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Liang C, Geng L, Dong Y, Zhang H. VEGF165b mutant can be used as a protein carrier to form a chimeric tumor vaccine with Mucin1 peptide to elicit an anti-tumor response. Mol Immunol 2024; 175:31-39. [PMID: 39298996 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Peptide-based anticancer vaccines have shown some efficacy in generating cancer-specific immune responses in various cancer studies, but clinical success is limited, one of the reasons is due to its prone degradation and weak immunogenicity. So some tumor epitope peptide vaccines often require coupling or forming fusion proteins with corresponding protein carriers to enhance their stability and immunogenicity. Given the scarcity of validated carriers for clinical trials, there is an urgent requirement for the development of novel protein carrier. Our previous work has demonstrated that VEGF165b mutant could be used as an effective immunization adjunct to enhance anti-tumor immune response. By analyzing and evaluating the gene structure of VEGF, we speculated that mVEGF165b has the potential to be utilized as a tumor peptide vaccine carrier. An mVEGF165b-MUC1 chimeric tumor vaccine was produced by fusing the MUC1 peptide ((MUC1, a T-cell epitope dominant peptide from Mucin1) to the C-terminus of mVEGF165b, expressing the fusing protein in pichia yeast, followed by purification with a HiTrap heparin affinity chromatography column. We found that immunizing mice with mVEGF165b-MUC1 fusion protein induced high-titer antibodies against VEGF in a preventive context, which in turn reduced the proportion of Tregs and further stimulated mice to produce T-cell responses specific to mucin1. The high-titer VEGF antibody stimulated by mVEGF165b also promoted tumor blood vessel maturation and facilitated T-cell infiltration. In conclusion,immunized with mVEGF165b-MUC1 protein are beneficial for eliciting immune responses targeting Mucin1, mVEGF165b have the potential to be utilized as a peptide tumor vaccine carrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liang
- Synthetic Biology Engineering Lab of Henan Province, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Lujing Geng
- Institute of Applied Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Yifan Dong
- Institute of Applied Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China
| | - Huiyong Zhang
- Synthetic Biology Engineering Lab of Henan Province, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, PR China.
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2
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Morera-Díaz Y, Canaán-Haden C, Sánchez-Ramírez J, Bequet-Romero M, Gonzalez-Moya I, Martínez R, Falcón V, Palenzuela D, Ayala-Ávila M, Gavilondo JV. Active immunization with a structurally aggregated PD-L1 antigen breaks T and B immune tolerance in non-human primates and exhibits in vivo anti-tumoral effects in immunocompetent mouse tumor models. Cancer Lett 2023; 561:216156. [PMID: 37019172 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the clinical success of the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking therapy in cancer treatment, only a subset of patients exhibits durable responses, therefore further exploration of other immunotherapeutic alternatives are needed. This paper reported the development of the PKPD-L1Vac vaccine, a new protein vaccine candidate that uses aluminum phosphate as an adjuvant and as an antigen the extracellular domain of human PD-L1 fused to a 47 amino-terminal portion of the LpdA protein from N. meningitides (PKPD-L1). The PKPD-L1 antigen has different physical and biological characteristics than those found in the natural molecule and in others PD-L1 vaccine candidates. The quimeric protein has a reduced binding capacity to the PD-1 and CD80 receptors to decrease their pro-tumoral activity. Besides, the distinctive feature of the PKPD-L1 polypeptide to be structurally aggregated could be desirable for its immunogenic properties. PKPD-L1Vac elicited anti-PD-L1-specific IgG antibodies and T lymphocyte-mediated immunity in mice and non-human primates. The vaccine administration demonstrated antitumor activity on CT-26 and B16-F10 primary tumor models in mice. Moreover, the immunization with PKPD-L1Vac increased the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and decreased the proportion of CD3+CD8+PD1+high anergic T cells in CT-26 tumor tissues, suggesting that the vaccine may remodel the tumor microenvironment. In summary, the PKPD-L1Vac vaccine exhibits very promising preclinical results and deserves to move forward to a phase I clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Morera-Díaz
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba.
