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Zhao X, Zhang Y, Trejo-Cerro O, Kaplan E, Li Z, Albertsboer F, El Hammiri N, Mariz FC, Banks L, Ottonello S, Müller M. A safe and potentiated multi-type HPV L2-E7 nanoparticle vaccine with combined prophylactic and therapeutic activity. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:119. [PMID: 38926425 PMCID: PMC11208501 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00914-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely recognized as the primary cause of cervical and other malignant cancers. There are six licensed prophylactic vaccines available against HPV, but none of them shows any significant therapeutic effect on pre-existing infections or lesions. Thus, a prophylactic vaccine also endowed with therapeutic activity would afford protection regardless of the vaccine recipients HPV-infection status. Here, we describe the refinement and further potentiation of a dual-purpose HPV nanoparticle vaccine (hereafter referred to as cPANHPVAX) relying on eight different HPV L2 peptide epitopes and on the E7 oncoantigens from HPV16 and 18. cPANHPVAX not only induces anti-HPV16 E7 cytotoxic T-cell responses in C57BL/6 mice, but also anti-HPV18 E7 T-cell responses in transgenic mice with the A2.DR1 haplotype. These cytotoxic responses add up to a potent, broad-coverage humoral (HPV-neutralizing) response. cPANHPVAX safety was further improved by deletion of the pRb-binding domains of E7. Our dual-purpose vaccine holds great potential for clinical translation as an immune-treatment capable of targeting active infections as well as established HPV-related malignancies, thus benefiting both uninfected and infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueer Zhao
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Yueru Zhang
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oscar Trejo-Cerro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ecem Kaplan
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zhe Li
- B Cell Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Femke Albertsboer
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Neyla El Hammiri
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Filipe Colaço Mariz
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lawrence Banks
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Ottonello
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Martin Müller
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Lee S, Yoon H, Hong SH, Kwon SP, Hong JJ, Kwak HW, Park HJ, Yoo S, Bae SH, Park HJ, Lee J, Bang YJ, Lee YS, Kim JY, Yoon S, Roh G, Cho Y, Kim Y, Kim D, Park SI, Kim DH, Lee S, Oh A, Ha D, Lee SY, Park M, Hwang EH, Bae G, Jeon E, Park SH, Choi WS, Oh HR, Kim IW, Youn H, Keum G, Bang EK, Rhee JH, Lee SE, Nam JH. mRNA-HPV vaccine encoding E6 and E7 improves therapeutic potential for HPV-mediated cancers via subcutaneous immunization. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29309. [PMID: 38100632 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The E6 and E7 proteins of specific subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV), including HPV 16 and 18, are highly associated with cervical cancer as they modulate cell cycle regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antitumor effects of a messenger RNA-HPV therapeutic vaccine (mHTV) containing nononcogenic E6 and E7 proteins. To achieve this, C57BL/6j mice were injected with the vaccine via both intramuscular and subcutaneous routes, and the resulting effects were evaluated. mHTV immunization markedly induced robust T cell-mediated immune responses and significantly suppressed tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor-implanted mouse model, with a significant infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues. Tumor retransplantation at day 62 postprimary vaccination completely halted progression in all mHTV-treated mice. Furthermore, tumor expansion was significantly reduced upon TC-1 transplantation 160 days after the last immunization. Immunization of rhesus monkeys with mHTV elicited promising immune responses. The immunogenicity of mHTV in nonhuman primates provides strong evidence for clinical application against HPV-related cancers in humans. All data suggest that mHTV can be used as both a therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonghyun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyunho Yoon
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Seol Hee Hong
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Sung Pil Kwon
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Joo Hong
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
- KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hye Won Kwak
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyeong-Jun Park
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Soyeon Yoo
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seo-Hyeon Bae
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Jung Park
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Jisun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yoo-Jin Bang
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yu-Sun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Jae-Yong Kim
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Subin Yoon
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Gahyun Roh
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Youngran Cho
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yongkwan Kim
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Daegeun Kim
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sang-In Park
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Do-Hyung Kim
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sowon Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Ayoung Oh
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Dahyeon Ha
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Soo-Yeon Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Misung Park
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eun-Ha Hwang
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Gyuseo Bae
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Eunsu Jeon
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Sung Hyun Park
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Won Seok Choi
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Ho Rim Oh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In Woo Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyewon Youn
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Imaging Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gyochang Keum
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joon Haeng Rhee
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, South Korea
| | - Shee Eun Lee
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Nam
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
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3
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Baghban R, Ghasemian A, Mahmoodi S. Nucleic acid-based vaccine platforms against the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:150. [PMID: 36995507 PMCID: PMC10062302 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03480-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has infected 673,010,496 patients and caused the death of 6,854,959 cases globally until today. Enormous efforts have been made to develop fundamentally different COVID-19 vaccine platforms. Nucleic acid-based vaccines consisting of mRNA and DNA vaccines (third-generation vaccines) have been promising in terms of rapid and convenient production and efficient provocation of immune responses against the COVID-19. Several DNA-based (ZyCoV-D, INO-4800, AG0302-COVID19, and GX-19N) and mRNA-based (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ARCoV) approved vaccine platforms have been utilized for the COVID-19 prevention. mRNA vaccines are at the forefront of all platforms for COVID-19 prevention. However, these vaccines have lower stability, while DNA vaccines are needed with higher doses to stimulate the immune responses. Intracellular delivery of nucleic acid-based vaccines and their adverse events needs further research. Considering re-emergence of the COVID-19 variants of concern, vaccine reassessment and the development of polyvalent vaccines, or pan-coronavirus strategies, is essential for effective infection prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghayyeh Baghban
- Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Shirin Mahmoodi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
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4
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Deycmar S, Gomes B, Charo J, Ceppi M, Cline JM. Spontaneous, naturally occurring cancers in non-human primates as a translational model for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005514. [PMID: 36593067 PMCID: PMC9808758 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of cancer immunotherapy (CIT) demands reliable preclinical models to successfully translate study findings to the clinics. Non-human primates (NHPs; here referring to rhesus and cynomolgus macaques) share broad similarities with humans including physiology, genetic homology, and importantly also immune cell populations, immune regulatory mechanisms, and protein targets for CIT. Furthermore, NHP naturally develop cancers such as colorectal and breast cancer with an incidence, pathology, and age pattern comparable to humans. Thus, these tumor-bearing monkeys (TBMs) have the potential to bridge the experimental gap between early preclinical cancer models and patients with human cancer.This review presents our current knowledge of NHP immunology, the incidence and features of naturally-occurring cancers in NHP, and recent TBM trials investigating CIT to provide a scientific rationale for this unique model for human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Deycmar
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bruno Gomes
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jehad Charo
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ceppi
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland,iTeos Therapeutics Inc, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J Mark Cline
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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5
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Tang J, Li M, Zhao C, Shen D, Liu L, Zhang X, Wei L. Therapeutic DNA Vaccines against HPV-Related Malignancies: Promising Leads from Clinical Trials. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020239. [PMID: 35215833 PMCID: PMC8874761 DOI: 10.3390/v14020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014 and 2021, two nucleic-acid vaccine candidates named MAV E2 and VGX-3100 completed phase III clinical trials in Mexico and U.S., respectively, for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). These well-tolerated but still unlicensed vaccines encode distinct HPV antigens (E2 versus E6+E7) to elicit cell-mediated immune responses; their clinical efficacy, as measured by HSIL regression or cure, was modest when compared with placebo or surgery (conization), but both proved highly effective in clearing HPV infection, which should help further optimize strategies for enhancing vaccine immunogenicity, toward an ultimate goal of preventing malignancies in millions of patients who are living with persistent, oncogenic HPV infection but are not expected to benefit from current, prophylactic vaccines. The major roadblocks to a highly efficacious and practical product remain challenging and can be classified into five categories: (i) getting the vaccines into the right cells for efficient expression and presentation of HPV antigens (fusion proteins or epitopes); (ii) having adequate coverage of oncogenic HPV types, beyond the current focus on HPV-16 and -18; (iii) directing immune protection to various epithelial niches, especially anogenital mucosa and upper aerodigestive tract where HPV-transformed cells wreak havoc; (iv) establishing the time window and vaccination regimen, including dosage, interval and even combination therapy, for achieving maximum efficacy; and (v) validating therapeutic efficacy in patients with poor prognosis because of advanced, recurrent or non-resectable malignancies. Overall, the room for improvements is still large enough that continuing efforts for research and development will very likely extend into the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Tang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Danhua Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Liu
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Lihui Wei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
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6
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Pushparajah D, Jimenez S, Wong S, Alattas H, Nafissi N, Slavcev RA. Advances in gene-based vaccine platforms to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:113-141. [PMID: 33422546 PMCID: PMC7789827 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The novel betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), has spread across the globe at an unprecedented rate since its first emergence in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. Scientific communities around the world have been rigorously working to develop a potent vaccine to combat COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), employing conventional and novel vaccine strategies. Gene-based vaccine platforms based on viral vectors, DNA, and RNA, have shown promising results encompassing both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in previous studies, supporting their implementation for COVID-19 vaccine development. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the emergency use of two RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. We review current gene-based vaccine candidates proceeding through clinical trials, including their antigenic targets, delivery vehicles, and route of administration. Important features of previous gene-based vaccine developments against other infectious diseases are discussed in guiding the design and development of effective vaccines against COVID-19 and future derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Pushparajah
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Salma Jimenez
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada; Theraphage, 151 Charles St W Suite # 199, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1H6, Canada
| | - Shirley Wong
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Hibah Alattas
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Nafiseh Nafissi
- Mediphage Bioceuticals, 661 University Avenue, Suite 1300, Toronto, ON, M5G 0B7, Canada
| | - Roderick A Slavcev
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada; Mediphage Bioceuticals, 661 University Avenue, Suite 1300, Toronto, ON, M5G 0B7, Canada; Theraphage, 151 Charles St W Suite # 199, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1H6, Canada.
