1
|
Goyenvalle A, Jimenez-Mallebrera C, van Roon W, Sewing S, Krieg AM, Arechavala-Gomeza V, Andersson P. Considerations in the Preclinical Assessment of the Safety of Antisense Oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acid Ther 2023; 33:1-16. [PMID: 36579950 PMCID: PMC9940817 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2022.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleic acid therapeutics field has made tremendous progress in the past decades. Continuous advances in chemistry and design have led to many successful clinical applications, eliciting even more interest from researchers including both academic groups and drug development companies. Many preclinical studies in the field focus on improving the delivery of antisense oligonucleotide drugs (ONDs) and/or assessing their efficacy in target tissues, often neglecting the evaluation of toxicity, at least in early phases of development. A series of consensus recommendations regarding regulatory considerations and expectations have been generated by the Oligonucleotide Safety Working Group and the Japanese Research Working Group for the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use S6 and Related Issues (WGS6) in several white papers. However, safety aspects should also be kept in sight in earlier phases while screening and designing OND to avoid subsequent failure in the development phase. Experts and members of the network "DARTER," a COST Action funded by the Cooperation in Science and Technology of the EU, have utilized their collective experience working with OND, as well as their insights into OND-mediated toxicities, to generate a series of consensus recommendations to assess OND toxicity in early stages of preclinical research. In the past few years, several publications have described predictive assays, which can be used to assess OND-mediated toxicity in vitro or ex vivo to filter out potential toxic candidates before moving to in vivo phases of preclinical development, that is, animal toxicity studies. These assays also have the potential to provide translational insight since they allow a safety evaluation in human in vitro systems. Yet, small preliminary in vivo studies should also be considered to complement this early assessment. In this study, we summarize the state of the art and provide guidelines and recommendations on the different tests available for these early stage preclinical assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Goyenvalle
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, Versailles, France.,Address correspondence to: Aurélie Goyenvalle, PhD, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, Versailles 78000, France
| | - Cecilia Jimenez-Mallebrera
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain.,Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Genética, Microbiología y Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Willeke van Roon
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sabine Sewing
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arthur M. Krieg
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Patrik Andersson
- Safety Innovation, Safety Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Address correspondence to: Patrik Andersson, PhD, Safety Innovation, Safety Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu K, Fan Q, Zou X. Antisense oligonucleotide is a promising intervention for liver diseases. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1061842. [PMID: 36569303 PMCID: PMC9780395 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1061842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the body's critical metabolic organ, the liver plays an essential role in maintaining proper body homeostasis. However, as people's living standards have improved and the number of unhealthy lifestyles has increased, the liver has become overburdened. These have made liver disease one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Under the influence of adverse factors, liver disease progresses from simple steatosis to hepatitis, to liver fibrosis, and finally to cirrhosis and cancer, followed by increased mortality. Until now, there has been a lack of accepted effective treatments for liver disease. Based on current research, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), as an alternative intervention for liver diseases, is expected to be an effective treatment due to its high efficiency, low toxicity, low dosage, strong specificity, and additional positive characteristics. In this review, we will first introduce the design, modification, delivery, and the mechanisms of ASO, and then summarize the application of ASO in liver disease treatment, including in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. Finally, we discuss challenges and perspectives on the transfer of ASO drugs into clinical use. This review provides a current and comprehensive understanding of the integrative and systematic functions of ASO for its use in liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kailing Lu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qijing Fan
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaoju Zou