| | - C Canaán-Haden
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - J Sánchez-Ramírez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - M Bequet-Romero
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - I Gonzalez-Moya
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - R Martínez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - V Falcón
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - D Palenzuela
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - M Ayala-Ávila
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - J V Gavilondo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
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Oliver L, Alvarez R, Diaz R, Valdés A, Colligan SH, Nemeth MJ, Twum DYF, Fernández A, Fernández-Medina O, Carlson LM, Yu H, Eng KH, Hensen ML, Rábade-Chediak ML, Fernández LE, Lee KP, Perez L, Muhitch JB, Mesa C, Abrams SI. Mitigating the prevalence and function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by redirecting myeloid differentiation using a novel immune modulator. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004710. [PMID: 36150744 PMCID: PMC9511656 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune suppression is common in neoplasia and a major driver is tumor-induced myeloid dysfunction. Yet, overcoming such myeloid cell defects remains an untapped strategy to reverse suppression and improve host defense. Exposure of bone marrow progenitors to heightened levels of myeloid growth factors in cancer or following certain systemic treatments promote abnormal myelopoiesis characterized by the production of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and a deficiency in antigen-presenting cell function. We previously showed that a novel immune modulator, termed 'very small size particle' (VSSP), attenuates MDSC function in tumor-bearing mice, which was accompanied by an increase in dendritic cells (DCs) suggesting that VSSP exhibits myeloid differentiating properties. Therefore, here, we addressed two unresolved aspects of the mechanism of action of this unique immunomodulatory agent: (1) does VSSP alter myelopoiesis in the bone marrow to redirect MDSC differentiation toward a monocyte/macrophage or DC fate? and (2) does VSSP mitigate the frequency and suppressive function of human tumor-induced MDSCs? METHODS To address the first question, we first used a murine model of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-driven emergency myelopoiesis following chemotherapy-induced myeloablation, which skews myeloid output toward MDSCs, especially the polymorphonuclear (PMN)-MDSC subset. Following VSSP treatment, progenitors and their myeloid progeny were analyzed by immunophenotyping and MDSC function was evaluated by suppression assays. To strengthen rigor, we validated our findings in tumor-bearing mouse models. To address the second question, we conducted a clinical trial in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, wherein 15 patients were treated with VSSP. Endpoints in this study included safety and impact on PMN-MDSC frequency and function. RESULTS We demonstrated that VSSP diminished PMN-MDSCs by shunting granulocyte-monocyte progenitor differentiation toward monocytes/macrophages and DCs with heightened expression of the myeloid-dependent transcription factors interferon regulatory factor-8 and PU.1. This skewing was at the expense of expansion of granulocytic progenitors and rendered the remaining MDSCs less suppressive. Importantly, these effects were also demonstrated in a clinical setting wherein VSSP monotherapy significantly reduced circulating PMN-MDSCs, and their suppressive function. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data revealed VSSP as a novel regulator of myeloid biology that mitigates MDSCs in cancer patients and reinstates a more normal myeloid phenotype that potentially favors immune activation over immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Oliver
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Rydell Alvarez
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Raquel Diaz
- Department of Oncology, Joaquín Albarrán Hospital, Havana, Cuba
| | - Anet Valdés
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Sean H Colligan
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Michael J Nemeth
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Danielle Y F Twum
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Audry Fernández
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Olivia Fernández-Medina
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Louise M Carlson
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Han Yu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Kevin H Eng
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Mary L Hensen
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Maura L Rábade-Chediak
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Luis Enrique Fernández
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Kelvin P Lee
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Leslie Perez
- Clinical Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Jason B Muhitch
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Circe Mesa
- Department of Immunoregulation, Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
- Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance, S. A. Mariel, Artemisa, Cuba
| | - Scott I Abrams
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Pacheco DF, Alonso D, Ceballos LG, Castro AZ, Brown Roldán S, García Díaz M, Villa Testa A, Wagner SF, Piloto-Ferrer J, García YC, Olea AF, Espinoza L. Synthesis of Four Steroidal Carbamates with Antitumor Activity against Mouse Colon Carcinoma CT26WT Cells: In Vitro and In Silico Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158775. [PMID: 35955909 PMCID: PMC9369283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. If detected on time, surgery can expand life expectations of patients up to five more years. However, if metastasis has grown deliberately, the use of chemotherapy can play a crucial role in CRC control. Moreover, the lack of selectivity of current anticancer drugs, plus mutations that occur in cancerous cells, demands the development of new chemotherapeutic agents. Several steroids have shown their potentiality as anticancer agents, while some other compounds, such as Taxol and its derivatives bearing a carbamate functionality, have reached the market. In this article, the synthesis, characterization, and antiproliferative activity of four steroidal carbamates on mouse colon carcinoma CT26WT cells are described. Carbamate synthesis occurred via direct reaction between diosgenin, its B-ring modified derivative, and testosterone with phenyl isocyanate under a Brønsted acid catalysis. All obtained compounds were characterized by 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS); their melting points are also reported. Results obtained from antiproliferative activity assays indicated that carbamates compounds have inhibitory effects on the growth of this colon cancer cell line. A molecular docking study carried out on Human Prostaglandin E Receptor (EP4) showed a high affinity between carbamates and protein, thus providing a valuable theoretical explanation of the in vitro results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daylin Fernández Pacheco
- Center for Natural Product Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata and G, Havana 10400, Cuba
| | - Dayana Alonso
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana 10400, Cuba
| | - Leonardo González Ceballos
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana 10400, Cuba
| | - Armando Zaldo Castro
- Center for Natural Product Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata and G, Havana 10400, Cuba
| | | | - Mairelys García Díaz
- Center for Natural Product Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata and G, Havana 10400, Cuba
| | | | | | | | - Yamilet Coll García
- Center for Natural Product Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata and G, Havana 10400, Cuba
- Correspondence: (Y.C.G.); (L.E.); Tel.: +53-52952050 (Y.C.G.); +56-32-2654225 (L.E.)
| | - Andrés F. Olea
- Grupo QBAB, Instituto de Ciencias Químicas Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Llano Subercaseaux 2801, San Miguel, Santiago 7500912, Chile
| | - Luis Espinoza
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
- Correspondence: (Y.C.G.); (L.E.); Tel.: +53-52952050 (Y.C.G.); +56-32-2654225 (L.E.)