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7
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Luvero D, Lopez S, Bogani G, Raspagliesi F, Angioli R. From the Infection to the Immunotherapy in Cervical Cancer: Can We Stop the Natural Course of the Disease? Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040597. [PMID: 33050484 PMCID: PMC7712259 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in women aged 20–39 years. Persistent infection with oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV) represents the most important risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. Three HPVs vaccines are currently on the global market: bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent. The nonavalent vaccine provides protection against almost 90% of HPV-related CC. Despite availability of primary and secondary prevention measures, CC persists as one of the most common cancers among women around the world. Although CC is a largely preventable disease, management of persistent or recurrent CC no longer amenable to control with surgery or radiation therapy has not improved significantly with the progress of modern chemotherapy and disseminated carcinoma of the cervix remains a discouraging clinical entity with a 1-year survival rate between 10% and 15%. Over the last few years, there has been increasing interest in immunotherapy as a strategy to fight tumors. This article focuses on recent discoveries about the HPV vaccine and immunotherapies in the prevention and treatment of CC, highlighting the future view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Luvero
- Department of Gynecology, University Campus Biomedico, 00128 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-333-3222183
| | - Salvatore Lopez
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, IRCCS National Cancer Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.L.); (G.B.); (F.R.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bogani
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, IRCCS National Cancer Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.L.); (G.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Francesco Raspagliesi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, IRCCS National Cancer Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.L.); (G.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Roberto Angioli
- Department of Gynecology, University Campus Biomedico, 00128 Rome, Italy;
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8
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Jing L, Ott M, Church CD, Kulikauskas RM, Ibrani D, Iyer JG, Afanasiev OK, Colunga A, Cook MM, Xie H, Greninger AL, Paulson KG, Chapuis AG, Bhatia S, Nghiem P, Koelle DM. Prevalent and Diverse Intratumoral Oncoprotein-Specific CD8 + T Cells within Polyomavirus-Driven Merkel Cell Carcinomas. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:648-659. [PMID: 32179557 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is often caused by persistent expression of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) T-antigen (T-Ag). These non-self proteins comprise about 400 amino acids (AA). Clinical responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, seen in about half of patients, may relate to T-Ag-specific T cells. Strategies to increase CD8+ T-cell number, breadth, or function could augment checkpoint inhibition, but vaccines to augment immunity must avoid delivery of oncogenic T-antigen domains. We probed MCC tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) with an artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) system and confirmed T-Ag recognition with synthetic peptides, HLA-peptide tetramers, and dendritic cells (DC). TILs from 9 of 12 (75%) subjects contained CD8+ T cells recognizing 1-8 MCPyV epitopes per person. Analysis of 16 MCPyV CD8+ TIL epitopes and prior TIL data indicated that 97% of patients with MCPyV+ MCC had HLA alleles with the genetic potential that restrict CD8+ T-cell responses to MCPyV T-Ag. The LT AA 70-110 region was epitope rich, whereas the oncogenic domains of T-Ag were not commonly recognized. Specific recognition of T-Ag-expressing DCs was documented. Recovery of MCPyV oncoprotein-specific CD8+ TILs from most tumors indicated that antigen indifference was unlikely to be a major cause of checkpoint inhibition failure. The myriad of epitopes restricted by diverse HLA alleles indicates that vaccination can be a rational component of immunotherapy if tumor immune suppression can be overcome, and the oncogenic regions of T-Ag can be modified without impacting immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichen Jing
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Mariliis Ott
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Candice D Church
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rima M Kulikauskas
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Dafina Ibrani
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jayasri G Iyer
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Olga K Afanasiev
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Aric Colunga
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Maclean M Cook
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Kelly G Paulson
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Aude G Chapuis
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Shailender Bhatia
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Paul Nghiem
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - David M Koelle
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
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9
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Hasan Y, Furtado L, Tergas A, Lee N, Brooks R, McCall A, Golden D, Jolly S, Fleming G, Morrow M, Kraynyak K, Sylvester A, Arif F, Levin M, Schwartz D, Boyer J, Skolnik J, Esser M, Kumar R, Bagarazzi M, Weichselbaum R, Spiotto M. A Phase 1 Trial Assessing the Safety and Tolerability of a Therapeutic DNA Vaccination Against HPV16 and HPV18 E6/E7 Oncogenes After Chemoradiation for Cervical Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 107:487-498. [PMID: 32151670 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study assessed the safety and tolerability of therapeutic immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV) viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 in patients with cervical cancer after chemoradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS MEDI0457 (INO-3112) is a DNA-based vaccine targeting E6 and E7 of HPV-16/18 that is coinjected with an IL-12 plasmid followed by electroporation with the CELLECTRA 5P device. At 2 to 4 weeks after chemoradiation, patients with newly diagnosed stage IB1-IVA (cohort 1) or persistent/recurrent (cohort 2) cervical cancers were treated with 4 immunizations of MEDI0457 every 4 weeks. The primary endpoints were incidence of adverse events and injection site reactions. Immune responses against HPV antigens were measured by ELISpot for interferon-γ (IFNγ), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibody responses and multiplexed immunofluorescence for immune cells in cervical biopsy specimens. RESULTS Ten patients (cohort 1, n = 7; cohort 2, n = 3) with HPV16 (n = 7) or HPV18 (n = 3) cervical cancers received MEDI0457 after chemoradiation. Treatment-related adverse events were all grade 1, primarily related to the injection site. Eight of 10 patients had detectable cellular or humoral immune responses against HPV antigens after chemoradiation and vaccination: 6 of 10 patients generated anti-HPV antibody responses and 6 of 10 patients generated IFNγ-producing T cell responses. At the completion of chemoradiation and vaccination, cervical biopsy specimens had detectable CD8+ T cells and decreased PD-1+CD8+, PD-L1+CD8+, and PD-L1+CD68+ subpopulations. All patients cleared detectable HPV DNA in cervical biopsies by completion of chemoradiation and vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Adjuvant MEDI0457 is safe and well tolerated after chemoradiation for locally advanced or recurrent cervical cancers, supporting further investigation into combining tumor-specific vaccines with radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Hasan
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois.
| | - Larissa Furtado
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ana Tergas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Nita Lee
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | - Rebecca Brooks
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | - Anne McCall
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | - Daniel Golden
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | - Shruti Jolly
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Gini Fleming
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | - Matthew Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Fauzia Arif
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | | | | | - Jean Boyer
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | - Mark Bagarazzi
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
| | - Ralph Weichselbaum
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
| | - Michael Spiotto
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois
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10
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Thorne AH, Malo KN, Wong AJ, Nguyen TT, Cooch N, Reed C, Yan J, Broderick KE, Smith TRF, Masteller EL, Humeau L. Adjuvant Screen Identifies Synthetic DNA-Encoding Flt3L and CD80 Immunotherapeutics as Candidates for Enhancing Anti-tumor T Cell Responses. Front Immunol 2020; 11:327. [PMID: 32161596 PMCID: PMC7052369 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Overcoming tolerance to tumor-associated antigens remains a hurdle for cancer vaccine-based immunotherapy. A strategy to enhance the anti-tumor immune response is the inclusion of adjuvants to cancer vaccine protocols. In this report, we generated and systematically screened over twenty gene-based molecular adjuvants composed of cytokines, chemokines, and T cell co-stimulators for the ability to increase anti-tumor antigen T cell immunity. We identified several robust adjuvants whose addition to vaccine formulations resulted in enhanced T cell responses targeting the cancer antigens STEAP1 and TERT. We further characterized direct T cell stimulation through CD80-Fc and indirect T cell targeting via the dendritic cell activator Flt3L-Fc. Mechanistically, intramuscular delivery of Flt3L-Fc into mice was associated with a significant increase in infiltration of dendritic cells at the site of administration and trafficking of activated dendritic cells to the draining lymph node. Gene expression analysis of the muscle tissue confirmed a significant up-regulation in genes associated with dendritic cell signaling. Addition of CD80-Fc to STEAP1 vaccine formulation mimicked the engagement provided by DCs and increased T cell responses to STEAP1 by 8-fold, significantly increasing the frequency of antigen-specific cells expressing IFNγ, TNFα, and CD107a for both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. CD80-Fc enhanced T cell responses to multiple tumor-associated antigens including Survivin and HPV, indicating its potential as a universal adjuvant for cancer vaccines. Together, the results of our study highlight the adjuvanting effect of T cell engagement either directly, CD80-Fc, or indirectly, Flt3L-Fc, for cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashley J. Wong
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Neil Cooch
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Plymouth, PA, United States
| | - Charles Reed
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Plymouth, PA, United States
| | - Jian Yan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Plymouth, PA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Humeau
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Laurent Humeau
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11
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Aggarwal C, Cohen RB, Morrow MP, Kraynyak KA, Sylvester AJ, Cheung J, Dickerson K, Schulten V, Knoblock D, Gillespie E, Bauml JM, Yan J, Diehl M, Boyer J, Dallas M, Kim JJ, Weiner DB, Skolnik JM. Immune Therapy Targeting E6/E7 Oncogenes of Human Paillomavirus Type 6 (HPV-6) Reduces or Eliminates the Need for Surgical Intervention in the Treatment of HPV-6 Associated Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010056. [PMID: 32013270 PMCID: PMC7158680 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Background: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disorder characterized by the generation of papillomas of the aerodigestive tract, usually associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) subtypes 6, 11. INO-3106 is a DNA plasmid-based immunotherapy targeting E6 and E7 proteins of HPV6, in order to create a robust immune T cell response. METHODS Testing of INO-3016 in animal models confirmed immunogenicity of the DNA-based therapy. A single-site open-label Phase 1 study was initiated for patients with HPV6-positive RRP. Patients were dosed with INO-3106 with or without INO-9012, a DNA plasmid immunotherapy that encodes IL-12, delivered intramuscularly (IM) in combination with electroporation (EP) with the CELLECTRA® device. Patients received an escalating dose of INO-3106, 3 mg once and then 6 mg for three additional doses, each dose three weeks apart, with the third and fourth doses co-administered with INO-9012. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of INO-3106 with and without INO-9012. The secondary objective was to determine cellular immune responses to INO-3106 with and without INO-9012. Exploratory objectives included preliminary clinical efficacy to the therapy. RESULTS Three patients were enrolled in this study, of which two had RRP. Study therapy was well-tolerated, with no related serious adverse events and all related adverse events (AEs) were low-grade. Injection site pain was the most common related AE reported. Immunogenicity was evidenced by multiple immune assays showing engagement and expansion of an HPV6-specific cellular response, including cytotoxic T cells. Preliminary efficacy was demonstrated in patients with RRP in the form of reduction in need for surgical intervention for papilloma growth. Prior to intervention, both patients required surgical intervention approximately every 180 days. One patient demonstrated a greater than three-fold increase in surgery avoidance (584 days) and the other patient remains completely surgery-free as of the last contact at 915 days, a greater than 5-fold increase in surgery interval. CONCLUSION INO-3106 with and without INO-9012 was well tolerated, immunogenic and demonstrated preliminary efficacy in patients with HPV6-associated RRP aerodigestive lesions. Further clinical study is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charu Aggarwal
- Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.); (R.B.C.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Roger B. Cohen
- Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.); (R.B.C.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Matthew P. Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-267-440-4236
| | - Kimberly A. Kraynyak
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Albert J. Sylvester
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Jocelyn Cheung
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Kelsie Dickerson
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Veronique Schulten
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Dawson Knoblock
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Elisabeth Gillespie
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Joshua M. Bauml
- Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.); (R.B.C.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Jian Yan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Malissa Diehl
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Jean Boyer
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Michael Dallas
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - J. Joseph Kim
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
| | - David B. Weiner
- The Wistar Institute Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Jeffrey M. Skolnik
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA; (K.A.K.); (A.J.S.); (J.C.); (K.D.); (V.S.); (D.K.); (E.G.); (J.Y.); (M.D.); (J.B.); (J.J.K.); (J.M.S.)
