1
|
Ruan H, Qiu S, Beard BC, Black ME. Creation of zebularine-resistant human cytidine deaminase mutants to enhance the chemoprotection of hematopoietic stem cells. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:573-582. [PMID: 27160178 PMCID: PMC5181380 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytidine deaminase (hCDA) is a biomedically important enzyme able to inactivate cytidine nucleoside analogs such as the antileukemic agent cytosine arabinoside (AraC) and thereby limit antineoplastic efficacy. Potent inhibitors of hCDA have been developed, e.g. zebularine, that when administered in combination with AraC enhance antineoplastic activity. Tandem hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation and combination chemotherapy (zebularine and AraC) could exhibit robust antineoplastic potency, but AraC-based chemotherapy regimens lead to pronounced myelosuppression due to relatively low hCDA activity in HSCs, and this approach could exacerbate this effect. To circumvent the pronounced myelosuppression of zebularine and AraC combination therapy while maintaining antineoplastic potency, zebularine-resistant hCDA variants could be used to gene-modify HSCs prior to transplantation. To achieve this, our approach was to isolate hCDA variants through random mutagenesis in conjunction with selection for hCDA activity and resistance to zebularine in an Escherichia coli genetic complementation system. Here, we report the identification of nine novel variants from a pool of 1.6 × 106 transformants that conferred significant zebularine resistance relative to wild-type hCDA2. Several variants revealed significantly higher Ki values toward zebularine when compared with wild-type hCDA values and, as such, are candidates for further exploration for gene-modified HSC transplantation approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Ruan
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, PO Box 647520, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
| | - Songbo Qiu
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, PO Box 647520, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brian C Beard
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Margaret E Black
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, PO Box 647520, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brennig S, Lachmann N, Buchegger T, Hetzel M, Schambach A, Moritz T. Chemoprotection of murine hematopoietic cells by combined gene transfer of cytidine deaminase (CDD) and multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:148. [PMID: 26651614 PMCID: PMC4676838 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0260-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Hematologic toxicity represents a major side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy frequently preventing adequately dosed chemotherapy application and impeding therapeutic success. Transgenic (over)expression of chemotherapy resistance (CTX-R) genes in hematopoietic stem- and progenitor cells represents a potential strategy to overcome this problem. To apply this concept in the context of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia, we have investigated the overexpression of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and the cytidine deaminase (CDD) gene conferring resistance to anthracyclines and cytarabine (Ara-C), the two most important drugs in the treatment of these diseases. Methods State-of-the-art, third generation, self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors were utilized to overexpress a human CDD-cDNA and a codon-optimized human MDR1-cDNA corrected for cryptic splice sites from a spleen focus forming virus derived internal promoter. Studies were performed in myeloid 32D cells as well as primary lineage marker negative (lin−) murine bone marrow cells and flow cytometric analysis of suspension cultures and clonogenic analysis of vector transduced cells following cytotoxic drug challenge were utilized as read outs. Results Efficient chemoprotection of CDD and MDR1 transduced hematopoietic 32D as well as primary lin− cells was proven in the context of Ara-C and anthracycline application. Both, CTX-R transduced 32D as well as primary hematopoietic cells displayed marked resistance at concentrations 5–20 times the LD50 of non-transduced control cells. Moreover, simultaneous CDD/MDR1 gene transfer resulted in similar protection levels even when combined Ara-C anthracycline treatment was applied. Furthermore, significant enrichment of transduced cells was observed upon cytotoxic drug administration. Conclusions Our data demonstrate efficient chemoprotection as well as enrichment of transduced cells in hematopoietic cell lines as well as primary murine hematopoietic progenitor cells following Ara-C and/or anthracycline application, arguing for the efficacy as well as feasibility of our approach and warranting further evaluation of this concept. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0260-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brennig