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Zahedipour F, Zamani P, Jamialahmadi K, Jaafari MR, Sahebkar A. Vaccines targeting angiogenesis in melanoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 912:174565. [PMID: 34656608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis has a significant role in metastasis and progression of melanoma. Even small tumors may be susceptible to metastasis and hence lead to a worse outcome in patients with melanoma. One of the anti-angiogenic treatment approaches that is undergoing comprehensive study is specific immunotherapy. While tumor cells are challenging targets for immunotherapy due to their genetic instability and heterogeneity, endothelial cells (ECs) are genetically stable. Therefore, vaccines targeting angiogenesis in melanoma are appropriate choices that target both tumor cells and ECs while capable of inducing strong, anti-tumor immune responses with limited toxicity. The main targets of angiogenesis are VEGFs and their receptors but other potential targets have also been investigated, especially in preclinical studies. Various types of vaccines that target angiogenesis in melanoma have been studied including DNA, peptide, protein, dendritic cell-based, and endothelial cell vaccines. This review outlines a number of target antigens that are important for potential progress in developing vaccines for targeting angiogenesis in melanoma. We also discuss different types of vaccines that have been investigated, delivery mechanisms and popular adjuvants, and suggest ways to improve future clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parvin Zamani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Hernández-Bernal F, Martín Bauta Y, Selman-Housein Bernal KH, de la Torre Santos AV, Pérez de la Iglesia M, Trimiño Lorenzo L, Ayala Avila M. Specific humoral response in cancer patients treated with a VEGF-specific active immunotherapy procedure within a compassionate use program. BMC Immunol 2020; 21:12. [PMID: 32171254 PMCID: PMC7071683 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-020-0338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CIGB-247 is a cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses as antigen a variant of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mixed with the bacterially-derived adjuvant VSSP. CIGB-247 has been already evaluated in two phase I clinical trials (CENTAURO and CENTAURO-2), showing to be safe and immunogenic in advanced cancer patients selected under well-defined and controlled clinical conditions. Surviving patients were submitted to monthly re-immunizations and some of them showed objective clinical benefits. Based on these results, a compassionate use program (CUP) with CIGB-247 was initiated for patients that did not meet the strict entry criteria applied for the CENTAURO and CENTAURO-2 clinical trials, but could potentially benefit from the application of this cancer therapeutic vaccine. RESULTS Polyclonal IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies specific for VEGF were detected by ELISA in serum samples from patients vaccinated with 400 μg of antigen combined with 200 μg of VSSP. Polyclonal antibody response showed no cross reactivity for other VEGF family member molecules like VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Serum from immunized individuals was able to block the binding of VEGF to its receptors VEGFR2 and VEGFR1. IgG fraction purified from immune sera shared the aforementioned characteristics and also inhibited the interaction between VEGF and the therapeutic recombinant antibody bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic drug approved for the treatment of different tumors. No serious adverse events attributable to CIGB-247 have been documented yet in participants of the CIGB-247 CUP. The present paper is a first report of our findings concerning the humoral response and safety characteristics in treated CIGB-247 CUP cancer patients. The study has provided the unique opportunity of not only testing CIGB-247 in a broader clinical spectrum sample of Cuban cancer patients, but also within the context of the day-to-day clinical practice and treatment settings for these diseases in Cuban medical institutions. CONCLUSIONS The CIGB-247 CUP has demonstrated that immunization and follow-up of a variety of cancer patients, under day-to-day clinical practice conditions in several Cuban medical institutions, replicate our previous findings in clinical trials: CIGB-247 is safe and immunogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marta Ayala Avila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Playa, 10600 Havana, Cuba
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7
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Piloto-Ferrer J, Sánchez-Lamar Á, Francisco M, González ML, Merino N, Aparicio G, Pérez C, Rodeiro I, Lopes MTP. Xanthium strumarium´s xanthatins induces mitotic arrest and apoptosis in CT26WT colon carcinoma cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 57:236-244. [PMID: 30797985 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and is associated with high mortality rates. We previously reported that Xanthium strumarium L. induces mitotic arrest in proliferating cells, a process mediated by xanthatins. HYPOTHESIS/AIM The aim of this work is to study if xanthatins, isolated from X. strumarium total extract, affect the proliferative capacity of CT26WT colon cancer cells and, in consequence, if tumor growth and proliferation of (lung) metastatic sites can also be arrested in vivo. STUDY DESIGN This study consisted of both in vitro and in vivo experiments involving the CT26WT cell line and a subcutaneous mouse model of colon cancer. In vitro cell cycle progression, in vivo tumoral growth and anti-metastatic activity were analyzed to investigate whether xanthatins of X. strumarium induce mitotic arrest in proliferating colorectal carcinoma. RESULTS Our in vitro results show that X. strumarium, mediated by xanthatins, induces G2/M arrest and impair anaphase entrance. This leads to a significant induction of apoptotic and necrotic in CT26WT cells, demonstrating their significant anti-proliferative activity through interfering with the mitotic apparatus. Furthermore, our in vivoresults reveal that X. strumarium inhibits both tumor growth and metastasis progression. CONCLUSION X. strumarium antitumor activities are mainly mediated by xanthatins through inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis, inducing mitotic arrest and apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells. These findings further confirm the therapeutic potential of X. strumarium in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Piloto-Ferrer
- Departamento de Toxicología Genética y antitumorales, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos (CIDEM), Avenida 26, No. 1605 e/ Puentes Grandes y Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Ángel Sánchez-Lamar
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Laboratorio de Toxicología Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de la Habana, Calle 25, No. 455, e/ I y J, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Marbelis Francisco
- Departamento de Toxicología Genética y antitumorales, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos (CIDEM), Avenida 26, No. 1605 e/ Puentes Grandes y Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Maria L González