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12
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Di Bonito P, Accardi L, Galati L, Ferrantelli F, Federico M. Anti-Cancer Vaccine for HPV-Associated Neoplasms: Focus on a Therapeutic HPV Vaccine Based on a Novel Tumor Antigen Delivery Method Using Endogenously Engineered Exosomes. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E138. [PMID: 30682811 PMCID: PMC6406600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Some human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes are universally recognized as major etiological agents not only of ano-genital tumors but also of head and neck cancers, which show increasing incidence. The evaluation of current and future therapeutic approaches against HPV-induced tumors is a global health priority, despite an effective prophylactic vaccine against 7 of the 12 genotypes involved in the etiology of tumors being currently available. In this review, we present the main anti-HPV therapeutic approaches in clinical experimentation, with a focus on a novel tumor antigen delivery method using engineered exosomes, that we recently developed. Our system allows the induction of an efficient unrestricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response against the HPV16-E7 tumor-associated antigen, with the formation of endogenously engineered exosomes, i.e., nanovesicles spontaneously released by all cell types. Immunogenic exosomes are uploaded with HPV16-E7 due to the fusion with a unique exosome-anchoring protein referred to as Nefmut. Intramuscular injection of a DNA vector expressing the fusion protein generates exosomes sufficiently immunogenic to elicit a potent anti-16E7 CTL immune response. The approach is described here and the advantages over other existing methodologies are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Di Bonito
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis, Oncoviruses and Retroviruses (EVOR) unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Accardi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis, Oncoviruses and Retroviruses (EVOR) unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Galati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis, Oncoviruses and Retroviruses (EVOR) unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Flavia Ferrantelli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Federico
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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13
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Ilyinskii PO, Kovalev GI, O’Neil CP, Roy CJ, Michaud AM, Drefs NM, Pechenkin MA, Fu FN, Johnston LPM, Ovchinnikov DA, Kishimoto TK. Synthetic vaccine particles for durable cytolytic T lymphocyte responses and anti-tumor immunotherapy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197694. [PMID: 29856772 PMCID: PMC5983463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that synthetic vaccine particles (SVP) encapsulating antigens and TLR agonists resulted in augmentation of immune responses with minimal production of systemic inflammatory cytokines. Here we evaluated two different polymer formulations of SVP-encapsulated antigens and tested their ability to induce cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) in combination with SVP-encapsulated adjuvants. One formulation led to efficient antigen processing and cross-presentation, rapid and sustained CTL activity, and expansion of CD8+ T cell effector memory cells locally and centrally, which persisted for at least 1–2 years after a single immunization. SVP therapeutic dosing resulted in suppression of tumor growth and a substantial delay in mortality in several syngeneic mouse cancer models. Treatment with checkpoint inhibitors and/or cytotoxic drugs, while suboptimal on their own, showed considerable synergy with SVP immunization. SVP encapsulation of endosomal TLR agonists provided superior CTL induction, therapeutic benefit and/or improved safety profile compared to free adjuvants. SVP vaccines encapsulating mutated HPV-16 E7 and E6/E7 recombinant proteins led to induction of broad CTL activity and strong inhibition of TC-1 tumor growth, even when administered therapeutically 13–14 days after tumor inoculation in animals bearing palpable tumors. A pilot study in non-human primates showed that SVP-encapsulated E7/E6 adjuvanted with SVP-encapsulated poly(I:C) led to robust induction of antigen-specific T and B cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fen-ni Fu
- Selecta Biosciences, Watertown, MA, United States of America
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14
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Gearing up T-cell immunotherapy in cervical cancer. Curr Probl Cancer 2018; 42:175-188. [DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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15
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DNA Vaccine Encoding HPV16 Oncogenes E6 and E7 Induces Potent Cell-mediated and Humoral Immunity Which Protects in Tumor Challenge and Drives E7-expressing Skin Graft Rejection. J Immunother 2018; 40:62-70. [PMID: 28166181 PMCID: PMC5293162 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that a novel DNA vaccine technology of codon optimization and the addition of ubiquitin sequences enhanced immunogenicity of a herpes simplex virus 2 polynucleotide vaccine in mice, and induced cell-mediated immunity when administered in humans at relatively low doses of naked DNA. We here show that a new polynucleotide vaccine using the same technology and encoding a fusion protein of the E6 and E7 oncogenes of high-risk human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is immunogenic in mice. This vaccine induces long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immunity and protects mice from establishment of HPV16-E7-expressing tumors. In addition, it suppresses growth of readily established tumors and shows enhanced efficacy when combined with immune checkpoint blockade targeted at PD-L1. This vaccine also facilitates rejection of HPV16-E7-expressing skin grafts that demonstrate epidermal hyperplasia with characteristics of cervical and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of this vaccine in patients with HPV16 premalignancies are planned.
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16
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Rosales C, Rosales R. Prophylactic and Therapeutic Vaccines against Human Papillomavirus Infections. Vaccines (Basel) 2017. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.69548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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17
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Jinno M, Isomura M, Sato N, Torii Y, Yoshida W, Sugita Y, Kubo K, Maeda H. Enhancement of DNA Vaccine Potency Against Hamster Oral Papillomavirus-Associated Oral Cancer by Electroporation in vivo. J HARD TISSUE BIOL 2017. [DOI: 10.2485/jhtb.26.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masato Jinno
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Madoka Isomura
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Nobuaki Sato
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Yasuyoshi Torii
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Waka Yoshida
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Yoshihiko Sugita
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Katsutoshi Kubo
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
| | - Hatsuhiko Maeda
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University
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Kim S, Chung HW, Kong HY, Lim JB. Identificaiton of Novel Immunogenic Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7-Specific Epitopes Restricted to HLA-A*33;03 for Cervical Cancer Immunotherapy. Yonsei Med J 2017; 58:43-50. [PMID: 27873494 PMCID: PMC5122651 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.1.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify new immunogenic HLA-A*33;03-restricted epitopes from the human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E7 protein for immunotherapy against cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We synthesized fourteen overlapping 15-amino acid peptides and measured intracellular interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production in PBMC and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) after sensitization with these peptides using flow cytometry and ELISpot assay. The immunogenicity of epitopes was verified using a ⁵¹Cr release assay with SNU1299 cells. RESULTS Among the fourteen 15-amino acid peptides, E7₄₉₋₆₃ (RAHYNIVTFCCKCDS) demonstrated the highest IFN-γ production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and CD8+ CTLs sensitized with E7₄₉₋₆₃ showed higher cytotoxic effect against SNU1299 cells than did CD8+ CTLs sensitized with other peptides or a negative control group. Thirteen 9- or 10-amino acid overlapping peptides spanning E7₄₉₋₆₃, E7₅₀₋₅₉ (AHYNIVTFCC), and E7₅₂₋₆₁ (YNIVTFCCKC) induced significantly higher IFN-γ production and cytotoxic effects against SNU1299 cells than the other peptides and negative controls, and the cytotoxicity of E7₅₀₋₅₉- and E7₅₂₋₆₁-sensitized PBMCs was induced via the cytolytic effect of CD8+ CTLs. CONCLUSION We identified E7₅₀₋₅₉ and E7₅₂₋₆₁ as novel HPV 16 E7 epitopes for HLA-A*33;03. CD8+ CTL sensitized with these peptides result in an antitumor effect against cervical cancer cells. These epitopes could be useful for immune monitoring and immunotherapy for cervical cancer and HPV 16-related diseases including anal cancer and oropharyngeal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunghoon Kim
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Won Chung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hoon Young Kong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Baeck Lim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Yang A, Farmer E, Lin J, Wu TC, Hung CF. The current state of therapeutic and T cell-based vaccines against human papillomaviruses. Virus Res 2016; 231:148-165. [PMID: 27932207 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to be a necessary factor for many gynecologic malignancies and is also associated with a subset of head and neck malignancies. This knowledge has created the opportunity to control these HPV-associated cancers through vaccination. However, despite the availability of prophylactic HPV vaccines, HPV infections remain extremely common worldwide. In addition, while prophylactic HPV vaccines have been effective in preventing infection, they are ineffective at clearing pre-existing HPV infections. Thus, there is an urgent need for therapeutic and T cell-based vaccines to treat existing HPV infections and HPV-associated lesions and cancers. Unlike prophylactic vaccines, which generate neutralizing antibodies, therapeutic, and T cell-based vaccines enhance cell-mediated immunity against HPV antigens. Our review will cover various therapeutic and T cell-based vaccines in development for the treatment of HPV-associated diseases. Furthermore, we review the strategies to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines and the latest clinical trials on therapeutic and T cell-based HPV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Emily Farmer
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - John Lin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - T-C Wu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA.
