunity elicited by ValloVax therapeutic cancer vaccine. Oncotarget 2018; 8:28595-28613. [PMID: 28404894 PMCID: PMC5438675 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ValloVax is a placental endothelium derived vaccine which induces tissue-nonspecific antitumor immunity by blocking tumor angiogesis. To elucidate mechanisms of action, we showed that production of ValloVax, which involves treating placental endothelial cells with IFN-gamma, results in upregulation of HLA and costimulatory molecules. It was shown that in mixed lymphocyte reaction, ValloVax induces Type I cytokines and allo-proliferative responses. Plasma from ValloVax immunized mice was capable of killing in vitro tumor-like endothelium but not control endothelium. Using defined antigens associated with tumor endothelial cells, specific molecular entities were identified as being targeted by ValloVax induced antibodies. Binding of predominantly IgG antibodies to ValloVax cells was confirmed by flow cytometry. Further suggesting direct killing of tumor endothelial cells was expression of TUNEL positive cells, as well as, reduction in tumor oxygenation. Supporting a role for antibody mediated responses, cell depletion experiments suggested a predominant role of B cells in maintaining an intact anti-tumor endothelial response. Adoptive transfer experiments suggested that infusion of CD3+ T cells from immunized mice was sufficient to transfer tumor protection. Generation of memory T cells selective to tumor endothelial specific markers was observed. Functional confirmation of memory responses was observed in tumor rechallenge experiments. Furthermore, we observed that both PD-1 or CTLA-4 blockade augmented antitumor effects of ValloVax. These data suggest a T cell induced B cell mediated anti-tumor endothelial response and set the framework clinical trials through elucidation of mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wei-Ping Min
- Department of Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francisco Silva
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Amit N Patel
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- John Wayne Cancer Institute and Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
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Targeting the pro-angiogenic forms of VEGF or inhibiting their expression as anti-cancer strategies. Oncotarget 2018; 8:9174-9188. [PMID: 27999187 PMCID: PMC5354723 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth relies on oxygen and blood supply depending on neo-vascularization. This process is mediated by the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in many tumors. This paradigm has led to the development of specific therapeutic approaches targeting VEGF or its receptors. Despite their promising effects, these strategies have not improved overall survival of patients suffering from different cancers compared to standard therapies. We hypothesized that the existence of anti-angiogenic forms of VEGF VEGFxxxb which are still present in many tumors limit the therapeutic effects of the anti-VEGF antibodies bevacizumab/Avastin (BVZ). To test this hypothesis, we generated renal cell carcinoma cells (RCC) expressing VEGF165b. The incidence of tumors xenografts generated in nude mice and their growth were inferior to those obtained with control cells. Whereas BVZ had no effect on control tumors, it slowed-down the growth of tumor generated with VEGF165b expressing cells. A prophylactic immunization against the domain discriminating VEGF from VEGFxxxb isoforms inhibited the growth of tumor generated with two different syngenic tumor cell lines (melanoma (B16 cells) and RCC (RENCA cells)). Purified immunoglobulins from immunized mice also slowed-down tumor growth of human RCC xenografts in nude mice, producing a potent effect compared to BVZ in this model. Furthermore, down-regulating the serine-arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) or masking SRSF1 binding sites by 2'O-Methyl RNA resulted in the increase of the VEGFxxxb/VEGF ratio. Therefore, a vaccine approach, specific antibodies against pro-angiogenic forms of VEGF, or increasing the VEGFxxxb/VEGF ratio may represent new prophylactic or pro-active anti-cancer strategies.
