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Zhu B, Yin H, Zhang D, Zhang M, Chao X, Scimeca L, Wu MR. Synthetic biology approaches for improving the specificity and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:436-447. [PMID: 38605087 PMCID: PMC11061174 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01153-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown robust efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of hematological and solid cancers. Despite the transformative impact of immunotherapy on cancer treatment, several outstanding challenges remain. These challenges include on-target off-tumor toxicity, systemic toxicity, and the complexity of achieving potent and sustainable therapeutic efficacy. Synthetic biology has emerged as a promising approach to overcome these obstacles, offering innovative tools for engineering living cells with customized functions. This review provides an overview of the current landscape and future prospects of cancer immunotherapy, particularly emphasizing the role of synthetic biology in augmenting its specificity, controllability, and efficacy. We delineate and discuss two principal synthetic biology strategies: those targeting tumor surface antigens with engineered immune cells and those detecting intratumoral disease signatures with engineered gene circuits. This review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the enduring challenges in cancer immunotherapy and the potential breakthroughs that synthetic biology may contribute to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Di Zhang
- Drug Safety Research & Evaluation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Company, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaojuan Chao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Luca Scimeca
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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2
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Nia GE, Nikpayam E, Farrokhi M, Bolhassani A, Meuwissen R. Advances in cell-based delivery of oncolytic viruses as therapy for lung cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200788. [PMID: 38596310 PMCID: PMC10976516 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer's intractability is enhanced by its frequent resistance to (chemo)therapy and often high relapse rates that make it the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Improvement of therapy efficacy is a crucial issue that might lead to a significant advance in the treatment of lung cancer. Oncolytic viruses are desirable combination partners in the developing field of cancer immunotherapy due to their direct cytotoxic effects and ability to elicit an immune response. Systemic oncolytic virus administration through intravenous injection should ideally lead to the highest efficacy in oncolytic activity. However, this is often hampered by the prevalence of host-specific, anti-viral immune responses. One way to achieve more efficient systemic oncolytic virus delivery is through better protection against neutralization by several components of the host immune system. Carrier cells, which can even have innate tumor tropism, have shown their appropriateness as effective vehicles for systemic oncolytic virus infection through circumventing restrictive features of the immune system and can warrant oncolytic virus delivery to tumors. In this overview, we summarize promising results from studies in which carrier cells have shown their usefulness for improved systemic oncolytic virus delivery and better oncolytic virus therapy against lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giti Esmail Nia
- Faculty of Allied Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Basic Oncology, Health Institute of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Elahe Nikpayam
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | | | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ralph Meuwissen
- Department of Basic Oncology, Health Institute of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Ege University Translational Pulmonary Research Center (EgeSAM), Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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3
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Chen L, Zuo M, Zhou Q, Wang Y. Oncolytic virotherapy in cancer treatment: challenges and optimization prospects. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308890. [PMID: 38169820 PMCID: PMC10758479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are emerging cancer therapeutics that offer a multifaceted therapeutic platform for the benefits of replicating and lysing tumor cells, being engineered to express transgenes, modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME), and having a tolerable safety profile that does not overlap with other cancer therapeutics. The mechanism of OVs combined with other antitumor agents is based on immune-mediated attack resistance and might benefit patients who fail to achieve durable responses after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. In this Review, we summarize data on the OV mechanism and limitations of monotherapy, which are currently in the process of combination partner development, especially with ICIs. We discuss some of the hurdles that have limited the preclinical and clinical development of OVs. We also describe the available data and provide guidance for optimizing OVs in clinical practice, as well as a summary of approved and promising novel OVs with clinical indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjuan Chen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengsi Zuo
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Hospital of Wuhan, Affiliated Hospital of Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), College of Bioengineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Wang
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), College of Bioengineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
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4
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Weng N, Zhang Z, Tan Y, Zhang X, Wei X, Zhu Q. Repurposing antifungal drugs for cancer therapy. J Adv Res 2023; 48:259-273. [PMID: 36067975 PMCID: PMC10248799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repurposing antifungal drugs in cancer therapy has attracted unprecedented attention in both preclinical and clinical research due to specific advantages, such as safety, high-cost effectiveness and time savings compared with cancer drug discovery. The surprising and encouraging efficacy of antifungal drugs in cancer therapy, mechanistically, is attributed to the overlapping targets or molecular pathways between fungal and cancer pathogenesis. Advancements in omics, informatics and analytical technology have led to the discovery of increasing "off-site" targets from antifungal drugs involved in cancerogenesis, such as smoothened (D477G) inhibition from itraconazole in basal cell carcinoma. AIM OF REVIEW This review illustrates several antifungal drugs repurposed for cancer therapy and reveals the underlying mechanism based on their original target and "off-site" target. Furthermore, the challenges and perspectives for the future development and clinical applications of antifungal drugs for cancer therapy are also discussed, providing a refresh understanding of drug repurposing. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review may provide a basic understanding of repurposed antifungal drugs for clinical cancer management, thereby helping antifungal drugs broaden new indications and promote clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningna Weng
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; Department of Medical Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian 350011, PR China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China; Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunhan Tan
- West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Xiaoyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
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Microbial cytosine deaminase is a programmable anticancer prodrug mediating enzyme: antibody, and gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10660. [PMID: 36164544 PMCID: PMC9508425 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosine deaminase (CDA) is a non-mammalian enzyme with powerful activity in mediating the prodrug 5-fluorcytosine (5-FC) into toxic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), as an alternative directed approach for the traditional chemotherapies and radiotherapies of cancer. This enzyme has been frequently reported and characterized from various microorganisms. The therapeutic strategy of 5-FC-CDA involves the administration of CDA followed by the prodrug 5-FC injection to generate cytotoxic 5-FU. The antiproliferative activity of CDA-5-FC elaborates from the higher activity of uracil pathway in tumor cells than normal ones. The main challenge of the therapeutic drug 5-FU are the short half-life, lack of selectivity and emergence of the drug resistance, consistently to the other chemotherapies. So, mediating the 5-FU to the tumor cells by CDA is one of the most feasible approaches to direct the drug to the tumor cells, reducing its toxic effects and improving their pharmacokinetic properties. Nevertheless, the catalytic efficiency, stability, antigenicity and targetability of CDA-5-FC, are the major challenges that limit the clinical application of this approach. Thus, exploring the biochemical properties of CDA from various microorganisms, as well as the approaches for localizing the system of CDA-5-FC to the tumor cells via the antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) and gene directed prodrug therapy (GDEPT) were the objectives of this review. Finally, the perspectives for increasing the therapeutic efficacy, and targetability of the CDA-5-FC system were described.