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China,*Correspondence: Xiaoju Zou,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu H, Wahane A, Alhamadani F, Zhang K, Parikh R, Lee S, McCabe EM, Rasmussen TP, Bahal R, Zhong XB, Manautou JE. Nephrotoxicity of marketed antisense oligonucleotide drugs. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 32:100373. [PMID: 37193356 PMCID: PMC10174585 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2022.100373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapies have been making strides in precision medicine due to their potent therapeutic application. Early successes in treating some genetic diseases are now attributed to an emerging class of antisense drugs. After two decades, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a considerable number of ASO drugs, primarily to treat rare diseases with optimal therapeutic outcomes. However, safety is one of the biggest challenges to the therapeutic utility of ASO drugs. Due to patients' and health care practitioners' urgent demands for medicines for untreatable conditions, many ASO drugs have been approved. However, a complete understanding of the mechanisms of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and toxicities of ASOs still need to be resolved. The range of ADRs is unique to a specific drug, while few ADRs are common to a section of drugs as a whole. Nephrotoxicity is an important concern that needs to be addressed considering the clinical translation of any drug candidates ranging from small molecules to ASO-based drugs. This article encompasses what is known about the nephrotoxicity of ASO drugs, the potential mechanisms of action(s), and recommendations for future investigations on the safety of ASO drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hangyu Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Aniket Wahane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Feryal Alhamadani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Kristy Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Rajvi Parikh
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - SooWan Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Evan M McCabe
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Theodore P Rasmussen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Xiao-Bo Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - José E Manautou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wada F, Yamamoto T, Kobayashi T, Tachibana K, Ito KR, Hamasaki M, Kayaba Y, Terada C, Yamayoshi A, Obika S, Harada-Shiba M. Drug discovery and development scheme for liver-targeting bridged nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotides. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:957-969. [PMID: 34760338 PMCID: PMC8560717 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) containing bridged nucleic acids (BNAs) have been proven to be very powerful. However, ensuring a reliable discovery and translational development scheme for this class of ASOs with wider therapeutic windows remains a fundamental challenge. We here demonstrate the robustness of our scheme in the context of the selection of ASOs having two different BNA chemistries (2,′4′-BNA/locked nucleic acid [LNA] and amido-bridged nucleic acid [AmNA]) targeting human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). The scheme features a two-step process, including (1) a unique and sensitive in vitro screening approach, called Ca2+ enrichment of medium (CEM) transfection, and (2) a ligand-targeted drug delivery approach to better reach target tissues, averting unintended accumulation of ASOs. Using CEM screening, we identified a candidate ASO that shows >70% cholesterol-lowering action in monkeys. An N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) ligand then was appended to the candidate ASO to further broaden the therapeutic margin by altering the molecule’s pharmacokinetics. The GalNAc conjugate, HsPCSK9-1811-LNA, was found to be at least ten times more potent in non-human primates (compared with the unconjugated counterpart), with reduced nephrotoxicity in rats. Overall, we successfully showed that our drug development scheme is better suited for selecting clinically relevant BNA-based ASOs, especially for the treatment of liver-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fumito Wada
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.,Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8131, Japan
| | - Tadayuki Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.,Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tachibana
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kosuke Ramon Ito
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mayumi Hamasaki
- Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
| | - Yukina Kayaba
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8131, Japan
| | - Chisato Terada
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8131, Japan
| | - Asako Yamayoshi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8131, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mariko Harada-Shiba
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.,Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Edelmann MR, Husser C, Duschmalé MB, Fischer G, Senn C, Koller E, Brink A. Tritium labeling of antisense oligonucleotides via different conjugation agents. AAPS OPEN 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s41120-021-00040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractA novel approach to tritium-labeled antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) was established by conjugating N-succinimidyl propionate, as well as maleimide-derivatives, to the 3′-end of ASOs targeting metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Malat1) containing amino- or sulfhydryl-linkers. In vitro stability and Malat1 RNA reduction studies demonstrated that N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) could be used as a stable tag while maintaining the desired target interaction. The corresponding radioactive label conjugation using [3H]-NEM resulted in tritium-labeled ASOs with a high molar specific activity of up to 17 Ci/mmol. Single-dose in vivo studies in mice were carried out to compare [3H]-ASOs with their unlabeled counterpart ASOs, with and without conjugation to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), for tissue and plasma concentrations time profiles. Despite the structural modification of the labeled ASOs, in vitro target interaction and in vivo pharmacokinetic behaviors were similar to that of the unlabeled ASOs. In conclusion, this new method provides a powerful technique for fast and safe access to tritium-labeled oligonucleotides, e.g., for pharmacokinetic, mass balance, or autoradiography studies.