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Morera-Díaz Y, Gavilondo JV, Bequet-Romero M, Sánchez Ramírez J, Hernández-Bernal F, Selman-Housein KH, Perez L, Ayala-Ávila M. Specific active immunotherapy with the HEBERSaVax VEGF-based cancer vaccine: From bench to bedside. Semin Oncol 2018; 45:68-74. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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11
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Rodríguez-Álvarez Y, Martínez-Cordovez K, Llopiz-Arzuaga A, Ramos-Gómez Y, Besada-Pérez V, García-Lines D, Santos-Savio A. Obtention and characterization of the recombinant simian Interleukin-15 in Escherichia coli for the preclinical assessment of an IL-15-based therapeutic vaccine. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2017; 47:889-900. [PMID: 28816622 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2017.1365238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant simian IL-15 (siIL-15) was obtained for the preclinical assessment of an anti-human IL-15 vaccine. For this purpose, the cDNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a Macaca fascicularis monkey was cloned into a pIL-2 vector. The siIL-15 was expressed in Escherichia coli strain W3110 as an insoluble protein which accounted for 13% of the total cellular proteins. Inclusion bodies were solubilized in an 8 M urea solution, which was purified by ion exchange and reverse phase chromatography up to 92% purity. The protein identity was validated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, confirming the presence of the amino acids which distinguish the siIL-15 from human IL-15. The purified siIL-15 stimulates the proliferation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes line (CTLL)-2 and Kit 225 cells with EC50 values of 3.1 and 32.5 ng/mL, respectively. Antisera from modified human IL-15-immunized macaques were reactive to human and simian IL-15 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Moreover, the anti-human IL-15 antibodies from immune sera inhibited siIL-15 activity in CTLL-2 and Kit 225 cells, supporting the activity and purity of recombinant siIL-15. These results indicate that the recombinant siIL-15 is biologically active in two IL-15-dependent cell lines, and it is also suitable for the preclinical evaluation of an IL-15-based therapeutic vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexey Llopiz-Arzuaga
- b Chemistry and Physics Division , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Havana , Cuba
| | - Yassel Ramos-Gómez
- b Chemistry and Physics Division , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Havana , Cuba
| | - Vladimir Besada-Pérez
- b Chemistry and Physics Division , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Havana , Cuba
| | - Dayana García-Lines
- b Chemistry and Physics Division , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Havana , Cuba
| | - Alicia Santos-Savio
- a Pharmaceutical Division , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Havana , Cuba
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12
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Hernández-Bernal F, Selman-Housein Bernal KH, de la Torre Santos A, Santiesteban Álvarez ER, Martín Bauta Y, Bermúdez Badell CH, de la Torre Pupo J, Gavilondo JV, Ayala Avila M. Characteristics of the specific humoral response in patients with advanced solid tumors after active immunotherapy with a VEGF vaccine, at different antigen doses and using two distinct adjuvants. BMC Immunol 2017; 18:39. [PMID: 28747172 PMCID: PMC5530503 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-017-0222-z] [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: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CIGB-247, a VSSP-adjuvanted VEGF-based vaccine, was evaluated in a phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors (CENTAURO). Vaccination with the maximum dose of antigen showed an excellent safety profile, exhibited the highest immunogenicity and was the only one showing a reduction on platelet VEGF bioavailability. However, this antigen dose level did not achieve a complete seroconversion rate in vaccinated patients. These clinical results led us to the question whether a “reserve” of untapped immune response potential against VEGF could exist in cancer patients. To address this matter, CENTAURO-2 clinical trial was conducted where antigen and VSSP dose scale up were studied, and also incorporated the exploration of aluminum phosphate as adjuvant. These changes were made with the aim to increase immune response against VEGF. Results The present study reports the characterization of the humoral response elicited by CIGB-247 from the combining of different antigen doses and adjuvants. Cancer patients were immunologically monitored for approximately 1 year. Vaccination with different CIGB-247 formulations exhibited a very positive safety profile. Cancer patients developed IgM, IgG or IgA antibodies specific to VEGF. Elicited polyclonal antibodies had the ability to block the interaction between VEGF and its receptors, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. The highest humoral response was detected in patients immunized with 800 μg of antigen + 200 μg of VSSP. Off-protocol long-term vaccination did not produce negative changes in humoral response. Conclusions Vaccination with a human VEGF variant molecule as antigen in combination with VSSP or aluminum phosphate is immunogenic. The results of this study could contribute to the investigation of this vaccine therapy in an adequately powered efficacy trial. Trial registration Trial registration number: RPCEC00000155. Cuban Public Clinical Trial Registry. Date of registration: June 06, 2013. Available from: http://registroclinico.sld.cu/. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12865-017-0222-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba.