- Departamento de Toxicología Genética y antitumorales, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos (CIDEM), Avenida 26, No. 1605 e/ Puentes Grandes y Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Nelsón Merino
- Departamento de Toxicología y Farmacología, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos (CIDEM), Avenida 26, No. 1605 e/ Puentes Grandes y Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Guillermo Aparicio
- Departamento de Toxicología y Farmacología, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos (CIDEM), Avenida 26, No. 1605 e/ Puentes Grandes y Boyeros, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Carlos Pérez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Preclínicas "Victoria de Girón" (ICBP), Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana (UCMH). Calle 146 # 3102, Playa, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Idania Rodeiro
- Departamento de Farmacología, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICIMAR), Loma 14, Alturas del Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Miriam Teresa Paz Lopes
- Departamento de Farmacología, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas (ICB) Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avda. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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8
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Bequet-Romero M, Morera Díaz Y, Hernández-Bernal F, de la Torre Santos A, Selman-Housein Bernal KH, Martín Bauta Y, Bermúdez Badell CH, Limonta Fernández M, Ayala Avila M. Evaluation of methodologies to determine the effect of specific active immunotherapy on VEGF levels in phase I clinical trial patients with advanced solid tumors. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00906. [PMID: 30426104 PMCID: PMC6223189 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Two phase I clinical trials were conducted to evaluate, among other parameters, the humoral response elicited by a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-based therapeutic vaccine in cancer patients with advanced solid tumors. VEGF reduction was studied using an indirect methodology named as “Platelet VEGF”. This methodology is based on the estimation of VEGF within platelets by subtracting the plasma VEGF level from the serum level and dividing this by the platelet count, and then this latter expression is additionally corrected by the hematocrit. However, there is broad debate, whether serum or plasma VEGF or platelet-derived VEGF measurements is the most appropriate strategy to study the changes that occur on ligand bioavailability when patients are submitted to a VEGF-based immunotherapy. The current research is a retrospective study evaluating the changes on VEGF levels in serum and plasma as well as platelet-derived measurements. Changes in VEGF levels were related with the humoral response seen in cancer patients after an active immunotherapy with a VEGF-based vaccine. The present study indicates that “Platelet VEGF” is the most reliable methodology to investigate the effect of VEGF-based immunotherapies on ligand bioavailability. “Platelet VEGF” was associated with those groups of individuals that exhibited the best specific humoral response and the variation of “Platelet VEGF” showed the strongest negative correlation with VEGF-specific IgG antibody levels. This methodology will be very useful for the investigation of this VEGF-based vaccine in phase II clinical trials and could be applied to immunotherapies directed to other growth factors that are actively sequestered by platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | - Yenima Martín Bauta
- Department of Clinical Research, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Cimara H Bermúdez Badell
- Department of Clinical Research, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Miladys Limonta Fernández
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala Avila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Havana, Cuba
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Li Z, Ding J, Zhao X, Qi G. Combination therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma by DNA shuffling-based VEGF vaccine and doxorubicin. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:951-969. [PMID: 30114953 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiangiogenic therapy can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy against solid tumors. This study was to determine whether TT46, a potential VEGF vaccine from DNA shuffling with a helper T-cell epitope of tetanus toxin B subunit, could enhance the efficacy of doxorubicin to combat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with monotherapy, the combination with TT46 vaccination and doxorubicin could significantly reduce microvessel counts and inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Enhanced immunization with TT46 for total six doses could induce long-term response maintenance with high anti-VEGF antibody titers in body. As a result, the combination with enhanced TT46 vaccination and doxorubicin significantly inhibited the HCC growth, and improved the survival rate of HCC-bearing mice in both of subcutaneous tumor model and lung metastasis model. In conclusion, the combined therapy with TT46 vaccination and doxorubicin has antitumor effects in both a prophylactic and therapeutic setting in a mouse model of H22 hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitao Li
- College of Life Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, HuBei Province, P.R. China
| | - Jia Ding
- College of Life Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, HuBei Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiuyun Zhao
- College of Life Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, HuBei Province, P.R. China
| | - Gaofu Qi
- College of Life Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, HuBei Province, P.R. China.,Biomedical Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, HuBei Province, P.R. China
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10
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Farjadian F, Moghoofei M, Mirkiani S, Ghasemi A, Rabiee N, Hadifar S, Beyzavi A, Karimi M, Hamblin MR. Bacterial components as naturally inspired nano-carriers for drug/gene delivery and immunization: Set the bugs to work? Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:968-985. [PMID: 29499341 PMCID: PMC5971145 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Drug delivery is a rapidly growing area of research motivated by the nanotechnology revolution, the ideal of personalized medicine, and the desire to reduce the side effects of toxic anti-cancer drugs. Amongst a bewildering array of different nanostructures and nanocarriers, those examples that are fundamentally bio-inspired and derived from natural sources are particularly preferred. Delivery of vaccines is also an active area of research in this field. Bacterial cells and their components that have been used for drug delivery, include the crystalline cell-surface layer known as "S-layer", bacterial ghosts, bacterial outer membrane vesicles, and bacterial products or derivatives (e.g. spores, polymers, and magnetic nanoparticles). Considering the origin of these components from potentially pathogenic microorganisms, it is not surprising that they have been applied for vaccines and immunization. The present review critically summarizes their applications focusing on their advantages for delivery of drugs, genes, and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Farjadian
