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Vannini A, Parenti F, Barboni C, Forghieri C, Leoni V, Sanapo M, Bressanin D, Zaghini A, Campadelli-Fiume G, Gianni T. Efficacy of Systemically Administered Retargeted Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses-Clearance and Biodistribution in Naïve and HSV-Preimmune Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4042. [PMID: 37627072 PMCID: PMC10452237 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the anticancer efficacy, blood clearance, and tissue biodistribution of systemically administered retargeted oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (ReHVs) in HSV-naïve and HSV-preimmunized (HSV-IMM) mice. Efficacy was tested against lung tumors formed upon intravenous administration of cancer cells, a model of metastatic disease, and against subcutaneous distant tumors. In naïve mice, HER2- and hPSMA-retargeted viruses, both armed with mIL-12, were highly effective, even when administered to mice with well-developed tumors. Efficacy was higher for combination regimens with immune checkpoint inhibitors. A significant amount of infectious virus persisted in the blood for at least 1 h. Viral genomes, or fragments thereof, persisted in the blood and tissues for days. Remarkably, the only sites of viral replication were the lungs of tumor-positive mice and the subcutaneous tumors. No replication was detected in other tissues, strengthening the evidence of the high cancer specificity of ReHVs, a property that renders ReHVs suitable for systemic administration. In HSV-IMM mice, ReHVs administered at late times failed to exert anticancer efficacy, and the circulating virus was rapidly inactivated. Serum stability and in vivo whole blood stability assays highlighted neutralizing antibodies as the main factor in virus inactivation. Efforts to deplete mice of the neutralizing antibodies are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Parenti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Catia Barboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Cristina Forghieri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Valerio Leoni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Mara Sanapo
- Animal Facility Unit, Biogem, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy;
| | - Daniela Bressanin
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Anna Zaghini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Tatiana Gianni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.V.); (F.P.); (C.F.)
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2
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Bifulco M, Di Zazzo E, Napolitano F, Malfitano AM, Portella G. History of how viruses can fight cancer: From the miraculous healings to the approval of oncolytic viruses. Biochimie 2023; 206:89-92. [PMID: 36273765 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since the nineteenth century, several reports in the historical medical literature emphasized that, occasionally, cancer patients showed a clinical remission, called "Saint Peregrine tumor" as a result of natural infections. Moreover, additional evidence indicated that viruses show a tropism toward cancer cells, leading to the discovery of oncolytic activity of several viruses, called oncolytic viruses (OVs). With the technological and scientific advancements, the advent of rodent models, the establishment of in vitro cell lines, the introduction of methods for virus propagation, several attempts through the 1950s and 1970s have been made to increase OVs specificity, efficacy and safety; however, inconclusive/negative results have been reached and many researchers abandoned the field. Only in the later 1990s, the genetic engineering and the recombinant DNA techniques that allowed the generation of potent, specific and safe OVs and a better understanding of cancer cells renewed the interest in virotherapy. Currently, virotherapy represents a cancer therapeutic strategy based on the use of OVs that selectively infect and lyse cancer cells, without harming normal cells. Over the past years, several "natural" and "genetic engineered" viruses, have been investigated in clinical studies and some of them revealed encouraging results. Recently, the clinical use of OVs has also been supported by the immune stimulatory property of OVs against tumor cells. Here, we analyze the early oncolytic virotherapy before genetic engineering to highlight the relevant progresses reached, and the mechanism to stimulate host immune response, a significant challenge in current virotherapy field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Health Science "V. Tiberio", 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fabiana Napolitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Portella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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3
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Bauzon M, Hermiston T. Armed therapeutic viruses - a disruptive therapy on the horizon of cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2014; 5:74. [PMID: 24605114 PMCID: PMC3932422 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past 150 years cancer immunotherapy has been largely a theoretical hope that recently has begun to show potential as a highly impactful treatment for various cancers. In particular, the identification and targeting of immune checkpoints have given rise to exciting data suggesting that this strategy has the potential to activate sustained antitumor immunity. It is likely that this approach, like other anti-cancer strategies before it, will benefit from co-administration with an additional therapeutic and that it is this combination therapy that may generate the greatest clinical outcome for the patient. In this regard, oncolytic viruses are a therapeutic moiety that is well suited to deliver and augment these immune-modulating therapies in a highly targeted and economically advantageous way over current treatment. In this review, we discuss the blockade of immune checkpoints, how oncolytic viruses complement and extend these therapies, and speculate on how this combination will uniquely impact the future of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine Bauzon