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North K, Benbarche S, Liu B, Pangallo J, Chen S, Stahl M, Bewersdorf JP, Stanley RF, Erickson C, Cho H, Pineda JMB, Thomas JD, Polaski JT, Belleville AE, Gabel AM, Udy DB, Humbert O, Kiem HP, Abdel-Wahab O, Bradley RK. Synthetic introns enable splicing factor mutation-dependent targeting of cancer cells. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1103-1113. [PMID: 35241838 PMCID: PMC9288984 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many cancers carry recurrent, change-of-function mutations affecting RNA splicing factors. Here, we describe a method to harness this abnormal splicing activity to drive splicing factor mutation-dependent gene expression to selectively eliminate tumor cells. We engineered synthetic introns that were efficiently spliced in cancer cells bearing SF3B1 mutations, but unspliced in otherwise isogenic wild-type cells, to yield mutation-dependent protein production. A massively parallel screen of 8,878 introns delineated ideal intronic size and mapped elements underlying mutation-dependent splicing. Synthetic introns enabled mutation-dependent expression of herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and subsequent ganciclovir (GCV)-mediated killing of SF3B1-mutant leukemia, breast cancer, uveal melanoma and pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, while leaving wild-type cells unaffected. Delivery of synthetic intron-containing HSV-TK constructs to leukemia, breast cancer and uveal melanoma cells and GCV treatment in vivo significantly suppressed the growth of these otherwise lethal xenografts and improved mouse host survival. Synthetic introns provide a means to exploit tumor-specific changes in RNA splicing for cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khrystyna North
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Salima Benbarche
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bo Liu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Pangallo
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sisi Chen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan Philipp Bewersdorf
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert F Stanley
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Erickson
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hana Cho
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jose Mario Bello Pineda
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James D Thomas
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacob T Polaski
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrea E Belleville
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Austin M Gabel
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dylan B Udy
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Olivier Humbert
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Kiem
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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7
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Saeb S, Assche JV, Loustau T, Rohr O, Wallet C, Schwartz C. Suicide gene therapy in cancer and HIV-1 infection: An alternative to conventional treatments. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114893. [PMID: 34968484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Suicide Gene Therapy (SGT) aims to introduce a gene encoding either a toxin or an enzyme making the targeted cell more sensitive to chemotherapy. SGT represents an alternative approach to combat pathologies where conventional treatments fail such as pancreatic cancer or the high-grade glioblastoma which are still desperately lethal. We review the possibility to use SGT to treat these cancers which have shown promising results in vitro and in preclinical trials. However, SGT has so far failed in phase III clinical trials thus further improvements are awaited. We can now take advantages of the many advances made in SGT for treating cancer to combat other pathologies such as HIV-1 infection. In the review we also discuss the feasibility to add SGT to the therapeutic arsenal used to cure HIV-1-infected patients. Indeed, preliminary results suggest that both productive and latently infected cells are targeted by the SGT. In the last section, we address the limitations of this approach and how we might improve it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Saeb
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Jeanne Van Assche
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Thomas Loustau
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Olivier Rohr
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Clémentine Wallet
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France
| | - Christian Schwartz
- University of Strasbourg, Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, Schiltigheim, France.
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8
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Kontermann RE, Ungerechts G, Nettelbeck DM. Viro-antibody therapy: engineering oncolytic viruses for genetic delivery of diverse antibody-based biotherapeutics. MAbs 2021; 13:1982447. [PMID: 34747345 PMCID: PMC8583164 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1982447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics approved for clinical application include oncolytic viruses and antibodies, which evolved by nature, but were improved by molecular engineering. Both facilitate outstanding tumor selectivity and pleiotropic activities, but also face challenges, such as tumor heterogeneity and limited tumor penetration. An innovative strategy to address these challenges combines both agents in a single, multitasking therapeutic, i.e., an oncolytic virus engineered to express therapeutic antibodies. Such viro-antibody therapies genetically deliver antibodies to tumors from amplified virus genomes, thereby complementing viral oncolysis with antibody-defined therapeutic action. Here, we review the strategies of viro-antibody therapy that have been pursued exploiting diverse virus platforms, antibody formats, and antibody-mediated modes of action. We provide a comprehensive overview of reported antibody-encoding oncolytic viruses and highlight the achievements of 13 years of viro-antibody research. It has been shown that functional therapeutic antibodies of different formats can be expressed in and released from cancer cells infected with different oncolytic viruses. Virus-encoded antibodies have implemented direct tumor cell killing, anti-angiogenesis, or activation of adaptive immune responses to kill tumor cells, tumor stroma cells or inhibitory immune cells. Importantly, numerous reports have shown therapeutic activity complementary to viral oncolysis for these modalities. Also, challenges for future research have been revealed. Established engineering technologies for both oncolytic viruses and antibodies will enable researchers to address these challenges, facilitating the development of effective viro-antibody therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland E Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dirk M Nettelbeck
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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9
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Abd-Aziz N, Poh CL. Development of oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy. Transl Res 2021; 237:98-123. [PMID: 33905949 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses replication-competent viruses to kill cancers. The ability of oncolytic viruses to selectively replicate in cancer cells leads to direct cell lysis and induction of anticancer immune response. Like other anticancer therapies, oncolytic virotherapy has several limitations such as viral delivery to the target, penetration into the tumor mass, and antiviral immune responses. This review provides an insight into the different characteristics of oncolytic viruses (natural and genetically modified) that contribute to effective applications of oncolytic virotherapy in preclinical and clinical trials, and strategies to overcome the limitations. The potential of oncolytic virotherapy combining with other conventional treatments or cancer immunotherapies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapy could form part of future multimodality treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Abd-Aziz
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research (CVVR), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research (CVVR), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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10
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Baki A, Wiekhorst F, Bleul R. Advances in Magnetic Nanoparticles Engineering for Biomedical Applications-A Review. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:134. [PMID: 34677207 PMCID: PMC8533261 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) have been developed and applied for a broad range of biomedical applications, such as diagnostic imaging, magnetic fluid hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, gene therapy and tissue repair. As one key element, reproducible synthesis routes of MNPs are capable of controlling and adjusting structure, size, shape and magnetic properties are mandatory. In this review, we discuss advanced methods for engineering and utilizing MNPs, such as continuous synthesis approaches using microtechnologies and the biosynthesis of magnetosomes, biotechnological synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles from bacteria. We compare the technologies and resulting MNPs with conventional synthetic routes. Prominent biomedical applications of the MNPs such as diagnostic imaging, magnetic fluid hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery and magnetic actuation in micro/nanorobots will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkader Baki
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM, Carl-Zeiss-Straße 18-20, 55129 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Frank Wiekhorst
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestraße 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Regina Bleul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM, Carl-Zeiss-Straße 18-20, 55129 Mainz, Germany;
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11
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Kalinichenko SV, Korobko IV, Shepelev MV. Combination of ARE and HRE cis-Regulatory Elements Elevates the Activity of Tumor-Specific hTERT Promoter. Mol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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12
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Virotherapy in Germany-Recent Activities in Virus Engineering, Preclinical Development, and Clinical Studies. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081420. [PMID: 34452286 PMCID: PMC8402873 DOI: 10.3390/v13081420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virotherapy research involves the development, exploration, and application of oncolytic viruses that combine direct killing of cancer cells by viral infection, replication, and spread (oncolysis) with indirect killing by induction of anti-tumor immune responses. Oncolytic viruses can also be engineered to genetically deliver therapeutic proteins for direct or indirect cancer cell killing. In this review—as part of the special edition on “State-of-the-Art Viral Vector Gene Therapy in Germany”—the German community of virotherapists provides an overview of their recent research activities that cover endeavors from screening and engineering viruses as oncolytic cancer therapeutics to their clinical translation in investigator-initiated and sponsored multi-center trials. Preclinical research explores multiple viral platforms, including new isolates, serotypes, or fitness mutants, and pursues unique approaches to engineer them towards increased safety, shielded or targeted delivery, selective or enhanced replication, improved immune activation, delivery of therapeutic proteins or RNA, and redirecting antiviral immunity for cancer cell killing. Moreover, several oncolytic virus-based combination therapies are under investigation. Clinical trials in Germany explore the safety and potency of virotherapeutics based on parvo-, vaccinia, herpes, measles, reo-, adeno-, vesicular stomatitis, and coxsackie viruses, including viruses encoding therapeutic proteins or combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors. These research advances represent exciting vantage points for future endeavors of the German virotherapy community collectively aimed at the implementation of effective virotherapeutics in clinical oncology.