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nico Lachmann
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,JRG Translational Hematology of Congenital Diseases, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Theresa Buchegger
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Miriam Hetzel
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany. .,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lachmann N, Brennig S, Hillje R, Schermeier H, Phaltane R, Dahlmann J, Gruh I, Heinz N, Schiedlmeier B, Baum C, Moritz T. Tightly regulated 'all-in-one' lentiviral vectors for protection of human hematopoietic cells from anticancer chemotherapy. Gene Ther 2015; 22:883-92. [PMID: 26125609 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Successful application of gene therapy strategies may require stringently regulated transgene expression. Along this line, we describe a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible 'all-in-one' lentiviral vector design using the pTET-T11 (TII) minimal-promoter and a reverse transactivator protein (rtTA2S-M2) driven by the phosphoglycerate kinase promoter allowing for tight regulation of transgene expression (Lv.TII vectors). Vector design was evaluated in human hematopoietic cells in the context of cytidine deaminase (hCDD)-based myeloprotective gene therapy. Upon Dox administration, a rapid (16-24 h) and dose-dependent (>0.04 μg ml(-1) Dox) onset of transgene expression was detected in Lv.TII.CDD gene-modified K562 cells as well as in primary human CD34(+) hematopoietic cells. Importantly, in both cell models low background transgene expression was observed in the absence of Dox. Functionality of Dox-inducible hCDD expression was demonstrated by >10-fold increase in cytosine arabinoside (1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine, Ara-C) resistance of Lv.TII.CDD-transduced K562 cells. In addition, Lv.TII.CDD-transduced CD34(+)-derived myeloid cells were protected from up to 300 nm Ara-C (control affected from 50 nm onwards). These data clearly demonstrate the suitability of our self-inactivating lentiviral vector to induce robust, tightly regulated transgene expression in human hematopoietic cells with minimal background activity and highlight the potential of our construct in myeloprotective gene therapy strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Lachmann
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Brennig
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Hillje
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - H Schermeier
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Phaltane
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Dahlmann
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - I Gruh
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - N Heinz
- LOEWE-Research Group for (targeted) Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - B Schiedlmeier
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - C Baum
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - T Moritz
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ye FG, Song CG, Cao ZG, Xia C, Chen DN, Chen L, Li S, Qiao F, Ling H, Yao L, Hu X, Shao ZM. Cytidine Deaminase Axis Modulated by miR-484 Differentially Regulates Cell Proliferation and Chemoresistance in Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2015; 75:1504-15. [PMID: 25643696 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There has been little study of how the evolution of chemoresistance in cancer affects other aspects of disease pathogenesis. Here, we show that an important chemoresistance axis driven by cytidine deaminase (CDA) also acts to suppress cell-cycle progression by regulating cyclin E-CDK2 signaling. We found that CDA was regulated by miR-484 in a gemcitabine-resistant model of breast cancer. Elevating miR-484 expression reversed the CDA effects, thereby enhancing gemcitabine sensitivity, accelerating cell proliferation, and redistributing cell-cycle progression. Conversely, elevating CDA to restore its expression counteracted the chemosensitization and cell proliferative effects of miR-484. In clinical specimens of breast cancer, CDA expression was frequently downregulated and inversely correlated with miR-484 expression. Moreover, high expression of CDA was associated with prolonged disease-free survival in studied cohorts. Collectively, our findings established that miR-484-modulated CDA has a dual impact in promoting chemoresistance and suppressing cell proliferation in breast cancer, illustrating the pathogenic tradeoffs associated with the evolution of chemoresistance in this malignant disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Gui Ye