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | - Yenima Martín Bauta
- Department of Clinical Research, CIGB, P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | | | | | - Jorge V Gavilondo
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Marta Ayala Avila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
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13
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Morera Y, Sánchez J, Bequet-Romero M, Selman-Housein KH, de la Torre A, Hernández-Bernal F, Martín Y, Garabito A, Piñero J, Bermúdez C, de la Torre J, Ayala M, Gavilondo JV. Specific humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients undergoing chronic immunization with a VEGF-based therapeutic vaccine. Vaccine 2017; 35:3582-3590. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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14
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Castro J, Puente P, Martínez R, Hernández A, Morera Y, Martínez L, Aldana L, Valdés I, Ayala M, Cosme K. Vaccine CIGB 247 is potentially safe for use as a novel therapeutic vaccine against cancer in Chlorocebus aethiops monkeys. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 48:55-60. [PMID: 28463787 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
CIGB 247 is a novel cancer therapeutic vaccine based on human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variant molecule as antigen, in combination with a bacterial adjuvant. This vaccine candidate has previously demonstrated efficacy and safety in mice, rats, rabbits and non-human primates. In the present study we evaluated the effects on the clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters of CIGB 247 vaccine in Chlorocebus aethiops monkeys. Three groups of monkeys were immunized with three doses of vaccine formulation to measure physiological values of clinical, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Monkeys' body weight and temperature were kept stable and close to standard values throughout the study. Variations in the levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin were observed among the different groups for all injected doses, but these hematological parameters recovered normal values at the end of the study. On the other hand, biochemical parameters such as the total bilirubin and total protein counts showed variations along the study, while they were not associated with the test substance. In summary, no negative effects on clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters were detected. Together, our results put forward the potential and support the safety of the CIGB 247 vaccine candidate for use in clinical applications. The data presented here can be used to estimate a human dosing regimen from preclinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Castro
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba.
| | - Pedro Puente
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Rafael Martínez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Alexander Hernández
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Leticia Martínez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Lizet Aldana
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Iris Valdés
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
| | - Karelia Cosme
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Avenue 31, PO. Box 6162, Havana 6 10600, Cuba
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15
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Xu A, Zhang L, Chen Y, Lin Z, Li R. Immunogenicity and efficacy of a rationally designed vaccine against vascular endothelial growth factor in mouse solid tumor models. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2017; 66:181-192. [PMID: 27872951 PMCID: PMC11028649 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1928-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the progression of various cancers. The VEGF-specific antibody bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy was shown to significantly improve progression-free survival in certain cancers. However, repeated administration is necessary for effective suppression of VEGF, thereby making the therapy expensive and cumbersome. Thus, it is urgent to develop alternative reagents such as VEGF vaccines. Here we report that DTT-VEGF, a VEGF-based antigen consisting of the receptor-binding domain of VEGF and diphtheria toxin T domain (DTT), not only stimulated neutralizing antibody response, but also induced type 1 immune response as well as anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes in mice when administered with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The antibodies triggered by DTT-VEGF immunization inhibited the binding of VEGF to VEGF receptor and downregulated the serum VEGF levels in tumor-bearing mice. VEGF-specific IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies as well as type 1 cytokines were stimulated by DTT-VEGF vaccination. The splenocytes from DTT-VEGF-immunized mice showed cytotoxic activity against B16-F10 cells expressing VEGF. Extensive necrosis with severe hemorrhage and enhanced CD8+ T cell infiltration were observed in tumors from DTT-VEGF-immunized mice. The percentages of CD31+ vascular areas in the tumor sections from DTT-VEGF-immunized mice were significantly lower than those of control mice. DTT-VEGF significantly inhibited tumor growth in preventive and therapeutic vaccination settings in mouse models. Our data suggest that DTT is an effective antigen carrier to break immune self-tolerance and our vaccine design has potential to be used for human cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aizhang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhibing Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongxiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Huijbers EJM, Griffioen AW. The revival of cancer vaccines - The eminent need to activate humoral immunity. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1112-1114. [PMID: 28118089 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1276140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of the increasing number of approved monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer, it seems peculiar that the development of antibody inducing vaccines gets so little attention. In our view there is a tremendous opportunity in the development of cancer vaccines inducing humoral immune responses, involving a couple of major advantages. Firstly, the effectivity of a polyclonal antibody response is expected to exceed the one of monoclonal antibodies. This is supported by preclinical data that show pronounced anti-tumor responses and early clinical trials in which benefit is observed in patients with advanced cancer. Secondly, vaccination strategies are expected to reduce hospital visits, resulting in enhanced quality of life. And last but not least, vaccination strategies are extremely cost effective, alleviating the socioeconomic problems of prohibitively high drug costs. To reach further clinical success, efforts should focus on target identification, optimization of vaccination strategies and adjuvant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- a Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- a Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
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17
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Constructing Tumor Vaccines Targeting for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) by DNA Shuffling. J Immunother 2016; 39:260-8. [DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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18
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Musacchio Lasa A, Bequet-Romero M, Muñoz Pozo Y, Pérez Sánchez L, Hernández-Bernal F, Mendoza Fuentes O, Selman-Housein KH, Gavilondo Cowley JV, Ayala Avila M. Indirect and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for monitoring the humoral response against human VEGF. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2016; 37:636-58. [PMID: 27143151 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2016.1184164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
CIGB-247, a VEGF-based vaccine, was studied in a clinical trial. This advance demands the refinement of the methodologies for assessment of vaccine immune responses. This study aimed to improve the performance of ELISAs for detecting IgG antibodies against human VEGF and the blocking activity of the serum to inhibit the VEGF/VEGFR2 interaction. The best experimental conditions were established through the evaluation of several blocking buffers, immobilization surfaces, and plate suppliers using human sera as test samples. As a result, two controlled ELISAs were used in testing of elicited immune response against VEGF in patients immunized with CIGB-247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Alexis Musacchio Lasa
- b Department of Bioinformatics , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Yasmiana Muñoz Pozo
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Lincidio Pérez Sánchez
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Francisco Hernández-Bernal
- c Department of Clinical Research , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Osmany Mendoza Fuentes
- d Animal Facility , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | | | - Jorge Víctor Gavilondo Cowley
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala Avila
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
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19
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Pérez Sánchez L, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Ramses Hernández G, Rodríguez Y, Castro Velazco J, Puente Pérez P, Ayala Avila M, Gavilondo JV. Experimental studies of a vaccine formulation of recombinant human VEGF antigen with aluminum phosphate. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 11:2030-7. [PMID: 25891359 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1029213] [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] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CIGB-247 is a cancer vaccine that is a formulation of a recombinant protein antigen representative of the human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with a bacterially-derived adjuvant (VSSP). The vaccine has shown an excellent safety profile in mice, rats, rabbits, not-human primates and in recent clinical trials in cancer patients. Response to the vaccine is characterized by specific antibody titers that neutralize VEGF/VEGFR2 binding and a cytotoxic tumor-specific response. To expand our present anti-VEGF active immunotherapy strategies, we have now studied in mice and non-human primates the effects of vaccination with a formulation of our recombinant VEGF antigen and aluminum phosphate adjuvant (hereafter denominated CIGB-247-A). Administered bi-weekly, CIGB-247-A produces high titers of anti-VEGF IgG blocking antibodies in 2 mice strains. Particularly in BALB/c, the treatment impaired subcutaneous F3II mammary tumor growth and reduced the number of spontaneous lung macro metastases, increasing animals' survival. Spleen cells from specifically immunized mice directly killed F3II tumor cells in vitro. CIGB-247-A also showed to be immunogenic in non-human primates, which developed anti-VEGF blocking antibodies and the ability for specific direct cell cytotoxic responses, all without impairing the healing of deep skin wounds or other side effect. Our results support consideration of aluminum phosphate as a suitable adjuvant for the development of new vaccine formulations using VEGF as antigen.
