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Lekshmy M, Dhanya CR, Smrithi JS, Sindhurani JA, Vandanamthadathil JJ, Veettil JT, Anila L, Lathakumari VS, Nayar AM, Madhavan M. Peptide Vaccines as Therapeutic and Prophylactic Agents for Female-Specific Cancers: The Current Landscape. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1054. [PMID: 37513965 PMCID: PMC10383774 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast and gynecologic cancers are significant global threats to women's health and those living with the disease require lifelong physical, financial, and social support from their families, healthcare providers, and society as a whole. Cancer vaccines offer a promising means of inducing long-lasting immune response against the disease. Among various types of cancer vaccines available, peptide vaccines offer an effective strategy to elicit specific anti-tumor immune responses. Peptide vaccines have been developed based on tumor associated antigens (TAAs) and tumor specific neoantigens which can also be of viral origin. Molecular alterations in HER2 and non-HER2 genes are established to be involved in the pathogenesis of female-specific cancers and hence were exploited for the development of peptide vaccines against these diseases, most of which are in the latter stages of clinical trials. However, prophylactic vaccines for viral induced cancers, especially those against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection are well established. This review discusses therapeutic and prophylactic approaches for various types of female-specific cancers such as breast cancer and gynecologic cancers with special emphasis on peptide vaccines. We also present a pipeline for the design and evaluation of a multiepitope peptide vaccine that can be active against female-specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju Lekshmy
- Department of Botany and Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram 695586, Kerala, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leelamma Anila
- Department of Biochemistry, NSS College, Nilamel, Kollam 691535, Kerala, India
| | - Vishnu Sasidharan Lathakumari
- Department of Biochemistry and Industrial Microbiology, Sree Narayana College for Women, Kollam 691001, Kerala, India
| | - Adhira M Nayar
- Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram 695004, Kerala, India
| | - Maya Madhavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
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2
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Zhu Y, Zhou J, Zhu L, Hu W, Liu B, Xie L. Adoptive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes cell therapy for cervical cancer. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2060019. [PMID: 35468048 PMCID: PMC9897649 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2060019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies among females. As a virus-related cancer, cervical cancer has attracted a lot of attention to develop virus-targeted immune therapy, including vaccine and adoptive immune cell therapy (ACT). Adoptive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) cell therapy has been found to be able to control advanced disease progression in some cervical cancer patients who have received several lines of treatment in a pilot clinical trial. In addition, sustainable therapeutic effect has been identified in some cases. The safety risks of TIL therapy for patients are minimal or at least manageable. In this review, we focused on the versatility of TILs and tried to summarize potential strategies to improve the therapeutic effect of TILs and discuss related perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Zhu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lijing Zhu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjing Hu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Baorui Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Xie
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,CONTACT Li Xie No. 321, Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Khairkhah N, Bolhassani A, Najafipour R. Current and future direction in treatment of HPV-related cervical disease. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:829-845. [PMID: 35478255 PMCID: PMC9045016 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02199-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the world. About 70% of cervical cancers are caused by the most oncogenic HPV genotypes of 16 and 18. Since available prophylactic vaccines do not induce immunity in those with established HPV infections, the development of therapeutic HPV vaccines using E6 and E7 oncogenes, or both as the target antigens remains essential. Also, knocking out the E6 and E7 oncogenes in host genome by genome-editing CRISPR/Cas system can result in tumor growth suppression. These methods have shown promising results in both preclinical and clinical trials and can be used for controlling the progression of HPV-related cervical diseases. This comprehensive review will detail the current treatment of HPV-related cervical precancerous and cancerous diseases. We also reviewed the future direction of treatment including different kinds of therapeutic methods and vaccines, genome-editing CRISPR/Cas system being studied in clinical trials. Although the progress in the development of therapeutic HPV vaccine has been slow, encouraging results from recent trials showed vaccine-induced regression in high-grade CIN lesions. CRISPR/Cas genome-editing system is also a promising strategy for HPV cancer therapy. However, its safety and specificity need to be optimized before it is used in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Khairkhah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.,Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Najafipour