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China. Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chuan-Gui Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Zhi-Gang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Xia
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dan-Na Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Li
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Ling
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Yao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alvarado Y, Kantarjian HM, Cortes JE, Apostolidou E, Bivins C, Giles FJ. Troxacitabine Activity in Extramedullary Myeloid Leukemia. Hematology 2013; 7:179-85. [PMID: 12243982 DOI: 10.1080/1024533021000008155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Troxacitabine is a novel L-enantiomer nucleoside analog with unique properties in terms of its structure, pharmacokinetics, intracellular transport, and susceptibility to mechanisms of resistance. Troxacitabine has significant activity in patients with refractory myeloid leukemias, both as a single agent and when combined with standard anti-leukemia agents. In a cohort of 170 patients with refractory myeloid leukemia treated with troxacitabine-based regimens on Phase 1 or 2 studies, 10 (6%) had biopsy-proven extramedullary disease, either with or without bone marrow involvement. Six of these patients who received single-agent troxacitabine, 4 received a combination of troxacitabine and cytarabine. Complete response and disappearance of all extramedullary lesions were observed in 6 (60%) of these 10 patients. Two of the 6 responding patients relapsed within 3 months, 2 patients had remissions of 8 and 9 months duration, respectively, 1 patient is in on-going remission at 3, and 1 patient is lost to follow-up. Troxacitabine-based therapy had significant antileukemic activity in extramedullary myeloid leukemias and warrants further investigation in this clinical situation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yesid Alvarado
- Department of Leukemia, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Myeloprotection by cytidine deaminase gene transfer in antileukemic therapy. Neoplasia 2013; 15:239-48. [PMID: 23479503 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer of drug resistance (CTX-R) genes can be used to protect the hematopoietic system from the toxicity of anticancer chemotherapy and this concept recently has been proven by overexpression of a mutant O(6)-methylguaninemethyltransferase in the hematopoietic system of glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide. Given its protection capacity against such relevant drugs as cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), gemcitabine, decitabine, or azacytidine and the highly hematopoiesis-specific toxicity profile of several of these agents, cytidine deaminase (CDD) represents another interesting candidate CTX-R gene and our group recently has established the myeloprotective capacity of CDD gene transfer in a number of murine transplant studies. Clinically, CDD overexpression appears particularly suited to optimize treatment strategies for acute leukemias and myelodysplasias given the efficacy of ara-C (and to a lesser degree decitabine and azacytidine) in these disease entities. This article will review the current state of the art with regard to CDD gene transfer and point out potential scenarios for a clinical application of this strategy. In addition, risks and potential side effects associated with this approach as well as strategies to overcome these problems will be highlighted.
Collapse
|
7
|
Development of gene therapy in association with clinically used cytotoxic deoxynucleoside analogues. Cancer Gene Ther 2009; 16:541-50. [PMID: 19343063 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2009.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The clinical use of cytotoxic deoxynucleoside analogues is often limited by resistance mechanisms due to enzymatic deficiency, or high toxicity in nontumor tissues. To improve the use of these drugs, gene therapy approaches have been proposed and studied, associating clinically used deoxynucleoside analogues such as araC and gemcitabine and suicide genes or myeloprotective genes. In this review, we provide an update of recent results in this area, with particular emphasis on human deoxycytidine kinase, the deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster, purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Escherichia coli, and human cytidine deaminase. Data from literature clearly show the feasibility of these systems, and clinical trials are warranted to conclude on their use in the treatment of cancer patients.