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Key Words
- ANOVA, Analysis of Variance
- Aluminum phosphate
- CFSE, Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester
- CTL, Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- ELISA, Enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay
- FACS, Fluorescence-activated cell sorting
- GST, Glutathione S-transferase
- HPLC, High-performance liquid chromatography
- KDR, kinase domain receptor
- Ni-NTA, nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid
- PBMC, Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- VEGF
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- VEGFR2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2
- VSSP, very small sized proteoliposomes
- adjuvant
- antibodies
- cancer therapeutic vaccine
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincidio Pérez Sánchez
- a Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory; Department of Pharmaceuticals; Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) ; Playa Cubanacan , Havana , Cuba
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20
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Wang Y, Zhang J, Wu Y, Ding ZY, Luo XM, Liu J, Zhong WN, Deng GH, Xia XY, Deng YT, Wei YQ, Jiang Y. Mannan-modified adenovirus targeting TERT and VEGFR-2: A universal tumour vaccine. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11275. [PMID: 26085010 PMCID: PMC4471666 DOI: 10.1038/srep11275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen-presenting cells including dendritic cells (DCs) express mannan receptors (MR) on their surface, which can be exploited in cancer therapy by designing immune-stimulatory viruses coated with mannan-modified capsids that then bind to DCs and initiate a potent immune response. Although the combination of anti-angiogenesis and cancer immunotherapy agents has a synergistic antitumor effect, more effective strategies for delivering such combinations are still required. Here we report the design and application of mannan-modified adenovirus that expresses both telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Cytotoxic T lymphocytes that are reactive to TERT and VEGFR-2 are capable of mounting an anti-tumour response in murine breast and colon tumour models and in a lung metastatic model. Compared with mannan-modified TERT adenovirus vaccine or mannan-modified VEGFR-2 adenovirus vaccine alone, the combined vaccine showed remarkably synergistic anti-tumour immunity in these models. Both TERT- and VEGFR-2-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were identified in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay, and the CTL activity against tumour cells was significantly elevated in the combined vaccine group. Furthermore, CTL-mediated toxicity was blocked by anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies. Thus, the combined mannan-modified TERT and VEGFR-2 adenovirus confers potent anti-tumour immunity by targeting both tumour cells and intratumoural angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- 1] Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China [2] Department of East Ward Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences &Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Yu Ding
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Mei Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu-Ning Zhong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Hua Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Yu Xia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao-Tiao Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Quan Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
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21
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Wentink MQ, Huijbers EJM, de Gruijl TD, Verheul HMW, Olsson AK, Griffioen AW. Vaccination approach to anti-angiogenic treatment of cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:155-71. [PMID: 25641676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Improvement of patient survival by anti-angiogenic therapy has proven limited. A vaccination approach inducing an immune response against the tumor vasculature combines the benefits of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis, and may overcome the limitations of current anti-angiogenic drugs. Strategies to use whole endothelial cell vaccines and DNA- or protein vaccines against key players in the VEGF signaling axis, as well as specific markers of tumor endothelial cells, have been tested in preclinical studies. Current clinical trials are now testing the promise of this specific anti-cancer vaccination approach. This review will highlight the state-of-the-art in this exciting field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Q Wentink
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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22