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Tang J, Li M, Zhao C, Shen D, Liu L, Zhang X, Wei L. Therapeutic DNA Vaccines against HPV-Related Malignancies: Promising Leads from Clinical Trials. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020239. [PMID: 35215833 PMCID: PMC8874761 DOI: 10.3390/v14020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014 and 2021, two nucleic-acid vaccine candidates named MAV E2 and VGX-3100 completed phase III clinical trials in Mexico and U.S., respectively, for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). These well-tolerated but still unlicensed vaccines encode distinct HPV antigens (E2 versus E6+E7) to elicit cell-mediated immune responses; their clinical efficacy, as measured by HSIL regression or cure, was modest when compared with placebo or surgery (conization), but both proved highly effective in clearing HPV infection, which should help further optimize strategies for enhancing vaccine immunogenicity, toward an ultimate goal of preventing malignancies in millions of patients who are living with persistent, oncogenic HPV infection but are not expected to benefit from current, prophylactic vaccines. The major roadblocks to a highly efficacious and practical product remain challenging and can be classified into five categories: (i) getting the vaccines into the right cells for efficient expression and presentation of HPV antigens (fusion proteins or epitopes); (ii) having adequate coverage of oncogenic HPV types, beyond the current focus on HPV-16 and -18; (iii) directing immune protection to various epithelial niches, especially anogenital mucosa and upper aerodigestive tract where HPV-transformed cells wreak havoc; (iv) establishing the time window and vaccination regimen, including dosage, interval and even combination therapy, for achieving maximum efficacy; and (v) validating therapeutic efficacy in patients with poor prognosis because of advanced, recurrent or non-resectable malignancies. Overall, the room for improvements is still large enough that continuing efforts for research and development will very likely extend into the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Tang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Danhua Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Liu
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Lihui Wei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
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Gargan S, Stevenson NJ. Unravelling the Immunomodulatory Effects of Viral Ion Channels, towards the Treatment of Disease. Viruses 2021; 13:2165. [PMID: 34834972 PMCID: PMC8618147 DOI: 10.3390/v13112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for the research community to develop a better understanding of viruses, in particular their modes of infection and replicative lifecycles, to aid in the development of novel vaccines and much needed anti-viral therapeutics. Several viruses express proteins capable of forming pores in host cellular membranes, termed "Viroporins". They are a family of small hydrophobic proteins, with at least one amphipathic domain, which characteristically form oligomeric structures with central hydrophilic domains. Consequently, they can facilitate the transport of ions through the hydrophilic core. Viroporins localise to host membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum and regulate ion homeostasis creating a favourable environment for viral infection. Viroporins also contribute to viral immune evasion via several mechanisms. Given that viroporins are often essential for virion assembly and egress, and as their structural features tend to be evolutionarily conserved, they are attractive targets for anti-viral therapeutics. This review discusses the current knowledge of several viroporins, namely Influenza A virus (IAV) M2, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Viral protein U (Vpu), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) p7, Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E5, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) Open Reading Frame (ORF)3a and Polyomavirus agnoprotein. We highlight the intricate but broad immunomodulatory effects of these viroporins and discuss the current antiviral therapies that target them; continually highlighting the need for future investigations to focus on novel therapeutics in the treatment of existing and future emergent viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Gargan
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Nigel J. Stevenson
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
- Viral Immunology Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Manama 15503, Bahrain
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Badillo-Godinez O, Pedroza-Saavedra A, Valverde-Garduño V, Bermudez-Morales V, Maldonado-Gama M, Leon-Letelier R, Bonifaz LC, Esquivel-Guadarrama F, Gutierrez-Xicotencatl L. Induction of Therapeutic Protection in an HPV16-Associated Mouse Tumor Model Through Targeting the Human Papillomavirus-16 E5 Protein to Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:593161. [PMID: 33717073 PMCID: PMC7947241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.593161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
HPV E5 is an oncoprotein mainly expressed in premalignant lesions, which makes it an important target for a vaccine to prevent or cure cervical cancer (CC). In this study, we evaluated whether E5 targeted to DEC-205, present in dendritic cells (DCs), could induce a therapeutic protection against HPV16-induced tumor cells in a mouse model. The HPV-16 E5 (16E5) protein was cross-linked to a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to mouse DEC-205 (anti-DEC-205:16E5) or to an isotype control mAb (isotype:16E5). Rotavirus VP6 was cross-linked to the mouse anti-DEC-205 mAb (anti-DEC-205:VP6) as a non-specific antigen control. BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously (s.c.) with the 16E5-expressing BMK-16/myc tumor cells, and 7 and 14 days later the mice were immunized s.c. with the conjugates, free 16E5 or PBS in the presence of adjuvant. Tumor growth was monitored to evaluate protection. A strong protective immune response against the tumor cells was induced when the mice were inoculated with the anti-DEC-205:16E5 conjugate, since 70% of the mice controlled the tumor growth and survived, whereas the remaining 30% developed tumors and died by day 72. In contrast, 100% of the mice in the control groups died by day 30. The anti-DEC-205:16E5 conjugate was found to induce 16E5-specific memory T cells, with a Th1/Th17 profile. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells contributed to the observed protection. Finally, treating mice that had developed tumors with an anti-PD-1 mAb, delayed the tumor growth for more than 20 days. These results show that targeting 16E5 to DEC-205, alone or combined with an immune checkpoint blockade, could be a promising protocol for the treatment of the early stages of HPV-associated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Badillo-Godinez
