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Freitas R, Miranda A, Ferreira D, Relvas-Santos M, Castro F, Ferreira E, Gaiteiro C, Soares J, Cotton S, Gonçalves M, Eiras M, Santos B, Palmeira C, Correia MP, Oliveira MJ, Sarmento B, Peixoto A, Santos LL, Silva AMN, Ferreira JA. A multivalent CD44 glycoconjugate vaccine candidate for cancer immunotherapy. J Control Release 2024; 367:540-556. [PMID: 38301927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Cancer presents a high mortality rate due to ineffective treatments and tumour relapse with progression. Cancer vaccines hold tremendous potential due to their capability to eradicate tumour and prevent relapse. In this study, we present a novel glycovaccine for precise targeting and immunotherapy of aggressive solid tumours that overexpress CD44 standard isoform (CD44s) carrying immature Tn and sialyl-Tn (sTn) O-glycans. We describe an enzymatic method and an enrichment strategy to generate libraries of well-characterized cancer-specific CD44s-Tn and/or sTn glycoproteoforms, which mimic the heterogeneity found in tumours. We conjugated CD44-Tn-derived glycopeptides with carrier proteins making them more immunogenic, with further demonstration of the importance of this conjugation to overcome the glycopeptides' intrinsic toxicity. We have optimized the glycopeptide-protein maleimide-thiol conjugation chemistry to avoid undesirable cross-linking between carrier proteins and CD44s glycopeptides. The resulting glycovaccines candidates were well-tolerated in vivo, inducing both humoral and cellular immunity, including immunological memory. The generated antibodies exhibited specific reactivity against synthetic CD44s-Tn glycopeptides, CD44s-Tn glycoengineered cells, and human tumours. In summary, we present a promising prototype of a cancer glycovaccine for future therapeutical pre-clinical efficacy validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Freitas
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia Miranda
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Dylan Ferreira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Relvas-Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE-LAQV, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Flávia Castro
- i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Ferreira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Gaiteiro
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Janine Soares
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE-LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sofia Cotton
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Martina Gonçalves
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Eiras
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE-LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Palmeira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Immunology Department, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Health School of University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margareta P Correia
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria José Oliveira
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal / INEB - Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; IUCS-CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Andreia Peixoto
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Health School of University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; GlycoMatters Biotech, 4500-162 Espinho, Portugal; Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - André M N Silva
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE-LAQV, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; GlycoMatters Biotech, 4500-162 Espinho, Portugal
| | - José Alexandre Ferreira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO-Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; GlycoMatters Biotech, 4500-162 Espinho, Portugal.
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Hua Y, Liu S, Xie SS, Shi L, Li J, Luo Q. Heterobifunctional Cross-Linker with Dinitroimidazole and N-Hydroxysuccinimide Ester Motifs for Protein Functionalization and Cysteine-Lysine Peptide Stapling. Org Lett 2023; 25:8792-8796. [PMID: 38059767 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c03250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
A heterobifunctional cross-linker with one sulfhydryl-reactive dinitroimidazole end and another amine-reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester end was designed and synthesized. The two motifs of this cross-linker, dinitroimidazole and NHS ester, proved to react with thiol and amine, respectively, in an orthogonal way. The cross-linker was further applied to construct stapled peptides of different sizes and mono- and dual functionalization (including biotinylation, PEGylation, and fluorescence labeling) of protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoguang Hua
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuli Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai-Sai Xie
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Linjing Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Juncheng Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qunfeng Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