Collapse
|
8
|
Haviernik P, Zhang Y, Bunting KD. Retroviral transduction of murine hematopoietic stem cells. Methods Mol Biol 2008; 430:229-41. [PMID: 18370303 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-182-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are inherently rare cell types that cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts for classical biochemical characterization. To facilitate functional studies of murine HSC and hematopoietic development, the technique of retroviral-mediated gene transfer provides a useful tool. The generation of high titer retroviral vectors permits transduction of stem cells with a variety of genes and leads to long-term marking in the blood of recipient mice. Optimized promoter/enhancers facilitate high-level transgene expression in mice transplanted with transduced bone marrow (BM) cells. The co-expression of reporter genes along with a gene of interest greatly facilitates tracking donor engraftment of transduced hematopoietic progeny following stem cell transplantation. This methodology can be used to reconstitute defective function in a mutant background or to study protein function during hematopoiesis by overexpression. Despite limitations such as integration site variegation and copy number-dependent effects, this approach is rapid and efficient compared with transgenic mouse technology. In this chapter, we review this broadly applicable technique for achieving high-level murine BM stem cell transduction. We also describe methods for transplantation and subsequent analysis of transplanted mice as a bona fide assay for the stem cell transduction efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Haviernik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
A major side effect of cancer chemotherapy is myelosuppression. Expression of drug-resistance genes in hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) using gene transfer methodologies holds the promise of overcoming marrow toxicity in cancer chemotherapy. Adequate protection of marrow cells in cancer patients from myelotoxicity in this way would permit the use of escalating doses of chemotherapy for eradicating residual disease. A second use of drug-resistance genes is for coexpression with a therapeutic gene in HSCs to provide a selection advantage to gene-modified cells. In this review, we discuss several drug resistance genes, which are well suited for in vivo selection as well as other newer candidate genes with potential for use in this manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Zaboikin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rattmann I, Kleff V, Sorg UR, Bardenheuer W, Brueckner A, Hilger RA, Opalka B, Seeber S, Flasshove M, Moritz T. Gene transfer of cytidine deaminase protects myelopoiesis from cytidine analogs in an in vivo murine transplant model. Blood 2006; 108:2965-71. [PMID: 16835384 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-03-011734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractHematopoietic stem cell gene transfer of the drug-resistance gene cytidine deaminase (CDD) protecting cells from the cytotoxic cytidine analogs cytarabine and gemcitabine was investigated in a murine transplant model. Following transplantation of CDD-transduced cells and cytarabine application (500 mg/kg; days 1-4; intraperitoneally) significant myeloprotection was demonstrated with nadir counts of peripheral blood granulocytes and thrombocytes of 2.9 ± 0.6/nL versus 0.7 ± 0.1/nL (P < .001) and 509 ± 147/nL versus 80 ± 9/nL (P = .008), respectively (CDD versus control). Protection also was observed from otherwise lethal gemcitabine treatment (250 mg/kg; days 1-3). Stable levels of gene-marked cells in primary and secondary recipients were demonstrated for up to 9 months, and whereas CDD overexpression clearly reduced B- and T-lymphocyte numbers, no major toxicity was observed in the myeloid compartment. Despite the profound myeloprotective properties, however, CDD overexpression did not allow for pharmacologic enrichment of transduced hematopoiesis in our model. Thus, in summary, our data establish CDD as a drug-resistance gene highly suitable for myeloprotective purposes, which, given the lack of selection observed in our hands, might best be used in combination with selectable drugresistance genes such as MGMT (P140K) or MDR1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ina Rattmann