Graphical abstract
Collapse
|
6
|
Nishina H, Sakairi T, Kashimura A, Sato H, Mizukawa M, Ozawa Y, Nishikawa S. Karnovsky's fixative prevents artifacts appearing as vacuolation derived from tissue processing in kidneys treated with antisense oligonucleotide. J Toxicol Pathol 2021; 34:367-371. [PMID: 34629736 PMCID: PMC8484925 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2021-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies have been identified as a new treatment modality for intractable diseases. In kidneys treated with ASOs, vacuoles, in addition to basophilic granules, are often observed in the proximal tubules. Some reports have described that these vacuoles are likely to be a secondary phenomenon resulting from the extraction of ASOs during tissue processing. In this study, we compared renal morphology after fixation with Karnovsky's fixative or 4% paraformaldehyde phosphate buffer (PFA) with that of 10% neutral-buffered formaldehyde solution (NBF). Female Sprague-Dawley rats, intravenously treated four times with 50 mg/kg locked nucleic acid containing antisense oligonucleotides (LNA-ASOs) for 1 or 2 weeks, were examined. Microscopically, vacuoles and basophilic granules in the proximal tubules were observed in the kidneys fixed with NBF. Basophilic granules are indicative of the accumulation of ASOs. Moreover, some of the vacuoles also contained faint basophilic granules, suggesting that the vacuoles were relevant to the accumulation of ASOs. Although moderate vacuolation was observed in the proximal tubules, the majority of the vacuolated epithelia were negative for kidney injury molecule-1 on immunohistochemical staining. Vacuoles in the proximal tubules were not observed in samples subjected to Karnovsky's fixation, although basophilic granules were observed. In samples subjected to PFA fixation, vacuoles and basophilic granules were observed in the proximal tubules, similar to those in samples subjected to NBF fixation. Overall, our findings demonstrated the possibility of overestimation of vacuolation due to artifacts during tissue processing when using conventional NBF fixation. Karnovsky's fixative is considered a useful alternative for distinguishing artificial vacuoles from true nephrotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironobu Nishina
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sakairi
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Akane Kashimura
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroko Sato
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Mao Mizukawa
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yuhei Ozawa
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Satomi Nishikawa
- Safety Research Laboratories, Sohyaku, Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nguyen JM, Gilar M, Koshel B, Donegan M, MacLean J, Li Z, Lauber MA. Assessing the impact of nonspecific binding on oligonucleotide bioanalysis. Bioanalysis 2021; 13:1233-1244. [PMID: 34472373 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2021-0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Accurate and reliable quantification of oligonucleotides can be difficult, which has led to an increased focus on bioanalytical methods for more robust analyses. Recent advances toward mitigating sample losses on liquid chromatography (LC) systems have produced recovery advantages for oligonucleotide separations. Results & methodology: LC instruments and columns constructed from MP35N metal alloy and stainless steel columns were compared against LC hardware modified with hybrid inorganic-organic silica surfaces. Designed to minimize metal-analyte adsorption, these surfaces demonstrated a 73% increase in 25-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide recovery using ion-pairing reversed-phase LC versus standard LC surfaces, most particularly upon initial use. Conclusion: Hybrid silica chromatographic surfaces improve the performance, detection limits and reproducibility of oligonucleotide bioanalytical assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Nguyen
- School of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Waters Corporation, 34 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, USA
| | - Martin Gilar
- Waters Corporation, 34 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, USA
| | - Brooke Koshel
- Waters Corporation, 34 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, USA
| | | | - Jason MacLean
- Waters Corporation, 34 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, USA
| | - Zhimin Li
- Waters Corporation, 34 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Romero-Palomo F, Festag M, Lenz B, Schadt S, Brink A, Kipar A, Steinhuber B, Husser C, Koller E, Sewing S, Tessier Y, Dzygiel P, Fischer G, Winter M, Hetzel U, Mihatsch MJ, Braendli-Baiocco A. Safety, Tissue Distribution, and Metabolism of LNA-Containing Antisense Oligonucleotides in Rats. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 49:1174-1192. [PMID: 34060347 DOI: 10.1177/01926233211011615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are chemically modified nucleic acids with therapeutic potential, some of which have been approved for marketing. We performed a study in rats to investigate mechanisms of toxicity after administration of 3 tool locked nucleic acid (LNA)-containing ASOs with differing established safety profiles. Four male rats per group were dosed once, 3, or 6 times subcutaneously, with 7 days between dosing, and sacrificed 3 days after the last dose. These ASOs were either unconjugated (naked) or conjugated with N-acetylgalactosamine for hepatocyte-targeted delivery. The main readouts were in-life monitoring, clinical and anatomic pathology, exposure assessment and metabolite identification in liver and kidney by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, ASO detection in liver and kidney by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, immune electron microscopy, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging. The highly toxic compounds showed the greatest amount of metabolites and a low degree of tissue accumulation. This study reveals different patterns of cell death associated with toxicity in liver (apoptosis and necrosis) and kidney (necrosis only) and provides new ultrastructural insights on the tissue accumulation of ASOs. We observed that the immunostimulatory properties of ASOs can be either primary from sequence-dependent properties or secondary to cell necrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Romero-Palomo
