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Gujar S, Pol JG, Kumar V, Lizarralde-Guerrero M, Konda P, Kroemer G, Bell JC. Tutorial: design, production and testing of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-00985-1. [PMID: 38769145 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00985-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a novel class of cancer immunotherapy agents that preferentially infect and kill cancer cells and promote protective antitumor immunity. Furthermore, OVs can be used in combination with established or upcoming immunotherapeutic agents, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, to efficiently target a wide range of malignancies. The development of OV-based therapy involves three major steps before clinical evaluation: design, production and preclinical testing. OVs can be designed as natural or engineered strains and subsequently selected for their ability to kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells rather than normal, healthy cells. OV selection is further influenced by multiple factors, such as the availability of a specific viral platform, cancer cell permissivity, the need for genetic engineering to render the virus non-pathogenic and/or more effective and logistical considerations around the use of OVs within the laboratory or clinical setting. Selected OVs are then produced and tested for their anticancer potential by using syngeneic, xenograft or humanized preclinical models wherein immunocompromised and immunocompetent setups are used to elucidate their direct oncolytic ability as well as indirect immunotherapeutic potential in vivo. Finally, OVs demonstrating the desired anticancer potential progress toward translation in patients with cancer. This tutorial provides guidelines for the design, production and preclinical testing of OVs, emphasizing considerations specific to OV technology that determine their clinical utility as cancer immunotherapy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jonathan G Pol
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Vishnupriyan Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Manuela Lizarralde-Guerrero
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Prathyusha Konda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guido Kroemer
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France.
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
- Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.
| | - John C Bell
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Robert S, Roman Ortiz NI, LaRocca CJ, Ostrander JH, Davydova J. Oncolytic Adenovirus for the Targeting of Paclitaxel-Resistant Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Viruses 2024; 16:567. [PMID: 38675909 PMCID: PMC11054319 DOI: 10.3390/v16040567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Adjuvant systemic therapies effectively reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and metastasis, but therapy resistance can develop in some patients due to breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Oncolytic adenovirus (OAd) represents a promising therapeutic approach as it can specifically target cancer cells. However, its potential to target BCSCs remains unclear. Here, we evaluated a Cox-2 promoter-controlled, Ad5/3 fiber-modified OAd designed to encode the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) in breast cancer models. To confirm the potential of OAds to target BCSCs, we employed BCSC-enriched estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) paclitaxel-resistant (TaxR) cells and tumorsphere assays. OAd-hNIS demonstrated significantly enhanced binding and superior oncolysis in breast cancer cells, including ER+ cells, while exhibiting no activity in normal mammary epithelial cells. We observed improved NIS expression as the result of adenovirus death protein deletion. OAd-hNIS demonstrated efficacy in targeting TaxR BCSCs, exhibiting superior killing and hNIS expression compared to the parental cells. Our vector was capable of inhibiting tumorsphere formation upon early infection and reversing paclitaxel resistance in TaxR cells. Importantly, OAd-hNIS also destroyed already formed tumorspheres seven days after their initiation. Overall, our findings highlight the promise of OAd-hNIS as a potential tool for studying and targeting ER+ breast cancer recurrence and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha Robert
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | | | - Christopher J. LaRocca
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Julie Hanson Ostrander
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Julia Davydova
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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LaRocca CJ, Jacobsen KL, Inoko K, Zakharkin SO, Yamamoto M, Davydova J. Viral Shedding in Mice following Intravenous Adenovirus Injection: Impact on Biosafety Classification. Viruses 2023; 15:1495. [PMID: 37515182 PMCID: PMC10385405 DOI: 10.3390/v15071495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There have been numerous advances in gene therapy and oncolytic virotherapy in recent years, especially with respect to cutting-edge animal models to test these novel therapeutics. With all of these advances, it is important to understand the biosafety risks of testing these vectors in animals. We performed adenovirus-based viral shedding studies in murine models to ascertain when it is appropriate to downgrade the animals from Biosafety Level (BSL) 2 to BSL 1 for experimental handling and transport. We utilized intravenous injections of a replication-competent adenovirus and analyzed viral shedding via the collection of buccal and dermal swabs from each animal, in addition to obtaining urine and stool samples. The adenovirus hexon copy number was determined by qPCR, and plaque formation was analyzed to assess the biologic activity of viral particles. Our results demonstrate that after 72 h following viral inoculation, there is no significant quantity of biologically active virus shedding from the animals. This observation suggests that on day 4 following adenovirus injection, mice can be safely downgraded to BSL 1 for the remainder of the experiment with no concern for hazardous exposure to laboratory personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J LaRocca
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kari L Jacobsen
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kazuho Inoko
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Masato Yamamoto
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Julia Davydova
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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A Renaissance for Oncolytic Adenoviruses? Viruses 2023; 15:v15020358. [PMID: 36851572 PMCID: PMC9964350 DOI: 10.3390/v15020358] [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] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In the 1990s, adenovirus became one of the first virus types to be genetically engineered to selectively destroy cancer cells. In the intervening years, the field of "oncolytic viruses" has slowly progressed and culminated in 2015 with the FDA approval of Talimogene laherparepvec, a genetically engineered herpesvirus, for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Despite the slower progress in translating oncolytic adenovirus to the clinic, interest in the virus remains strong. Among all the clinical trials currently using viral oncolytic agents, the largest proportion of these are using recombinant adenovirus. Many trials are currently underway to use oncolytic virus in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and early results using oncolytic adenovirus in this manner are starting to show promise. Many of the existing strategies to engineer adenoviruses were designed to enhance selective tumor cell replication without much regard to interactions with the immune system. Adenovirus possesses a wide range of viral factors to attenuate both innate anti-viral pathways and immune cell killing. In this review, we summarize the strategies of oncolytic adenoviruses currently in clinical trials, and speculate how the mutational backgrounds of these viruses may impact upon the efficacy of these agents in oncolytic and immunotherapy. Despite decades of research on human adenoviruses, the interactions that these viruses have with the immune system remains one of the most understudied aspects of the virus and needs to be improved to rationally design the next generation of engineered viruses.