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Pedroza-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Veronica Valverde-Garduño
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Victor Bermudez-Morales
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Minerva Maldonado-Gama
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Leon-Letelier
- Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura C Bonifaz
- Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
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Cancer Vaccines: Antigen Selection Strategy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020085. [PMID: 33503926 PMCID: PMC7911511 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike traditional cancer therapies, cancer vaccines (CVs) harness a high specificity of the host’s immunity to kill tumor cells. CVs can train and bolster the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells by enhancing immune cells’ identification of antigens expressed on cancer cells. Various features of antigens like immunogenicity and avidity influence the efficacy of CVs. Therefore, the choice and application of antigens play a critical role in establishing and developing CVs. Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), a group of proteins expressed at elevated levels in tumor cells but lower levels in healthy normal cells, have been well-studied and developed in CVs. However, immunological tolerance, HLA restriction, and adverse events are major obstacles that threaten TAA-based CVs’ efficacy due to the “self-protein” characteristic of TAAs. As “abnormal proteins” that are completely absent from normal cells, tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) can trigger a robust immune response against tumor cells with high specificity and without going through central tolerance, contributing to cancer vaccine development feasibility. In this review, we focus on the unique features of TAAs and TSAs and their application in vaccines, summarizing their performance in preclinical and clinical trials.
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Gutierrez-Xicotencatl L, Pedroza-Saavedra A, Chihu-Amparan L, Salazar-Piña A, Maldonado-Gama M, Esquivel-Guadarrama F. Cellular Functions of HPV16 E5 Oncoprotein during Oncogenic Transformation. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:167-179. [PMID: 33106372 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the main etiologic agent associated with cervical cancer. HPVs are epitheliotropic, and the ones that infect the mucous membranes are classified into low-risk (LR) and high-risk (HR) types. LR-HPVs produce benign lesions, whereas HR-HPVs produce lesions that may progress to cancer. HR-HPV types 16 and 18 are the most frequently found in cervical cancer worldwide. E6 and E7 are the major HPV oncogenic proteins, and they have been profusely studied. Moreover, it has been shown that the HPV16 E5 (16E5) oncoprotein generates transformation, although the molecular mechanisms through which it carries out its activity have not been well defined. In contrast to E6 and E7, the E5 open reading frame is lost during the integration of the episomal HPV DNA into the cellular genome. This suggests that E5 acts at the early stages of the transformation process. In this review, we focused on the biochemical characteristics and functions of the HPV E5 oncoprotein, mainly on its association with growth factor receptors and other cellular proteins. Knowledge of the HPV E5 biology is important to understand the role of this oncoprotein in maintaining the viral cycle through the modulation of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as the alteration of other processes, such as survival, adhesion, migration, and invasion during early carcinogenesis. Finally, we summarized recent research that uses the E5 oncoprotein as a therapeutic target, promising a novel approach to the treatment of cervical cancer in its early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Gutierrez-Xicotencatl
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Adolfo Pedroza-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Lilia Chihu-Amparan
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Azucena Salazar-Piña
- Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Minerva Maldonado-Gama
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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von Witzleben A, Wang C, Laban S, Savelyeva N, Ottensmeier CH. HNSCC: Tumour Antigens and Their Targeting by Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 9:E2103. [PMID: 32942747 PMCID: PMC7564543 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are a heterogeneous group of malignant tumours typically caused by alcohol and tobacco consumption, although an increasing number of HNSCC arise due to persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV). The treatment of HNSCC remains challenging, and the first-line setting is focused on surgery and chemoradiotherapy. A substantial proportion of HNSCC patients die from their disease, especially those with recurrent and metastatic disease. Among factors linked with good outcome, immune cell infiltration appears to have a major role. HPV-driven HNSCC are often T-cell rich, reflecting the presence of HPV antigens that are immunogenic. Tumour-associated antigens that are shared between patients or that are unique to an individual person may also induce varying degrees of immune response; studying these is important for the understanding of the interaction between the host immune system and the cancer. The resulting knowledge is critical for the design of better immunotherapies. Key questions are: Which antigens lead to an adaptive immune response in the tumour? Which of these are exploitable for immunotherapy? Here, we review the current thinking regarding tumour antigens in HNSCC and what has been learned from early phase clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian von Witzleben
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (A.v.W.); (N.S.)
