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Corti A, Calimeri T, Curnis F, Ferreri AJM. Targeting the Blood–Brain Tumor Barrier with Tumor Necrosis Factor-α. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071414. [PMID: 35890309 PMCID: PMC9315592 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood–brain tumor barrier represents a major obstacle for anticancer drug delivery to brain tumors. Thus, novel strategies aimed at targeting and breaching this structure are of great experimental and clinical interest. This review is primarily focused on the development and use of a derivative of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) that can target and alter the blood–brain-tumor-barrier. This drug, called NGR-TNF, consists of a TNF molecule fused to the Cys-Asn-Gly-Arg-Cys-Gly (CNGRCG) peptide (called NGR), a ligand of aminopeptidase N (CD13)-positive tumor blood vessels. Results of preclinical studies suggest that this peptide-cytokine fusion product represents a valuable strategy for delivering TNF to tumor vessels in an amount sufficient to break the biological barriers that restrict drug penetration in cancer lesions. Moreover, clinical studies performed in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma, have shown that an extremely low dose of NGR-TNF (0.8 µg/m2) is sufficient to promote selective blood–brain-tumor-barrier alteration, increase the efficacy of R-CHOP (a chemo-immunotherapy regimen) and improve patient survival. Besides reviewing these findings, we discuss the potential problems related to the instability and molecular heterogeneity of NGR-TNF and review the various approaches so far developed to obtain more robust and homogeneous TNF derivatives, as well as the pharmacological properties of other peptide/antibody-TNF fusion products, muteins and nanoparticles that are potentially useful for targeting the blood–brain tumor barrier. Compared to other TNF-related drugs, the administration of extremely low-doses of NGR-TNF or its derivatives appear as promising non-immunogenic approaches to overcome TNF counter-regulatory mechanism and systemic toxicity, thereby enabling safe breaking of the BBTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Corti
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.J.M.F.); Tel.: +39-02-2643-4802 (A.C.); +39-02-2643-7649 (A.J.M.F.); Fax: +39-02-2643-7534 (A.J.M.F.)
| | - Teresa Calimeri
- Lymphoma Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Andres J. M. Ferreri
- Lymphoma Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.J.M.F.); Tel.: +39-02-2643-4802 (A.C.); +39-02-2643-7649 (A.J.M.F.); Fax: +39-02-2643-7534 (A.J.M.F.)
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2
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Patel TK, Adhikari N, Amin SA, Biswas S, Jha T, Ghosh B. Small molecule drug conjugates (SMDCs): an emerging strategy for anticancer drug design and discovery. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj04134c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mechanisms of how SMDCs work. Small molecule drugs are conjugated with the targeted ligand using pH sensitive linkers which allow the drug molecule to get released at lower lysosomal pH. It helps to accumulate the chemotherapeutic agents to be localized in the tumor environment upon cleaving of the pH-labile bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Kumar Patel
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy
- BITS-Pilani
- Hyderabad
- India
| | - Nilanjan Adhikari
- Natural Science Laboratory
- Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata 700032
| | - Sk. Abdul Amin
- Natural Science Laboratory
- Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata 700032
| | - Swati Biswas
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy
- BITS-Pilani
- Hyderabad
- India
| | - Tarun Jha
- Natural Science Laboratory
- Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata 700032
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy
- BITS-Pilani
- Hyderabad
- India
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3
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Petrelli F, Perego G, Ghidini A, Ghidini M, Borgonovo K, Scolari C, Nozza R, Rampulla V, Costanzo A, Varricchio A, Rausa E, Pietrantonio F, Zaniboni A. A systematic review of salvage therapies in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. Int J Colorectal Dis 2020; 35:783-794. [PMID: 32219509 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-020-03571-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Established that the only approved agents in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) are trifluoridine/tipiracil and regorafenib, we conducted a systematic review of all the published phase 2-3 trials, with the scope to evaluate the benefit of any later-line regimens in refractory metastatic CRC. METHODS Phase 2-3 studies that enrolled patients with stage IV disease receiving salvage therapies for refractory CRC were identified using electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library). Clinical outcomes were pooled using a point estimates for the weighted values of median overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (ORR), stable disease rate (SD), and 6-month and 1-year OS. RESULTS Overall, 7556 patients were included from 67 studies (n = 70 arms). Overall, the pooled ORR and SD were 15.4% (95% CI 13-18%) and 36.9% (95% CI 33.5-40.6%). Median PFS, 6-month and 1-year OS, and median OS were 3.2 (95% CI 2.9-3.3) months, 65.4% (95% CI 61.9-68.8%), 36% (95% CI 32.3-39.9%) and 8.8 (95% CI 8.3-9.2) months. Overall survival was different in the monochemotherapy, polychemotherapy, chemotherapy + targeted therapy, and targeted therapy alone arms (7.6, 9.5, 10.3, and 7.9 months, respectively, P for difference = 0.01). Median PFS were respectively 2.3, 3.9, 3.8, and 2.6, respectively (P for difference < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Overall, combination therapy (polychemotherapy with or without targeted agents) is associated with a higher control of disease and better outcome than approved agents. Treatment, if possible, should be personalized according to the patients' conditions, physician preference and molecular profile of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Petrelli
- Oncology Unit, Medical Sciences Department, ASST Bergamo Ovest, Piazzale Ospedale 1, 24047, Treviglio, BG, Italy.