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Yang A, Farmer E, Wu TC, Hung CF. Perspectives for therapeutic HPV vaccine development. J Biomed Sci 2016; 23:75. [PMID: 27809842 PMCID: PMC5096309 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0293-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and associated diseases remain a serious burden worldwide. It is now clear that HPV serves as the etiological factor and biologic carcinogen for HPV-associated lesions and cancers. Although preventative HPV vaccines are available, these vaccines do not induce strong therapeutic effects against established HPV infections and lesions. These concerns create a critical need for the development of therapeutic strategies, such as vaccines, to treat these existing infections and diseases. Main Body Unlike preventative vaccines, therapeutic vaccines aim to generate cell-mediated immunity. HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are responsible for the malignant progression of HPV-associated diseases and are consistently expressed in HPV-associated diseases and cancer lesions; therefore, they serve as ideal targets for the development of therapeutic HPV vaccines. In this review we revisit therapeutic HPV vaccines that utilize this knowledge to treat HPV-associated lesions and cancers, with a focus on the findings of recent therapeutic HPV vaccine clinical trials. Conclusion Great progress has been made to develop and improve novel therapeutic HPV vaccines to treat existing HPV infections and diseases; however, there is still much work to be done. We believe that therapeutic HPV vaccines have the potential to become a widely available and successful therapy to treat HPV and HPV-associated diseases in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily Farmer
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - T C Wu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CRB II Room 307, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
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Yang A, Jeang J, Cheng K, Cheng T, Yang B, Wu TC, Hung CF. Current state in the development of candidate therapeutic HPV vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 15:989-1007. [PMID: 26901118 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1157477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The identification of human papillomavirus (HPV) as an etiological factor for HPV-associated malignancies creates the opportunity to control these cancers through vaccination. Currently, available preventive HPV vaccines have not yet demonstrated strong evidences for therapeutic effects against established HPV infections and lesions. Furthermore, HPV infections remain extremely common. Thus, there is urgent need for therapeutic vaccines to treat existing HPV infections and HPV-associated diseases. Therapeutic vaccines differ from preventive vaccines in that they are aimed at generating cell-mediated immunity rather than neutralizing antibodies. The HPV-encoded early proteins, especially oncoproteins E6 and E7, form ideal targets for therapeutic HPV vaccines since they are consistently expressed in HPV-associated malignancies and precancerous lesions, playing crucial roles in the generation and maintenance of HPV-associated disease. Our review will cover various therapeutic vaccines in development for the treatment of HPV-associated lesions and cancers. Furthermore, we review strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy and the latest clinical trials on therapeutic HPV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Yang
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Jessica Jeang
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Kevin Cheng
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Ting Cheng
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Benjamin Yang
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - T-C Wu
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.,c Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.,d Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- a Department of Pathology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.,d Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
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Abstract
Plasmids are currently an indispensable molecular tool in life science research and a central asset for the modern biotechnology industry, supporting its mission to produce pharmaceutical proteins, antibodies, vaccines, industrial enzymes, and molecular diagnostics, to name a few key products. Furthermore, plasmids have gradually stepped up in the past 20 years as useful biopharmaceuticals in the context of gene therapy and DNA vaccination interventions. This review provides a concise coverage of the scientific progress that has been made since the emergence of what are called today plasmid biopharmaceuticals. The most relevant topics are discussed to provide researchers with an updated overview of the field. A brief outline of the initial breakthroughs and innovations is followed by a discussion of the motivation behind the medical uses of plasmids in the context of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. The molecular characteristics and rationale underlying the design of plasmid vectors as gene transfer agents are described and a description of the most important methods used to deliver plasmid biopharmaceuticals in vivo (gene gun, electroporation, cationic lipids and polymers, and micro- and nanoparticles) is provided. The major safety issues (integration and autoimmunity) surrounding the use of plasmid biopharmaceuticals is discussed next. Aspects related to the large-scale manufacturing are also covered, and reference is made to the plasmid products that have received marketing authorization as of today.
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Alvarez RD, Huh WK, Bae S, Lamb LS, Conner MG, Boyer J, Wang C, Hung CF, Sauter E, Paradis M, Adams EA, Hester S, Jackson BE, Wu TC, Trimble CL. A pilot study of pNGVL4a-CRT/E7(detox) for the treatment of patients with HPV16+ cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 (CIN2/3). Gynecol Oncol 2015; 140:245-52. [PMID: 26616223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2015.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a plasmid vaccine, pNGVL4a-CRT-E7(detox), administered either intradermally, intramuscularly, or directly into the cervical lesion, in patients with HPV16-associated CIN2/3. METHODS Eligible patients with HPV16(+) CIN2/3 were enrolled in treatment cohorts evaluating pNGVL4a-CRT-E7(detox), administered by either particle-mediated epidermal delivery (PMED), intramuscular injection (IM), or cervical intralesional injection, at study weeks 0, 4, and 8. Patients were monitored for local injection site and systemic toxicity. A standard therapeutic resection was performed at week 15. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints included histologic regression and change in cervical HPV viral load. Exploratory endpoints included immune responses in the blood and in the target tissue. RESULTS Thirty-two patients with HPV16(+) CIN2/3 were enrolled onto the treatment phase of the study, and were vaccinated. Twenty-two of 32 patients (69%) experienced vaccine-specific related adverse events. The most frequent vaccine-related events were constitutional and local injection site in nature, and were grade 1 or less in severity. Histologic regression to CIN 1 or less occurred in 8 of 27 (30%) patients who received all vaccinations and underwent LEEP. In subject-matched comparisons, intraepithelial CD8+ T cell infiltrates increased after vaccination in subjects in the intralesional administration cohort. CONCLUSION pNGVL4a-CRT-E7(detox) was well-tolerated, elicited the most robust immune response when administered intralesionally, and demonstrated preliminary evidence of potential clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Warner K Huh
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Sejong Bae
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | | | | | - Jean Boyer
- University of Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Chenguang Wang
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
| | | | | | - Emily A Adams
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
| | | | | | - T C Wu
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
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Trimble CL, Morrow MP, Kraynyak KA, Shen X, Dallas M, Yan J, Edwards L, Parker RL, Denny L, Giffear M, Brown AS, Marcozzi-Pierce K, Shah D, Slager AM, Sylvester AJ, Khan A, Broderick KE, Juba RJ, Herring TA, Boyer J, Lee J, Sardesai NY, Weiner DB, Bagarazzi ML. Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of VGX-3100, a therapeutic synthetic DNA vaccine targeting human papillomavirus 16 and 18 E6 and E7 proteins for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b trial. Lancet 2015; 386:2078-2088. [PMID: 26386540 PMCID: PMC4888059 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(15)00239-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 472] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite preventive vaccines for oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is common, and current treatments are ablative and can lead to long-term reproductive morbidity. We assessed whether VGX-3100, synthetic plasmids targeting HPV-16 and HPV-18 E6 and E7 proteins, delivered by electroporation, would cause histopathological regression in women with CIN2/3. METHODS Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of VGX-3100 were assessed in CIN2/3 associated with HPV-16 and HPV-18, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b study. Patients from 36 academic and private gynaecology practices in seven countries were randomised (3:1) to receive 6 mg VGX-3100 or placebo (1 mL), given intramuscularly at 0, 4, and 12 weeks. Randomisation was stratified by age (<25 vs ≥25 years) and CIN2 versus CIN3 by computer-generated allocation sequence (block size 4). Funder and site personnel, participants, and pathologists were masked to treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was regression to CIN1 or normal pathology 36 weeks after the first dose. Per-protocol and modified intention-to-treat analyses were based on patients receiving three doses without protocol violations, and on patients receiving at least one dose, respectively. The safety population included all patients who received at least one dose. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT01304524) and EudraCT (number 2012-001334-33). FINDINGS Between Oct 19, 2011, and July 30, 2013, 167 patients received either VGX-3100 (n=125) or placebo (n=42). In the per-protocol analysis 53 (49·5%) of 107 VGX-3100 recipients and 11 (30·6%) of 36 placebo recipients had histopathological regression (percentage point difference 19·0 [95% CI 1·4-36·6]; p=0·034). In the modified intention-to-treat analysis 55 (48·2%) of 114 VGX-3100 recipients and 12 (30·0%) of 40 placebo recipients had histopathological regression (percentage point difference 18·2 [95% CI 1·3-34·4]; p=0·034). Injection-site reactions occurred in most patients, but only erythema was significantly more common in the VGX-3100 group (98/125, 78·4%) than in the placebo group (24/42, 57·1%; percentage point difference 21·3 [95% CI 5·3-37·8]; p=0·007). INTERPRETATION VGX-3100 is the first therapeutic vaccine to show efficacy against CIN2/3 associated with HPV-16 and HPV-18. VGX-3100 could present a non-surgical therapeutic option for CIN2/3, changing the treatment outlook for this common disease. FUNDING Inovio Pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia L Trimble
- Departments of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Oncology, and Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | | | - Xuefei Shen
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Jian Yan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | - Lance Edwards
- Suffolk Obstetrics & Gynecology, LLP, Port Jefferson, NY, USA
| | - R Lamar Parker
- Lyndhurst Gynecologic Associates, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Lynette Denny
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mary Giffear
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Divya Shah
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | - Anna M Slager
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | | | - Amir Khan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | | | - Robert J Juba
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | | | - Jean Boyer
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Lee
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA
| | | | - David B Weiner
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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25
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Tapping the Potential of DNA Delivery with Electroporation for Cancer Immunotherapy. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2015; 405:55-78. [PMID: 25682101 DOI: 10.1007/82_2015_431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a worldwide leading cause of death, and current conventional therapies are limited. The search for alternative preventive or therapeutic solutions is critical if we are going to improve outcomes for patients. The potential for DNA vaccines in the treatment and prevention of cancer has gained great momentum since initial findings almost 2 decades ago that revealed that genetically engineered DNA can elicit an immune response. The combination of adjuvants and an effective delivery method such as electroporation is overcoming past setbacks for naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) as a potential preventive or therapeutic approach to cancer in large animals and humans. In this chapter, we aim to focus on the novel advances in recent years for DNA cancer vaccines, current preclinical data, and the importance of adjuvants and electroporation with emphasis on prostate, melanoma, and cervical cancer.