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Morera Y, González R, Lamdan H, Pérez L, González Y, Agüero J, Castro J, Romero JC, Etchegoyen AY, Ayala M, Gavilondo JV. Vaccination with a mutated variant of human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) blocks VEGF-induced retinal neovascularization in a rabbit experimental model. Exp Eye Res 2014; 122:102-9. [PMID: 24675387 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a key driver of the neovascularization and vascular permeability that leads to the loss of visual acuity of eye diseases like wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinopathy of premature. Among the several anti-VEGF therapies under investigation for the treatment of neovascular eye diseases, our group has developed the vaccine candidate CIGB-247-V that uses a mutated form of human VEGF as antigen. In this work we evaluated if the vaccine could prevent or attenuate VEGF-induced retinal neovascularization in the course of a rabbit eye neovascularization model, based on direct intravitreal injection of human VEGF. Our experimental findings have shown that anti-VEGF IgG antibodies induced by the vaccine were available in the retina blood circulation, and could neutralize in situ the neovascularization effect of VEGF. CIGB-247-V vaccination proved to effectively reduce retinal neovascularization caused by intravitreal VEGF injection. Altogether, these results open the way for human studies of the vaccine in neovascular eye syndromes, and inform on the potential mechanisms involved in its effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanelys Morera
- Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba.
| | - Rafael González
- Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology "Ramón Pando Ferrer", Ave. 76 # 3104 %31 and 41, Marianao, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Humberto Lamdan
- Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Lincidio Pérez
- Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Yorlandis González
- Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology "Ramón Pando Ferrer", Ave. 76 # 3104 %31 and 41, Marianao, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Judith Agüero
- Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology "Ramón Pando Ferrer", Ave. 76 # 3104 %31 and 41, Marianao, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Jorge Castro
- Animal Facility, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Juan C Romero
- Animal Facility, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Ana Yansy Etchegoyen
- Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala
- Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Jorge V Gavilondo
- Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Ave. 31/158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana 10600, Cuba
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23
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Zhang J, Wang Y, Wu Y, Ding ZY, Luo XM, Zhong WN, Liu J, Xia XY, Deng GH, Deng YT, Wei YQ, Jiang Y. Mannan-modified adenovirus encoding VEGFR-2 as a vaccine to induce anti-tumor immunity. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2014; 140:701-12. [PMID: 24525706 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-014-1606-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines are a promising immunotherapeutic approach for treatment and prevention of cancer. While this methodology is widely accepted, it also has some limitations. Antigen-presenting cells including DCs express the mannan receptor (MR). The delivery of a mannan-modified tumor antigen to the MR has been demonstrated to be efficient. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is mainly responsible for angiogenesis and tumor growth. The goal of our study was to deliver VEGFR-2 to DCs by means of mannan-modified adenovirus. METHODS VEGFR-2 recombinant adenovirus modified with oxidized mannan was constructed as a tumor vaccine to immunize mice in vivo. IFN-γ in mouse sera and spleen was detected by ELISA and ELISPOT. The killing activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) against VEGFR-2 was measured with a lactate dehydrogenase assay. Vessel densities in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to test CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell counts in tumor tissues. RESULTS The vaccine exhibited both protective and therapeutic efficacy in the inhibition of tumor growth and markedly prolonged survival in mice. Protection against metastasis was also observed. Furthermore, vaccination led to greater IFN-γ and VEGFR-2-specific CTLs. The specific immunity resulted in the suppression of angiogenesis and an increase in CD8(+) cells in tumor tissues. CONCLUSION Oxidized mannan-modified adenovirus expressing VEGFR-2 could extraordinarily stimulate both protective and therapeutic immune response in a mice model. Our data suggest that the combination of cancer immunity and anti-angiogenesis via modified mannan is a promising strategy in tumor prophylaxis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo-Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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24