| | | | | | - Michele Ghidini
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Karen Borgonovo
- Oncology Unit, Medical Sciences Department, ASST Bergamo Ovest, Piazzale Ospedale 1, 24047, Treviglio, BG, Italy
| | | | - Renata Nozza
- Pharmacy Unit, ASST Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, BG, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Costanzo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, ASST Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, BG, Italy
| | | | | | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
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4
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Gong Q, Song C, Wang X, Wang R, Cai G, Liang X, Liu J. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with recombinant mutant human TNF-α and raltitrexed in mice with colorectal-peritoneal carcinomatosis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:542-551. [PMID: 32041417 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220905047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Peritoneum is one of the most common metastatic sites of colorectal cancer (CRC). It has been reported that cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) prolongs the lifespan of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin (CRC-PC), while the drugs used for HIPEC are limited. We investigated the application of recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor-α (rmhTNF) combined with raltitrexed in the HIPEC treatment in a mice model with CRC-PC. In vitro, we detected the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cells by 3–(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Western blot, and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. In vivo, we established xenograft models of CRC-PC and assessed the antitumor effect by in vivo imaging, peritoneal cancer index scoring, and TUNEL assay. The results showed that the combination of rmhTNF and raltitrexed under hyperthermia with a temperature of 42°C inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells significantly in vitro, and after HIPEC treatments with rmhTNF and raltitrexed, peritoneal tumor growth was prohibited in vivo. Our findings about the efficacy of rmhTNF and raltitrexed used for HIPEC to treat CRC-PC will provide experimental data and basis for their potential clinical application. Impact statement Colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis exhibits poor prognosis and presents a treatment challenge. At present, the main treatment is surgery, supplemented by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), but the drugs used for HIPEC are limited. Our study found that the combination of recombinant mutant human TNF-α (rmhTNF) and raltitrexed (RTX) under hyperthermia with a temperature of 42°C had antitumor effect both in vitro and vivo. The findings will provide experimental data and basis for the potential clinical application of rmhTNF and RTX, which might offer patients a new choice of therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyi Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Changfeng Song
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Renjie Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guoxiang Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jianwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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5
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Murer P, Kiefer JD, Plüss L, Matasci M, Blümich SL, Stringhini M, Neri D. Targeted Delivery of TNF Potentiates the Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity of an Anti-Melanoma Immunoglobulin. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 139:1339-1348. [PMID: 30543899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The recombinant murine IgG2a antibody TA99, directed against a melanoma antigen, was used to study combination modalities that potentiate antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. As previously reported, IgG2a(TA99) was extremely efficacious in preventing the growth of B16 lung metastases. However, the same antibody mediated only minimal tumor growth retardation when used to treat established neoplastic masses. The therapeutic activity of IgG2a(TA99) could be substantially enhanced by co-administration with an antibody-cytokine fusion (TA99-murine tumor necrosis factor [mTNF]), consisting of the TA99 antibody in single-chain variable fragment format fused to murine TNF. This fusion protein efficiently killed endothelial cells in vitro and displayed only minimal activity against B16 melanoma cells. In vivo, TA99-mTNF boosted the influx of natural killer cells and macrophages into B16 melanoma lesions. Therapy studies with two different administration schedules showed that the combination of TA99-mTNF and IgG2a(TA99) was superior to the individual products used as single agents. The combination treatment converted most of the tumor mass into a necrotic lesion, but a vital tumor rim eventually regrew, even when dacarbazine was included in the therapeutic regimen. The treatment modality described in this article may be applicable to the treatment of melanoma patients, given the specificity of the gp75 antigen and its conservation across species.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/isolation & purification
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- CHO Cells
- Cell Line, Tumor/transplantation
- Cricetulus
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Female
- Humans
- Immunoconjugates/administration & dosage
- Immunoconjugates/genetics
- Immunoconjugates/isolation & purification
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology
- Mice
- Oxidoreductases/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/isolation & purification
- Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Skin Neoplasms/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/administration & dosage
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/isolation & purification
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Murer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan D Kiefer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Louis Plüss
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Sandra L Blümich
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Stringhini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.
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6
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Peptide-based targeted therapeutics: Focus on cancer treatment. J Control Release 2018; 292:141-162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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7
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Kirikoshi R, Manabe N, Takahashi O. Phosphate-Catalyzed Succinimide Formation from an NGR-Containing Cyclic Peptide: A Novel Mechanism for Deammoniation of the Tetrahedral Intermediate. Molecules 2018; 23:E2217. [PMID: 30200364 PMCID: PMC6225186 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous deamidation in the Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motif that yields an isoAsp-Gly-Arg (isoDGR) sequence has recently attracted considerable attention because of the possibility of application to dual tumor targeting. It is well known that Asn deamidation reactions in peptide chains occur via the five-membered ring succinimide intermediate. Recently, we computationally showed by the B3LYP density functional theory method, that inorganic phosphate and the Arg side chain can catalyze the NGR deamidation using a cyclic peptide, c[CH₂CO⁻NGRC]⁻NH₂. In this previous study, the tetrahedral intermediate of the succinimide formation was assumed to be readily protonated at the nitrogen originating from the Asn side chain by the solvent water before the release of an NH₃ molecule. In the present study, we found a new mechanism for the decomposition of the tetrahedral intermediate that does not require the protonation by an external proton source. The computational method is the same as in the previous study. In the new mechanism, the release of an NH₃ molecule occurs after a proton exchange between the peptide and the phosphate and conformational changes. The rate-determining step of the overall reaction course is the previously reported first step, i.e., the cyclization to form the tetrahedral intermediate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Kirikoshi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Noriyoshi Manabe
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Ohgi Takahashi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan.
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8
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Tan Q, Wang Z, Wang Q, Wang Y, Huang Z, Su N, Jin M, Kuang L, Qi H, Ni Z, Li C, Zhu Y, Jiang W, Chen H, Deng C, Du X, Xie Y, Chen L. A novel FGFR1-binding peptide exhibits anti-tumor effect on lung cancer by inhibiting proliferation and angiogenesis. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:1389-1398. [PMID: 30123084 PMCID: PMC6097486 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.24739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that overactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is an important characteristic found in most non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples. Here, we identified a FGFR1 inhibitory peptide R1-P2 and investigated its effects on the lung cancer cells growth and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that R1-P2 bound to human FGFR1 protein, and efficiently blocked the binding of FGF2 to FGFR1 in A549 and NCI-H460 cells. Moreover, this peptide significantly decreased the proliferation, migration and invasion, but promoted the apoptosis in both cell lines. In addition, R1-P2 treatment effectively inhibited the tumor growth and neovascularization in nude mice with xenografted A549 cells, and R1-P2 also significantly inhibited the FGF2-induced angiogenesis in tube formation experiment and CAM model. We further demonstrated that R1-P2 suppressed lung tumor growth through anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative activity. Our data may provide a novle leading molecule with potential application in the treatment of FGFR1 activation related lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyan Tan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zuqiang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanqiang Wang
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing Institute of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhifeng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Nan Su
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Kuang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huabing Qi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenhong Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Can Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wanling Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hangang Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuxia Deng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xiaolan Du
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangli Xie
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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9
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Disassembling a cancer puzzle: Cell junctions and plasma membrane as targets for anticancer therapy. J Control Release 2018; 286:125-136. [PMID: 30030181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite an enhanced permeability and retention effect typical of many solid tumors, drug penetration is not always sufficient. Possible strategies for the drug delivery improvement are a modification of the tumor cell-to-cell junctions and usage of cell membrane permeabilization proteins. In this review we discuss epithelial cell junctions as targets for a combined anticancer therapy and propose new possible sources of such agents. We suggest considering viral and bacterial pathogens disrupting epithelial layers as plentiful sources of new therapeutic agents for increasing tumor permeability for other effector agents. We also observe the application of pore forming proteins and peptides of different origin for cytoplasmic delivery of anti-cancer agents and consider the main obstacles of their use in vivo.