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Festag
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Lenz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Schadt
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Brink
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology (LAMP), Institute of Veterinary Pathology, 30843Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Steinhuber
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Husser
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erich Koller
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Sewing
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yann Tessier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Dzygiel
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guy Fischer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Winter
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | - Udo Hetzel
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, 27217Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Mihatsch
- 361703Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annamaria Braendli-Baiocco
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1529Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yamamoto T, Mukai Y, Wada F, Terada C, Kayaba Y, Oh K, Yamayoshi A, Obika S, Harada–Shiba M. Highly Potent GalNAc-Conjugated Tiny LNA Anti-miRNA-122 Antisense Oligonucleotides. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:817. [PMID: 34072682 PMCID: PMC8228246 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of clinically relevant anti-microRNA antisense oligonucleotides (anti-miRNA ASOs) remains a major challenge. One promising configuration of anti-miRNA ASOs called "tiny LNA (tiny Locked Nucleic Acid)" is an unusually small (~8-mer), highly chemically modified anti-miRNA ASO with high activity and specificity. Within this platform, we achieved a great enhancement of the in vivo activity of miRNA-122-targeting tiny LNA by developing a series of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated tiny LNAs. Specifically, the median effective dose (ED50) of the most potent construct, tL-5G3, was estimated to be ~12 nmol/kg, which is ~300-500 times more potent than the original unconjugated tiny LNA. Through in vivo/ex vivo imaging studies, we have confirmed that the major advantage of GalNAc over tiny LNAs can be ascribed to the improvement of their originally poor pharmacokinetics. We also showed that the GalNAc ligand should be introduced into its 5' terminus rather than its 3' end via a biolabile phosphodiester bond. This result suggests that tiny LNA can unexpectedly be recognized by endogenous nucleases and is required to be digested to liberate the parent tiny LNA at an appropriate time in the body. We believe that our strategy will pave the way for the clinical application of miRNA-targeting small ASO therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan; (C.T.); (Y.K.); (K.O.); (A.Y.)
| | - Yahiro Mukai
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (Y.M.); (F.W.); (S.O.)
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan;
| | - Fumito Wada
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (Y.M.); (F.W.); (S.O.)
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan;
| | - Chisato Terada
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan; (C.T.); (Y.K.); (K.O.); (A.Y.)
| | - Yukina Kayaba
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan; (C.T.); (Y.K.); (K.O.); (A.Y.)
| | - Kaho Oh
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan; (C.T.); (Y.K.); (K.O.); (A.Y.)
| | - Asako Yamayoshi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan; (C.T.); (Y.K.); (K.O.); (A.Y.)
| | - Satoshi Obika
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (Y.M.); (F.W.); (S.O.)
| | - Mariko Harada–Shiba
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nieskens TTG, Magnusson O, Andersson P, Söderberg M, Persson M, Sjögren AK. Nephrotoxic antisense oligonucleotide SPC5001 induces kidney injury biomarkers in a proximal tubule-on-a-chip. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2123-2136. [PMID: 33961089 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03062-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a promising therapeutic modality. However, failure to predict acute kidney injury induced by SPC5001 ASO observed in a clinical trial suggests the need for additional preclinical models to complement the preceding animal toxicity studies. To explore the utility of in vitro systems in this space, we evaluated the induction of nephrotoxicity and kidney injury biomarkers by SPC5001 in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HRPTEC), cultured in 2D, and in a recently developed kidney proximal tubule-on-a-chip. 2D HRPTEC cultures were exposed to the nephrotoxic ASO SPC5001 or the safe control ASO 556089 (0.16-40 µM) for up to 72 h, targeting PCSK9 and MALAT1, respectively. Both ASOs induced a concentration-dependent downregulation of their respective mRNA targets but cytotoxicity (determined by LDH activity) was not observed at any concentration. Next, chip-cultured HRPTEC were exposed to SPC5001 (0.5 and 5 µM) and 556089 (1 and 10 µM) for 48 h to confirm downregulation of their respective target transcripts, with 74.1 ± 5.2% for SPC5001 (5 µM) and 79.4 ± 0.8% for 556089 (10 µM). During extended exposure for up to 20 consecutive days, only SPC5001 induced cytotoxicity (at the higher concentration; 5 µM), as evaluated by LDH in the perfusate medium. Moreover, perfusate levels of biomarkers KIM-1, NGAL, clusterin, osteopontin and VEGF increased 2.5 ± 0.2-fold, 3.9 ± 0.9-fold, 2.3 ± 0.6-fold, 3.9 ± 1.7-fold and 1.9 ± 0.4-fold respectively, in response to SPC5001, generating distinct time-dependent profiles. In conclusion, target downregulation, cytotoxicity and kidney injury biomarkers were induced by the clinically nephrotoxic ASO SPC5001, demonstrating the translational potential of this kidney on-a-chip.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom T G Nieskens
- CVRM Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 43150, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Otto Magnusson