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26
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Rosales R, Rosales C. Immune therapy for human papillomaviruses-related cancers. World J Clin Oncol 2014; 5:1002-1019. [PMID: 25493236 PMCID: PMC4259927 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i5.1002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a large family of double strand DNA viruses comprising more than 180 types. Infection with HPV is very common and it is associated with benign and malignant proliferation of skin and squamous mucosae. Many HPVs, considered low-risk such as HPV 6 and 11, produce warts; while high-risk viruses, such as HPVs 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, and 58, induce tumors. About 5% of all cancers in men and women are associated with HPV infection. Because there are not antiviral drugs for HPV infection, current therapies for low-risk HPV infections involve physical removal of the lesion by cryotherapy, trichloracetic acid, laser, or surgical removal. Surgical procedures are effective in the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, however after these procedures, many recurrences appear due to new re-infections, or to failure of the procedure to eliminate the HPV. In addition, HPV can inhibit recognition of malignant cells by the immune system, leading to the development of cancer lesions. When this occurs, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are then used. Unfortunately, about 50% of the HPV-cancer patients still die. In the past decade, a better knowledge of the natural history of the virus-host interaction and of the immune response against this viral infection has brought new therapeutic strategies geared to modulate the immune system to generate an efficient virus-specific cytotoxic response. Novel HPV protein-expressing vaccines have shown some significant clinical efficacy and systemic HPV-specific cytotoxic T cell responses. This review will describe the current status of the several therapeutic strategies used to treat HPV-induced lesions, and discuss the various new therapies now being tested.
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Maldonado L, Teague JE, Morrow MP, Jotova I, Wu TC, Wang C, Desmarais C, Boyer JD, Tycko B, Robins HS, Clark RA, Trimble CL. Intramuscular therapeutic vaccination targeting HPV16 induces T cell responses that localize in mucosal lesions. Sci Transl Med 2014; 6:221ra13. [PMID: 24477000 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3007323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
About 25% of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN2/3) caused by human papillomavirus serotype 16 (HPV16) undergo complete spontaneous regression. However, to date, therapeutic vaccination strategies for HPV disease have yielded limited success when measured by their ability to induce robust peripheral blood T cell responses to vaccine antigen. We report marked immunologic changes in the target lesion microenvironment after intramuscular therapeutic vaccination targeting HPV16 E6/E7 antigens, in subjects with CIN2/3 who had modest detectable responses in circulating T lymphocytes. Histologic and molecular changes, including markedly (average threefold) increased intensity of CD8(+) T cell infiltrates in both the stromal and epithelial compartments, suggest an effector response to vaccination. Postvaccination cervical tissue immune infiltrates included organized tertiary lymphoid-like structures in the stroma subjacent to residual intraepithelial lesions and, unlike infiltrates in unvaccinated lesions, showed evidence of proliferation induced by recognition of cognate antigen. At a molecular level, these histologic changes in the stroma were characterized by increased expression of genes associated with immune activation (CXCR3) and effector function (Tbet and IFNβ), and were also associated with an immunologic signature in the overlying dysplastic epithelium. High-throughput T cell receptor sequencing of unmanipulated specimens identified clonal expansions in the tissue that were not readily detectable in peripheral blood. Together, these findings indicate that peripheral therapeutic vaccination to HPV antigens can induce a robust tissue-localized effector immune response, and that analyses of immune responses at sites of antigen are likely to be much more informative than analyses of cells that remain in the circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonel Maldonado
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jessica E Teague
- Harvard Skin Disease Research Center and the Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthew P Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Iveta Jotova
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - T C Wu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Chenguang Wang
- Oncology Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Cindy Desmarais
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, 1551 Eastlake Avenue, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Jean D Boyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Harlan S Robins
- Program in Computational Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Rachael A Clark
- Harvard Skin Disease Research Center and the Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Cornelia L Trimble
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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28
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Kim S, Chung HW, Lee KR, Lim JB. Identification of novel epitopes from human papillomavirus type 18 E7 that can sensitize PBMCs of multiple HLA class I against human cervical cancer. J Transl Med 2014; 12:229. [PMID: 25141788 PMCID: PMC4145224 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-014-0229-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To identify the novel epitopes from the human papillomavirus type 18 E7 which can sensitize PBMCs of four different major HLA class I A allele. Methods Twenty-four synthetic overlapping 15-amino acid peptides were screened by measuring the frequency of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)-producing interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by using flow cytometry and ELISpot assays and selected peptides were validated for cytolytic activity by using the 51Cr release assay. Truncated peptides in the selected epitopes were tested to determine the important residues using ELISpot and 51Cr release assay. Results Among 24 peptides, E781-95DDLRAFQQLFLNTLS (#21) and E789-103LFLNTLSFVCPWCAS (#23) induced significantly higher Th 1 response including IFN-γ production and in vitro cytotoxicity of PBMCs of four different HLA-A alleles against cervical cancer cells than that of other peptides and the negative control (no peptide sensitization). In E781–95 (#21), amino acid position 81, 82 (N-terminus) and 92, 94, 95 (C-terminus) for HLA-A*02:02 and 24:02, and 81, 82 (N-terminus) and 92, 95 (C-terminus) for HLA-A*11:01 and 33:03 were important to elicit Th1 response of PBMCS. In E789–103 (#23), residue 100 and103 (C-terminus) were important to elicit the CD8+ CTL response in HLA-A*02:01, 11:01 and 33:03 and 100, 101, and 103 (C-terminus) were important to elicit the CD8+ CTL response in HLA-A*24:02. Conclusions E781–95 (#21) and E789–103 (#23) were identified as novel epitopes from HPV18 E7 which could sensitized PBMCs of four different HLA class I (HLA-A*02:01, 24:02, 11:01 and 33:03). These epitopes could be useful for immune monitoring and immunotherapy for HPV 18+ cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jong-Baeck Lim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Republic of Korea.
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HIV-1 Env DNA vaccine plus protein boost delivered by EP expands B- and T-cell responses and neutralizing phenotype in vivo. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84234. [PMID: 24391921 PMCID: PMC3877240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An effective HIV vaccine will most likely require the induction of strong T-cell responses, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), and the elicitation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Previously, we demonstrated the induction of strong HIV/SIV cellular immune responses in macaques and humans using synthetic consensus DNA immunogens delivered via adaptive electroporation (EP). However, the ability of this improved DNA approach to prime for relevant antibody responses has not been previously studied. Here, we investigate the immunogenicity of consensus DNA constructs encoding gp140 sequences from HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C and D in a DNA prime-protein boost vaccine regimen. Mice and guinea pigs were primed with single- and multi-clade DNA via EP and boosted with recombinant gp120 protein. Sera were analyzed for gp120 binding and induction of neutralizing antibody activity. Immunization with recombinant Env protein alone induced low-titer binding antibodies with limited neutralization breath. In contrast, the synthetic DNA prime-protein boost protocol induced significantly higher antibody binding titers. Furthermore, sera from DNA prime-protein boost groups were able to neutralize a broader range of viruses in a panel of tier 1 clade B viruses as well as multiple tier 1 clade A and clade C viruses. Further investigation of synthetic DNA prime plus adaptive EP plus protein boost appears warranted.