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Hufelandstr 55, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bardenheuer W, Lehmberg K, Rattmann I, Brueckner A, Schneider A, Sorg UR, Seeber S, Moritz T, Flasshove M. Resistance to cytarabine and gemcitabine and in vitro selection of transduced cells after retroviral expression of cytidine deaminase in human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Leukemia 2006; 19:2281-8. [PMID: 16304576 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of the detoxifying enzyme cytidine deaminase (CDD) renders normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells resistant to cytarabine (1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine), and studies on murine cells have suggested transgenic CDD overexpression as a way to reduce the substantial myelotoxicity induced by the deoxycytidine analogs cytarabine and gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine). We now have investigated CDD (over-)expression in the human hematopoietic system. Retroviral gene transfer significantly increased the resistance of CDD-transduced cord blood and peripheral blood-derived progenitor cells for doses ranging from 20-100 nM cytarabine and 8-10 nM gemcitabine. Protection was observed for progenitors of erythroid as well as myeloid differentiation, though the degree of protection varied for individual drugs. In addition, significant selection of CDD-transduced cells was obtained after a 4-day culture in 30-100 nM cytarabine. Thus, our data demonstrate that overexpression of CDD cDNA results in significant protection of human progenitors from cytarabine- as well as gemcitabine-induced toxicity, and allows in vitro selection of transduced cells. This strongly argues for a potential therapeutic role of CDD gene transfer in conjunction with dose-intensive cytarabine- or gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy regimen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Bardenheuer
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lennartz K, Lu M, Flasshove M, Moritz T, Kirstein U. Improving the biosafety of cell sorting by adaptation of a cell sorting system to a biosafety cabinet. Cytometry A 2005; 66:119-27. [PMID: 15973698 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.20157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The jet-in-air cell sorters currently available are not very suitable for sorting potentially biohazardous material under optimal conditions because they do not protect operators and samples as recommended in the guidelines for safe biotechnology. To solve this problem we have adapted a cell sorting system to a special biosafety cabinet that satisfies the requirements for class II cabinets. With aid of this unit, sorting can be performed in conformance with the recommendations for biosafety level 2. METHODS After integrating a modified fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) Vantage into a special biosafety cabinet, we investigated the influence of the laminar air flow (LAF) inside the cabinet on side stream stability and the analytical precision of the cell sorter. In addition to the routine electronic counting of microparticles, we carried out tests on the containment of aerosols, using T4 bacteriophage as indicators, to demonstrate the efficiency of the biosafety cabinet for sorting experiments performed under biosafety level 2 conditions. RESULTS The experiments showed that LAF, which is necessary to build up sterile conditions in a biosafety cabinet, does not influence the conditions for side stream stability or the analytical precision of the FACS Vantage cell sorting system. In addition, tests performed to assess aerosol containment during operation of the special biosafety cabinet demonstrated that the cabinet-integrated FACS Vantage unit (CIF) satisfies the conditions for class II cabinets. In the context of gene transfer experiments, the CIF facility was used to sort hematopoietic progenitor cells under biosafety level 2 conditions. CONCLUSIONS The newly designed biosafety cabinet offers a practical modality for improving biosafety for operators and samples during cell sorting procedures. It can thus also be used for sorting experiments with genetically modified organisms in conformance with current biosafety regulations and guidelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Lennartz
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Meisel R, Bardenheuer W, Strehblow C, Sorg UR, Elmaagacli A, Seeber S, Flasshove M, Moritz T. Efficient protection from methotrexate toxicity and selection of transduced human hematopoietic cells following gene transfer of dihydrofolate reductase mutants. Exp Hematol 2004; 31:1215-22. [PMID: 14662327 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2003.