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Moghoofei
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Soroush Mirkiani
- Biomaterials Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ghasemi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Rabiee
- Department of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Hadifar
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Beyzavi
- Koch institute of MIT, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mahdi Karimi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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11
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Li H, Schaduangrat N, Simeon S, Nantasenamat C. Computational study on the origin of the cancer immunotherapeutic potential of B and T cell epitope peptides. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2018; 13:2310-2322. [PMID: 28880325 DOI: 10.1039/c7mb00219j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Immune therapy is generally seen as the future of cancer treatment. The discovery of tumor-associated antigens and cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope peptides spurned intensive research into effective peptide-based cancer vaccines. One of the major obstacles hindering the development of peptide-based cancer vaccines is the lack of humoral response induction. As of now, very limited work has been performed to identify epitope peptides capable of inducing both cellular and humoral anticancer responses. In addition, no research has been carried out to analyze the structure and properties of peptides responsible for such immunological activities. This study utilizes a machine learning method together with interpretable descriptors in an attempt to identify parameters determining the immunotherapeutic activity of cancer epitope peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
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12
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Two tandem repeats of mHSP70 407-426 enhance therapeutic antitumor effects of a recombined vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein vaccine. Life Sci 2018; 201:102-110. [PMID: 29572180 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Active immunization with human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) vaccines provides a therapeutic option instead of bevacizumab therapy. However, the immunity to self-molecule is difficult to elicit due to immune tolerance. A bioactive peptide of two tandem repeats of mHSP70407-426 (M2) has exhibited potent adjuvant ability in our previous study, and the aim of this study was to explore whether M2 could assist hVEGF to display enhanced therapeutic anti-tumor effects. MAIN METHODS The anti-tumor effects of hVEGF-M2 vaccine were evaluated in both H22 hepatocellular carcinoma and Lewis lung tumor models. CD31 analysis of excised tumors was used to evaluate anti-angiogenesis effects. The titers of anti-VEGF antibody was detected by ELISA and verified by western blot analyses, and the effects of immune sera on HUVEC differentiation were investigated by tube formation assay. KEY FINDINGS M2 could assist hVEGF to exhibit more favorable therapeutic anti-tumor growth and metastasis effects than hVEGF. Meanwhile, high titer of anti-VEGF antibody was detected in hVEGF-M2 immunized mice sera by ELISA and verified by western blot analysis. Sera from hVEGF-M2 immunized mice could more significantly inhibit HUVEC tube formation than hVEGF immune serum. The hVEGF-M2-immune sera could more effectively inhibit H22 tumor growth and extend the survival rates of H22 tumor bearing mice than hVEGF-immune sera. CD31 analysis of the excised tumors verified a significant reduction in vessel density after hVEGF-M2 vaccination. SIGNIFICANCE M2 could assist hVEGF to display enhanced anti-tumor effects, which are important for the further application of M2 to enhance antigen-specific immune responses.
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13
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Morera-Díaz Y, Gavilondo JV, Bequet-Romero M, Sánchez Ramírez J, Hernández-Bernal F, Selman-Housein KH, Perez L, Ayala-Ávila M. Specific active immunotherapy with the HEBERSaVax VEGF-based cancer vaccine: From bench to bedside. Semin Oncol 2018; 45:68-74. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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14
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Hernández-Bernal F, Selman-Housein Bernal KH, de la Torre Santos A, Santiesteban Álvarez ER, Martín Bauta Y, Bermúdez Badell CH, de la Torre Pupo J, Gavilondo JV, Ayala Avila M. Characteristics of the specific humoral response in patients with advanced solid tumors after active immunotherapy with a VEGF vaccine, at different antigen doses and using two distinct adjuvants. BMC Immunol 2017; 18:39. [PMID: 28747172 PMCID: PMC5530503 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-017-0222-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CIGB-247, a VSSP-adjuvanted VEGF-based vaccine, was evaluated in a phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors (CENTAURO). Vaccination with the maximum dose of antigen showed an excellent safety profile, exhibited the highest immunogenicity and was the only one showing a reduction on platelet VEGF bioavailability. However, this antigen dose level did not achieve a complete seroconversion rate in vaccinated patients. These clinical results led us to the question whether a “reserve” of untapped immune response potential against VEGF could exist in cancer patients. To address this matter, CENTAURO-2 clinical trial was conducted where antigen and VSSP dose scale up were studied, and also incorporated the exploration of aluminum phosphate as adjuvant. These changes were made with the aim to increase immune response against VEGF. Results The present study reports the characterization of the humoral response elicited by CIGB-247 from the combining of different antigen doses and adjuvants. Cancer patients were immunologically monitored for approximately 1 year. Vaccination with different CIGB-247 formulations exhibited a very positive safety profile. Cancer patients developed IgM, IgG or IgA antibodies specific to VEGF. Elicited polyclonal antibodies had the ability to block the interaction between VEGF and its receptors, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. The highest humoral response was detected in patients immunized with 800 μg of antigen + 200 μg of VSSP. Off-protocol long-term vaccination did not produce negative changes in humoral response. Conclusions Vaccination with a human VEGF variant molecule as antigen in combination with VSSP or aluminum phosphate is immunogenic. The results of this study could contribute to the investigation of this vaccine therapy in an adequately powered efficacy trial. Trial registration Trial registration number: RPCEC00000155. Cuban Public Clinical Trial Registry. Date of registration: June 06, 2013. Available from: http://registroclinico.sld.cu/. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12865-017-0222-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba.