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30
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Obeng-Adjei N, Hutnick NA, Yan J, Chu JS, Myles DJF, Morrow MP, Sardesai NY, Weiner DB. DNA vaccine cocktail expressing genotype A and C HBV surface and consensus core antigens generates robust cytotoxic and antibody responses in mice and Rhesus macaques. Cancer Gene Ther 2013; 20:652-62. [PMID: 24310062 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2013.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There are well over a quarter of a billion chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers across the globe. Most carriers are at high risk for development of liver cirrhosis and subsequent progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. It is therefore imperative to develop new approaches for immunotherapy against this infection. Antibodies and cytotoxic T cells to different HBV antigens are believed to be important for reducing viral load and clearing HBV-infected cells from the liver. Some of the major challenges facing current vaccine candidates have been their inability to induce both humoral and cellular immunity to multiple antigenic targets and the induction of potent immune responses against the major genotypes of HBV. In this study, highly optimized synthetic DNA plasmids against the HBV consensus core (HBc) and surface (HBs) antigens genotypes A and C were developed and evaluated for their immune potential. These plasmids, which encode the most prevalent genotypes of the virus, were observed to individually induce binding antibodies to HBs antigens and drove robust cell-mediated immunity in animal models. Similar responses to both HBc and HBs antigens were observed when mice and non-human primates were inoculated with the HBc-HBs cocktails. In addition to the cytotoxic T lymphocyte activities exhibited by the immunized mice, the vaccine-induced responses were broadly distributed across multiple antigenic epitopes. These elements are believed to be important to develop an effective therapeutic vaccine. These data support further evaluation of multivalent synthetic plasmids as therapeutic HBV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Obeng-Adjei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - N A Hutnick
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Yan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Blue Bell, PA, USA
| | - J S Chu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D J F Myles
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M P Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Blue Bell, PA, USA
| | | | - D B Weiner
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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31
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Morrow MP, Yan J, Sardesai NY. Human papillomavirus therapeutic vaccines: targeting viral antigens as immunotherapy for precancerous disease and cancer. Expert Rev Vaccines 2013; 12:271-83. [PMID: 23496667 DOI: 10.1586/erv.13.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Infections with oncogenic HPV types have the potential to lead to the induction of several types of cancer, notably cervical, vulvar, anal, and head and neck cancer. While prophylactic vaccines are currently available and show high efficacy against the establishment of HPV infection, low rates of initiation and lower rates of completion of the vaccination regimen, as well as the lack of an opportunity to be vaccinated prior to infection, has lead to the development of a patient population for whom no immune-based therapy for infection is available. In the current review the authors examine clinical approaches to HPV-targeted immune therapies, the bulk of which target the regulatory proteins E6 and E7 that are constitutively expressed in HPV-associated cancer cells. Early studies demonstrate a correlation between induction of T-cell responses and clearance of HPV-associated precancerous lesions. The clinical data corroborates these findings and highlight the importance of Th1 skewing. Improvements in our understanding of tumor immunology and development of more potent Th1-directed vaccine platforms make it feasible to foresee a HPV therapeutic vaccine in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
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Obeng-Adjei N, Choo DK, Weiner DB. Hydrodynamic immunization leads to poor CD8 T-cell expansion, low frequency of memory CTLs and ineffective antiviral protection. Cancer Gene Ther 2013; 20:552-63. [PMID: 23969886 PMCID: PMC3806376 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2013.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatotropic pathogens, such as hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), often escape cellular immune clearance resulting in chronic infection. As HBV and HCV infections are the most common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prevention of these infections is believed to be key to the prevention of HCC. It is believed that an effective immune therapy must induce strong cytotonic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that can migrate into the liver, where they can clear infected hepatocytes. Here, we compared the induction of CD8 T cells by two different DNA immunization methods for T-cell differentiation, function, memory programming and their distribution within relevant tissues in a highly controlled fashion. We used hydrodynamic tail vein injection of plasmid to establish liver-specific LCMV-gp antigen (Ag) transient expression, and studied CD8 T cells induced using the P14 transgenic mouse model. CD8 T cells from this group exhibited unique and limited expansion, memory differentiation, polyfunctionality and cytotoxicity compared with T cells generated in intramuscularly immunized mice. This difference in liver-generated expansion resulted in lower memory CD8 T-cell frequency, leading to reduced protection against lethal viral challenge. These data show an unusual induction of naive CD8 T cells contributed to the lower frequency of Ag-specific CTLs observed after immunization in the liver, suggesting that limited priming in liver compared with peripheral tissues is responsible for this outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Obeng-Adjei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Bao H, Ramanathan AA, Kawalakar O, Sundaram SG, Tingey C, Bian CB, Muruganandam N, Vijayachari P, Sardesai NY, Weiner DB, Ugen KE, Muthumani K. Nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) enhances protective immunity mediated by a CHIKV envelope protein expressing DNA Vaccine. Viral Immunol 2013; 26:75-83. [PMID: 23409931 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2012.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an important emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus, indigenous to tropical Africa and Asia. It can cause epidemic fever and acute illness characterized by fever and arthralgias. The epidemic cycle of this infection is similar to dengue and urban yellow fever viral infections. The generation of an efficient vaccine against CHIKV is necessary to prevent and/or control the disease manifestations of the infection. In this report, we studied immune response against a CHIKV-envelope DNA vaccine (pEnv) and the role of the CHIKV nonstructural gene 2 (nsP2) as an adjuvant for the induction of protective immune responses in a relevant mouse challenge model. When injected with the CHIKV pEnv alone, 70% of the immunized mice survived CHIKV challenge, whereas when co-injected with pEnv+pnsP2, 90% of the mice survived viral challenge. Mice also exhibited a delayed onset signs of illness, and a marked decrease in morbidity, suggesting a nsP2 mediated adjuvant effect. Co-injection of the pnsP2 adjuvant with pEnv also qualitatively and quantitatively increased antigen specific neutralizing antibody responses compared to vaccination with pEnv alone. In sum, these novel data imply that the addition of nsP2 to the pEnv vaccine enhances anti-CHIKV-Env immune responses and maybe useful to include in future CHIKV clinical vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Bao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Bagarazzi ML, Yan J, Morrow MP, Shen X, Parker RL, Lee JC, Giffear M, Pankhong P, Khan AS, Broderick KE, Knott C, Lin F, Boyer JD, Draghia-Akli R, White CJ, Kim JJ, Weiner DB, Sardesai NY. Immunotherapy against HPV16/18 generates potent TH1 and cytotoxic cellular immune responses. Sci Transl Med 2013; 4:155ra138. [PMID: 23052295 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the development of highly effective prophylactic vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) serotypes 16 and 18, prevention of cervical dysplasia and cancer in women infected with high-risk HPV serotypes remains an unmet medical need. We report encouraging phase 1 safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity results for a therapeutic HPV16/18 candidate vaccine, VGX-3100, delivered by in vivo electroporation (EP). Eighteen women previously treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (CIN2/3) received a three-dose (intramuscular) regimen of highly engineered plasmid DNA encoding HPV16 and HPV18 E6/E7 antigens followed by EP in a dose escalation study (0.3, 1, and 3 mg per plasmid). Immunization was well tolerated with reports of mild injection site reactions and no study-related serious or grade 3 and 4 adverse events. No dose-limiting toxicity was noted, and pain was assessed by visual analog scale, with average scores decreasing from 6.2/10 to 1.4 within 10 min. Average peak interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot magnitudes were highest in the 3 mg cohort in comparison to the 0.3 and 1 mg cohorts, suggesting a trend toward a dose effect. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the induction of HPV-specific CD8(+) T cells that efficiently loaded granzyme B and perforin and exhibited full cytolytic functionality in all cohorts. These data indicate that VGX-3100 is capable of driving robust immune responses to antigens from high-risk HPV serotypes and could contribute to elimination of HPV-infected cells and subsequent regression of the dysplastic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L Bagarazzi
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Jian Yan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Matthew P Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Xuefei Shen
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - R Lamar Parker
- Lyndhurst Clinical Research, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA
| | - Jessica C Lee
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Mary Giffear
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Panyupa Pankhong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amir S Khan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Kate E Broderick
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Christine Knott
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Feng Lin
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - Jean D Boyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ruxandra Draghia-Akli
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - C Jo White
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - J Joseph Kim
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
| | - David B Weiner
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Niranjan Y Sardesai
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA
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Obeng-Adjei N, Choo DK, Saini J, Yan J, Pankhong P, Parikh A, Chu JS, Weiner DB. Synthetic DNA immunogen encoding hepatitis B core antigen drives immune response in liver. Cancer Gene Ther 2012; 19:779-87. [PMID: 23037809 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2012.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Asia and sub-Sahara Africa is alarming. With quarter of a billion people chronically infected worldwide and at risk of developing liver cancer, the need for a prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination approach that can effectively induce protective responses against the different genotypes of HBV is more important than ever. Such a strategy will require both the induction of a strong antigen-specific immune response and the subsequent deployment of immune response towards the liver. Here, we assessed the ability of a synthetic DNA vaccine encoding a recombinant consensus plasmid from genotype A through E of the HBV core antigen (HBcAg), to drive immunity in the liver. Intramuscular vaccination induced both strong antigen-specific T cell and high titer antibody responses systematically and in the liver. Furthermore, immunized mice showed strong cytotoxic responses that eliminate adoptively transferred HBV-coated target cells. Importantly, vaccine-induced immune responses provided protection from HBcAg plasmid-based liver transfection in a hydrodynamic liver transfection model. These data provide important insight into the generation of peripheral immune responses that are recruited to the liver-an approach that can be beneficial in the search for vaccines or immune-therapies to liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Obeng-Adjei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Marquez JP, Rivera R, Kang KH, Gardner MB, Torres JV. Human papillomavirus immunogen that provides protective tumor immunity and induces tumor regression. Viral Immunol 2012; 25:141-52. [PMID: 22486305 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2011.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with premalignant lesions such as high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN-III) with potential progression to cervical carcinoma. There are now preventive vaccines against HPV. However, no effective therapeutic vaccine or immunological treatment exists for individuals already infected or for the 470,000 women that develop high-grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and cervical cancer each year. More than half of these women die from cervical cancer. Relative non-immunogenicity of HPV infection is one of the main reasons for the difficulty in designing a comprehensive therapeutic vaccine against HPV-induced premalignant lesions and cervical carcinoma. HPV E6 and E7 proteins, the major HPV oncogenes, are highly immunogenic but fail to induce cross-reactive and protective immune responses against heterologous strains. We designed and synthesized a therapeutic peptide vaccine comprised of multivalent peptide mixtures called hypervariable epitope constructs (HECs) that represent the major epitope variants of the oncogenic E7 structural protein, and assessed their immunogenicity and in vivo efficacy in mice. Our results show that this peptide vaccine can induce strong, HPV-specific, T-helper cell and CTL responses. More significantly, we have demonstrated that the vaccine is efficacious as a therapeutic agent in a mouse HPV tumor model. Therefore, the HPV HEC vaccine approach described herein can potentially prevent progression of HPV-associated premalignant lesions, and may also be therapeutic against tumors associated with HPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Marquez
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Shin TH, Pankhong P, Yan J, Khan AS, Sardesai NY, Weiner DB. Induction of robust cellular immunity against HPV6 and HPV11 in mice by DNA vaccine encoding for E6/E7 antigen. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2012; 8:470-8. [PMID: 22336879 DOI: 10.4161/hv.19180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the strong relationship between the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) "high-risk" subtypes and cervical cancers, most HPV-related studies have been focusing on the "high-risk" HPV subtypes 16 and 18. However, it has been suggested that the "low-risk" subtypes of HPV, HPV6 and HPV11, are the major cause of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and genital warts. In addition, HPV 6 and 11 are also associated with otolaryngologic malignancies, carcinoma of the lung, tonsil, larynx and low-grade cervical lesions. Therefore, development of HPV therapeutic vaccines targeting on subtypes 6 and 11 E6 or E7 are in great need. In this report, we describe two novel engineered DNA vaccines that encode HPV 6 and 11 consensus E6/E7 fusion proteins (p6E6E7 and p11E6E7) by utilizing a multi-phase strategy. Briefly, after generating consensus sequences, several modifications were performed to increase the expression of both constructs, including codon/RNA optimization, addition of a Kozak sequence and a highly efficient leader sequence. An endoproteolytic cleavage site was also introduced between E6 and E7 protein for proper protein folding and for better CTL processing. The expressions of both constructs were confirmed by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assay. Vaccination with these DNA vaccines could elicit robust cellular immune responses. The epitope mapping assay was performed to further characterize the cellular immune responses induced by p6E6E7 and p11E6E7. The HPV 6 and 11 E6 or E7-specific immunodominant and subdominant epitopes were verified, respectively. The intracellular cytokine staining revealed that the magnitude of IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion in antigen-specific CD8(+) cells was significantly enhanced, indicating that the immune responses elicited by p6E6E7 and p11E6E7 was heavily skewed toward driving CD8(+) T cells. Such DNA immunogens are interesting candidates for further studies on HPV 6 and 11-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Shin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ferraro B, Morrow MP, Hutnick NA, Shin TH, Lucke CE, Weiner DB. Clinical applications of DNA vaccines: current progress. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 53:296-302. [PMID: 21765081 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It was discovered almost 20 years ago that plasmid DNA, when injected into the skin or muscle of mice, could induce immune responses to encoded antigens. Since that time, there has since been much progress in understanding the basic biology behind this deceptively simple vaccine platform and much technological advancement to enhance immune potency. Among these advancements are improved formulations and improved physical methods of delivery, which increase the uptake of vaccine plasmids by cells; optimization of vaccine vectors and encoded antigens; and the development of novel formulations and adjuvants to augment and direct the host immune response. The ability of the current, or second-generation, DNA vaccines to induce more-potent cellular and humoral responses opens up this platform to be examined in both preventative and therapeutic arenas. This review focuses on these advances and discusses both preventive and immunotherapeutic clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Ferraro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Zhao L, Liu B, Ren J, Feng J, Pang Z, Gao J, Zhang H, Tan W, Tian H, Ruan L. Immunogenicity in mice and rhesus monkeys vaccinated with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing bivalent E7E6 fusion proteins from human papillomavirus types 16 and 18. Virol J 2011; 8:302. [PMID: 21672263 PMCID: PMC3135557 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a predominant cause of cervical cancer, and HPV16 and HPV18 occur in 50% and 20% of cervical cancer cases, respectively. The viral oncogenes E6 and E7 are constitutively expressed by HPV-associated tumour cells and can therefore be used as target antigens for immunotherapy. In this study, we constructed a recombinant vaccinia virus co-expressing the HPV16/18 E7E6 fusion proteins (rVVJ16/18E7E6) for use as a therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of HPV16⁺ and HPV18⁺ cancers. METHODS We constructed a bivalent recombinant vaccinia virus expressing modified E7E6 fusion proteins of HPV type 16 and 18 (rVVJ16/18E7E6) based on the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain. We then defined the cellular immune responses to the virus in mice and rhesus monkeys and assessed antitumour efficacy of these responses in mice using the TC-1 tumour challenge model. RESULTS Our data demonstrated that rVVJ16/18E7E6 was able to elicit varying levels of CD8⁺ T cell immune responses and lysis of target cells in mice in response to peptides HPV16E7₄₉₋₅₇ and HPV18E6₆₇₋₇₅. Furthermore, the virus was also able to induce anti-tumour responses in the HPV16⁺ TC-1 tumour challenge model, including partial protection (30-40%) and delayed tumour appearance. In addition, the virus was able to induce immune responses in rhesus monkeys. CONCLUSIONS The recombinant vaccinia virus rVVJ16/18E7E6 can generate clear and significant cellular immunity in both mice and rhesus monkeys. These data provide a basis for the use of this recombinant virus as a potential vaccine candidate for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Binlei Liu
- Department of Immunology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Jiao Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jing Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Zheng Pang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jian Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Houwen Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Li Ruan
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Biotech Center for Viral Disease Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, No.155 Changbailu, Changpingqu, Beijing, 102206, China
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Abstract
DNA-based vaccines, while highly immunogenic in mice, generate significantly weaker responses in primates. Therefore, current efforts are aimed at increasing their immunogenicity, which include optimizing the plasmid/gene, the vaccine formulation and method of delivery. For example, co-immunization with molecular adjuvants encoding an immunomodulatory protein has been shown to improve the antigen (Ag)-specific immune response. Thus, the incorporation of enhancing elements, such as these, may be particularly important in the influenza model in which high titered antibody (Ab) responses are critical for protection. In this regard, we compared the ability of plasmid-encoded high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), a novel cytokine in which we have previously mutated in order to increase DNA vaccine immunogenicity, with boost Ag-specific immune responses during DNA vaccination with influenza A/PR/8/34 nucleoprotein or the hemagglutinin of A novel H1N1/09. We show that the HMGB1 adjuvant is capable of enhancing adaptive effector and memory immune responses. Although Ag-specific antibodies were detected in all vaccinated animals, a greater neutralizing Ab response was associated with the HMGB1 adjuvant. Furthermore, these responses improved CD8 T+-cell effector and memory responses and provided protection against a lethal mucosal influenza A/PR/8/34 challenge. Thus, co-immunization with HMGB1 has strong in vivo adjuvant activity during the development of immunity against plasmid-encoded Ag.
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Kim SH, Hur YJ, Lee SJ, Kim SJ, Park CG, Oh YK, Jung WW, Seo JB, Nam MH, Choi I, Chun T. E6 and E7 fusion immunoglobulin from human papilloma virus 16 induces dendritic cell maturation and antigen specific activation of T helper 1 response. Biotechnol Lett 2010; 33:663-71. [PMID: 21140193 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-010-0489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 11/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 causes cervical cancer. Induction of oncogenesis by HPV 16 is primarily dependent on the function of E6 and E7 proteins, which inactivate the function of p53 and pRB, respectively. Thus, blocking the activity of the E6 and E7 proteins from HPV 16 is critical to inhibiting oncogenesis during infection. We have expressed and purified soluble HPV 16 E6 and E7 fusion immunoglobulin (Ig), which were combined with the constant region of an Ig heavy chain, in a mammalian system. To assess whether soluble E6 and E7 fusion Igs induce effective cellular immune responses, immature dendritic cells (DCs) were treated with these fusion proteins. Soluble E6 and E7 fusion Igs effectively induced maturation of DCs. Furthermore, immunization with soluble E6 and E7 fusion Igs in mice resulted in antigen-specific activation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells. This is the first comprehensive study to show the molecular basis of how soluble HPV 16 E6 or E7 fusion Igs induces Th1 responses through the maturation of DCs. In addition, we show that DC therapy using soluble HPV E6 and E7 fusion Igs may be a valuable tool for controlling the progress of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hoon Kim
- College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
It is now well established that most cervical cancers are causally associated with HPV infection. This realization has led to efforts to control HPV-associated malignancy through prevention or treatment of HPV infection. Currently, commercially available HPV vaccines are not designed to control established HPV infection and associated premalignant and malignant lesions. To treat and eradicate pre-existing HPV infections and associated lesions which remain prevalent in the U.S. and worldwide, effective therapeutic HPV vaccines are needed. DNA vaccination has emerged as a particularly promising form of therapeutic HPV vaccines due to its safety, stability and ability to induce antigen-specific immunity. This review focuses on improving the potency of therapeutic HPV vaccines through modification of dendritic cells (DCs) by [1] increasing the number of antigen-expressing/antigen-loaded DCs, [2] improving HPV antigen expression, processing and presentation in DCs, and [3] enhancing DC and T cell interaction. Continued improvement in therapeutic HPV DNA vaccines may ultimately lead to an effective DNA vaccine for the treatment of HPV-associated malignancies.