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Emamian M, Abbaspour A, Shahani T, Biglari A, Sharafi A. Non-viral Suicide Gene Therapy: Cytosine Deaminase Gene Directed by VEGF Promoter and 5-fluorocytosine as a Gene Directed Enzyme/prodrug System in Breast Cancer Model. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2021; 71:395-406. [PMID: 34182589 DOI: 10.1055/a-1488-6054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the potential of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter to derive cytosine deaminase (CD) transfected by polyamidoamine (G4-PAMAM) dendrimers to 4T1 murine breast cancer cell line as gene-directed enzyme/prodrug therapy. The VEGF promoter and cytosine deaminase gene were cloned into the pEGFP-N1vector from the genomic DNA of 4T1 and E. coli, respectively. The frequency of transfection for VEGF-CD-pEGFP-N1 and pEGFP-N1- CD treated groups was 35±3 and 36±4, respectively. MTT assay was perform to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of converted 5-flurocytosine on 4T1 cells. Also, the optimal concentration of 5-FC in 4T1 cells transfected by VEGF-CD-pEGFP-N1 plasmid was evaluated. The GFP expression of transfected 4T1 cells by VEGF-CD-pEGFP-N1were observed by fluorescent microscopy and flowcytometry. Results demonstrated that the suicide CD gene was successfully expressed in 4T1 cells determined by RT-PCR and GFP expression. A concentration of 200 μg/ml 5-FC was identified as optimal dose of prodrug. Furthermore, the CD/5-FC enzyme/prodrug system not only demonstrated toxicity on transformed 4T1 cells but also exerted a 'bystander effect' determined by MTT assay. The results showed that by 35% transfection with VEGF-CD-pEGFP-N1and CD-pEGFP-N1 plasmids, 80% and 90% inhibition of the cells growth occurred, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manouchehr Emamian
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Akbar Abbaspour
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Tina Shahani
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Alireza Biglari
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Sharafi
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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14
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Song K, Viskovska M. Design and Engineering of Deimmunized Vaccinia Viral Vectors. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E491. [PMID: 33187060 PMCID: PMC7697509 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8110491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia viral (VV) vectors are increasingly used in oncolytic virus therapy and vaccine development for cancer and infectious diseases. However, their effectiveness is hindered by the strong anti-viral immune response induced by the viral vector. In this review, we discuss the strategies to deimmunize vaccinia viral vector. One approach is to mask the virus from the neutralization antibody responses by mapping and eliminating of B-cell epitopes on the viral membrane proteins. The recombinant VVs contain one or more viral glycoproteins with mutations in the neutralizing antibody epitopes, resulting in viral escape from neutralization. In addition, a regulator of complement activation (e.g., CD55) can be expressed on the surface of the virus particle, leading to increased resistance to complement-mediated neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariya Viskovska
- Icell Kealex Therapeutics, 2450 Holcombe Blvd Suite J, JALBS@TMC, Houston, TX 77021, USA;
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15
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Wu H, Zhong D, Zhang Z, Li Y, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhang Z, Xu X, Yang J, Gu Z. Bioinspired Artificial Tobacco Mosaic Virus with Combined Oncolytic Properties to Completely Destroy Multidrug-Resistant Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1904958. [PMID: 33231347 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201904958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
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16
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Zhang Y, Liu Z. Oncolytic Virotherapy for Malignant Tumor: Current Clinical Status. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4251-4263. [PMID: 31682207 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191104090544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses, as novel biological anti-tumor agents, provide anti-tumor therapeutic effects by different mechanisms including directly selective tumor cell lysis and secondary systemic anti-tumor immune responses. Some wide-type and genetically engineered oncolytic viruses have been applied in clinical trials. Among them, T-Vec has a significant therapeutic effect on melanoma patients and received the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first oncolytic virus to treat cancer in the US. However, the mechanisms of virus interaction with tumor and immune systems have not been clearly elucidated and there are still no "gold standards" for instructions of virotherapy in clinical trials. This Review collected the recent clinical trials data from 2005 to summarize the basic oncolytic viruses biology, describe the application in recent clinical trials, and discuss the challenges in the application of oncolytic viruses in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Renji Hospital, Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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17
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Spectrum-Wide Exploration of Human Adenoviruses for Breast Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061403. [PMID: 32486014 PMCID: PMC7352696 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) are promising tools for cancer therapeutics. However, most Ad-based therapies utilize Ad type 5 (Ad5), which displays unsatisfying efficiency in clinical trials, partly due to the low expression levels of its primary coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) on tumor cells. Since the efficacy of virotherapy strongly relies on efficient transduction of targeted tumor cells, initial screening of a broad range of viral agents to identify the most effective vehicles is essential. Using a novel Ad library consisting of numerous human Ads representing known Ad species, we evaluated the transduction efficiencies in four breast cancer (BC) cell lines. For each cell line over 20 Ad types were screened in a high-throughput manner based on reporter assays. Ad types featuring high transduction efficiencies were further investigated with respect to the percentage of transgene-positive cells and efficiencies of cellular entry in individual cell lines. Additionally, oncolytic assay was performed to test tumor cell lysis efficacy of selected Ad types. We found that all analyzed BC cell lines show low expression levels of CAR, while alternative receptors such as CD46, DSG-2, and integrins were also detected. We identified Ad3, Ad35, Ad37, and Ad52 as potential candidates for BC virotherapy.