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While retrovirally mediated gene transfer of dihydrofolate reductase mutants (mutDHFR) has convincingly been demonstrated to confer methotrexate (MTX) resistance to murine hematopoietic cells, clinical application of this technology will require high efficacy in human cells. Therefore, we investigated retroviral constructs expressing various point mutants of human DHFR for their ability to confer MTX resistance to human clonogenic progenitor cells (CFU-C) and to allow for in vitro selection of transduced CFU-C. METHODS Primary human hematopoietic cells were retrovirally transduced using MMLV- and SFFV/MESV-based vectors expressing DHFR(Ser31), DHFR(Phe22/Ser31), or DHFR(Tyr22/Gly31). MTX resistance of unselected and in vitro-selected CFU-C was determined using MTX-supplemented methylcellulose cultures and gene transfer efficiency was assesed by single-colony PCR analysis. RESULTS While less than 1% mock-transduced CFU-C survived the presence of > or =5 x 10(-8) M MTX, MMLV- and SFFV/MESV-based vectors expressing DHFR(Ser31) significantly protected CFU-C from MTX at doses ranging from 2.5 to 30 x 10(-8) M. Vectors expressing DHFR(Phe22/Ser31) or DHFR(Tyr22/Gly31) were even more protective and MTX-resistant CFU-C were observed up to 1 x 10(-5) M MTX. Three-day suspension cultures in the presence of 10-20 x 10(-8) M MTX resulted in significant selection of mutDHFR-transduced CFU-C. The percentage of CFU-C resistant to 10 x 10(-8) M MTX increased fourfold to 20-fold and provirus-containing CFU-C increased from 27% to 79-100%. CONCLUSION Gene transfer of DHFR using suitable retroviral backbones and DHFR mutants significantly increases MTX resistance of human CFU-C and allows efficient in vitro selection of transduced cells using a short-term selection procedure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Meisel
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Giles FJ, Feldman EJ, Roboz GJ, Larson RA, Mamus SW, Cortes JE, Verstovsek S, Faderl S, Talpaz M, Beran M, Albitar M, O'Brien SM, Kantarjian HM. Phase II study of troxacitabine, a novel dioxolane nucleoside analog, in patients with untreated or imatinib mesylate-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase. Leuk Res 2003; 27:1091-6. [PMID: 12921945 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2126(03)00094-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A phase II study of troxacitabine, a non-natural dioxolane nucleoside L-enantiomer, was conducted in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase (CML-BP). Patients were untreated for BP, or treated with imatinib mesylate (IM) as sole prior therapy for BP. Troxacitabine was given as an intravenous infusion over 30 min daily for 5 days at a dose of 8.0 mg/m(2) per day. Thirty-one patients, 29 (93%) of whom had failed prior IM therapy, received 51 courses of therapy. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities included stomatitis (4%), hand-foot syndrome (18%), and skin rash (12%). Four patients (13%) responded. Troxacitabine-based combinations merit study in IM-resistant CML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Giles
- Department of Leukemia, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, P.O. Box 428, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Giles FJ, Faderl S, Thomas DA, Cortes JE, Garcia-Manero G, Douer D, Levine AM, Koller CA, Jeha SS, O'Brien SM, Estey EH, Kantarjian HM. Randomized phase I/II study of troxacitabine combined with cytarabine, idarubicin, or topotecan in patients with refractory myeloid leukemias. J Clin Oncol 2003; 21:1050-6. [PMID: 12637470 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2003.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Troxacitabine has significant single-agent activity. This study was conducted to define the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of its combination with cytarabine (ara-C), idarubicin, or topotecan. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase (CML-BP) were initially randomly assigned to receive troxacitabine 5.0 mg/m(2) by intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 minutes on days 1 to 5 with ara-C 1.0 g/m(2)/d IV [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] over 2 hours on days 1 to 5, idarubicin 12 mg/m(2) by 5 minute IV infusion on days 1 to 3, or topotecan 1.0 mg/m(2) as an continuous IV infusion on days 1 to 5. Doses were then adjusted to define DLT for each combination. RESULTS Eighty-seven patients (68 AML, eight MDS, 11 CML-BP) were treated. DLTs were hepatic transaminitis, hyperbilirubinemia, and hand foot syndrome (HFS) on the troxacitabine plus ara-C combination. The recommended phase II doses were 6 mg/m(2) once a day for 5 days and 1.0g/m(2) once a day for 5 days, respectively. DLTs were diarrhea, rash, and mucositis on the troxacitabine plus topotecan combination. The recommended phase II doses were 4 mg/m(2) once a day for 5 days and 0.75 mg/m(2) once a day for 5 days, respectively. DLTs were HFS, rash, and mucositis on the troxacitabine plus idarubicin combination. The recommended phase II doses were 4 mg/m(2) once a day for 5 days and 9 mg/m(2) once a day for 3 days, respectively. Among 74 evaluable patients with AML or MDS, 10 (13%) achieved complete remission and four (5%) had hematologic improvement. Two of 11 (18%) evaluable patients with CML-BP returned to chronic phase. CONCLUSION Troxacitabine-based combinations had significant antileukemic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Giles