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Osipov ID, Vasikhovskaia VA, Zabelina DS, Kutseikin SS, Grazhdantseva AA, Kochneva GV, Davydova J, Netesov SV, Romanenko MV. Development of Oncolytic Vectors Based on Human Adenovirus Type 6 for Cancer Treatment. Viruses 2023; 15:182. [PMID: 36680222 PMCID: PMC9865941 DOI: 10.3390/v15010182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Adenovirus type 6 (HAdV-C6) is a promising candidate for the development of oncolytic vectors as it has low seroprevalence and the intrinsic ability to evade tissue macrophages. However, its further development as a therapeutic agent is hampered by the lack of convenient cloning methods. We have developed a novel technology when a shuttle plasmid carrying the distal genome parts with modified E1A and E3 regions is recombined in vitro with the truncated HAdV-C6 genome. Using this approach, we have constructed a novel Ad6-hT-GM vector controlled by the hTERT promoter and expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) instead of 6.7K and gp19K E3 proteins. We have demonstrated that control by the hTERT promoter may result in delayed viral replication, which nevertheless does not significantly change the cytotoxic ability of recombinant viruses. The insertion of the transgene by displacing the E3-6.7K/gp19K region does not drastically change the expression patterns of E3 genes; however, mild changes in expression from major late promoter were observed. Finally, we have demonstrated that the treatment of human breast cancer xenografts in murine models with Ad6-hT-GM significantly decreased the tumor volume and improved survival time compared to mock-treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan D. Osipov
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - Daria S. Zabelina
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Sergei S. Kutseikin
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - Galina V. Kochneva
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, 630559 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Julia Davydova
- Surgery Department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sergey V. Netesov
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Margarita V. Romanenko
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Surgery Department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Lu SC, Barry MA. Locked and loaded: engineering and arming oncolytic adenoviruses to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:1359-1378. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2139601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael A Barry
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
- Department of Immunology
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Adenovirus Type 6: Subtle Structural Distinctions from Adenovirus Type 5 Result in Essential Differences in Properties and Perspectives for Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101641. [PMID: 34683934 PMCID: PMC8540711 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus vectors are the most frequently used agents for gene therapy, including oncolytic therapy and vaccine development. It’s hard to overestimate the value of adenoviruses during the COVID-19 pandemic as to date four out of four approved viral vector-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are developed on adenovirus platform. The vast majority of adenoviral vectors are based on the most studied human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-C5), however, its immunogenicity often hampers the clinical translation of HAdV-C5 vectors. The search of less seroprevalent adenovirus types led to another species C adenovirus, Adenovirus type 6 (HAdV-C6). HAdV-C6 possesses high oncolytic efficacy against multiple cancer types and remarkable ability to induce the immune response towards carrying antigens. Being genetically very close to HAdV-C5, HAdV-C6 differs from HAdV-C5 in structure of the most abundant capsid protein, hexon. This leads to the ability of HAdV-C6 to evade the uptake by Kupffer cells as well as to distinct opsonization by immunoglobulins and other blood proteins, influencing the overall biodistribution of HAdV-C6 after systemic administration. This review describes the structural features of HAdV-C6, its interaction with liver cells and blood factors, summarizes the previous experiences using HAdV-C6, and provides the rationale behind the use of HAdV-C6 for vaccine and anticancer drugs developments.
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