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Azadeh M, Good J, Gunsior M, Kulagina N, Lu Y, McNally J, Myler H, Ni YG, Pelto R, Quadrini KJ, Vrentas C, Yang L. Best Practices for Development and Validation of Enzymatic Activity Assays to Support Drug Development for Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Biomarker Assessment. AAPS J 2024; 26:97. [PMID: 39179710 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-024-00966-y] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant or dysfunctional cellular enzymes are responsible for a wide range of diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and metabolic disorders. Deficiencies in enzyme level or biofunction may lead to intracellular accumulation of substrate to toxic levels and interfere with overall cellular function, ultimately leading to cell damage, disease, and death. Marketed therapeutic interventions for inherited monogenic enzyme deficiency disorders include enzyme replacement therapy and small molecule chaperones. Novel approaches of in vivo gene therapy and ex vivo cell therapy are under clinical evaluation and provide promising opportunities to expand the number of available disease-modifying treatments. To support the development of these different therapeutics, assays to quantify the functional activity of protein enzymes have gained importance in the diagnosis of disease, assessment of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic response, and evaluation of drug efficacy. In this review, we discuss the technical aspects of enzyme activity assays in the bioanalytical context, including assay design and format as well as the unique challenges and considerations associated with assay development, validation, and life cycle management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Azadeh
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., Novato, California, USA
| | | | | | - Nadia Kulagina
- Smithers Pharmaceutical Development Services, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Yanmei Lu
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Richmond, California, USA
| | | | | | - Yan G Ni
- Passage Bio, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ryan Pelto
- Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Catherine Vrentas
- Pharmaceutical Product Development, a ThermoFisher Company, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
- , Richmond, Virginia, USA.
| | - Lin Yang
- Regenxbio, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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Moaveni AK, Amiri M, Shademan B, Farhadi A, Behroozi J, Nourazarian A. Advances and challenges in gene therapy strategies for pediatric cancer: a comprehensive update. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1382190. [PMID: 38836106 PMCID: PMC11149429 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1382190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers represent a tragic but also promising area for gene therapy. Although conventional treatments have improved survival rates, there is still a need for targeted and less toxic interventions. This article critically analyzes recent advances in gene therapy for pediatric malignancies and discusses the challenges that remain. We explore the innovative vectors and delivery systems that have emerged, such as adeno-associated viruses and non-viral platforms, which show promise in addressing the unique pathophysiology of pediatric tumors. Specifically, we examine the field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and their adaptation for solid tumors, which historically have been more challenging to treat than hematologic malignancies. We also discuss the genetic and epigenetic complexities inherent to pediatric cancers, such as tumor heterogeneity and the dynamic tumor microenvironment, which pose significant hurdles for gene therapy. Ethical considerations specific to pediatric populations, including consent and long-term follow-up, are also analyzed. Additionally, we scrutinize the translation of research from preclinical models that often fail to mimic pediatric cancer biology to the regulatory landscapes that can either support or hinder innovation. In summary, this article provides an up-to-date overview of gene therapy in pediatric oncology, highlighting both the rapid scientific progress and the substantial obstacles that need to be addressed. Through this lens, we propose a roadmap for future research that prioritizes the safety, efficacy, and complex ethical considerations involved in treating pediatric patients. Our ultimate goal is to move from incremental advancements to transformative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Kian Moaveni
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Amiri
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrouz Shademan
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Arezoo Farhadi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Javad Behroozi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Nourazarian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
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Yao J, Atasheva S, Wagner N, Di Paolo NC, Stewart PL, Shayakhmetov DM. Targeted, safe, and efficient gene delivery to human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vivo using the engineered AVID adenovirus vector platform. Mol Ther 2024; 32:103-123. [PMID: 37919899 PMCID: PMC10787117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted delivery and cell-type-specific expression of gene-editing proteins in various cell types in vivo represent major challenges for all viral and non-viral delivery platforms developed to date. Here, we describe the development and analysis of artificial vectors for intravascular delivery (AVIDs), an engineered adenovirus-based gene delivery platform that allows for highly targeted, safe, and efficient gene delivery to human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vivo after intravenous vector administration. Due to a set of refined structural modifications, intravenous administration of AVIDs did not trigger cytokine storm, hepatotoxicity, or thrombocytopenia. Single intravenous administration of AVIDs to humanized mice, grafted with human CD34+ cells, led to up to 20% transduction of CD34+CD38-CD45RA- HSPC subsets in the bone marrow. Importantly, targeted in vivo transduction of CD34+CD38-CD45RA-CD90-CD49f+ subsets, highly enriched for human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), reached up to 19%, which represented a 1,900-fold selectivity in gene delivery to HSC-enriched over lineage-committed CD34-negative cell populations. Because the AVID platform allows for regulated, cell-type-specific expression of gene-editing technologies as well as expression of immunomodulatory proteins to ensure persistence of corrected HSCs in vivo, the HSC-targeted AVID platform may enable development of curative therapies through in vivo gene correction in human HSCs after a single intravenous administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yao
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Svetlana Atasheva
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nicole Wagner
- Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Nelson C Di Paolo
- AdCure Bio, LLC, Century Spring West, 6000 Lake Forrest Drive, Atlanta, GA 30328, USA
| | - Phoebe L Stewart
- Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Dmitry M Shayakhmetov
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Program, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Vats S, Ballesteros C, Hung S, Sparapani S, Wong K, Haruna J, Li C, Authier S. An Overview of Gene Editing Modalities and Related Non-clinical Testing Considerations. Int J Toxicol 2023; 42:207-218. [PMID: 36762691 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231153996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has become an important modality for a wide range of therapeutic indications with a rapid increase in the number of therapeutic candidates being developed in this field. Understanding the molecular biology underlying the gene therapy is often critical to develop appropriate safety assessment strategies. We aimed to discuss some of the commonly used gene therapy modalities and common preclinical toxicology testing considerations when developing gene therapies. Non-viral gene delivery methods such as electroporation, microinjection, peptide nanoparticles and lipid nanoparticles are deployed as innovative molecular molecular construct which are included in the design of novel gene therapies and the associated molecular biology mechanisms have become relevant knowledge to non-clinical toxicology. Viral gene delivery methodologies including Adenovirus vectors, Adeno-Associated virus vectors and Lentivirus gene therapy vectors have also advanced considerably across numerous therapeutic areas, raising unique non-clinical toxicology and immunological considerations. General toxicology, biodistribution and tumorigenicity are the pillars of non-clinical safety testing in gene therapies. Evaluating the tumorigenicity potential of a gene editing therapy often leverages molecular pathology while some translational challenges remain. Toxicology study design is entering a new era where science-driven customized approaches and program specific considerations have become the norm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Vats
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Selly Hung
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Karen Wong
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Christian Li
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
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Fatthalla MI, Abd El Salam HA, Zayed EM, Ibrahim MAA, Pedersen EB. Enone as TFO Linker: Synthesis and Parallel DNA Triplex Stability Evaluation. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202202331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maha I. Fatthalla
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Helwan University 11795 Ain Helwan Cairo Egypt
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
- Universite Paris-Sud, Faculte de Pharmacie, 5 rue J.-B. Clement Chatenay-Malabry 92296 France
| | | | - Ehab M. Zayed
- Green Chemistry Department National Research Centre Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory Chemistry Department Faculty of Science Minia University Minia 61519 Egypt
| | - Erik B. Pedersen
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M Denmark
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