- Bayer HealthCare, US Innovation Center, Biologics Research , San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Terry Hermiston
- Bayer HealthCare, US Innovation Center, Biologics Research , San Francisco, CA , USA
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4
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Cerullo V, Koski A, Vähä-Koskela M, Hemminki A. Chapter eight--Oncolytic adenoviruses for cancer immunotherapy: data from mice, hamsters, and humans. Adv Cancer Res 2013; 115:265-318. [PMID: 23021247 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-398342-8.00008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adenovirus is one of the most commonly used vectors for gene therapy and two products have already been approved for treatment of cancer in China (Gendicine(R) and Oncorine(R)). An intriguing aspect of oncolytic adenoviruses is that by their very nature they potently stimulate multiple arms of the immune system. Thus, combined tumor killing via oncolysis and inherent immunostimulatory properties in fact make these viruses in situ tumor vaccines. When further engineered to express cytokines, chemokines, tumor-associated antigens, or other immunomodulatory elements, they have been shown in various preclinical models to induce antigen-specific effector and memory responses, resulting both in full therapeutic cures and even induction of life-long tumor immunity. Here, we review the state of the art of oncolytic adenovirus, in the context of their capability to stimulate innate and adaptive arms of the immune system and finally how we can modify these viruses to direct the immune response toward cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cerullo
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Division of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Altomonte J, Ebert O. Replicating viral vectors for cancer therapy: strategies to synergize with host immune responses. Microb Biotechnol 2011; 5:251-9. [PMID: 21923638 PMCID: PMC3815785 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2011.00296.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour‐specific replicating (oncolytic) viruses are novel anticancer agents, currently under intense investigation in preclinical studies and phase I–III clinical trials. Until recently, most studies have focused on the direct antitumour properties of these viruses. There is now an increasing body of evidence indicating that host immune responses may be critical to the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy. Although the immune response to oncolytic viruses can rapidly restrict viral replication, thereby limiting the efficacy of therapy, oncolytic virotherapy also has the potential to induce potent antitumoural immune effectors that destroy those cancer cells, which are not directly lysed by virus. In this review, we discuss the role of the immune system in terms of antiviral and antitumoural responses, as well as strategies to evade or promote these responses in favour of improved therapeutic potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Altomonte
- II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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6
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Pesonen S, Diaconu I, Cerullo V, Escutenaire S, Raki M, Kangasniemi L, Nokisalmi P, Dotti G, Guse K, Laasonen L, Partanen K, Karli E, Haavisto E, Oksanen M, Karioja-Kallio A, Hannuksela P, Holm SL, Kauppinen S, Joensuu T, Kanerva A, Hemminki A. Integrin targeted oncolytic adenoviruses Ad5-D24-RGD and Ad5-RGD-D24-GMCSF for treatment of patients with advanced chemotherapy refractory solid tumors. Int J Cancer 2011; 130:1937-47. [PMID: 21630267 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The safety of oncolytic viruses for treatment of cancer has been shown in clinical trials while antitumor efficacy has often remained modest. As expression of the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor may be variable in advanced tumors, we developed Ad5-D24-RGD, a p16/Rb pathway selective oncolytic adenovirus featuring RGD-4C modification of the fiber. This allows viral entry through alpha-v-beta integrins frequently highly expressed in advanced tumors. Advanced tumors are often immunosuppressive which results in lack of tumor eradication despite abnormal epitopes being present. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) is a potent activator of immune system with established antitumor properties. To stimulate antitumor immunity and break tumor associated immunotolerance, we constructed Ad5-RGD-D24-GMCSF, featuring GMCSF controlled by the adenoviral E3 promoter. Preliminary safety of Ad5-D24-RGD and Ad5-RGD-D24-GMCSF for treatment of human cancer was established. Treatments with Ad5-D24-RGD (N = 9) and Ad5-RGD-D24-GMCSF (N = 7) were well tolerated. Typical side effects were grade 1-2 fatigue, fever and injection site pain. 77% (10/13) of evaluable patients showed virus in circulation for at least 2 weeks. In 3 out of 6 evaluable patients, disease previously progressing stabilized after a single treatment with Ad5-RGD-D24-GMCSF. In addition, 2/3 patients had stabilization or reduction in tumor marker levels. All patients treated with Ad5-D24-RGD showed disease progression in radiological analysis, although 3/6 had temporary reduction or stabilization of marker levels. Induction of tumor and adenovirus specific immunity was demonstrated with ELISPOT in Ad5-RGD-D24-GMCSF treated patients. RGD modified oncolytic adenoviruses with or without GMCSF seem safe for further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Pesonen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute and Finnish Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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7