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Chuan Wang
- Head and Neck Center, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK;
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Natalia Savelyeva
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (A.v.W.); (N.S.)
| | - Christian H. Ottensmeier
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (A.v.W.); (N.S.)
- Head and Neck Center, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK;
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Development of HPV 16,18,31,45 E5 and E7 peptides-based vaccines predicted by immunoinformatics tools. Biotechnol Lett 2020; 42:403-418. [PMID: 31915962 PMCID: PMC7087594 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-020-02792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Viral oncoproteins are ideal targets in therapeutic vaccines for functional inhibition of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Herein, we designed the peptide constructs derived from E5 and E7 oncoproteins of high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31 and 45 using the bioinformatics tools and investigated their potency in mice. Results The framework of the combined in silico/in vivo analysis included (1) to determine physicochemical properties of the designed constructs, (2) to identify potential IFN-γ-inducing epitopes, (3) to assess allergenicity, (4) to recognize linear and discontinuous B cell epitopes using modeling and validation of 3D structure of the designed constructs, and (5) to evaluate immune responses and tumor growth in vivo. Our in silico data determined high potency of the HPV16,18,31,45 E5 and HPV16,18,31,45 E7 peptides for trigger B- and T-cell responses, and IFN-γ secretion. In vivo study indicated that the mixture of E5 and E7 immunodominant peptides from four types of high-risk HPV could induce Th1 immune response, and protect completely mice against TC-1 tumor cells. Conclusion Generally, the combined in silico/in vivo approaches showed the ability of the designed E5 and E7 peptide constructs from four major high-risk HPV types for development of therapeutic vaccines. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10529-020-02792-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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11
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Nandy A, Dey S, Roy P, Basak SC. Epidemics and Peptide Vaccine Response: A Brief Review. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 18:2202-2208. [PMID: 30417788 DOI: 10.2174/1568026618666181112144745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We briefly review the situations arising out of epidemics that erupt rather suddenly, threatening life and livelihoods of humans. Ebola, Zika and the Nipah virus outbreaks are recent examples where the viral epidemics have led to considerably high degree of fatalities or debilitating consequences. The problems are accentuated by a lack of drugs or vaccines effective against the new and emergent viruses, and the inordinate amount of temporal and financial resources that are required to combat the novel pathogens. Progress in computational, biological and informational sciences have made it possible to consider design of synthetic vaccines that can be rapidly developed and deployed to help stem the damages. In this review, we consider the pros and cons of this new paradigm and suggest a new system where the manufacturing process can be decentralized to provide more targeted vaccines to meet the urgent needs of protection in case of a rampaging epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashesh Nandy
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, 404B Jodhpur Park, Kolkata 700068, India
| | - Sumanta Dey
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, 404B Jodhpur Park, Kolkata 700068, India
| | - Proyasha Roy
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, 404B Jodhpur Park, Kolkata 700068, India
| | - Subhash C Basak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, 1802 Stanford Avenue, Duluth, MN 5581, United States
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12
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Wang C, Dickie J, Sutavani RV, Pointer C, Thomas GJ, Savelyeva N. Targeting Head and Neck Cancer by Vaccination. Front Immunol 2018; 9:830. [PMID: 29740440 PMCID: PMC5924779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous group of squamous cell cancers that affect the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Worldwide, it is the sixth most common cancer but in parts of Southern and South-East Asia, HNC is one of the most common cancers. A significant proportion of HNC is driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, whereas HPV-independent HNC is associated with alcohol, smoking, and smokeless tobacco consumption. Here, we review the past and present experience of targeting HNC with vaccination focusing on HPV-derived antigens as well as non-viral antigens for HPV-negative HNC. Novel therapeutic approaches for HNC will focus not only on effective vaccine platforms but will also target the stroma-rich immunosuppressive microenvironment found in those tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Natalia Savelyeva