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10
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Moradi Marjaneh R, Hassanian SM, Ghobadi N, Ferns GA, Karimi A, Jazayeri MH, Nasiri M, Avan A, Khazaei M. Targeting the death receptor signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:6538-6549. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Moradi Marjaneh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Microanatomy Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Niloofar Ghobadi
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Gordon A. Ferns
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School Division of Medical Education Falmer, Brighton, Sussex UK
| | - Afshin Karimi
- Quality Department of Nutricia Mashhad Mild Powder Industrial Mashhad Iran
| | - Mir Hadi Jazayeri
- Immunology Research Center and Department of Immunology, School of Medicine Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Nasiri
- Recombinant Proteins Research Group The Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Cancer Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Surgical Oncology Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
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11
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Seek & Destroy, use of targeting peptides for cancer detection and drug delivery. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 26:2797-2806. [PMID: 28893601 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Accounting for 16 million new cases and 9 million deaths annually, cancer leaves a great number of patients helpless. It is a complex disease and still a major challenge for the scientific and medical communities. The efficacy of conventional chemotherapies is often poor and patients suffer from off-target effects. Each neoplasm exhibits molecular signatures - sometimes in a patient specific manner - that may completely differ from the organ of origin, may be expressed in markedly higher amounts and/or in different location compared to the normal tissue. Although adding layers of complexity in the understanding of cancer biology, this cancer-specific signature provides an opportunity to develop targeting agents for early detection, diagnosis, and therapeutics. Chimeric antibodies, recombinant proteins or synthetic polypeptides have emerged as excellent candidates for specific homing to peripheral and central nervous system cancers. Specifically, peptide ligands benefit from their small size, easy and affordable production, high specificity, and remarkable flexibility regarding their sequence and conjugation possibilities. Coupled to imaging agents, chemotherapies and/or nanocarriers they have shown to increase the on-site delivery, thus allowing better tumor mass contouring in imaging and increased efficacy of the chemotherapies associated with reduced adverse effects. Therefore, some of the peptides alone or in combination have been tested in clinical trials to treat patients. Peptides have been well-tolerated and shown absence of toxicity. This review aims to offer a view on tumor targeting peptides that are either derived from natural peptide ligands or identified using phage display screening. We also include examples of peptides targeting the high-grade malignant tumors of the central nervous system as an example of the complex therapeutic management due to the tumor's location. Peptide vaccines are outside of the scope of this review.
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12
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Vats K, Satpati D, Sharma R, Kumar C, Sarma HD, Dash A. 99m
Tc-labeled NGR-chlorambucil conjugate, 99m
Tc-HYNIC-CLB-c(NGR) for targeted chemotherapy and molecular imaging. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2017; 60:431-438. [DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kusum Vats
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Mumbai India
| | - Drishty Satpati
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Mumbai India
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Mumbai India
| | - Chandan Kumar
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Mumbai India
| | - Haladhar D. Sarma
- Radiation Biology and Health Science Division; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Mumbai India
| | - Ashutosh Dash
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Mumbai India
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13
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Succinimide Formation from an NGR-Containing Cyclic Peptide: Computational Evidence for Catalytic Roles of Phosphate Buffer and the Arginine Side Chain. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020429. [PMID: 28212316 PMCID: PMC5343963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motif and its deamidation product isoAsp-Gly-Arg (isoDGR) have recently attracted considerable attention as tumor-targeting ligands. Because an NGR-containing peptide and the corresponding isoDGR-containing peptide target different receptors, the spontaneous NGR deamidation can be used in dual targeting strategies. It is well known that the Asn deamidation proceeds via a succinimide derivative. In the present study, we computationally investigated the mechanism of succinimide formation from a cyclic peptide, c[CH2CO-NGRC]-NH2, which has recently been shown to undergo rapid deamidation in a phosphate buffer. An H2PO4− ion was explicitly included in the calculations. We employed the density functional theory using the B3LYP functional. While geometry optimizations were performed in the gas phase, hydration Gibbs energies were calculated by the SM8 (solvation model 8) continuum model. We have found a pathway leading to the five-membered ring tetrahedral intermediate in which both the H2PO4− ion and the Arg side chain act as catalyst. This intermediate, once protonated at the NH2 group on the five-membered ring, was shown to easily undergo NH3 elimination leading to the succinimide formation. This study is the first to propose a possible catalytic role for the Arg side chain in the NGR deamidation.