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18
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Lee SW, Lee KJ, Jeong SY, Joo CH, Lee H, Jeong GS. Evaluation of Bystander Infection of Oncolytic Virus using a Medium Flow Integrated 3D In Vitro Microphysiological System. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 4:e1900143. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Woo Lee
- Biomedical Engineering Research CenterAsan Institute for Life ScienceAsan Medical Center Seoul 05505 Korea
| | - Kyoung Jin Lee
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine Seoul 05505 Korea
- Bio‐Medical Institute of TechnologyAsan Medical Center Seoul 05505 Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Jeong
- Biomedical Engineering Research CenterAsan Institute for Life ScienceAsan Medical Center Seoul 05505 Korea
| | - Chul Hyun Joo
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine Seoul 05505 Korea
- Bio‐Medical Institute of TechnologyAsan Medical Center Seoul 05505 Korea
| | - Heuiran Lee
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine Seoul 05505 Korea
- Bio‐Medical Institute of TechnologyAsan Medical Center Seoul 05505 Korea
| | - Gi Seok Jeong
- Biomedical Engineering Research CenterAsan Institute for Life ScienceAsan Medical Center Seoul 05505 Korea
- Department of Convergence MedicineUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine Seoul 05505 Korea
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19
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Palanisamy S, Wang YM. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticulate system: synthesis, targeting, drug delivery and therapy in cancer. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:9490-9515. [PMID: 31211303 DOI: 10.1039/c9dt00459a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a global epidemic and is considered a leading cause of death. Various cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy are available for the cure but those are generally associated with poor long-term survival rates. Consequently, more advanced and selective methods that have better outcomes, fewer side effects, and high efficacies are highly in demand. Among these is the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) which act as an innovative kit for battling cancer. Low cost, magnetic properties and toxicity properties enable SPIONs to be widely utilized in biomedical applications. For example, magnetite and maghemite (Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3) exhibit superparamagnetic properties and are widely used in drug delivery, diagnosis, and therapy. These materials are termed SPIONs when their size is smaller than 20 nm. This review article aims to provide a brief introduction on SPIONs, focusing on their fundamental magnetism and biological applications. The quality and surface chemistry of SPIONs are crucial in biomedical applications; therefore an in-depth survey of synthetic approaches and surface modifications of SPIONs is provided along with their biological applications such as targeting, site-specific drug delivery and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathyadevi Palanisamy
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Bo-Ai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
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20
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Chung HK, Zou X, Bajar BT, Brand VR, Huo Y, Alcudia JF, Ferrell JE, Lin MZ. A compact synthetic pathway rewires cancer signaling to therapeutic effector release. Science 2019; 364:364/6439/eaat6982. [PMID: 31048459 DOI: 10.1126/science.aat6982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An important goal in synthetic biology is to engineer biochemical pathways to address unsolved biomedical problems. One long-standing problem in molecular medicine is the specific identification and ablation of cancer cells. Here, we describe a method, named Rewiring of Aberrant Signaling to Effector Release (RASER), in which oncogenic ErbB receptor activity, instead of being targeted for inhibition as in existing treatments, is co-opted to trigger therapeutic programs. RASER integrates ErbB activity to specifically link oncogenic states to the execution of desired outputs. A complete mathematical model of RASER and modularity in design enable rational optimization and output programming. Using RASER, we induced apoptosis and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated transcription of endogenous genes specifically in ErbB-hyperactive cancer cells. Delivery of apoptotic RASER by adeno-associated virus selectively ablated ErbB-hyperactive cancer cells while sparing ErbB-normal cells. RASER thus provides a new strategy for oncogene-specific cancer detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hokyung K Chung
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xinzhi Zou
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bryce T Bajar
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Veronica R Brand
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yunwen Huo
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Javier F Alcudia
- Neuroscience Gene Vector and Virus Core, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - James E Ferrell
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael Z Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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21
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An BC, Hong S, Park HJ, Kim BK, Ahn JY, Ryu Y, An JH, Chung MJ. Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Probiotic-Derived p8 Protein. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E624. [PMID: 31430963 PMCID: PMC6723380 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported a novel therapeutic probiotic-derived protein, p8, which has anti-colorectal cancer (anti-CRC) properties. In vitro experiments using a CRC cell line (DLD-1), anti-proliferation activity (about 20%) did not improve after increasing the dose of recombinant-p8 (r-p8) to >10 μM. Here, we show that this was due to the low penetrative efficiency of r-p8 exogenous treatment. Furthermore, we found that r-p8 entered the cytosol through endocytosis, which might be a reason for the low penetration efficiency. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic efficacy of p8, we tried to improve delivery to CRC cells. This resulted in endogenous expression of p8 and increased the anti-proliferative effects by up to 2-fold compared with the exogenous treatment (40 μM). Anti-migration activity also increased markedly. Furthermore, we found that the anti-proliferation activity of p8 was mediated by inhibition of the p53-p21-Cyclin B1/Cdk1 signal pathway, resulting in growth arrest at the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results suggest that p8 is toxic to cancer cells, shows stable expression within cells, and shows strong cancer suppressive activity by inducing cell cycle arrest. Therefore, p8 is a strong candidate for gene therapy if it can be loaded onto cancer-specific viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Chull An
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Sunwoong Hong
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Ho Jin Park
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Bong-Kyu Kim
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Jun Young Ahn
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Yongku Ryu
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Jae Hyung An
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea
| | - Myung Jun Chung
- R&D Center, Cell Biotech, Co., Ltd, 50, Aegibong-ro 409 beon-gil, Gaegok-ri, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 10003, Korea.
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22
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Wu MR, Nissim L, Stupp D, Pery E, Binder-Nissim A, Weisinger K, Enghuus C, Palacios SR, Humphrey M, Zhang Z, Maria Novoa E, Kellis M, Weiss R, Rabkin SD, Tabach Y, Lu TK. A high-throughput screening and computation platform for identifying synthetic promoters with enhanced cell-state specificity (SPECS). Nat Commun 2019; 10:2880. [PMID: 31253799 PMCID: PMC6599391 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10912-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell state-specific promoters constitute essential tools for basic research and biotechnology because they activate gene expression only under certain biological conditions. Synthetic Promoters with Enhanced Cell-State Specificity (SPECS) can be superior to native ones, but the design of such promoters is challenging and frequently requires gene regulation or transcriptome knowledge that is not readily available. Here, to overcome this challenge, we use a next-generation sequencing approach combined with machine learning to screen a synthetic promoter library with 6107 designs for high-performance SPECS for potentially any cell state. We demonstrate the identification of multiple SPECS that exhibit distinct spatiotemporal activity during the programmed differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), as well as SPECS for breast cancer and glioblastoma stem-like cells. We anticipate that this approach could be used to create SPECS for gene therapies that are activated in specific cell states, as well as to study natural transcriptional regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ru Wu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Lior Nissim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Doron Stupp
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Erez Pery
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Adina Binder-Nissim
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Karen Weisinger
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Casper Enghuus
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sebastian R Palacios
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Melissa Humphrey
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02144, USA
| | - Zhizhuo Zhang
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Eva Maria Novoa
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Samuel D Rabkin
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02144, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery (Microbiology & Immunobiology), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yuval Tabach
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Timothy K Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. .,Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. .,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. .,Biophysics Program, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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23
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Liu F, Yang D, Liu Y, Cao Q, Sun Y, Wang Q, Tang H. Improving dispersive property, biocompatibility and targeting gene transfection of graphene oxide by covalent attachment of polyamidoamine dendrimer and glycyrrhetinic acid. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 171:622-628. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.07.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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24
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A hypoxia- and telomerase-responsive oncolytic adenovirus expressing secretable trimeric TRAIL triggers tumour-specific apoptosis and promotes viral dispersion in TRAIL-resistant glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1420. [PMID: 29362367 PMCID: PMC5780382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19300-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and malignant type of cancer that is apoptosis resistant and difficult to cure by conventional cancer therapies. In this regard, an oncolytic adenovirus that selectively targets the tumour tissue and induces tumour cell lysis is a promising treatment option. We designed and constructed a hypoxia-responsive and cancer-specific modified human telomerase reverse transcriptase (H5CmTERT) promoter to drive replication of an oncolytic adenovirus (H5CmTERT-Ad). To enhance the anti-tumour efficacy of H5CmTERT-Ad against malignant glioblastoma, we also generated an H5CmTERT-Ad expressing secretable trimeric tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (H5CmTERT-Ad/TRAIL). H5CmTERT promoter-regulated oncolytic adenoviruses showed cancer-specific and superior cell-killing effect in contrast to a cognate control oncolytic adenovirus replicating under the control of the endogenous adenovirus promoter. The cancer cell-killing effects of H5CmTERT-Ad and H5CmTERT-Ad/TRAIL were markedly higher during hypoxia than normoxia owing to hypoxia responsiveness of the promoter. H5CmTERT-Ad/TRAIL showed more potent anti-tumour efficacy than H5CmTERT-Ad did in a xenograft model of TRAIL-resistant subcutaneous and orthotopic glioblastoma through superior induction of apoptosis and more extensive virus distribution in the tumour tissue. Altogether, our findings show that H5CmTERT-Ad/TRAIL can promote dispersion of an oncolytic adenovirus through robust induction of apoptosis in a highly TRAIL-resistant glioblastoma.