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Trarbach T, Greifenberg S, Bardenheuer W, Elmaagacli A, Hirche H, Flasshove M, Seeber S, Moritz T. Optimized retroviral transduction protocol for human progenitor cells utilizing fibronectin fragments. Cytotherapy 2003; 2:429-38. [PMID: 12044223 DOI: 10.1080/146532400539378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retroviral transduction in the presence of fibronectin (FN) fragments has proven an efficient and clinically-applicable procedure for gene transfer into hematopoietic cells. So far, FN-based transduction protocols have been optimized primarily for transduction of stem cells, whereas for several therapeutic applications transduction of clonogenic progenitors (CFU) may be sufficient. METHODS Transduction protocols for CFU were optimized by evaluating the effect of growth factors, timing of retroviral transduction, CD34-selection and heparin, using a neomycin-phosphotransferase (neo(R))-expressing retroviral vector. RESULTS The presence of multiple growth factors during prestimulation and transduction, including the differentiating cytokines G-CSF or GM-CSF, substantially enhanced transduction of CFU. Best results were achieved when 24 h of prestimulation were followed by a 24-48 h transduction period in the presence of the CH-296 FN-fragment and IL-3, IL-11, SCF, erythropoietin (EPO), and GM-CSF. With this proto-col we observed highly efficient transduction of BM-derived CFU (90.7 +/- 8.8 % G 418-resistant colonies), even with retrovirus preparations of moderate infectious titer (5 x 10(4) - 2 x 10(5) CFU/mL). The number of CFU increased on average 2.6-fold (range 1.5-3.8) during the transduction procedure. Selection of CD34(+) cells prior to transduction did not improve transduction efficiency. Heparin, even in concentrations as low as 2.0 microg/mL, significantly inhibited transduction of CFU on FN-fragments. DISCUSSION An optimized protocol for retroviral gene transfer into human clonogenic progenitor cells that allows highly efficient transduction, even with moderate titer retroviral vectors, is presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Trarbach
- Department of Internal Medicine, West German Cancer Center, University of Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
The acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are often fatal disorders with a range of clinical, morphologic, cytogenetic, and molecular features and a consequent need for a diverse array of therapies. This need for tailored therapy for subsets of patients with AML is exemplified in those with acute promyelocytic leukemia, the subject of a separate article in this issue (Tallman and Nabhan). Unfortunately, we tend to examine novel agents in patients with very advanced disease, in which prior therapies have inevitably altered the tumor. Of a myriad of possible exciting novel agents, a few, including PS-341, Genasense (Genta, Berkeley Heights, NJ), decitabine, 5-azacytidine, clofarabine, and troxacitabine, are briefly reviewed with an emphasis on their mechanisms of action from a perspective that suggests possible synergistic therapeutic interventions. With the growing appreciation of the pivotal role of angiogenesis in AML, angiogenesis modulators are a good example of a core class of drugs upon which future noncytotoxic combinations may be built. Those agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor are also briefly reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Giles
- Section of Developmental Therapeutics, Department of Leukemia, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 428, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Moritz T, Williams DA. Marrow protection - transduction of hematopoietic cells with drug resistance genes. Cytotherapy 2002; 3:67-84. [PMID: 12028830 DOI: 10.1080/14653240152584640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T Moritz
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Tumor Center, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Unique among currently approved or in-development nucleoside analogs, troxacitabine (Troxatyl) is an L-nucleoside with significant cytotoxic activity. Its stereochemistry and cellular transport characteristics render it insensitive to some tumor cell mechanisms of resistance to D-nucleosides, such as cytarabine and fludarabine. Troxacitabine's dose-limiting toxicities were mucositis and hand-foot syndrome in patients with refractory leukemia. Three complete and one partial remissions were observed in 30 patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia on a Phase I study. Significant activity in blastic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia was seen on a Phase II study. Combinations of troxacitabine with ara-C, topotecan and idarubicin are active in patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Phase II studies in patients with refractory lymphoproliferative diseases are ongoing. Troxacitabine merits further study in patients with hematological malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Giles