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14
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Huang Y, Cheng Q, Jin X, Ji JL, Guo S, Zheng S, Wang X, Cao H, Gao S, Liang XJ, Du Q, Liang Z. Systemic and tumor-targeted delivery of siRNA by cyclic NGR and isoDGR motif-containing peptides. Biomater Sci 2017; 4:494-510. [PMID: 26783563 DOI: 10.1039/c5bm00429b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The drug development of siRNA has been seriously hindered by the lack of an effective, safe and clinically applicable delivery system. The cyclic NGR motif and its isomerization product isoDGR recruit CD13 and integrin as their specific receptors, both of which are overexpressed by tumor and neovascular cells. In this study, a bi-functional peptide, named NGR-10R, was designed and tested for siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo. Through the formation of peptide/siRNA nanoparticles, RNase resistance was greatly enhanced for the siRNAs. Both FACS and confocal assays revealed that the peptide/siRNA complexes were effectively internalized by MDA-MB-231 cells. Gene silencing assays indicated that anti-Lamin A/C siRNA delivered by NGR-10R robustly repressed gene expression in MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC (a CD13(+)/αvβ3(+) cell). Importantly, the siRNAs were efficiently delivered into tumor tissues and localized around the nuclei, as revealed by in vivo imaging and cryosection examination. In summary, NGR-10R not only efficiently delivered siRNAs into MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro but also delivered siRNAs into tumor cells in vivo, taking advantage of its specific binding to CD13 (neovascular) or αvβ3 (MDA-MB-231). Therefore, the NGR-10R peptide provides a promising siRNA delivery reagent that could be used for drug development, particularly for anti-tumor therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyu Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Qiang Cheng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Xingyu Jin
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd, Jiangsu 215300, China
| | - Jia-Li Ji
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd, Jiangsu 215300, China
| | - Shutao Guo
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shuquan Zheng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Huiqing Cao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Shan Gao
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd, Jiangsu 215300, China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Quan Du
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Zicai Liang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China. and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
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15
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Manzo T, Sturmheit T, Basso V, Petrozziello E, Hess Michelini R, Riba M, Freschi M, Elia AR, Grioni M, Curnis F, Protti MP, Schumacher TN, Debets R, Swartz MA, Corti A, Bellone M, Mondino A. T Cells Redirected to a Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Instruct Intratumoral TNFα Expression and Empower Adoptive Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors. Cancer Res 2016; 77:658-671. [PMID: 27872095 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Donor-derived allogeneic T cells evoke potent graft versus tumor (GVT) effects likely due to the simultaneous recognition of tumor-specific and host-restricted minor histocompatibility (H) antigens. Here we investigated whether such effects could be reproduced in autologous settings by TCR gene-engineered lymphocytes. We report that T cells redirected either to a broadly expressed Y-encoded minor H antigen or to a tumor-associated antigen, although poorly effective if individually transferred, when simultaneously administered enabled acute autochthonous tumor debulking and resulted in durable clinical remission. Y-redirected T cells proved hyporesponsive in peripheral lymphoid organs, whereas they retained effector function at the tumor site, where in synergy with tumor-redirected lymphocytes, they instructed TNFα expression, endothelial cell activation, and intratumoral T-cell infiltration. While neutralizing TNFα hindered GVT effects by the combined T-cell infusion, a single injection of picogram amounts of NGR-TNF, a tumor vessel-targeted TNFα derivative currently in phase III clinical trials, substituted for Y-redirected cells and enabled tumor debulking by tumor-redirected lymphocytes. Together, our results provide new mechanistic insights into allogeneic GVT, validate the importance of targeting the tumor and its associated stroma, and prove the potency of a novel combined approach suitable for immediate clinical implementation. Cancer Res; 77(3); 658-71. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Manzo
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Tabea Sturmheit
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Basso
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Petrozziello
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Rodrigo Hess Michelini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Riba
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Freschi
- Department of Pathology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela R Elia
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Grioni
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Division of Experimental Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Protti
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ton N Schumacher
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reno Debets
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Melody A Swartz
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Angelo Corti
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,Division of Experimental Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bellone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Mondino
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Abstract
The human body combats infection and promotes wound healing through the remarkable process of inflammation. Inflammation is characterized by the recruitment of stromal cell activity including recruitment of immune cells and induction of angiogenesis. These cellular processes are regulated by a class of soluble molecules called cytokines. Based on function, cell target, and structure, cytokines are subdivided into several classes including: interleukins, chemokines, and lymphokines. While cytokines regulate normal physiological processes, chronic deregulation of cytokine expression and activity contributes to cancer in many ways. Gene polymorphisms of all types of cytokines are associated with risk of disease development. Deregulation RNA and protein expression of interleukins, chemokines, and lymphokines have been detected in many solid tumors and hematopoetic malignancies, correlating with poor patient prognosis. The current body of literature suggests that in some tumor types, interleukins and chemokines work against the human body by signaling to cancer cells and remodeling the local microenvironment to support the growth, survival, and invasion of primary tumors and enhance metastatic colonization. Some lymphokines are downregulated to suppress tumor progression by enhancing cytotoxic T cell activity and inhibiting tumor cell survival. In this review, we will describe the structure/function of several cytokine families and review our current understanding on the roles and mechanisms of cytokines in tumor progression. In addition, we will also discuss strategies for exploiting the expression and activity of cytokines in therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Yao
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - G Brummer
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - D Acevedo
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - N Cheng
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States.
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17
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Shen J, Li ZJ, Li LF, Lu L, Xiao ZG, Wu WKK, Zhang L, Li MX, Hu W, Chan KM, Cho CH. Vascular-targeted TNFα and IFNγ inhibits orthotopic colorectal tumor growth. J Transl Med 2016; 14:187. [PMID: 27342639 PMCID: PMC4919862 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0944-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) were originally identified to show potent anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory capability. Unfortunately, several clinical studies of relevant cancer therapy did not observe significant response in maximum tolerated dose whether given alone or in combination. We have identified a tumor vasculature homing peptide (TCP-1 peptide) which targets only the vasculature of colorectal tumors but not normal blood vessels in animals and humans. In the current study, the antitumor effect of TCP-1/TNFα and TCP-1/IFNγ alone or in combination was studied in orthotopic colorectal tumor model. Methods TCP-1/TNFα and TCP-1/IFNγ recombinant proteins were prepared and i.v. injected to study the in vivo anticancer effect in orthotopic colorectal tumor model. Tumor apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining and cleaved caspase-3 immunofluorescent staining. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Western-blot was performed to examine the expression of proteins. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Results Targeted delivery of TNFα or IFNγ by TCP-1 peptide exhibited better antitumor activity than unconjugated format by inducing more tumor apoptosis and also enhancing antitumor immunity shown by increased infiltration of T lymphocytes inside the tumor. More importantly, combination therapy of TCP-1/TNFα and TCP-1/IFNγ synergistically suppressed tumor growth and alleviated systematic toxicity associated with untargeted therapy. This combination therapy induced massive apoptosis/secondary necrosis in the tumor. Conclusions Taken together, our data demonstrate TCP-1 is an efficient drug carrier for targeted therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). TCP-1/TNFα combined with TCP-1/IFNγ is a promising combination therapy for CRC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0944-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shen
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Jie Li
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China. .,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Long Fei Li