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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13
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Cordeiro MN, De Lima RDCP, Paolini F, Melo ARDS, Campos APF, Venuti A, De Freitas AC. Current research into novel therapeutic vaccines against cervical cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2018; 18:365-376. [DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2018.1445527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Nazário Cordeiro
- Laboratório de Estudos Moleculares e Terapia Experimental – LEMTE, Brazil Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Pereira De Lima
- Laboratório de Estudos Moleculares e Terapia Experimental – LEMTE, Brazil Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Brazil
| | - Francesca Paolini
- HPV-Unit UOSD Immunology and Tumor Immunotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Alanne Rayssa da Silva Melo
- Laboratório de Estudos Moleculares e Terapia Experimental – LEMTE, Brazil Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Ferreira Campos
- Laboratório de Estudos Moleculares e Terapia Experimental – LEMTE, Brazil Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Brazil
| | - Aldo Venuti
- HPV-Unit UOSD Immunology and Tumor Immunotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Carlos De Freitas
- Laboratório de Estudos Moleculares e Terapia Experimental – LEMTE, Brazil Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Brazil
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14
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de Freitas AC, de Oliveira THA, Barros MR, Venuti A. hrHPV E5 oncoprotein: immune evasion and related immunotherapies. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:71. [PMID: 28545552 PMCID: PMC5445378 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The immune response is a key factor in the fight against HPV infection and related cancers, and thus, HPV is able to promote immune evasion through the expression of oncogenes. In particular, the E5 oncogene is responsible for modulation of several immune mechanisms, including antigen presentation and inflammatory pathways. Moreover, E5 was suggested as a promising therapeutic target, since there is still no effective medical therapy for the treatment of HPV-related pre-neoplasia and cancer. Indeed, several studies have shown good prospective for E5 immunotherapy, suggesting that it could be applied for the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. Thus, insofar as the majority of cervical, oropharyngeal and anal cancers are caused by high-risk HPV (hrHPV), mainly by HPV16, the aim of this review is to discuss the immune pathways interfered by E5 oncoprotein of hrHPV highlighting the various aspects of the potential immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Carlos de Freitas
- Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, CEP 50670-901, Brazil.
| | - Talita Helena Araújo de Oliveira
- Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, CEP 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Marconi Rego Barros
- Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, CEP 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Aldo Venuti
- Department of Research, HPV-Unit, UOSD Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Nandy A, Basak SC. A Brief Review of Computer-Assisted Approaches to Rational Design of Peptide Vaccines. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E666. [PMID: 27153063 PMCID: PMC4881492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing incidences of new viral diseases and increasingly frequent viral epidemics have strained therapeutic and preventive measures; the high mutability of viral genes puts additional strains on developmental efforts. Given the high cost and time requirements for new drugs development, vaccines remain as a viable alternative, but there too traditional techniques of live-attenuated or inactivated vaccines have the danger of allergenic reactions and others. Peptide vaccines have, over the last several years, begun to be looked on as more appropriate alternatives, which are economically affordable, require less time for development and hold the promise of multi-valent dosages. The developments in bioinformatics, proteomics, immunogenomics, structural biology and other sciences have spurred the growth of vaccinomics where computer assisted approaches serve to identify suitable peptide targets for eventual development of vaccines. In this mini-review we give a brief overview of some of the recent trends in computer assisted vaccine development with emphasis on the primary selection procedures of probable peptide candidates for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashesh Nandy
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata 700068, India.
| | - Subhash C Basak
- Natural Resources Research Institute and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55811, USA.