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Specific active immunotherapy with a VEGF vaccine in patients with advanced solid tumors. results of the CENTAURO antigen dose escalation phase I clinical trial. Vaccine 2014; 32:2241-50. [PMID: 24530151 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.11.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED CIGB-247 is a novel cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses a human VEGF variant molecule as antigen, in combination with a bacterial adjuvant. In mice, CIGB-247 has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects. The vaccine induces anti-VEGF blocking antibodies and a cellular response targeting tumor cells producing VEGF, and has proven to be safe in mice, rats, rabbits and non-human primates. Herein we report the results of a Phase I clinical trial (code name CENTAURO) where safety, tolerance, and immunogenicity of CIGB-247 were studied in 30 patients with advanced solid tumors, at three antigen dose levels. Individuals were subcutaneously immunized for 8 consecutive weeks with 50, 100 or 400 μg of antigen, and re-immunized on week twelve. On week sixteen, evaluations of safety, tolerance, clinical status, and immunogenicity (seroconversion for anti-VEGF IgG, serum VEGF/KDR-Fc blocking ability, and gamma-IFN ELISPOT with blood cells stimulated in vitro with mutated VEGF) were done. Surviving patients were eligible for off-trial additional 4-week re-immunizations with 400 μg of antigen. Immunogenicity and clinical status were again studied on weeks 25 and 49. Vaccination was shown to be safe at the three dose levels, with only grade 1-2 adverse events. CIGB-247 was immunogenic and higher numbers of individuals positive to the three immune response tests were seen with increasing antigen dose. Off-protocol long-term vaccination produced no additional adverse events or negative changes in immunogenicity. Eleven patients are still alive, with overall survivals ranging from 20 to 24 months. Twelve of the thirty patients exhibited objective clinical benefits, and two individuals have complete responses. Most patients with higher survivals are positive in the three immune response tests. In summary, this is the first clinical testing report of a cancer therapeutic vaccine based on a human VEGF related molecule as antigen. The CIGB-247 vaccine is safe, immunogenic, and merits further clinical development. REGISTRATION NUMBER AND NAME OF TRIAL REGISTRY RPCEC00000102. Cuban Public Clinical Trial Registry (WHO accepted Primary Registry). Available from: http://registroclinico.sld.cu/.
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CIGB-247: a VEGF-based therapeutic vaccine that reduces experimental and spontaneous lung metastasis of C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mouse tumors. Vaccine 2012; 30:1790-9. [PMID: 22240345 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
CIGB-247 is a novel cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses a mutated form of human VEGF as antigen. Being metastatic disease the most dramatic factor of tumor biology affecting patient survival and cure, preclinical evaluation of the impact of CIGB-247 vaccination on experimental metastasis mouse models is highly relevant, and constitutes the focus of this work. CIGB-247 was administered in a weekly schedule known to effectively reduce primary tumor growth. The vaccine was tested in experimental and spontaneous metastasis models of colon (CT26), lung (3LL-D122) and breast (F3II) carcinomas growing in C57Bl/6 or BALB/c mice. Primary tumor growth parameters, metastatic counts, and/or animal survival were recorded. Histology and specific humoral and cellular responses to the vaccine were evaluated. As compared to control groups, CIGB-247 vaccination significantly reduced the number and size of metastatic tumor foci in lungs after intravenous inoculation of CT26 and 3LL-D122 tumor cells. Spontaneous lung dissemination from 3LL-D122 and F3II breast tumor cells implanted in the footpad, or subcutaneously, was also reduced by immunization with CIGB-247. The vaccine elicited in both mouse strains antibodies specific for human and murine VEGF that effectively blocked the interaction of VEGF with VEGF receptor 2. Differing from other experimental reports that describe the use of VEGF for active tumor immunotherapy, CIGB-247 elicited a specific cellular response, measured both by a DTH increment and the induction of spleen cells cytotoxic to syngeneic tumor cells producing murine VEGF. In summary our results reinforce the potential of CIGB-247 vaccination to reduce both tumor growth and the number and size of tumor metastasis in lungs, the latter both after direct inoculations of cells in the blood stream, or as part of primary tumor progression in immunocompetent mice.