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Gujar SA, Pan DA, Marcato P, Garant KA, Lee PWK. Oncolytic virus-initiated protective immunity against prostate cancer. Mol Ther 2011; 19:797-804. [PMID: 21245852 PMCID: PMC3070098 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently reovirus-based oncotherapy has been successfully implemented for the treatment of prostate cancer. In this report, we show that apart from its primary direct cancer-killing activity, reovirus oncotherapy overrides tumor-associated immune evasion strategies and confers protective antiprostate cancer immunity. Prostate cancer represents an ideal target for immunotherapies. However, currently available immune interventions fail to induce clinically significant antiprostate cancer immune responses, owing to the immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with this disease. We show here that during the process of oncolysis, reovirus acts upon prostate cancer cells and initiates proinflammatory cytokines and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule expression. In an immunocompetent transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model, reovirus oncotherapy induces the homing of CD8(+) T and NK cells in tumors and the display of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and endows dendritic cells (DCs) with a capacity to successfully present TAAs to tumor-specific CD8(+) T cells. These newly generated immunological events lead to the development of strong antiprostate cancer T cell responses, which restrict the growth of subsequently, implanted syngeneic tumor in an antigen-specific, but reovirus-independent manner. Such reovirus-initiated antiprostate cancer immunity represents a clinically valuable entity that can promote long-term cancer-free health even after discontinuation of the primary oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi A Gujar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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8
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Bourke MG, Salwa S, Harrington KJ, Kucharczyk MJ, Forde PF, de Kruijf M, Soden D, Tangney M, Collins JK, O'Sullivan GC. The emerging role of viruses in the treatment of solid tumours. Cancer Treat Rev 2011; 37:618-32. [PMID: 21232872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2010.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 12/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing optimism for the use of non-pathogenic viruses in the treatment of many cancers. Initial interest in oncolytic virotherapy was based on the observation of an occasional clinical resolution of a lymphoma after a systemic viral infection. In many cancers, by comparison with normal tissues, the competency of the cellular anti-viral mechanism is impaired, thus creating an exploitable difference between the tumour and normal cells, as an unimpeded viral proliferation in cancer cells is eventually cytocidal. In addition to their oncolytic capability, these particular viruses may be engineered to facilitate gene delivery to tumour cells to produce therapeutic effects such as cytokine secretion and anti -tumour immune responses prior to the eventual cytolysis. There is now promising clinical experience with these viral strategies, particularly as part of multimodal studies, and already several clinical trials are in progress. The limitations of standard cancer chemotherapies, including their lack of specificity with consequent collateral toxicity and the development of cross-resistance, do not appear to apply to viral-based therapies. Furthermore, virotherapy frequently restores chemoradiosensitivity to resistant tumours and has also demonstrated efficacy against cancers that historically have a dismal prognosis. While there is cause for optimism, through continued improvements in the efficiency and safety of systemic delivery, through the emergence of alternative viral agents and through favourable clinical experiences, clinical trials as part of multimodal protocols will be necessary to define clinical utility. Significant progress has been made and this is now a major research area with an increasing annual bibliography.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Bourke
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Jnr. Laboratory, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Ireland.
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9
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Geevarghese SK, Geller DA, de Haan HA, Hörer M, Knoll AE, Mescheder A, Nemunaitis J, Reid TR, Sze DY, Tanabe KK, Tawfik H. Phase I/II study of oncolytic herpes simplex virus NV1020 in patients with extensively pretreated refractory colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 21:1119-28. [PMID: 20486770 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This multicenter phase I/II study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor effects of repeated doses of NV1020, a genetically engineered oncolytic herpes simplex virus, in patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients with liver-dominant mCRC received four fixed NV1020 doses via weekly hepatic artery infusion, followed by two or more cycles of conventional chemotherapy. Phase I included cohorts receiving 3 × 10(6), 1 × 10(7), 3 × 10(7), and 1 × 10(8) plaque-forming units (PFU)/dose to determine the optimal biological dose (OBD) for phase II. Blind independent computed tomography scan review was based on RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumors) to assess hepatic tumor response. Phase I and II enrolled 13 and 19 patients, respectively. Patients experienced transient mild-moderate febrile reactions after each NV1020 infusion. Grade 3/4 virus-related toxicity was limited to transient lymphopenia in two patients. NV1020 shedding was not detected. Simultaneous cytokine and grade 1 coagulation perturbations were dose-limiting at 1 × 10(8) PFU/dose, considered the OBD. All 22 OBD patients had previously received 5-fluorouracil; most had received oxaliplatin or irinotecan (50% had both), many with at least one targeted agent. After NV1020 administration, 50% showed stable disease. The best overall tumor control rate after chemotherapy was 68% (1 partial response, 14 stable disease); this did not correlate with baseline variables or chemotherapy. Median time to progression was 6.4 months (95% confidence interval: 2, 8.9); median overall survival was 11.8 months (95% confidence interval: 8.3, 20.7). One-year survival was 47.2%. We conclude that NV1020 stabilizes liver metastases with minimal toxicity in mCRC. It may resensitize metastases to salvage chemotherapy and extend overall survival. A randomized phase II/III trial now appears justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil K Geevarghese