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25
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Hu Y, Mignani S, Majoral JP, Shen M, Shi X. Construction of iron oxide nanoparticle-based hybrid platforms for tumor imaging and therapy. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:1874-1900. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00657h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review highlights the most recent progress in the construction of iron oxide nanoparticle-based hybrid platforms for tumor imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
| | - Serge Mignani
- PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité
- CNRS UMR 860
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologique
- Université Paris Descartes
- Paris
| | | | - Mingwu Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
| | - Xiangyang Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials
- College of Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Donghua University
- Shanghai 201620
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26
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Oncolytic Viruses: T-VEC and Others. Oncoimmunology 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-62431-0_24] [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] Open
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27
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Zhang X, Li X, You Q, Zhang X. Prodrug strategy for cancer cell-specific targeting: A recent overview. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 139:542-563. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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28
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Kuznetsova I, Arnold T, Aschacher T, Schwager C, Hegedus B, Garay T, Stukova M, Pisareva M, Pleschka S, Bergmann M, Egorov A. Targeting an Oncolytic Influenza A Virus to Tumor Tissue by Elastase. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2017; 7:37-44. [PMID: 29034314 PMCID: PMC5633860 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are currently established as a novel type of immunotherapy. The challenge is to safely target oncolytic viruses to tumors. Previously, we have generated influenza A viruses (IAVs) containing deletions in the viral interferon antagonist. Those deletions have attenuated the virus in normal tissue but allowed replication in tumor cells. IAV entry is mediated by hemagglutinin (HA), which needs to be activated by a serine protease, for example, through trypsin. To further target the IAV to tumors, we have changed the trypsin cleavage site to an elastase cleavage site. We chose this cleavage site because elastase is expressed in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the exchange of the cleavage site previously has been shown to attenuate viral growth in lungs. Newly generated elastase-activated influenza viruses (AE viruses) grew to similar titers in tumor cells as the trypsin-activated counterparts (AT viruses). Intratumoral injection of AE viruses into syngeneic B16f1 melanoma-derived tumors in mice reduced tumor growth similar to AT viruses and had a better therapeutic effect in heterologous human PANC-1-derived tumors. Therefore, the introduction of the attenuation marker “elastase cleavage site” in viral HA allows for safe, effective oncolytic virus therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kuznetsova
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Gießen, School of Medicine, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Tobias Arnold
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Aschacher
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Cornelia Schwager
- Avir Green Hills Biotechnology AG, Gersthoferstrasse 29, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Balazs Hegedus
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,MTA-SE Molecular Oncology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 93, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamas Garay
- MTA-SE Molecular Oncology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 93, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marina Stukova
- Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Popova Str. 15/17, 196376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria Pisareva
- Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Popova Str. 15/17, 196376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Stephan Pleschka
- Institute for Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Gießen, School of Medicine, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Michael Bergmann
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrej Egorov
- Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Popova Str. 15/17, 196376 St. Petersburg, Russia
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Russell SJ, Peng KW. Oncolytic Virotherapy: A Contest between Apples and Oranges. Mol Ther 2017; 25:1107-1116. [PMID: 28392162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses can be engineered or adapted for selective propagation in neoplastic tissues and further modified for therapeutic transgene expression to enhance their antitumor potency and druggability. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can be administered locally or intravenously and spread to a variable degree at sites of tumor growth. OV-infected tumor cells die in situ, releasing viral and tumor antigens that are phagocytosed by macrophages, transported to regional lymph nodes, and presented to antigen-reactive T cells, which proliferate before dispersing to kill uninfected tumor cells at distant sites. Several OVs are showing clinical promise, and one of them, talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), was recently granted marketing approval for intratumoral therapy of nonresectable metastatic melanoma. T-VEC also appears to substantially enhance clinical responsiveness to checkpoint inhibitor antibody therapy. Here, we examine the T-VEC paradigm and review some of the approaches currently being pursued to develop the next generation of OVs for both local and systemic administration, as well as for use in combination with other immunomodulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Russell
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Kah-Whye Peng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Kurihara C, Nakade K, Pan J, Huang J, Wasylyk B, Obata Y. An easy method for preparation of Cre-loxP regulated fluorescent adenoviral expression vectors and its application for direct reprogramming into hepatocytes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 12:26-32. [PMID: 28352551 PMCID: PMC5361070 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The recombinant adenoviral gene expression system is a powerful tool for gene delivery. However, it is difficult to obtain high titers of infectious virus, principally due to the toxicity of the expressed gene which affects on virus replication in the host HEK293 cells. To avoid these problems, we generated a Cre-loxP-regulated fluorescent universal vector (termed pAxCALRL). This vector produces recombinant adenoviruses that express the red fluorescent protein (RFP) instead of the inserted gene during proliferation, which limits toxicity and can be used to monitor viral replication. Expression of the gene of interest is induced by co-infection with an adenovirus that expresses Cre-recombinase (AxCANCre). Recombinant adenovirus produced by this system that express Hnf4α and Foxa2 were used to reprogram mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) into induced-hepatocyte-like cells (iHep) following several rounds of infection, demonstrating the efficacy of this new system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitose Kurihara
- Gene Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Koji Nakade
- Gene Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Jianzhi Pan
- Gene Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan; Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 198, Shiqiao Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Jing Huang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 198, Shiqiao Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Bohdan Wasylyk
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 1, Rue Laurent Fries, Illkirch Cedex 67404, France
| | - Yuichi Obata
- Gene Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
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Antitumor Efficacy of SLPI Promoter-Controlled Expression of Artificial microRNA Targeting EGFR in a Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line. Pathol Oncol Res 2017; 23:829-835. [PMID: 28101799 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-016-0160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a recombinant adenovirus with secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) promoter-controlled expression for gene therapy of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). An artificial microRNA targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was designed, and used to construct a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus with SLPI promoter-controlled expression. The silencing efficiency of this vector (Ad-SLPI-EGFRamiR) was detected in Hep-2 cells. Western blotting showed that the expression of 170 kD EGFR was significantly reduced in Hep-2 cells 72 h after infection with Ad-SLPI-EGFRamiR. At a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 200 pfu/cell, proliferation of Hep-2 cells was highly inhibited by Ad-SLPI-EGFRamiR (inhibition rate: ~70%). The apoptosis rate of Hep-2 cells at 72 h after infection with Ad-SLPI-EGFRamiR at a MOI 35 pfu/cell was 32.8%. The adenovirus constructed was able to specifically inhibit the growth of SCC cells in vitro.