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16
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Lee HL, Park SH, Kim TM, Jung YY, Park MH, Oh SH, Yun HS, Jun HO, Yoo HS, Han SB, Lee US, Yoon JH, Song MJ, Hong JT. Bee venom inhibits growth of human cervical tumors in mice. Oncotarget 2016; 6:7280-92. [PMID: 25730901 PMCID: PMC4466684 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied whether bee venom (BV) inhibits cervical tumor growth through enhancement of death receptor (DR) expressions and inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in mice. In vivo study showed that BV (1 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth. Similar inhibitory effects of BV on cancer growth in primary human cervical cancer cells were also found. BV (1–5 μg/ml) also inhibited the growth of cancer cells, Ca Ski and C33Aby the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Agreed with cancer cell growth inhibition, expression of death receptors; FAS, DR3 and DR6, and DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3 and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the NF-κB activity and the expression of Bcl-2 were inhibited by treatment with BV in tumor mice, human cancer cell and human tumor samples as well as cultured cancer cells. In addition, deletion of FAS, DR3 and DR6 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed BV-induced cell growth inhibitory effects as well as NF-κB inactivation. These results suggest that BV inhibits cervical tumor growth through enhancement of FAS, DR3 and DR6 expression via inhibition of NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Lim Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Ho Park
- Clinical Research Laboratory, Uijeonbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Myoung Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Yeon Jung
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hee Park
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Oh
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Seok Yun
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Ok Jun
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan Soo Yoo
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Bae Han
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Ung Soo Lee
- Department of Food Science & Technology, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hee Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jong Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Tae Hong
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
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17
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Liao S, Zhang W, Hu X, Wang W, Deng D, Wang H, Wang C, Zhou J, Wang S, Zhang H, Ma D. A novel "priming-boosting" strategy for immune interventions in cervical cancer. Mol Immunol 2015; 64:295-305. [PMID: 25575128 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the encouraging development of a preventive vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), it cannot improve ongoing infections. Therefore, a new vaccine is urgently needed that can prevent and treat cervical cancer, and cure pre-cancerous lesions. In this study, we constructed two peptide-based vaccines. The first was a short-term, long-peptide (ST-LP) vaccine that simultaneously targeted three key carcinogenic epitopes (E5-E6-E7) on HPV16. We tested this vaccine in murine TC-1 cells infected with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) fused with HPV16E5 DNA (rTC-1 cells), which served as a cell model; we also tested it in immune-competent mice loaded with rTC-1 cells, which served as an ectopic tumor model. The ST-LP injections resulted in strong, cell-mediated immunity, capable of attacking and eliminating abnormal antigen-bearing cells. Furthermore, to prolong immunogenic capability, we designed a unique rAAV that encoded the three predicted epitopes for a second, long-term, long-peptide (LT-LP) vaccine. Moreover, we used a new immune strategy of continuous re-injections, where three ST-LP injections were performed at one-week intervals (days 0, 7, 14), then one LT-LP injection was performed on day 120. Our in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that this strategy could boost the immune response to produce longer and stronger protection against target cells, and mice were thoroughly protected from tumor growth. Our results showed that priming the immune system with the ST-LP vaccine, followed by boosting the immune system with the LT-LP vaccine could generate a rapid, robust, durable cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to HPV16-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Liao
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | | | - Xiaoji Hu
- Wuhan General Hospita of Guangzhou Military Region, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Southern Medical University South Hospital, PR China
| | - Dongrui Deng
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Changyu Wang
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Hanwang Zhang
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Ding Ma
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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18
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Yang J, Zhang Q, Li K, Yin H, Zheng JN. Composite peptide-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapy (Review). Int J Mol Med 2014; 35:17-23. [PMID: 25395173 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of peptide-based vaccines as therapeutics aims to elicit immune responses through antigenic epitopes derived from tumor antigens. Peptide-based vaccines are easily synthesized and chemically stable entities, and of note, they are absent of oncogenic potential. However, their application is more complicated as the success of an effective peptide-based vaccine is determined by numerous parameters. The success thus far has been limited by the choice of tumor antigenic peptides, poor immunogenicity and incorporation of strategies to reverse cancer-mediated immune suppression. In the present review, an overview of the mechanisms of peptide-based vaccines is provided and antigenic peptides are categorized with respect to their tissue distribution in order to determine their usefulness as targets. Furthermore, certain approaches are proposed that induce and maintain T cells for immunotherapy. The recent progress indicates that peptide-based vaccines are preferential for targeted therapy in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China
| | - Ke Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China
| | - Hong Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Nian Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China
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