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | - Yenima Martín Bauta
- Department of Clinical Research, CIGB, P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | | | | | - Jorge V Gavilondo
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Marta Ayala Avila
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), P.O. Box 6162, Playa Cubanacán, Havana, 10600, Cuba
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15
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Morera Y, Sánchez J, Bequet-Romero M, Selman-Housein KH, de la Torre A, Hernández-Bernal F, Martín Y, Garabito A, Piñero J, Bermúdez C, de la Torre J, Ayala M, Gavilondo JV. Specific humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients undergoing chronic immunization with a VEGF-based therapeutic vaccine. Vaccine 2017; 35:3582-3590. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Huijbers EJM, Griffioen AW. The revival of cancer vaccines - The eminent need to activate humoral immunity. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1112-1114. [PMID: 28118089 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1276140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of the increasing number of approved monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer, it seems peculiar that the development of antibody inducing vaccines gets so little attention. In our view there is a tremendous opportunity in the development of cancer vaccines inducing humoral immune responses, involving a couple of major advantages. Firstly, the effectivity of a polyclonal antibody response is expected to exceed the one of monoclonal antibodies. This is supported by preclinical data that show pronounced anti-tumor responses and early clinical trials in which benefit is observed in patients with advanced cancer. Secondly, vaccination strategies are expected to reduce hospital visits, resulting in enhanced quality of life. And last but not least, vaccination strategies are extremely cost effective, alleviating the socioeconomic problems of prohibitively high drug costs. To reach further clinical success, efforts should focus on target identification, optimization of vaccination strategies and adjuvant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- a Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- a Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
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17
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Anani W, Shurin MR. Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1036:105-128. [PMID: 29275468 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-67577-0_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) represent only a minor fraction of circulating blood cells but play an important role in tumor formation and progression. They are a heterogeneous group of cells that influence the tumor microenvironment by depletion of amino acids, oxidative stress, decreased trafficking of antitumor effector cells, and increased regulatory T and regulatory dendritic cell responses. Investigational treatment strategies targeting MDSCs have attempted to inhibit MDSC development and expansion (stem cell factor blockade, modulate of cell signaling, and target MDSC migration and recruitment), inhibit MDSC function (nitric oxide inhibition and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species inhibition), differentiate MDSCs into more mature cells (Vitamins A and D, all-trans retinoic acid, interleukin-2, toll-like receptor 9 inhibitors, taxanes, beta-glucan particles, tumor-derived exosome inhibition, and very small size proteoliposomes), and destroy MDSCs (cytotoxic agents, ephrin A2 degradation, anti-interleukin 13, and histamine blockers). To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration approved therapies selectively targeting MDSCs, but such therapies are likely to be implemented in the future, due to the key role of MDSCs in antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Anani
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Michael R Shurin
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Constructing Tumor Vaccines Targeting for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) by DNA Shuffling. J Immunother 2016; 39:260-8. [DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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19
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Sánchez Ramírez J, Morera Díaz Y, Musacchio Lasa A, Bequet-Romero M, Muñoz Pozo Y, Pérez Sánchez L, Hernández-Bernal F, Mendoza Fuentes O, Selman-Housein KH, Gavilondo Cowley JV, Ayala Avila M. Indirect and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for monitoring the humoral response against human VEGF. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2016; 37:636-58. [PMID: 27143151 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2016.1184164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
CIGB-247, a VEGF-based vaccine, was studied in a clinical trial. This advance demands the refinement of the methodologies for assessment of vaccine immune responses. This study aimed to improve the performance of ELISAs for detecting IgG antibodies against human VEGF and the blocking activity of the serum to inhibit the VEGF/VEGFR2 interaction. The best experimental conditions were established through the evaluation of several blocking buffers, immobilization surfaces, and plate suppliers using human sera as test samples. As a result, two controlled ELISAs were used in testing of elicited immune response against VEGF in patients immunized with CIGB-247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sánchez Ramírez
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Yanelys Morera Díaz
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Alexis Musacchio Lasa
- b Department of Bioinformatics , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Yasmiana Muñoz Pozo
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Lincidio Pérez Sánchez
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Francisco Hernández-Bernal
- c Department of Clinical Research , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Osmany Mendoza Fuentes
- d Animal Facility , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | | | - Jorge Víctor Gavilondo Cowley
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
| | - Marta Ayala Avila
- a Department of Pharmaceuticals , Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) , Playa Cubanacán, Havana , Cuba
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Pérez Sánchez L, Morera Díaz Y, Bequet-Romero M, Ramses Hernández G, Rodríguez Y, Castro Velazco J, Puente Pérez P, Ayala Avila M, Gavilondo JV. Experimental studies of a vaccine formulation of recombinant human VEGF antigen with aluminum phosphate. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 11:2030-7. [PMID: 25891359 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1029213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CIGB-247 is a cancer vaccine that is a formulation of a recombinant protein antigen representative of the human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with a bacterially-derived adjuvant (VSSP). The vaccine has shown an excellent safety profile in mice, rats, rabbits, not-human primates and in recent clinical trials in cancer patients. Response to the vaccine is characterized by specific antibody titers that neutralize VEGF/VEGFR2 binding and a cytotoxic tumor-specific response. To expand our present anti-VEGF active immunotherapy strategies, we have now studied in mice and non-human primates the effects of vaccination with a formulation of our recombinant VEGF antigen and aluminum phosphate adjuvant (hereafter denominated CIGB-247-A). Administered bi-weekly, CIGB-247-A produces high titers of anti-VEGF IgG blocking antibodies in 2 mice strains. Particularly in BALB/c, the treatment impaired subcutaneous F3II mammary tumor growth and reduced the number of spontaneous lung macro metastases, increasing animals' survival. Spleen cells from specifically immunized mice directly killed F3II tumor cells in vitro. CIGB-247-A also showed to be immunogenic in non-human primates, which developed anti-VEGF blocking antibodies and the ability for specific direct cell cytotoxic responses, all without impairing the healing of deep skin wounds or other side effect. Our results support consideration of aluminum phosphate as a suitable adjuvant for the development of new vaccine formulations using VEGF as antigen.