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32
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Ahmad Z, Kratzke RA. Novel oncolytic viral therapies in patients with thoracic malignancies. Oncolytic Virother 2016; 6:1-9. [PMID: 28053943 PMCID: PMC5189707 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s116012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is the use of replication-competent viruses to treat malignancies. The potential of oncolytic virotherapy as an approach to cancer therapy is based on historical evidence that certain viral infections can cause spontaneous remission of both hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. Oncolytic virotherapy may eliminate cancer cells through either direct oncolysis of infected tumor cells or indirect immune-mediated oncolysis of uninfected tumor cells. Recent advances in oncolytic virotherapy include the development of a wide variety of genetically attenuated RNA viruses with precise cellular tropism and the identification of cell-surface receptors that facilitate viral transfer to the tissue of interest. Current research is also focused on targeting metastatic disease by sustaining the release of progeny viruses from infected tumor cells and understanding indirect tumor cell killing through immune-mediated mechanisms of virotherapy. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate recent evidence on the clinical development of tissue-specific viruses capable of targeting tumor cells and eliciting secondary immune responses in lung cancers and mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Ahmad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Robert A Kratzke
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Abstract
For decades, effective cancer gene therapy has been a tantalising prospect; for a therapeutic modality potentially able to elicit highly effective and selective responses, definitive efficacy outcomes have often seemed out of reach. However, steady progress in vector development and accumulated experience from previous clinical studies has finally led the field to its first licensed therapy. Following a pivotal phase III trial, Imlygic (talimogene laherparepvec/T-Vec) received US approval as a treatment for cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma in October 2015, followed several weeks later by its European authorisation. These represent the first approvals for an oncolytic virotherapy. Imlygic is an advanced-generation herpesvirus-based vector optimised for oncolytic and immunomodulatory activities. Many other oncolytic agents currently remain in development, providing hope that current success will be followed by other diverse vectors that may ultimately come to constitute a new class of clinical anti-cancer agents. In this review, we discuss some of the key oncolytic viral agents developed in the adenovirus and herpesvirus classes, and the prospects for further enhancing their efficacy by combining them with novel immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan E. Bilsland
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | | | - T. R. Jeffry Evans
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
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Shepelev MV, Kopantzev EP, Vinogradova TV, Sverdlov ED, Korobko IV. hTERT and BIRC5 gene promoters for cancer gene therapy: A comparative study. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:1204-1210. [PMID: 27446419 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and survivin (BIRC5) gene promoters are frequently used for transcriptional targeting of tumor cells, yet there is no comprehensive comparative analysis allowing rational choice of a promoter for a particular therapy. In the current study, the transcriptional activity of hTERT, human BIRC5 and mouse Birc5 promoters and their modifications were compared in 10 human cancer cell lines using the luciferase reporter gene activity assay. The results revealed that BIRC5- and hTERT-based promoters had strikingly different cell specificities with comparable activities in only 40% of cell lines. Importantly, relative hTERT and BIRC5 transcript abundance cannot be used to predict the most potent promoter. Among the hTERT-based promoters that were assessed, modification with the minimal cytomegalovirus promoter generally resulted in the most potent activity. Mouse Birc5 and modified human BIRC5 promoters were superior to the unmodified human survivin promoter; however, their tumor specificities must be investigated further. In summary, the present results emphasize the desirability for construction of more universal tumor-specific promoters to efficiently target a wide spectrum of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Shepelev
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Eugene P Kopantzev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Vinogradova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Eugene D Sverdlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Igor V Korobko
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
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Shepelev MV, Kalinichenko SV, Vikhreva PN, Korobko IV. Selection of microRNA for providing tumor specificity of transgene expression in cancer gene therapy. Mol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893316020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Moving oncolytic viruses into the clinic: clinical-grade production, purification, and characterization of diverse oncolytic viruses. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 3:16018. [PMID: 27088104 PMCID: PMC4822647 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are unique anticancer agents based on their pleotropic modes of action, which include, besides viral tumor cell lysis, activation of antitumor immunity. A panel of diverse viruses, often genetically engineered, has advanced to clinical investigation, including phase 3 studies. This diversity of virotherapeutics not only offers interesting opportunities for the implementation of different therapeutic regimens but also poses challenges for clinical translation. Thus, manufacturing processes and regulatory approval paths need to be established for each OV individually. This review provides an overview of clinical-grade manufacturing procedures for OVs using six virus families as examples, and key challenges are discussed individually. For example, different virus features with respect to particle size, presence/absence of an envelope, and host species imply specific requirements for measures to ensure sterility, for handling, and for determination of appropriate animal models for toxicity testing, respectively. On the other hand, optimization of serum-free culture conditions, increasing virus yields, development of scalable purification strategies, and formulations guaranteeing long-term stability are challenges common to several if not all OVs. In light of the recent marketing approval of the first OV in the Western world, strategies for further upscaling OV manufacturing and optimizing product characterization will receive increasing attention.
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Progress and problems with the use of suicide genes for targeted cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 99:113-128. [PMID: 26004498 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Among various gene therapy methods for cancer, suicide gene therapy attracts a special attention because it allows selective conversion of non-toxic compounds into cytotoxic drugs inside cancer cells. As a result, therapeutic index can be increased significantly by introducing high concentrations of cytotoxic molecules to the tumor environment while minimizing impact on normal tissues. Despite significant success at the preclinical level, no cancer suicide gene therapy protocol has delivered the desirable clinical significance yet. This review gives a critical look at the six main enzyme/prodrug systems that are used in suicide gene therapy of cancer and familiarizes readers with the state-of-the-art research and practices in this field. For each enzyme/prodrug system, the mechanisms of action, protein engineering strategies to enhance enzyme stability/affinity and chemical modification techniques to increase prodrug kinetics and potency are discussed. In each category, major clinical trials that have been performed in the past decade with each enzyme/prodrug system are discussed to highlight the progress to date. Finally, shortcomings are underlined and areas that need improvement in order to produce clinical significance are delineated.