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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10
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Pesonen S, Helin H, Nokisalmi P, Escutenaire S, Ribacka C, Sarkioja M, Cerullo V, Guse K, Bauerschmitz G, Laasonen L, Kantola T, Ristimaki A, Rajecki M, Oksanen M, Haavisto E, Kanerva A, Joensuu T, Hemminki A. Oncolytic adenovirus treatment of a patient with refractory neuroblastoma. Acta Oncol 2010; 49:117-9. [PMID: 19735000 DOI: 10.3109/02841860903071369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sari Pesonen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Transplantation Laboratory and Finnish Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
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11
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Zhang YQ, Tsai YC, Monie A, Wu TC, Hung CF. Enhancing the therapeutic effect against ovarian cancer through a combination of viral oncolysis and antigen-specific immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2010; 18:692-9. [PMID: 20087318 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy using oncolytic viruses represents a promising new approach for controlling ovarian cancer. In this study, we have circumvented the limitation of repeated vaccination by employing different virus vectors, Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) and vaccinia virus (VV) for boosting the immune response. We found that infection of tumor-bearing mice with VV followed by infection with SFV or vice versa leads to enhanced antitumor effects against murine ovarian surface epithelial carcinoma (MOSEC) tumors. Furthermore, infection with VV-ovalbumin (OVA) followed by infection with SFV-OVA or vice versa was found to lead to enhanced OVA-specific CD8(+) T-cell immune responses. In addition, we found that infection with SFV-OVA followed by infection with VV-OVA leads to enhanced antitumor effects in vivo and enhanced tumor killing in vitro through a combination of viral oncolysis and antigen-specific immunity. The clinical implications of this study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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Prestwich RJ, Errington F, Diaz RM, Pandha HS, Harrington KJ, Melcher AA, Vile RG. The case of oncolytic viruses versus the immune system: waiting on the judgment of Solomon. Hum Gene Ther 2009; 20:1119-32. [PMID: 19630549 PMCID: PMC2829276 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/24/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The three-way interaction between oncolytic viruses, the tumor microenvironment, and the immune system is critical to the outcome of antitumor therapy. Classically, the immune system is thought to limit the efficacy of therapy, leading to viral clearance. However, preclinical and clinical data suggest that in some cases virotherapy may in fact act as cancer immunotherapy. In this review we discuss the ability of oncolytic viruses to alter the immunogenic milieu of the tumor microenvironment, and the role of innate and adaptive immunity in both restricting and augmenting therapy. Strategies to improve virotherapy by immunomodulation, including suppression or enhancement of the innate and adaptive responses, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J. Prestwich
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Errington
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa M. Diaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Hardev S. Pandha
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XX, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J. Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Laboratory, Institute of Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Alan A. Melcher
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G. Vile
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
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Angelova AL, Aprahamian M, Grekova SP, Hajri A, Leuchs B, Giese NA, Dinsart C, Herrmann A, Balboni G, Rommelaere J, Raykov Z. Improvement of gemcitabine-based therapy of pancreatic carcinoma by means of oncolytic parvovirus H-1PV. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:511-9. [PMID: 19147756 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pancreatic carcinoma is a gastrointestinal malignancy with poor prognosis. Treatment with gemcitabine, the most potent chemotherapeutic against this cancer up to date, is not curative, and resistance may appear. Complementary treatment with an oncolytic virus, such as the rat parvovirus H-1PV, which is infectious but nonpathogenic in humans, emerges as an innovative option. PURPOSE To prove that combining gemcitabine and H-1PV in a model of pancreatic carcinoma may reduce the dosage of the toxic drug and/or improve the overall anticancer effect. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Pancreatic tumors were implanted orthotopically in Lewis rats or subcutaneously in nude mice and treated with gemcitabine, H-1PV, or both according to different regimens. Tumor size was monitored by micro-computed tomography, whereas bone marrow, liver, and kidney functions were monitored by measuring clinically relevant markers. Human pancreatic cell lines and gemcitabine-resistant derivatives were tested in vitro for sensitivity to H-1PV infection with or without gemcitabine. RESULTS In vitro studies proved that combining gemcitabine with H-1PV resulted in synergistic cytotoxic effects and achieved an up to 15-fold reduction in the 50% effective concentration of the drug, with drug-resistant cells remaining sensitive to virus killing. Toxicologic screening showed that H-1PV had an excellent safety profile when applied alone or in combination with gemcitabine. The benefits of applying H-1PV as a second-line treatment after gemcitabine included reduction of tumor growth, prolonged survival of the animals, and absence of metastases on CT-scans. CONCLUSION In addition to their potential use as monotherapy for pancreatic cancer, parvoviruses can be best combined with gemcitabine in a two-step protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assia L Angelova