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Antigen dose escalation study of a VEGF-based therapeutic cancer vaccine in non human primates. Vaccine 2011; 30:368-77. [PMID: 22075086 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.10.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
CIGB-247 is a cancer therapeutic, based on recombinant modified human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as antigen, in combination with the oil free adjuvant VSSP (very small sized proteoliposomes of Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane). Our previous experimental studies in mice with CIGB-247 have shown that the vaccine has both anti-tumoral and anti-metastatic activity, and produces both antibodies that block VEGF-VEGF receptor interaction, and a specific T-cell cytotoxic response against tumor cells. CIGB-247, with an antigen dose of 100 μg, has been characterized by an excellent safety profile in mice, rats, rabbits, and non human primates. In this article we extend the immunogenicity and safety studies of CIGB-247 in non human primates, scaling the antigen dose from 100 μg to 200 and 400 μg/vaccination. Our results indicate that such dose escalation did not affect animal behavior, clinical status, and blood parameters and biochemistry. Also, vaccination did not interfere with skin deep skin wound healing. Anti-VEGF IgG antibodies and specific T-cell mediated responses were documented at all three studied doses. Antigen dose apparently did not determine differences in maximum antibody titer during the 8 weekly immunization induction phase, or the subsequent increase in antibodies seen for monthly boosters delivered afterwards. Higher antigen doses had a positive influence in antibody titer maintenance, after cessation of immunizations. Boosters were important to achieve maximum antibody VEGF blocking activity, and specific T-cell responses in all individuals. Purified IgG from CIGB-247 immunized monkey sera was able to impair proliferation and formation of capillary-like structures in Matrigel, for HMEC cells in culture. Altogether, these results support the further clinical development of the CIGB-247 therapeutic cancer vaccine, and inform on the potential mechanisms involved in its effect.
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Isolation of a novel neutralizing antibody fragment against human vascular endothelial growth factor from a phage-displayed human antibody repertoire using an epitope disturbing strategy. J Biotechnol 2011; 151:166-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Morera Y, Bequet-Romero M, Ayala M, Velazco JC, Pérez PP, Alba JS, Ancizar J, Rodríguez M, Cosme K, Gavilondo JV. Immunogenicity and some safety features of a VEGF-based cancer therapeutic vaccine in rats, rabbits and non-human primates. Vaccine 2010; 28:3453-61. [PMID: 20197134 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Revised: 02/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a cancer vaccine candidate (hereafter denominated CIGB-247), based on recombinant modified human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as antigen, and the adjuvant VSSP (very small sized proteoliposomes of Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane). In mice, previous work of our group had shown that vaccination with CIGB-247 extended tumor-take time, slowed tumor growth, and increased animal survival. Immunization elicited anti-human and murine VEGF-neutralizing antibodies, and spleen cells of vaccinated mice are cytotoxic in vitro to tumor cells that produce VEGF. We have now tested the immunogenicity of CIGB-247 in Wistar rats, New Zealand White rabbits and the non-human primate Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus. Using weekly, biweekly and biweekly plus montanide immunization schemes, all three species develop antigen-specific IgG antibodies that can block the interaction of VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 in an ELISA assay. Antibody titers decline after vaccination stops, but can be boosted with new immunizations. In monkeys, DTH and direct cell cytotoxicity experiments suggest that specific T-cell responses are elicited by vaccination. Immunization with CIGB-247 had no effect on normal behavior, hematology, blood biochemistry and histology of critical organs, in the tested animals. Skin deep wound healing was not affected in vaccinated rats and monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanelys Morera
- Recombinant Antibodies Laboratory, Dept. of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Cubanacán, Playa Havana 10600, Cuba.
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