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Lu
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhan Gang Xiao
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - William Ka Kei Wu
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Xing Li
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kam Ming Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Hin Cho
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China. .,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Blanco‐Míguez A, Gutiérrez‐Jácome A, Pérez‐Pérez M, Pérez‐Rodríguez G, Catalán‐García S, Fdez‐Riverola F, Lourenço A, Sánchez B. From amino acid sequence to bioactivity: The biomedical potential of antitumor peptides. Protein Sci 2016; 25:1084-95. [PMID: 27010507 PMCID: PMC4941772 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chemoprevention is the use of natural and/or synthetic substances to block, reverse, or retard the process of carcinogenesis. In this field, the use of antitumor peptides is of interest as, (i) these molecules are small in size, (ii) they show good cell diffusion and permeability, (iii) they affect one or more specific molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and (iv) they are not usually genotoxic. We have checked the Web of Science Database (23/11/2015) in order to collect papers reporting on bioactive peptide (1691 registers), which was further filtered searching terms such as "antiproliferative," "antitumoral," or "apoptosis" among others. Works reporting the amino acid sequence of an antiproliferative peptide were kept (60 registers), and this was complemented with the peptides included in CancerPPD, an extensive resource for antiproliferative peptides and proteins. Peptides were grouped according to one of the following mechanism of action: inhibition of cell migration, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, antioxidative mechanisms, inhibition of gene transcription/cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, disorganization of tubulin structure, cytotoxicity, or unknown mechanisms. The main mechanisms of action of those antiproliferative peptides with known amino acid sequences are presented and finally, their potential clinical usefulness and future challenges on their application is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Blanco‐Míguez
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Alberto Gutiérrez‐Jácome
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Martín Pérez‐Pérez
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Gael Pérez‐Rodríguez
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Sandra Catalán‐García
- Asturias, INDRA Software LabsC/Jimena Fernández De La Vega, 140 P. Científico Tecnológico, EdGijón33203Spain
| | - Florentino Fdez‐Riverola
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Anália Lourenço
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of MinhoCampus De GualtarBraga4710‐057Portugal
| | - Borja Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy ProductsInstituto De Productos Lácteos De Asturias (IPLA), Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)VillaviciosaAsturiasSpain
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19
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Aminopeptidase N activity predicts 5-year survival in colorectal cancer patients. J Investig Med 2016; 63:740-6. [PMID: 25929234 DOI: 10.1097/jim.0000000000000199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aminopeptidase N (APN; EC 3.4.11.2) is a membrane dimeric metallopeptidase involved in differentiation, development, and proliferative processes of several tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated the increased expression and activity of this enzyme in several cancers. However, there are no available data about the impact of this peptidase in the biological aggressiveness and the survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS The activity and mRNA expression of APN in tumor tissue (n = 81) and plasma (n = 40) of patients with CRC of low and high grades and stages were prospectively analyzed by fluorimetric and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction methods. Data obtained in adenoma and CRC were compared with those from the surrounding normal mucosa. Classic clinical and pathological parameters were stratified following APN data and analyzed for 5-year survival. RESULTS mRNA levels of APN (ANPEP) were lower in colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas than in the surrounding uninvolved mucosa (Kruskal-Wallis, P < 0.001). Aminopeptidase N activity in CRC tissue was higher in patients with better overall survival (log-rank P < 0.05, Cox analysis P < 0.05). By contrast, higher plasmatic APN activity correlated with worse overall survival (log-rank P < 0.01, Cox analysis P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Aminopeptidase N activity in tissue and plasma from CRC patients is an independent prognostic factor of 5-year survival. The determination of APN activity levels in the plasma may be a safe, minimally invasive, and inexpensive way to define the aggressiveness of CRC in daily practice.
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20
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Porcellini S, Asperti C, Valentinis B, Tiziano E, Mangia P, Bordignon C, Rizzardi GP, Traversari C. The tumor vessel targeting agent NGR-TNF controls the different stages of the tumorigenic process in transgenic mice by distinct mechanisms. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1041700. [PMID: 26451306 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1041700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
NGR-TNF is a vascular targeting agent in advanced clinical development, coupling tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) with the CNGRCG peptide, which targets a CD13 isoform specifically expressed by angiogenic vessels. Antitumor efficacy of NGR-TNF has been described in different transplantation tumor models. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying its activity is not fully understood. In the wild type and in the immunodeficient (RAG-/-) RIP1-Tag2 models of multistage pancreatic carcinogenesis, we demonstrate that CD13 is highly expressed on endothelial cells of hyperplastic and angiogenic islets, whereas its expression is down regulated in tumors where it partially colocalize with pericytes. In vivo CNGRCG peptides coupled to fluorescent nanoparticles (quantum dots) bind to CD13 and colocalize with anti-CD31, in pancreatic islets. At early stage, low doses of NGR-murine (m)TNF have a direct cytotoxic effect inducing endothelial cell apoptosis, reducing vessel density and eventually inhibiting the development of angiogenic islets. At a later stage, NGR-mTNF is able to reduce tumor growth inducing vascular normalization, exclusively when treatment is carried out in the immunocompetent mice. Interestingly, NGR-mTNF-treated tumors from these mice are characterized by CD8+ T cell infiltration. At molecular level, overexpression of genes involved in vessels normalization was detected only in NGR-mTNF-treated tumors from immunocompetent mice. These findings identified a new mechanism of action of NGR-mTNF, providing support for the development of new therapeutic strategies combining chemotherapy or active/adoptive immunotherapies to low dose NGR-TNF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudio Bordignon
- MolMed SpA ; Milan, Italy ; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University ; Milan, Italy
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21
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Lu L, Li ZJ, Li LF, Wu WKK, Shen J, Zhang L, Chan RLY, Yu L, Liu YW, Ren SX, Chan KM, Cho CH. Vascular-targeted TNFα improves tumor blood vessel function and enhances antitumor immunity and chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. J Control Release 2015; 210:134-46. [PMID: 26003042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.05.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Delivery and penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs into neoplasm through the tumor vasculature are essential mechanisms to enhance the efficiency of chemotherapy. "Vascular targeting" strategy focuses on promoting the infiltration of chemotherapeutic drugs into neoplastic tissues. In this study, we achieved a targeted therapy by coupling tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) with TCP-1, a novel vascular-targeting peptide, in an orthotopic colorectal cancer model in mice. High dose of TCP-1-conjugated TNFα (TCP-1/TNFα: 5μg/mouse) displayed potent antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis and reducing microvessel number in tumors than unconjugated TNFα, with no evidence of increased toxicity. In the combined therapy, the antitumor action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was potentiated when the mice were pretreated with a low dose of TNFα (1ng/mouse) and to a greater extent by the same concentration of TCP-1/TNFα. In this regard, TCP-1/TNFα combined with 5-FU synergistically inhibited the tumor growth, induced apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation. More importantly, TCP-1/TNFα normalized the tumor vasculature and facilitated the infiltration of immune cells to neoplasm as well as attenuated the immunosuppressing effects of TNFα in bone marrow and spleen. At the same time, TCP-1/TNFα significantly improved 5-FU absorption into the tumor mass. Taken together, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of TCP-1 as a drug carrier in cancer therapy. TCP-1 is a novel vascular-targeting peptide and appears to be a promising agent for drug delivery. TCP-1 fused with TNFα holds great promise for colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Lu
- Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, PR China.; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Zhi Jie Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China.
| | - Long Fei Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - William Ka Kei Wu
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Jing Shen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Ruby Lok Yi Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Le Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ya Wei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shun Xiang Ren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Kam Ming Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Chi Hin Cho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China.