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Wang X, Zhou P, Sun X, Wei G, Zhang L, Wang H, Yao J, Jia P, Zheng J. Modification of the hTERT promoter by heat shock elements enhances the efficiency and specificity of cancer targeted gene therapy. Int J Hyperthermia 2016; 32:244-53. [PMID: 26981638 DOI: 10.3109/02656736.2015.1128569] [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: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE One of the current challenges facing cancer gene therapy is the tumour-specific targeting of therapeutic genes. Effective targeting in gene therapy requires accurate spatial and temporal control of gene expression. To develop a sufficient and accurate tumour-targeting method for cancer gene therapy, we have investigated the use of hyperthermia to control the expression of a transgene under the control of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter and eight heat shock elements (8HSEs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Luciferase reporters were constructed by inserting eight HSEs and the hTERT promoter (8HSEs-hTERTp) upstream of the pGL4.20 vector luciferase gene. The luciferase activity of the hTERT promoter and 8HSEs-hTERT promoter were then compared in the presence and absence of heat. The differences in luciferase activity were analysed using dual luciferase assays in SW480 (high hTERT expression), MKN28 and MRC-5 cells (low hTERT expression). The luciferase activity of the Hsp70B promoter was also compared to the 8HSEs-hTERT promoter in the above listed cell lines. Lentiviral vector and heat-induced expression of EGFP expression under the control of the 8HSEs-hTERT promoter in cultured cells and mouse tumour xenografts was measured by reverse transcription polymerase (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. RESULTS hTERT promoter activity was higher in SW480 cells than in MKN28 or MRC-5 cells. At 43 °C, the luciferase activity of the 8HSEs-hTERT promoter was significantly increased in SW480 cells, but not in MKN28 or MRC-5 cells. Importantly, the differences in luciferase activity were much more obvious in both high (SW480) and low (MKN28 and MRC-5) hTERT expressing cells when the activity of the 8HSEs-hTERT promoter was compared to the Hsp70B promoter. Moreover, under the control of 8HSEs-hTERT promoter in vitro and in vivo, EGFP expression was obviously increased by heat treatment in SW480 cells but not in MKN28 or MRC-5 cells, nor was expression increased under normal temperature conditions. CONCLUSIONS The hTERT promoter is a potentially powerful tumour-specific promoter and gene therapy tool for cancer treatment. Incorporating heat-inducible therapeutic elements (8HSEs) into the hTERT promoter may enhance the efficiency and specificity of cancer targeting gene therapy under hyperthermic clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wang
- a Department of General Surgery , First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi
| | - PeiHua Zhou
- a Department of General Surgery , First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi
| | - XueJun Sun
- a Department of General Surgery , First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi
| | - GuangBing Wei
- a Department of General Surgery , First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi
| | - Li Zhang
- b Department of General Surgery , Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi
| | - Hui Wang
- c Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital , Xi'an , Shaanxi , and
| | - JianFeng Yao
- c Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital , Xi'an , Shaanxi , and
| | - PengBo Jia
- d First People's Hospital of XianYang City , XianYang , Shaanxi , China
| | - JianBao Zheng
- a Department of General Surgery , First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi
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Abstract
For suicide gene therapy, initially prodrug-converting enzymes (gene-directed enzyme-producing therapy, GDEPT) were employed to intracellularly metabolize non-toxic prodrugs into toxic compounds, leading to the effective suicidal killing of the transfected tumor cells. In this regard, the suicide gene therapy has demonstrated its potential for efficient tumor eradication. Numerous suicide genes of viral or bacterial origin were isolated, characterized, and extensively tested in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating their therapeutic potential even in clinical trials to treat cancers of different entities. Apart from this, growing efforts are made to generate more targeted and more effective suicide gene systems for cancer gene therapy. In this regard, bacterial toxins are an alternative to the classical GDEPT strategy, which add to the broad spectrum of different suicide approaches. In this context, lytic bacterial toxins, such as streptolysin O (SLO) or the claudin-targeted Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) represent attractive new types of suicide oncoleaking genes. They permit as pore-forming proteins rapid and also selective toxicity toward a broad range of cancers. In this chapter, we describe the generation and use of SLO as well as of CPE-based gene therapies for the effective tumor cell eradication as promising, novel suicide gene approach particularly for treatment of therapy refractory tumors.
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Van Hove B, Love AM, Ajikumar PK, De Mey M. Programming Biology: Expanding the Toolset for the Engineering of Transcription. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22708-5_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Wang C, Wang X, Lu T, Liu F, Guo B, Wen N, Du Y, Lin H, Tang J, Zhang L. Multi-functionalized graphene oxide complex as a plasmid delivery system for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra21475k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel and efficient graphene-based gene delivery vector was prepared, the effect of changing the PEI content on the size, stability and transfection efficiency were investigated.
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Kibaly C, Loh H, Law PY. A Mechanistic Approach to the Development of Gene Therapy for Chronic Pain. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 327:89-161. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Lerma L, Alcalá S, Piñero C, Torres M, Martin B, Lim F, Sainz B, Tabarés E. Expression of the immediate early IE180 protein under the control of the hTERT and CEA tumor-specific promoters in recombinant pseudorabies viruses: Effects of IE180 protein on promoter activity and apoptosis induction. Virology 2015; 488:9-19. [PMID: 26590793 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome encodes for a single immediate-early protein, IE180, we reasoned that this strong transactivating protein could represent a key regulatory switch that could be genetically manipulated in order to alter its tropism towards cancer cells. We therefore initiated studies to test whether the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tumor promoters could functionally replace the IE180 promoter. We show that both promoters can functionally substitute the IE180 promoter in plasmid constructs and recombinant viruses, and observed that IE180 differentially auto-regulated each promoter tested, with PRV IE180 negatively regulating the hTERT promoter but positively hyper-activating the CEA promoter. Interestingly, we also observed that the recombinant PRV-TER and PRV-CEA viruses preferentially replicated in diverse cancer cell lines compared to control non-cancer cells, and the PRV-CEA was capable of additionally inducing a profound apoptotic phenotype which we correlated to the overexpression of IE180.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lerma
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - S Alcalá
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - C Piñero
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - M Torres
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - B Martin
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - F Lim
- Centro de Biología Molecular, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - B Sainz
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - E Tabarés
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública y Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain.
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Polymeric oncolytic adenovirus for cancer gene therapy. J Control Release 2015; 219:181-191. [PMID: 26453806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) vectors present a promising modality to treat cancer. Many clinical trials have been done with either naked oncolytic Ad or combination with chemotherapies. However, the systemic injection of oncolytic Ad in clinical applications is restricted due to significant liver toxicity and immunogenicity. To overcome these issues, Ad has been engineered physically or chemically with numerous polymers for shielding the Ad surface, accomplishing extended blood circulation time and reduced immunogenicity as well as hepatotoxicity. In this review, we describe and classify the characteristics of polymer modified oncolytic Ad following each strategy for cancer treatment. Furthermore, this review concludes with the highlights of various polymer-coated Ads and their prospects, and directions for future research.
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Andersson HA, Kim YS, O’Neill BE, Shi ZZ, Serda RE. HSP70 promoter-driven activation of gene expression for immunotherapy using gold nanorods and near infrared light. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 2:216-27. [PMID: 25328682 PMCID: PMC4199457 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines2020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the cytokine milieu is one approach for vaccine development. However, therapy with pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12, is limited in practice due to adverse systemic effects. Spatially-restricted gene expression circumvents this problem by enabling localized amplification. Intracellular co-delivery of gold nanorods (AuNR) and a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) promoter-driven expression vector enables gene expression in response to near infrared (NIR) light. AuNRs absorb the light, convert it into heat and thereby stimulate photothermal expression of the cytokine. As proof-of-concept, human HeLa and murine B16 cancer cells were transfected with a HSP70-Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) plasmid and polyethylenimine (PEI)-conjugated AuNRs. Exposure to either 42 °C heat-shock or NIR light induced significant expression of the reporter gene. In vivo NIR driven expression of the reporter gene was confirmed at 6 and 24 h in mice bearing B16 melanoma tumors using in vivo imaging and flow-cytometric analysis. Overall, we demonstrate a novel opportunity for site-directed, heat-inducible expression of a gene based upon the NIR-absorbing properties of AuNRs and a HSP70 promoter-driven expression vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A. Andersson
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Yoo-Shin Kim
- Department of Translational Imaging, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mails: (Y.-S.K.); (B.E.O.); (Z.-Z.S.)