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Cheung IY, Mauguen A, Modak S, Ragupathi G, Basu EM, Roberts SS, Kushner BH, Cheung NK. Effect of Oral β-Glucan on Antibody Response to Ganglioside Vaccine in Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 2023; 9:242-250. [PMID: 36547975 PMCID: PMC9936346 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.5999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Importance Among patients with high-risk relapsed metastatic neuroblastoma, oral β-glucan adjuvant during GD2/GD3 ganglioside vaccine boost has stimulated IgG antibody response, which was associated with improved survival; however, the effectiveness of oral β-glucan during the vaccine priming phase remains unproven. Objective To isolate the adjuvant effect of oral β-glucan on antibody response to GD2/GD3 ganglioside vaccine in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Design, Setting, and Participants In this phase 2 randomized clinical trial, enrolled patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were randomized to 2 groups to receive the GD2/GD3 vaccine at a large cancer center in a major metropolitan area from October 2018 to September 2020. Data were analyzed from October 7, 2021, to February 28, 2022. Interventions Eligible patients receiving GD2/GD3 vaccine were randomly assigned to group 1 (n = 54) to receive no β-glucan or group 2 (n = 53) to receive an oral β-glucan regimen during the first 5 weeks of vaccine priming. From week 6 onwards, all 107 patients received oral β-glucan during vaccine boost for 1 year or until disease progression. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary end point was comparison of anti-GD2 IgG1 response before vaccine injection 6 (week 32) in group 1 vs group 2. Seroconversion rate and the association of antibody titer with β-glucan receptor dectin-1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3901533 were also assessed. Results In all, 107 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were randomized to the 2 groups: 54 patients (median [range] age, 5.2 [1.0-17.3] years; 28 [52%] male and 26 [48%] female) in group 1; and 53 patients (median [range] age, 6.2 [1.9-18.4] years; 25 [47%] male and 28 [53%] female) in group 2; both groups were also comparable in their first remission status at study entry (70% vs 70%). Adding oral β-glucan during the first 5 weeks of vaccine priming elicited a higher anti-GD2 IgG1 antibody response in group 2 (1.80; 90% CI, 0.12-3.39; P = .08; planned type I error, 0.10). Anti-GD2 IgG1 titer of 230 ng/mL or greater by week 8 was associated with statistically favorable PFS. Antibody titer correlated significantly with dectin-1 SNP. The genotype frequency, seroconversion rates, and vaccine-related toxic effects were similar in the 2 groups. Conclusions and Relevance This phase 2 randomized clinical trial found that adding oral β-glucan during vaccine priming increased anti-GD2 IgG1 titer among genetic responders without added toxic effects. Because responder dectin-1 SNP was identical in the 2 randomized groups, no difference was detected in seroconversion rates. Alternative or additional adjuvants may be needed to enhance seroconversion. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00911560.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Y. Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Audrey Mauguen
- Department of Epidemiology-Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Shakeel Modak
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Govind Ragupathi
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ellen M. Basu
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Stephen S. Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Brian H. Kushner
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nai-Kong Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Cheung IY, Cheung NKV, Modak S, Mauguen A, Feng Y, Basu E, Roberts SS, Ragupathi G, Kushner BH. Survival Impact of Anti-GD2 Antibody Response in a Phase II Ganglioside Vaccine Trial Among Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma With Prior Disease Progression. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:215-226. [PMID: 33326254 PMCID: PMC8253584 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.01892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) has proven efficacy in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB). A small phase I GD2/GD3 vaccine trial (n = 15) described long-term survival and a favorable safety profile among patients with a history of disease progression (PD). The kinetics of mounting antibody response to vaccine and its prognostic impact on survival are now investigated in a phase II study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00911560). PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred two patients with HR-NB who achieved remission after salvage therapies were enrolled in this trial. They received seven subcutaneous injections of GD2/GD3 vaccine spanning 1 year plus oral β-glucan starting at week 6 after the third dose of vaccine. Serum anti-vaccine antibody titers were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Kaplan-Meier and landmark Cox Regression models were used for survival estimates. RESULTS Patients had a history of one (63%), two (21%), or three to six (16%) episodes of PD. 82% of them progressed following anti-GD2 mAb (m3F8/dinutuximab/naxitamab) therapy. Vaccine-related toxicities were self-limited injection-associated local reactions and fever without any > grade 3 toxicities. The progression-free survival (PFS) was 32% ± 6%, and the overall survival (OS) was 71% ± 7% at 5 years. Serum anti-GD2 (immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1] and IgM) and anti-GD3 (IgG1) titers showed notable increases following the initiation of β-glucan at week 6. There was an association between IgG1 titer and SNP rs3901533 of dectin-1, the β-glucan receptor. Multivariable analyses showed that anti-GD2-IgG1 titer ≥ 150 ng/mL by week 8 was associated with favorable PFS and OS, while having prior episodes of PD and the time from last PD to vaccine were associated with PFS. CONCLUSION GD2/GD3 vaccine plus β-glucan elicited robust antibody responses in patients with HR-NB with prior PD. Higher anti-GD2-IgG1 titer was associated with improved survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Y. Cheung
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Nai-Kong V. Cheung
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Shakeel Modak
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Audrey Mauguen
- Epidemiology-Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Yi Feng
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Ellen Basu
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Stephen S. Roberts
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Brian H. Kushner
- Departments of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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