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22
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Zhang Z, Hou L, Feng L, Huang S, Luo M, Shao S, Zhang X, Gu S, Zhao X. An antimicrobial peptide containing NGR motif has potent antitumor activity against CD13+ and CD13- tumor cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:8167-75. [PMID: 25990455 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3402-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motif have potent cytotoxicity, preferably against tumor cells due to their binding to CD13 on tumor cells. However, the importance of αvβ3 expression for antitumor activity of AMPs containing NGR has not been clarified. This study was aimed at designing a new AMP containing NGR and testing their biological activity against different types of tumor cells with varying CD13 and αvβ3 expression. We first synthesized the new AMP containing NGR motif (CK21), which effectively entered into CD13+ HT-1080, but less into CD13- αvβ3+ MDA-MB-435 and further less into stable αvβ3-silencing MDA-MB-435 cells. Furthermore, CK21 displayed dose-dependent antiproliferation against these tumor cells and induced cell cycling arrest at G2/M phases and apoptosis of these tumor cells. In addition, CK21 inhibited the invasion of these tumor cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of implanted tumor cells in vivo. Particularly, the antitumor effect of CK21 in CD13+ HT-1080 was stronger than that of CD13- αvβ3+ MDA-MB-435 and much stronger than that of stable αvβ3-silencing MDA-MB-435. Our data indicated that the new AMPs containing NGR had potent antitumor activity against CD13+ or αvβ3+ tumor cells, preferably against CD13+ tumor cells, possibly through binding to CD13 or αvβ3 on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 227 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangke Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 227 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Minna Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 227 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Shao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 227 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 227 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanzhi Gu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinhan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 227 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.
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Anti-metastatic activity of the tumor vascular targeting agent NGR-TNF. Clin Exp Metastasis 2015; 32:289-300. [DOI: 10.1007/s10585-015-9704-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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D'Onofrio N, Caraglia M, Grimaldi A, Marfella R, Servillo L, Paolisso G, Balestrieri ML. Vascular-homing peptides for targeted drug delivery and molecular imaging: meeting the clinical challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1846:1-12. [PMID: 24704283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The vasculature of each organ expresses distinct molecular signatures critically influenced by the pathological status. The heterogeneous profile of the vascular beds has been successfully unveiled by the in vivo phage display, a high-throughput tool for mapping normal, diseased, and tumor vasculature. Specific challenges of this growing field are targeted therapies against cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as novel bioimaging diagnostic tools. Tumor vasculature-homing peptides have been extensively evaluated in several preclinical and clinical studies both as targeted-therapy and diagnosis. To date, results from several Phase I and II trials have been reported and many other trials are currently ongoing or recruiting patients. In this review, advances in the identification of novel peptide ligands and their corresponding receptors on tumor endothelium through the in vivo phage display technology are discussed. Emphasis is given to recent findings in the clinical setting of vascular-homing peptides selected by in vivo phage display for the treatment of advanced malignancies and their altered vascular beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia D'Onofrio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Grimaldi
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Marfella
- Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Servillo
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Paolisso
- Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Balestrieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, via L. de Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
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Corti A, Curnis F, Rossoni G, Marcucci F, Gregorc V. Peptide-mediated targeting of cytokines to tumor vasculature: the NGR-hTNF example. BioDrugs 2013; 27:591-603. [PMID: 23743670 PMCID: PMC3832761 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-013-0048-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that the efficacy of cytokines in cancer therapy can be increased by targeting strategies based on conjugation with ligands that recognize receptors expressed by tumor cells or elements of the tumor microenvironment, including the tumor vasculature. The targeting approach is generally conceived to permit administration of low, yet pharmacologically active, doses of drugs, thereby avoiding toxic reactions. However, it is becoming clear that, in the case of cytokines, this strategy has another inherent advantage, i.e. the possibility of administering extremely low doses that do not activate systemic counter-regulatory mechanisms, which may limit their potential therapeutic effects. This review is focused on the use of tumor vasculature-homing peptides as vehicles for targeted delivery of cytokines to tumor blood vessel. In particular, we provide an overview of peptide-cytokine conjugates made with peptides containing the NGR, RGD, isoDGR or RGR sequences and describe, in more details, the biological and pharmacological properties of NGR-hTNF, a peptide-tumor necrosis factor-α conjugate that is currently being tested in phase II and III clinical studies. The results of preclinical and clinical studies performed with these products suggest that peptide-mediated vascular-targeting is indeed a viable strategy for delivering bioactive amounts of cytokines to tumor endothelial cells without causing the activation of counter-regulatory mechanisms and toxic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Corti
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy,
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Johansson A, Hamzah J, Ganss R. License for destruction: tumor-specific cytokine targeting. Trends Mol Med 2013; 20:16-24. [PMID: 24169116 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Stroma is an integral part of solid tumors and plays a key role in growth promotion and immune suppression. Most current therapies focus on destroying tumors and/or abnormal vasculature. However, evidence is emerging that anticancer efficacy improves with vessel normalization rather than destruction. Specific targeting of cytokines into tumors provides proof-of-concept that tumor stroma is dynamic and can be remodeled to increase drug access and alleviate immune suppression. Changing the inflammatory milieu 'opens' tumors for therapy and thus provides a license for destruction. This involves reprogramming of paracrine signaling networks between multiple stromal components to break the vicious cycle of angiogenesis and immune suppression. With active immunotherapy rapidly moving into the clinic, local cytokine delivery emerges as an attractive adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Johansson
- Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Centre for Medical Research, Perth, 6000, Australia
| | - Juliana Hamzah
- Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Centre for Medical Research, Perth, 6000, Australia
| | - Ruth Ganss
- Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Centre for Medical Research, Perth, 6000, Australia.