- CVRM Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 43150, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Patrik Andersson
- R&I Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Söderberg
- CVRM Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 43150, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Mikael Persson
- CVRM Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 43150, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Sjögren
- CVRM Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 43150, Mölndal, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Qian X, Qu H, Zhang F, Peng S, Dou D, Yang Y, Ding Y, Xie M, Dong H, Liao Y, Han M. Exosomal long noncoding RNA AGAP2-AS1 regulates trastuzumab resistance via inducing autophagy in breast cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1962-1981. [PMID: 34094664 PMCID: PMC8167703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Trastuzumab has been widely used for treatment of HER-2-positive breast cancer patients, however, the clinical response has been restricted due to emergence of resistance. Recent studies indicate that long noncoding RNA AGAP2-AS1 (lncRNA AGAP2-AS1) plays an important role in cancer resistance. However, the precise regulatory function and therapeutic potential of AGAP2-AS1 in trastuzumab resistance is still not defined. In this study, we sought to reveal the essential role of AGAP2-AS1 in trastuzumab resistance. Our results suggest that AGAP2-AS1 disseminates trastuzumab resistance via packaging into exosomes. Exosomal AGAP2-AS1 induces trastuzumab resistance via modulating ATG10 expression and autophagy activity. Mechanically, AGAP2-AS1 is associated with ELAVL1 protein, and the AGAP2-AS1-ELAVL1 complex could directly bind to the promoter region of ATG10, inducing H3K27ac and H3K4me3 enrichment, which finally activates ATG10 transcription. AGAP2-AS1-targeting antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) substantially increased trastuzumab-induced cytotoxicity. Clinically, increased expression of serum exosomal AGAP2-AS1 was associate with poor response to trastuzumab treatment. In conclusion, exosomal AGAP2-AS1 increased trastuzumab resistance via promoting ATG10 expression and inducing autophagy. Therefore, AGAP2-AS1 may serve as predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for HER-2+ breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueke Qian
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Hongbo Qu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou City Hunan 423000, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570311, China
| | - Shujia Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongwei Dou
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yunqing Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yichao Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570311, China
| | - Mingwei Xie
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570311, China
| | - Huaying Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570311, China
| | - Yue Liao
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570311, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich Marchioninistr 15, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Mingli Han
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mesyl phosphoramidate backbone modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting miR-21 with enhanced in vivo therapeutic potency. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:32370-32379. [PMID: 33288723 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016158117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of modified oligonucleotides that combine in one molecule several therapeutically beneficial properties still poses a major challenge. Recently a new type of modified mesyl phosphoramidate (or µ-) oligonucleotide was described that demonstrates high affinity to RNA, exceptional nuclease resistance, efficient recruitment of RNase H, and potent inhibition of key carcinogenesis processes in vitro. Herein, using a xenograft mouse tumor model, it was demonstrated that microRNA miR-21-targeted µ-oligonucleotides administered in complex with folate-containing liposomes dramatically inhibit primary tumor growth via long-term down-regulation of miR-21 in tumors and increase in biosynthesis of miR-21-regulated tumor suppressor proteins. This antitumoral effect is superior to the effect of the corresponding phosphorothioate. Peritumoral administration of µ-oligonucleotide results in its rapid distribution and efficient accumulation in the tumor. Blood biochemistry and morphometric studies of internal organs revealed no pronounced toxicity of µ-oligonucleotides. This new oligonucleotide class provides a powerful tool for antisense technology.
Collapse
|
13
|
Antibody Conjugates-Recent Advances and Future Innovations. Antibodies (Basel) 2020; 9:antib9010002. [PMID: 31936270 PMCID: PMC7148502 DOI: 10.3390/antib9010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies have evolved from research tools to powerful therapeutics in the past 30 years. Clinical success rates of antibodies have exceeded expectations, resulting in heavy investment in biologics discovery and development in addition to traditional small molecules across the industry. However, protein therapeutics cannot drug targets intracellularly and are limited to soluble and cell-surface antigens. Tremendous strides have been made in antibody discovery, protein engineering, formulation, and delivery devices. These advances continue to push the boundaries of biologics to enable antibody conjugates to take advantage of the target specificity and long half-life from an antibody, while delivering highly potent small molecule drugs. While the "magic bullet" concept produced the first wave of antibody conjugates, these entities were met with limited clinical success. This review summarizes the advances and challenges in the field to date with emphasis on antibody conjugation, linker-payload chemistry, novel payload classes, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), and product developability. We discuss lessons learned in the development of oncology antibody conjugates and look towards future innovations enabling other therapeutic indications.
Collapse
|