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Key Words
- ANOVA, Analysis of Variance
- Aluminum phosphate
- CFSE, Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester
- CTL, Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- ELISA, Enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay
- FACS, Fluorescence-activated cell sorting
- GST, Glutathione S-transferase
- HPLC, High-performance liquid chromatography
- KDR, kinase domain receptor
- Ni-NTA, nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid
- PBMC, Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- VEGF
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- VEGFR2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2
- VSSP, very small sized proteoliposomes
- adjuvant
- antibodies
- cancer therapeutic vaccine
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincidio Pérez Sánchez
- a Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory; Department of Pharmaceuticals; Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) ; Playa Cubanacan , Havana , Cuba
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Wentink MQ, Huijbers EJM, de Gruijl TD, Verheul HMW, Olsson AK, Griffioen AW. Vaccination approach to anti-angiogenic treatment of cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:155-71. [PMID: 25641676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Improvement of patient survival by anti-angiogenic therapy has proven limited. A vaccination approach inducing an immune response against the tumor vasculature combines the benefits of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis, and may overcome the limitations of current anti-angiogenic drugs. Strategies to use whole endothelial cell vaccines and DNA- or protein vaccines against key players in the VEGF signaling axis, as well as specific markers of tumor endothelial cells, have been tested in preclinical studies. Current clinical trials are now testing the promise of this specific anti-cancer vaccination approach. This review will highlight the state-of-the-art in this exciting field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Q Wentink
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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22
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Fernández A, Oliver L, Alvarez R, Fernández LE, Mesa C. GM3-containing nanoparticles in immunosuppressed hosts: Effect on myeloid-derived suppressor cells. World J Immunol 2014; 4:98-106. [DOI: 10.5411/wji.v4.i2.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines to date have not broadly achieved a significant impact on the overall survival of patients. The negative effect on the immune system of the tumor itself and conventional anti-tumor treatments such as chemotherapy is, undoubtedly, a key reason for these disappointing results. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are considered a central node of the immunosuppressive network associated with tumors. These cells inhibit the effector function of natural killer and CD8+ T cells, expand regulatory T cells and can differentiate into tumor-associated macrophages within the tumor microenvironment. Thus, overcoming the suppressive effects of MDSCs is likely to be critical for cancer immunotherapy to generate effective anti-tumor immune responses. However, the capacity of cancer vaccines and particularly their adjuvants to overcome this inhibitory population has not been well characterized. Very small size proteoliposomes (VSSP) is a nanoparticulated adjuvant specifically designed to be formulated with vaccines used in the treatment of immunocompromised patients. This adjuvant contains immunostimulatory bacterial signals together with GM3 ganglioside. VSSP promotes dendritic cell maturation, antigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells, Th1 polarization, and enhances CD8+ T cell response in tumor-free mice. Currently, four cancer vaccines using VSSP as the adjuvant are in Phase I and II clinical trials. In this review, we summarize our work characterizing the unique ability of VSSP to stimulate antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in two immunocompromised scenarios; in tumor-bearing mice and during chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. Particular emphasis has been placed on the interaction of these nanoparticles with MDSCs, as well as comparison with other cancer vaccine adjuvants currently in preclinical or clinical studies.