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Su JH, Wu A, Scotney E, Ma B, Monie A, Hung CF, Wu TC. Immunotherapy for cervical cancer: Research status and clinical potential. BioDrugs 2010; 24:109-29. [PMID: 20199126 DOI: 10.2165/11532810-000000000-00000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been found to be associated with most cervical cancers and play an essential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Despite recent advances in preventive HPV vaccine development, such preventive vaccines are unlikely to reduce the prevalence of HPV infections within the next few years, due to their cost and limited availability in developing countries. Furthermore, preventive HPV vaccines may not be capable of treating established HPV infections and HPV-associated lesions, which account for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thus, it is important to develop therapeutic HPV vaccines for the control of existing HPV infection and associated malignancies. Therapeutic vaccines are quite different from preventive vaccines in that they require the generation of cell-mediated immunity, particularly T cell-mediated immunity, instead of the generation of neutralizing antibodies. The HPV-encoded early proteins, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins, form ideal targets for therapeutic HPV vaccines, since they are consistently expressed in HPV-associated cervical cancer and its precursor lesions and thus play crucial roles in the generation and maintenance of HPV-associated disease. Our review covers the various therapeutic HPV vaccines for cervical cancer, including live vector-based, peptide or protein-based, nucleic acid-based, and cell-based vaccines targeting the HPV E6 and/or E7 antigens. Furthermore, we review the studies using therapeutic HPV vaccines in combination with other therapeutic modalities and review the latest clinical trials on therapeutic HPV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Han Su
- National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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44
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Huang CF, Monie A, Weng WH, Wu T. DNA vaccines for cervical cancer. Am J Transl Res 2010; 2:75-87. [PMID: 20182584 PMCID: PMC2826824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/19/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly type 16, has been associated with more than 99% of cervical cancers. There are two HPV oncogenic proteins, E6 and E7, which play a major role in the induction and maintenance of cellular transformation. Thus, immunotherapy targeting these proteins may be employed for the control of HPV-associated cervical lesions. Although the commercially available preventive HPV vaccines are highly efficient in preventing new HPV infection, they do not have therapeutic effects against established HPV infection or HPV-associated lesions. Since T cell-mediated immunity is important for treating established HPV infections and HPV-associated lesions, therapeutic HPV vaccine should aim at generating potent E6 and E7-specific T cell-mediated immune responses. DNA vaccines have now developed into a promising approach for antigen-specific T cell-mediated immunotherapy to combat infection and cancer. Because dendritic cells are the most potent professional antigen-presenting cells, and are highly effective in priming antigen-specific T cells, several DNA vaccines have employed innovative strategies to modify the properties of dendritic cells (DCs) for the enhancement of the DNA vaccine potency. These studies have revealed impressive pre-clinical data that has led to several ongoing HPV DNA vaccine clinical trials.
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Cai Y, Rodriguez S, Rameswaran R, Draghia-Akli R, Juba RJ, Hebel H. Production of pharmaceutical-grade plasmids at high concentration and high supercoiled percentage. Vaccine 2009; 28:2046-52. [PMID: 19896448 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.10.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The increased use of plasmid-based vaccines to replace their more challenging viral counterparts has increased the demand for high purity and high concentration plasmids. Here we report the production of plasmids encoding different transgenes for DNA vaccine candidates at gram scale with an integrated process consisting of batch fermentation and limited steps of purification. Plasmid products encoding for eight smallpox antigens that were combined into a bioterrorism DNA vaccine exhibited high purity with undetectable RNA, protein and endotoxin, concentration of up to 13.6mg/mL and supercoiled percentage of 94.5+/-1.1% after storage at -80 degrees C for over 1 year. The process has been scaled up for the cGMP manufacture of pharmaceutical-grade human papillomavirus and influenza DNA vaccines up to a 50g scale, also demonstrating high purity and high concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., The Woodlands, TX 77381, United States
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46
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Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with several human cancers, including cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal and anal cancer, and a subset of head and neck cancers. The identification of HPV as an etiological factor for HPV-associated malignancies creates the opportunity for the control of these cancers through vaccination. Currently, the preventive HPV vaccine using HPV virus-like particles has been proven to be safe and highly effective. However, this preventive vaccine does not have therapeutic effects, and a significant number of people have established HPV infection and HPV-associated lesions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop therapeutic HPV vaccines to facilitate the control of HPV-associated malignancies and their precursor lesions. Among the various forms of therapeutic HPV vaccines, DNA vaccines have emerged as a potentially promising approach for vaccine development due to their safety profile, ease of preparation and stability. However, since DNA does not have the intrinsic ability to amplify or spread in transfected cells like viral vectors, DNA vaccines can have limited immunogenicity. Therefore, it is important to develop innovative strategies to improve DNA vaccine potency. Since dendritic cells (DCs) are key players in the generation of antigen-specific immune responses, it is important to develop innovative strategies to modify the properties of the DNA-transfected DCs. These strategies include increasing the number of antigen-expressing/antigen-loaded DCs, improving antigen processing and presentation in DCs, and enhancing the interaction between DCs and T cells. Many of the studies on DNA vaccines have been performed on preclinical models. Encouraging results from impressive preclinical studies have led to several clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Monie
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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47
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Abstract
The demand for plasmid DNA in large quantities at high purity and concentration is expected to escalate as more DNA vaccines are entering clinical trial status and becoming closer to market approval. This review outlines different methods for DNA vaccine manufacture and discusses the challenges that hinder large-scale production. Current technologies are summarized, focusing on novel approaches that have the potential to address downstream bottlenecks and adaptability for large-scale application. Product quality in terms of supercoiled percentage and impurity levels are compared at the different production levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Suite 180, The Woodlands, TX 77381, USA.
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48
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Coimmunization with an optimized IL15 plasmid adjuvant enhances humoral immunity via stimulating B cells induced by genetically engineered DNA vaccines expressing consensus JEV and WNV E DIII. Vaccine 2009; 27:4370-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.01.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2008] [Revised: 01/21/2009] [Accepted: 01/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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49
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Chen CA, Chang MC, Sun WZ, Chen YL, Chiang YC, Hsieh CY, Chen SM, Hsiao PN, Cheng WF. Noncarrier naked antigen-specific DNA vaccine generates potent antigen-specific immunologic responses and antitumor effects. Gene Ther 2009; 16:776-87. [PMID: 19357714 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetic immunization strategies have largely focused on the use of plasmid DNA with a gene gun. However, there remains a clear need to further improve the efficiency, safety, and cost of potential DNA vaccines. The gold particle-coated DNA format delivered through a gene gun is expensive, time and process consuming, and raises aseptic safety concerns. This study aims to determine whether a low-pressured gene gun can deliver noncarrier naked DNA vaccine without any particle coating, and generate similarly strong antigen-specific immunologic responses and potent antitumor effects compared with gold particle-coated DNA vaccine. Our results show that mice vaccinated with noncarrier naked chimeric CRT/E7 DNA lead to dramatic increases in the numbers of E7-specific CD8+ T-cell precursors and markedly raised titers of E7-specific antibodies. Furthermore, noncarrier naked CRT/E7 DNA vaccine generated potent antitumor effects against subcutaneous E7-expressing tumors and pre-established E7-expressing metastatic pulmonary tumors. In addition, mice immunized with noncarrier naked CRT/E7 DNA vaccine had significantly less burning effects on the skin compared with those vaccinated with gold particle-coated CRT/E7 DNA vaccine. We conclude that noncarrier naked CRT/E7 DNA vaccine delivered with a low-pressured gene gun can generate similarly potent immunologic responses and effective antitumor effects has fewer side effects, and is more convenient than conventional gold particle-coated DNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-A Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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50
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Bodles-Brakhop AM, Heller R, Draghia-Akli R. Electroporation for the delivery of DNA-based vaccines and immunotherapeutics: current clinical developments. Mol Ther 2009; 17:585-92. [PMID: 19223870 PMCID: PMC2835112 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2008] [Accepted: 12/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation (EP) has been used in basic research for the past 25 years to aid in the transfer of DNA into cells in vitro. EP in vivo enhances transfer of DNA vaccines and therapeutic plasmids to the skin, muscle, tumors, and other tissues resulting in high levels of expression, often with serological and clinical benefits. The recent interest in nonviral gene transfer as treatment options for a vast array of conditions has resulted in the refinement and optimization of EP technology. Current research has revealed that EP can be successfully used in many species, including humans. Clinical trials are currently under way. Herein, the transition of EP from basic science to clinical trials will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bodles-Brakhop
- VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2700 Research Forest Drive, Suite 180, The Woodlands, Texas 77381, USA.
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