- Section of Developmental Thereputics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Lukemia, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 428, Houston, TX 77030-4095, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Giles FJ, Garcia-Manero G, Cortes JE, Baker SD, Miller CB, O'Brien SM, Thomas DA, Andreeff M, Bivins C, Jolivet J, Kantarjian HM. Phase II study of troxacitabine, a novel dioxolane nucleoside analog, in patients with refractory leukemia. J Clin Oncol 2002; 20:656-64. [PMID: 11821445 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2002.20.3.656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the activity of a novel dioxolane L-nucleoside analog, troxacitabine (L-(-)-OddC, BCH-4556), in patients with refractory leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS Study participants were patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid (AML) or lymphocytic (ALL) leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic phase (CML-BP). Troxacitabine was provided as an intravenous infusion for more than 30 minutes daily for 5 days at a dose of 8.0 mg/m(2)/d (40 mg/m(2) per course). Courses were given every 3 to 4 weeks according to antileukemic efficacy. RESULTS Forty-two patients (AML, 18 patients; MDS, one patient; ALL, six patients; CML-BP, 17 patients) were treated. Median age was 51 years (range, 23 to 80 years); 22 patients were male. Stomatitis was the most significant adverse event, with three patients (7%) and two patients (5%), respectively, experiencing grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Ten patients (24%) had grade 3 hand-foot syndrome, and two patients (5%) had grade 3 skin rash. One patient (2%) had grade 3 fatigue and anorexia. Marrow hypoplasia occurred between days 14 and 28 in 12 (75%) of 16 assessable patients with AML. Two complete remissions and one partial remission (18%) were observed in 16 assessable patients with AML. None of six patients with ALL responded. Six (37%) of 16 assessable patients with CML-BP experienced a return to chronic-phase disease. CONCLUSION Troxacitabine has significant antileukemic activity in patients with AML and CML-BP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Giles
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jansen M, Bardenheuer W, Sorg UR, Seeber S, Flasshove M, Moritz T. Protection of hematopoietic cells from O(6)-alkylation damage by O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase gene transfer: studies with different O(6)-alkylating agents and retroviral backbones. Eur J Haematol 2001; 67:2-13. [PMID: 11553261 DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0609.2001.067001002.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) can protect hematopoietic cells from O(6)-alkylation damage. To identify possible clinical applications of this technology we compared the effect of MGMT gene transfer on the hematotoxicity induced by different O(6)-alkylating agents in clinical use: the chloroethylnitrosoureas ACNU, BCNU, CCNU and the tetrazine derivative temozolomide. In addition, various retroviral vectors expressing the MGMT-cDNA were investigated to identify optimal viral backbones for hematoprotection by MGMT expression. Protection from ACNU, BCNU, CCNU or temozolomide toxicity was evaluated utilizing a Moloney murine leukemia virus-based retroviral vector (N2/Zip-PGK-MGMT) to transduce primary murine bone marrow cells. Increased resistance in murine colony-forming units (CFU) was demonstrated for all four drugs. In comparison to mock-transduced controls, after transduction with N2/Zip-PGK-MGMT the IC50 for CFU increased on average 4.7-fold for ACNU, 2.5-fold for BCNU, 6.3-fold for CCNU and 1.5-fold for temozolomide. To study the effect of the retroviral backbone on hematoprotection various vectors expressing the human MGMT-cDNA from a murine embryonic sarcoma virus LTR (MSCV-MGMT) or a hybrid spleen focus-forming/murine embryonic sarcoma virus LTR (SF1-MGMT) were compared with the N2/Zip-PGK-MGMT vector. While all vectors increased resistance of transduced human CFU to ACNU, the SF1-MGMT construct was most efficient especially at high ACNU concentrations (8-12 microg/ml). Similar results were obtained for protection of murine high-proliferative-potential colony-forming cells. These data may help to optimize treatment design and retroviral constructs in future clinical studies aiming at hematoprotection by MGMT gene transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|