| | - Brian E. O’Neill
- Department of Translational Imaging, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mails: (Y.-S.K.); (B.E.O.); (Z.-Z.S.)
| | - Zheng-Zheng Shi
- Department of Translational Imaging, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mails: (Y.-S.K.); (B.E.O.); (Z.-Z.S.)
| | - Rita E. Serda
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mail:
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-713-798-3242
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Zhang W, Ge K, Zhao Q, Zhuang X, Deng Z, Liu L, Li J, Zhang Y, Dong Y, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Liu B. A novel oHSV-1 targeting telomerase reverse transcriptase-positive cancer cells via tumor-specific promoters regulating the expression of ICP4. Oncotarget 2015; 6:20345-55. [PMID: 25972362 PMCID: PMC4653009 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Virotherapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Using the human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter, we developed a novel tumor-selective replication oncolytic HSV-1. Here we showed that oHSV1-hTERT virus was cytopathic in telomerase-positive cancer cell lines but not in telomerase-negative cell lines. In intra-venous injection in mice, oHSV1-hTERT was safer than its parental oHSV1-17+. In human blood cell transduction assays, both viruses transduced few blood cells and the transduction rate for oHSV1-hTERT was even less than that for its parental virus. In vivo, oHSV1-hTERT inhibited growth of tumors and prolong survival in telomerase-positive xenograft tumor models. Therefore, we concluded that this virus may be a safe and effective therapeutic agent for cancer treatment, warranting clinical trials in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Keli Ge
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiufen Zhuang
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhenling Deng
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lingling Liu
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Ying Dong
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Youhui Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shuren Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Binlei Liu
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.,Hubei University of Technology, Nanhu, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430068, China
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Reddel RR. Telomere maintenance mechanisms in cancer: clinical implications. Curr Pharm Des 2015; 20:6361-74. [PMID: 24975603 PMCID: PMC4262939 DOI: 10.2174/1381612820666140630101047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The presence of immortal cell populations with an up-regulated telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) is an almost universal characteristic of cancers, whereas normal somatic cells are unable to prevent proliferation-associated telomere shortening and have a limited proliferative potential. TMMs and related aspects of telomere structure and function therefore appear to be ideal targets for the development of anticancer therapeutics. Such treatments would be targeted to a specific cancer-related molecular abnormality, and also be broad-spectrum in that they would be expected to be potentially applicable to most cancers. However, the telomere biology of normal and malignant human cells is a relatively young research field with large numbers of unanswered questions, so the optimal design of TMM-targeted therapeutic approaches remains unclear. This review outlines the opportunities and challenges presented by telomeres and TMMs for clinical management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger R Reddel
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia.
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48
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Cui W, Qian Y, Zhou X, Lin Y, Jiang J, Chen J, Zhao Z, Shen B. Discovery and characterization of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNA) module biomarkers in prostate cancer: an integrative analysis of RNA-Seq data. BMC Genomics 2015; 16 Suppl 7:S3. [PMID: 26100580 PMCID: PMC4474418 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-16-s7-s3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related death of men worldwide. There is an urgent need to develop novel biomarkers for PCa prognosis and diagnosis in the post prostate-specific antigen era. Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) play essential roles in many physiological processes and can serve as alternative biomarkers for prostate cancer, but there has been no systematic investigation of lincRNAs in PCa yet. Results Nine lincRNA co-expression modules were identified from PCa RNA-Seq data. The association between the principle component of each module and the PCa phenotype was examined by calculating the Pearson's correlation coefficients. Three modules (M1, M3, and M5) were found associated with PCa. Two modules (M3 and M5) were significantly enriched with lincRNAs, and one of them, M3, may be used as a lincRNA module-biomarker for PCa diagnosis. This module includes seven essential lincRNAs: TCONS_l2_00001418, TCONS_l2_00008237, TCONS_l2_00011130, TCONS_l2_00013175, TCONS_l2_00022611, TCONS_l2_00022670 and linc-PXN-1. The clustering analysis and microRNA enrichment analysis further confirmed our findings. Conclusion The correlation between lincRNAs and protein-coding genes is helpful for further exploration of functional mechanisms of lincRNAs in PCa. This study provides some important insights into the roles of lincRNAs in PCa and suggests a few lincRNAs as candidate biomarkers for PCa diagnosis and prognosis.
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49
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Glinka EM. Killing of cancer cells through the use of eukaryotic expression vectors harbouring genes encoding nucleases and ribonuclease inhibitor. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:3147-57. [PMID: 25874497 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3360-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer gene therapy vectors are promising tools for killing cancer cells with the purpose of eradicating malignant tumours entirely. Different delivery methods of vectors into the cancer cells, including both non-viral and viral, as well as promoters for the targeted expression of genes encoding anticancer proteins were developed for effective and selective killing of cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Many vectors have been created to kill cancer cells, and some vectors suppress malignant tumours with high efficiency. This review is focused on vectors bearing genes for nucleases such as deoxyribonucleases (caspase-activated DNase, deoxyribonuclease I-like 3, endonuclease G) and ribonucleases (human polynucleotide phosphorylase, ribonuclease L, α-sarcin, barnase), as well as vectors harbouring gene encoding ribonuclease inhibitor. The data concerning the functionality and the efficacy of such vectors are presented.
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50
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Qiao J, Dey M, Chang AL, Kim JW, Miska J, Ling A, M Nettlebeck D, Han Y, Zhang L, Lesniak MS. Intratumoral oncolytic adenoviral treatment modulates the glioma microenvironment and facilitates systemic tumor-antigen-specific T cell therapy. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1022302. [PMID: 26405578 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1022302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor and is associated with poor survival. Virotherapy is a promising candidate for the development of effective, novel treatments for GBM. Recent studies have underscored the potential of virotherapy in enhancing antitumor immunity despite the fact that its mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, using a syngeneic GBM mouse model, we report that intratumoral virotherapy significantly modulates the tumor microenvironment. We found that intratumoral administration of an oncolytic adenovirus, AdCMVdelta24, decreased tumor-infiltrating CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and increased IFNγ-producing CD8+ T cells in treated tumors, even in late stage disease in which a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is considered to be a significant barrier to immunotherapy. Importantly, intratumoral AdCMVdelta24 treatment augmented systemically transferred tumor-antigen-specific T cell therapy. Furthermore, mechanistic studies showed (1) downregulation of Foxp3 in Tregs that were incubated with media conditioned by virus-infected tumor cells, (2) downregulation of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO) in glioma cells upon infection by AdCMVdelta24, and (3) reprograming of Tregs from an immunosuppressive to a stimulatory state. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the potency of intratumoral oncolytic adenoviral treatment in enhancing antitumor immunity through the regulation of multiple aspects of immune suppression in the context of glioma, supporting further clinical development of oncolytic adenovirus-based immune therapies for malignant brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qiao
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Mahua Dey
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Alan L Chang
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Julius W Kim
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jason Miska
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Alex Ling
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Dirk M Nettlebeck
- Oncolytic Adenovirus Group; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) ; Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yu Han
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Lingjiao Zhang
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- The Brain Tumor Center; Pritzker School of Medicine; The University of Chicago ; Chicago, IL USA
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