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27
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Di Matteo P, Hackl C, Jedeszko C, Valentinis B, Bordignon C, Traversari C, Kerbel RS, Rizzardi GP. NGR-TNF, a novel vascular-targeting agent, does not induce cytokine recruitment of proangiogenic bone marrow-derived cells. Br J Cancer 2013; 109:360-9. [PMID: 23828516 PMCID: PMC3722487 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Administration of certain chemotherapy drugs at the maximum tolerated dose, vascular-disrupting agents (VDAs) and irradiation can induce mobilisation and tumour homing of proangiogenic bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs). Increases in cytokines and chemokines contribute to such mobilisation that eventually promotes tumour (re)growth. NGR-TNF is a vascular-targeting agent in advanced clinical development, coupling the CNGRCG angiogenic vessel-homing peptide with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). We investigated whether NGR-TNF mobilises host BMDCs and growth factors. Methods: Blood was obtained from Lewis lung carcinoma and 4T1 tumour-bearing mice at different time points following NGR-TNF, VDA or anti-VEGFR2/flk-1 antibody treatment. Levels of circulating growth factors were assessed by ELISAs. BMDCs were characterised by FACS. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells were defined as CD45−/CD13+/flk-1+/CD117+/7AAD−, Tie2-expressing monocytes as CD45+/CD11b+/Tie2+ and myeloid-derived suppressor cells as CD45+/CD11b+/Gr1+ cells. Results: NGR-TNF decreases tumour blood vessel density-inducing apoptosis of tumour and tumour endothelial cells. Unlike VDAs, or high-dose NGR-TNF, lower doses of NGR-TNF, comparable to those used in clinical trials, neither mobilise nor recruit to the tumour site proangiogenic BMDCs or induce host growth factors. Conclusion: Low-dose NGR-TNF exerts antitumour activity without inducing proangiogenic host responses, conceivably important for preventing/overcoming resistance and designing combination therapeutic strategies.
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Bábíčková J, Tóthová Ľ, Boor P, Celec P. In vivo phage display--a discovery tool in molecular biomedicine. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:1247-59. [PMID: 23623852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In vivo phage display is a high-throughput method for identifying target ligands specific for different vascular beds. Targeting is possible due to the heterogeneous expression of receptors and other antigens in a particular vascular bed. Such expression is additionally influenced by the physiological or pathological status of the vasculature. In vivo phage display represents a technique that is usable in both, vascular mapping and targeted drug development. In this review, several important methodological aspects of in vivo phage display experiments are discussed. These include choosing an appropriate phage library, an appropriate animal model and the route of phage library administration. In addition, peptides or antibodies identified by in vivo phage display homing to specific types of vascular beds, including the altered vasculature present in several types of diseases are summarized. Still, confirmation in independent experiments and reproduction of identified sequences are needed for enhancing the clinical applicability of in vivo phage display research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janka Bábíčková
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Division of Nephrology, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
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Ma W, Kang F, Wang Z, Yang W, Li G, Ma X, Li G, Chen K, Zhang Y, Wang J. (99m)Tc-labeled monomeric and dimeric NGR peptides for SPECT imaging of CD13 receptor in tumor-bearing mice. Amino Acids 2013; 44:1337-45. [PMID: 23456486 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1469-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
CD13 receptor plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. We therefore aimed to develop (99m)Tc-labeled monomeric and dimeric NGR-containing peptides, namely, NGR1 and NGR2, for SPECT imaging of CD13 expression in HepG2 hepatoma xenografts. Both NGR-containing monomer and dimer were synthesized and labeled with (99m)Tc. In vivo receptor specificity was demonstrated by successful blocking of tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-NGR dimer in the presence of 20 mg/kg NGR2 peptide. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the CD13 expression in HepG2 cells. The NGR dimer showed higher binding affinity and cell uptake in vitro than the NGR-containing monomer, presumably due to a multivalency effect. (99m)Tc-Labeled monomeric and dimeric NGR-containing peptides were subjected to SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies. SPECT scans were performed in HepG2 tumor-bearing mice at 1, 4, 12, and 24 h post-injection of ~7.4 MBq tracers. The metabolism of tracers was determined in major organs at different time points after injection which demonstrated rapid, significant tumor uptake and slow tumor washout for both traces. Predominant clearance from renal and hepatic system was also observed in (99m)Tc-NGR1 and (99m)Tc-NGR2. In conclusion, monomeric and dimeric NGR peptide were developed and labeled with (99m)Tc successfully, while the high integrin avidity and long retention in tumor make (99m)Tc-NGR dimer a promising agent for tumor angiogenesis imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, People's Republic of China
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Cancer treatment using peptides: current therapies and future prospects. JOURNAL OF AMINO ACIDS 2012; 2012:967347. [PMID: 23316341 PMCID: PMC3539351 DOI: 10.1155/2012/967347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper discusses the role of peptides in cancer therapy with special emphasis on peptide drugs which are already approved and those in clinical trials. The potential of peptides in cancer treatment is evident from a variety of different strategies that are available to address the progression of tumor growth and propagation of the disease. Use of peptides that can directly target cancer cells without affecting normal cells (targeted therapy) is evolving as an alternate strategy to conventional chemotherapy. Peptide can be utilized directly as a cytotoxic agent through various mechanisms or can act as a carrier of cytotoxic agents and radioisotopes by specifically targeting cancer cells. Peptide-based hormonal therapy has been extensively studied and utilized for the treatment of breast and prostate cancers. Tremendous amount of clinical data is currently available attesting to the efficiency of peptide-based cancer vaccines. Combination therapy is emerging as an important strategy to achieve synergistic effects in fighting cancer as a single method alone may not be efficient enough to yield positive results. Combining immunotherapy with conventional therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy or combining an anticancer peptide with a nonpeptidic cytotoxic drug is an example of this emerging field.