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Fernández A, Oliver L, Alvarez R, Hernández A, Raymond J, Fernández LE, Mesa C. Very small size proteoliposomes abrogate cross-presentation of tumor antigens by myeloid-derived suppressor cells and induce their differentiation to dendritic cells. J Immunother Cancer 2014; 2:5. [PMID: 24829762 PMCID: PMC4019907 DOI: 10.1186/2051-1426-2-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are among the major obstacles that adjuvants for cancer vaccines have to overcome. These cells cross-present tumor-associated antigens (TAA) to naive T lymphocytes with a tolerogenic outcome. Very Small Size Proteoliposomes (VSSP) is used as adjuvant by four therapeutic cancer vaccines currently in Phase I and II clinical trials. We previously found that VSSP reduces the suppressive function of MDSCs, then activating antigen-specific CTL responses in tumor-bearing (TB) mice, with the consequent reduction of tumor growth. However the mechanistic explanation for the immunomodulatory effect of this adjuvant in TB hosts has not been addressed before. Methods TB mice were inoculated with VSSP and MDSCs isolated and characterized by their expression of Arg1 and Nos2 genes by RT-PCR. The effect of VSSP on antigen cross-presentation by MDSCs, regulatory T cells (Tregs) expansion and MDSCs differentiation towards dendritic cells (DCs) was analyzed by FACS. Student’s t test or ANOVA and Tukey’s tests were used for statistical analyses. Results After inoculating VSSP into TB mice, a significant reduction of Arg1 and Nos2 gene expression was observed in recovered MDSCs. Concurrently the ability of these cells to induce down-regulation of CD3ζ chain on T cells was lost. Likewise in mice inoculated with the adjuvant lower percentages of Tregs were detected. In vitro, VSSP treatment was enough to differentiate MDSCs into phenotypically mature DCs, eliminating the former suppressive effect. Noteworthy, in vivo administration of VSSP to OVA-expressing (EG.7) TB mice abrogated this model antigen cross-presentation by splenic MDSCs. Similar results were obtained even when OVA antigen was administered into these TB mice formulated in VSSP. On the contrary, immunization with the same protein in polyI:C did not change the percentage of MDSCs expressing SIINFEKL/H-2Kb complexes, whereas a concomitant injection of VSSP aborted the limitations of polyI:C in this setting. Conclusions Altogether, these results indicate that VSSP has the peculiar capacity of inhibiting TAA cross-presentation and certain suppressive mechanisms on MDSCs which in turn, combined with the ability to induce differentiation of these cells into antigen-presenting cells (APCs), sustains this adjuvant as an ideal immunomodulator for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audry Fernández
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
| | - Liliana Oliver
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
| | - Rydell Alvarez
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
| | - Arletty Hernández
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
| | - Judith Raymond
- Systems Biology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
| | - Luis E Fernández
- Innovation Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
| | - Circe Mesa
- Immunobiology Division, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St and 15th Ave., Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, Havana 11600, Cuba
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24
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Specific active immunotherapy with a VEGF vaccine in patients with advanced solid tumors. results of the CENTAURO antigen dose escalation phase I clinical trial. Vaccine 2014; 32:2241-50. [PMID: 24530151 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.11.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED CIGB-247 is a novel cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses a human VEGF variant molecule as antigen, in combination with a bacterial adjuvant. In mice, CIGB-247 has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects. The vaccine induces anti-VEGF blocking antibodies and a cellular response targeting tumor cells producing VEGF, and has proven to be safe in mice, rats, rabbits and non-human primates. Herein we report the results of a Phase I clinical trial (code name CENTAURO) where safety, tolerance, and immunogenicity of CIGB-247 were studied in 30 patients with advanced solid tumors, at three antigen dose levels. Individuals were subcutaneously immunized for 8 consecutive weeks with 50, 100 or 400 μg of antigen, and re-immunized on week twelve. On week sixteen, evaluations of safety, tolerance, clinical status, and immunogenicity (seroconversion for anti-VEGF IgG, serum VEGF/KDR-Fc blocking ability, and gamma-IFN ELISPOT with blood cells stimulated in vitro with mutated VEGF) were done. Surviving patients were eligible for off-trial additional 4-week re-immunizations with 400 μg of antigen. Immunogenicity and clinical status were again studied on weeks 25 and 49. Vaccination was shown to be safe at the three dose levels, with only grade 1-2 adverse events. CIGB-247 was immunogenic and higher numbers of individuals positive to the three immune response tests were seen with increasing antigen dose. Off-protocol long-term vaccination produced no additional adverse events or negative changes in immunogenicity. Eleven patients are still alive, with overall survivals ranging from 20 to 24 months. Twelve of the thirty patients exhibited objective clinical benefits, and two individuals have complete responses. Most patients with higher survivals are positive in the three immune response tests. In summary, this is the first clinical testing report of a cancer therapeutic vaccine based on a human VEGF related molecule as antigen. The CIGB-247 vaccine is safe, immunogenic, and merits further clinical development. REGISTRATION NUMBER AND NAME OF TRIAL REGISTRY RPCEC00000102. Cuban Public Clinical Trial Registry (WHO accepted Primary Registry). Available from: http://registroclinico.sld.cu/.
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25
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Matsueda S, Komatsu N, Kusumoto K, Koga S, Yamada A, Kuromatsu R, Yamada S, Seki R, Yutani S, Shichijo S, Mine T, Fukuda T, Okamura T, Okuda S, Sata M, Honda J, Kaji M, Itoh K, Sasada T. Humoral immune responses to CTL epitope peptides from tumor-associated antigens are widely detectable in humans: a new biomarker for overall survival of patients with malignant diseases. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 41:68-76. [PMID: 23583523 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Both cellular and humoral immune responses are crucial to induce potent anti-tumor immunity, but most of currently conducted peptide-based cancer vaccines paid attention to cellular responses alone, and none of them are yet approved as a therapeutic modality against cancer patients. We investigated humoral immune responses to CTL epitope peptides derived from tumor-associated antigens in healthy donors and patients with various diseases to facilitate better understanding of their distribution patterns and potential roles. Bead-based multiplex assay, ELISA, and Western blotting were used to measure immunoglobulins reactive to each of 31 different CTL epitope peptides. Importantly, the sums of anti-peptide IgG levels specific to 31 CTL epitope peptides were well correlated with better overall survival (OS) in patients with malignant diseases. Our results suggested that humoral immune responses to CTL epitope peptides were widely detectable in humans. Measurement of immunoglobulins specific to CTL epitope peptides may provide a new biomarker for OS of patients with malignant diseases, although it still remains to be determined whether the correlations between humoral immune responses to epitope peptides and OS are observed only for the CTL epitopes used, or also for other panels of peptides. Quantity of circulating IgG reactive to these peptides was also discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Female
- Glomerulonephritis, IGA/genetics
- Glomerulonephritis, IGA/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Humoral
- Immunoglobulin G/genetics
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/mortality
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Survival Analysis
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Matsueda
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
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