- Infection and Cancer Programme F010 and INSERM U701, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Prestwich RJ, Ilett EJ, Errington F, Diaz RM, Steele LP, Kottke T, Thompson J, Galivo F, Harrington KJ, Pandha HS, Selby PJ, Vile RG, Melcher AA. Immune-mediated antitumor activity of reovirus is required for therapy and is independent of direct viral oncolysis and replication. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:4374-4381. [PMID: 19509134 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Reovirus is a naturally occurring oncolytic virus in clinical trials. Although tumor infection by reovirus can generate adaptive antitumor immunity, its therapeutic importance versus direct viral oncolysis is undefined. This study addresses the requirement for viral oncolysis and replication, and the relative importance of antitumor immunity and direct oncolysis in therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Nonantigen specific T cells loaded with reovirus were delivered i.v. to C57BL/6 and severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing lymph node and splenic metastases from the murine melanoma, B16ova, with assessment of viral replication, metastatic clearance by tumor colony outgrowth, and immune priming. Human cytotoxic lymphocyte priming assays were done with dendritic cells loaded with Mel888 cells before the addition of reovirus. RESULTS B16ova was resistant to direct oncolysis in vitro, and failed to support reovirus replication in vitro or in vivo. Nevertheless, reovirus purged lymph node and splenic metastases in C57BL/6 mice and generated antitumor immunity. In contrast, reovirus failed to reduce tumor burden in severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing either B16ova or reovirus-sensitive B16tk metastases. In the human system, reovirus acted solely as an adjuvant when added to dendritic cells already loaded with Mel888, supporting priming of specific antitumor cytotoxic lymphocyte, in the absence of significant direct tumor oncolysis; UV-treated nonreplicating reovirus was similarly immunogenic. CONCLUSION The immune response is critical in mediating the efficacy of reovirus, and does not depend upon direct viral oncolysis or replication. The findings are of direct relevance to fulfilling the potential of this novel anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Prestwich
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth J Ilett
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Errington
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa M Diaz
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Lynette P Steele
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Kottke
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jill Thompson
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Feorillo Galivo
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Kevin J Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Laboratory, Institute of Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hardev S Pandha
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Selby
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G Vile
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alan A Melcher
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Inhibition of human tumor growth in mice by an oncolytic herpes simplex virus designed to target solely HER-2-positive cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:9039-44. [PMID: 19458262 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0812268106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy exploits the ability of viruses to infect, replicate into, and kill tumor cells. Among the viruses that entered clinical trials are HSVs. HSVs can be engineered to become tumor-specific by deletion of selected genes or retargeting to tumor-specific receptors. A clinically relevant surface molecule is HER-2, hyperexpressed in one fourth of mammary and ovary carcinomas, and associated with high metastatic ability. As a previously undescribed strategy to generate HSV recombinants retargeted to HER-2 and detargeted from natural receptors, we replaced the Ig-folded core in the receptor-binding virion glycoprotein gD with anti-HER-2 single-chain antibody. The recombinant entered cells solely via HER-2 and lysed HER-2-positive cancer cells. Because of the high specificity, its safety profile in i.p. injected mice was very high, with a LD(50) >5 x 10(8) pfu, a figure at least 10,000-fold higher than that of corresponding WT-gD carrying virus (LD(50) approximately 5 x 10(4) pfu). When administered intratumorally to nude mice bearing HER-2-hyperexpressing human tumors, it strongly inhibited progressive tumor growth. The results provide a generally applicable strategy to engineer HSV recombinants retargeted to a wide range of receptors for which a single-chain antibody is available, and show the potential for retargeted HSV to exert target-specific inhibition of human tumor growth. Therapy with HER-2-retargeted oncolytic HSV could be effective in combined or sequential protocols with monoclonal antibodies and small inhibitors, particularly in patients resistant to HER-2-targeted therapy because of alterations in HER-2 signaling pathway, or against brain metastases inaccessible to anti-HER-2 antibodies.
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