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31
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Soudy R, Ahmed S, Kaur K. NGR peptide ligands for targeting CD13/APN identified through peptide array screening resemble fibronectin sequences. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2012; 14:590-9. [PMID: 23030271 DOI: 10.1021/co300055s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Peptides containing the Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) motif are known to bind CD13 isoforms expressed in tumor vessels and have been widely used for tumor targeting. Residues flanking the NGR sequence play an important role in modulating the binding affinity and specificity of NGR for the CD13 receptor. Herein, we have used a rapid, easy, and reliable peptide array-whole cell binding assay for screening a library of NGR peptides with different flanking residues. A peptide array consisting of forty-five NGR containing peptides was synthesized on a cellulose membrane, followed by screening against CD13 positive (HUVEC and HT-1080) and CD13 negative cell lines (MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231). The library screening led to the identification of five cyclic and acyclic NGR peptides that display higher binding (up to 5-fold) to CD13 positive cells with negligible binding to CD13 negative cell lines when compared to the lead sequence cyclic CVLNGRMEC. Peptides with high binding affinity for the CD13 positive cells also showed improved in vitro cellular uptake and specificity using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Interestingly, the identified peptides resemble the NGR sequences present in the human fibronectin protein. These NGR peptides are promising new ligands for developing tumor vasculature targeted drugs, delivery systems and imaging agents with reduced systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Soudy
- Faculty of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G
2E1
| | - Sahar Ahmed
- Faculty of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G
2E1
| | - Kamaljit Kaur
- Faculty of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G
2E1
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Burotto M, Hartley ML, Marshall JL, Pishvaian MJ. Future of targeted agents in metastatic colorectal cancer. COLORECTAL CANCER 2012; 1:10.2217/crc.12.52. [PMID: 24273599 PMCID: PMC3834580 DOI: 10.2217/crc.12.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Great strides have been made in improving the outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and targeted agents are an important part of the treatment arsenal. The approved monoclonal antibodies, bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab, are part of the standard of care, yet only recently have we begun to define which patients benefit from these therapies using predictive tumor biomarkers. More recently, novel agents including aflibercept and regorafenib have had promising results and may become approved therapies. In addition, agents targeting the mTOR pathway and the TNF pathway have demonstrated early evidence of benefit. In the coming years, we may experience an influx of new therapies, possibly leading to further prolongation of patient survival or even, for some, a cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Burotto
- Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, MD, USA
| | - Marion L Hartley
- The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Podium B, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, WA 20007, USA
| | - John L Marshall
- The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Podium B, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, WA 20007, USA
| | - Michael J Pishvaian
- The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Podium B, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, WA 20007, USA
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Wythe SE, DiCara D, Taher TEI, Finucane CM, Jones R, Bombardieri M, Man YKS, Nissim A, Mather SJ, Chernajovsky Y, Pitzalis C. Targeted delivery of cytokine therapy to rheumatoid tissue by a synovial targeting peptide. Ann Rheum Dis 2012; 72:129-35. [PMID: 22843486 PMCID: PMC3551226 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-201457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Objectives The synovial endothelium targeting peptide (SyETP) CKSTHDRLC has been identified previously and was shown to preferentially localise to synovial xenografts in the human/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse chimera model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the current work was to generate SyETP-anti-inflammatory-cytokine fusion proteins that would deliver bioactive cytokines specifically to human synovial tissue. Methods Fusion proteins consisting of human interleukin (IL)-4 linked via a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-cleavable sequence to multiple copies of either SyETP or scrambled control peptide were expressed in insect cells, purified by Ni-chelate chromatography and bioactivity tested in vitro. The ability of SyETP to retain bioactive cytokine in synovial but not control skin xenografts in SCID mice was determined by in vivo imaging using nano-single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (nano-SPECT-CT) and measuring signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) phosphorylation in synovial grafts following intravenous administration of the fusion protein. Results In vitro assays confirmed that IL-4 and the MMP-cleavable sequence were functional. IL-4-SyETP augmented production of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) stimulated with IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo imaging showed that IL-4-SyETP was retained in synovial but not in skin tissue grafts and the period of retention was significantly enhanced through increasing the number of SyETP copies from one to three. Finally, retention correlated with increased bioactivity of the cytokine as quantified by STAT6 phosphorylation in synovial grafts. Conclusions The present work demonstrates that SyETP specifically delivers fused IL-4 to human rheumatoid synovium transplanted into SCID mice, thus providing a proof of concept for peptide-targeted tissue-specific immunotherapy in RA. This technology is potentially applicable to other biological treatments providing enhanced potency to inflammatory sites and reducing systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Wythe
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
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Li M, Xu T, Zhang Z, Xue X, Zhang C, Qin X, Li W, Hao Q, Zhang W, Zhang Y. Phase II multicenter, randomized, double-blind study of recombinant mutated human tumor necrosis factor-α in combination with chemotherapies in cancer patients. Cancer Sci 2012; 103:288-95. [PMID: 22085427 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2011.02153.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously prepared a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mutant (rmhTNF-α) that showed higher antitumor activity and lower systemic toxicity compared with native TNF-α. The safety profile and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of rmhTNF-α were suited for clinical use according to biological Investigational New Drug application, a standard guideline for new drug investigation in China. Here, we evaluate the activity and safety of rmhTNF-α combined with chemotherapies in head/neck, lung, colorectal, stomach, and renal cancer patients. Ninety-five eligible patients received i.m. rmhTNF-α treatment combined with standard chemotherapies. Another 95 patients were treated with standard chemotherapies. After two treatment cycles, one patient achieved a complete response and 24 patients had partial response, yielding an overall response rate (complete response + partial response) of 27.47% in the rmhTNF-α plus chemotherapy cohort. The chemotherapy alone group acquired only a 11.39% response rate (P < 0.05). When compared between different cancers, a 48.89% response rate was detected in the 45 lung cancer patients of the combination cohort. The most common grade 1-2 adverse events of rmhTNF-α were drug-related fever, allergy, flu-like symptoms, and myalgia. No significant difference was found in grade 3-4 toxicities between the two cohorts. Based on the results of this research, rmhTNF-α can significantly enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. An extended phase III trial of rmhTNF-α combined with standard chemotherapy is warranted for evaluating its antitumor activity and toxicity in a larger cohort of tumor patients. The studies in this paper were registered with the State Food and Drug Administration of China (No. 2003S00692).
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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35
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Wang X, Wang B, Zhang Q. Anti-tumor targeted drug delivery systems mediated by aminopeptidase N/CD13. Acta Pharm Sin B 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2011.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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36
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Di Matteo P, Arrigoni GL, Alberici L, Corti A, Gallo-Stampino C, Traversari C, Doglioni C, Rizzardi GP. Enhanced expression of CD13 in vessels of inflammatory and neoplastic tissues. J Histochem Cytochem 2011; 59:47-59. [PMID: 21339174 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.2010.956644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aminopeptidase-N (CD13) is an important target of tumor vasculature-targeting drugs. The authors investigated its expression by immunohistochemistry with three anti-CD13 monoclonal antibodies (WM15, 3D8, and BF10) in normal and pathological human tissues, including 58 normal, 32 inflammatory, and 149 tumor tissue specimens. The three antibodies stained vessels in most neoplastic tissues, interestingly with different patterns. As a matter of fact, WM15 stained almost all intratumor and peritumor capillaries and only partially large vessels, whereas BF10 and 3D8 reacted with arteries and venules and to a lesser extent with capillaries. These antibodies also stained the stroma in about half of neoplastic tissues. In inflammatory lesions, the three antibodies stained vessels and stroma, whereas in normal tissues, they stained a small percentage of blood vessels. Finally, the three antibodies failed to stain endothelial cells of normal colon, whereas they reacted with activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells and with endothelial cells of colon adenocarcinoma vessels. Overall, WM15 was the most specific antibody for angiogenic tumor vessels, suggesting that it may be a good tool for detecting the CD13 form associated with the tumor vasculature. This finding may be relevant for CD13-mediated vascular targeting therapies.
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