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Zhao Z, Yang Y, Sheng T, Bao Y, Yu R, Yu X, Jia S, Wu Q, Zhu C, Shen X, Zhang W, Lu Z, Ji K, Chen X, Jiang X, Zhang Y, Gu Z, Yu J. Platelet-Drug Conjugates Engineered via One-step Fusion Approach for Metastatic and Postoperative Cancer Treatment. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024:e202403541. [PMID: 38885002 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403541] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The exploration of cell-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy has gained growing attention. Approaches to engineering therapeutic cells with multidrug loading in an effective, safe, and precise manner while preserving their inherent biological properties remain of great interest. Here, we report a strategy to simultaneously load multiple drugs in platelets in a one-step fusion process. We demonstrate doxorubicin (DOX)-encapsulated liposomes conjugated with interleukin-15 (IL-15) could fuse with platelets to achieve both cytoplasmic drug loading and surface cytokine modification with a loading efficiency of over 70 % within minutes. Due to their inherent targeting ability to metastatic cancers and postoperative bleeding sites, the engineered platelets demonstrated a synergistic therapeutic effect to suppress lung metastasis and postoperative recurrence in mouse B16F10 melanoma tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yinxian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tao Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuhang Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ruixi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xinmin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shuangxu Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chaojie Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Xinyuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wentao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ziyi Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Kangfan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaofeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xinyun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Department of Burns and Wound Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, 321299, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jicheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, 321299, China
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Suda T, Yokoo T, Kanefuji T, Kamimura K, Zhang G, Liu D. Hydrodynamic Delivery: Characteristics, Applications, and Technological Advances. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041111. [PMID: 37111597 PMCID: PMC10141091 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The principle of hydrodynamic delivery was initially used to develop a method for the delivery of plasmids into mouse hepatocytes through tail vein injection and has been expanded for use in the delivery of various biologically active materials to cells in various organs in a variety of animal species through systemic or local injection, resulting in significant advances in new applications and technological development. The development of regional hydrodynamic delivery directly supports successful gene delivery in large animals, including humans. This review summarizes the fundamentals of hydrodynamic delivery and the progress that has been made in its application. Recent progress in this field offers tantalizing prospects for the development of a new generation of technologies for broader application of hydrodynamic delivery.
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Prado GHJD, Sardeli AV, Lord JM, Cavaglieri CR. The effects of ageing, BMI and physical activity on blood IL-15 levels: A systematic review and meta-analyses. Exp Gerontol 2022; 168:111933. [PMID: 36007720 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of the study was to test the effect of ageing, BMI, physical activity and chronic exercise on IL-15 blood concentration by meta-analyses of the literature. METHODS The search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ProQuest, Embase and Cochrane databases. First meta-analysis compared blood IL-15 of healthy adults across three age groups (<35 years, 35-65 years, and >65 years), considering BMI as confounding factor; the second compared IL-15 levels between physically active and non-physically active individuals (cross-sectional studies); and the third tested the effect of chronic exercise interventions on blood IL-15 levels on participants of any age, sex, and health condition. RESULTS From 2582 studies retrieved, 67 were selected for the three meta-analyses (age effect: 59; physical activity cross-sectional effect: 5; chronic exercise effect: 14). Older adults had lower blood IL-15 than young and middle-aged adults (5.30 pg/ml [4.76; 5.83]; 7.11 pg/ml [6.33; 7.88]; 7.10 pg/ml [5.55; 8.65], respectively). However, the subgroup of overweight older adults had higher IL-15 than young and middle aged overweight adults; Habitual physical activity did not affect blood IL-15 (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.61 [-0.65; 1.88], p = 0.34); Chronic exercise reduced blood IL-15 in short-term interventions (<16 weeks) (SMD -0.14 [-0.27; -0.01], p = 0.04), but not studies of >16 weeks of intervention (SMD 0.44 [-0.26; 1.15], p = 0.22). CONCLUSION The present meta-analyses highlight the complex interaction of age, BMI and physical activity on blood IL-15 and emphasize the need to take these factors into account when considering the role of this myokine in health throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Veiga Sardeli
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Gerontology Program, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Janet Mary Lord
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Cláudia Regina Cavaglieri
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Gerontology Program, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Heterodimeric IL-15 in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040837. [PMID: 33671252 PMCID: PMC7922495 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The rapidly expanding field of cancer immunotherapy uses diverse technologies, including cytokines, T cells, and antibody administration, with the aim to induce effective immune responses leading to tumor control. Interleukin-15 (IL-15), a cytokine discovered in 1994, supports the homeostasis of cytotoxic immune cells and shows promise as an anti-tumor agent. Many studies have elucidated IL-15 synthesis, regulation and biological function and explored its therapeutic efficacy in preclinical cancer models. Escherichia coli-derived single-chain IL-15 was tested in the first in-human trial in cancer patients. Its effects were limited by the biology of IL-15, which in vivo comprises a complex of the IL-15 chain with the IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) chain, together forming the IL-15 heterodimer (hetIL-15). Currently, single-chain IL-15 and several heterodimeric IL-15:IL-15Rα variants (hetIL-15, N-803 and RLI) are being tested in clinical trials. This review presents a summary of contemporary preclinical and clinical research on IL-15. Abstract Immunotherapy has emerged as a valuable strategy for the treatment of many cancer types. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) promotes the growth and function of cytotoxic CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells. It also enhances leukocyte trafficking and stimulates tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expansion and activity. Bioactive IL-15 is produced in the body as a heterodimeric cytokine, comprising the IL-15 and the so-called IL-15 receptor alpha chain that are together termed “heterodimeric IL-15” (hetIL-15). hetIL-15, closely resembling the natural form of the cytokine produced in vivo, and IL-15:IL-15Rα complex variants, such as hetIL-15Fc, N-803 and RLI, are the currently available IL-15 agents. These molecules have showed favorable pharmacokinetics and biological function in vivo in comparison to single-chain recombinant IL-15. Preclinical animal studies have supported their anti-tumor activity, suggesting IL-15 as a general method to convert “cold” tumors into “hot”, by promoting tumor lymphocyte infiltration. In clinical trials, IL-15-based therapies are overall well-tolerated and result in the expansion and activation of NK and memory CD8+ T cells. Combinations with other immunotherapies are being investigated to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of IL-15 agents in the clinic.
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Zhang S, Zhao J, Bai X, Handley M, Shan F. Biological effects of IL-15 on immune cells and its potential for the treatment of cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 91:107318. [PMID: 33383444 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has recently emerged as a novel immunomodulatory cytokine in cancer immunotherapy. IL-15 has the potential to reject and destroy cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment by expanding and activating natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT), and memory (m) CD8+T cells. Due to the feasible outcomes obtained from preclinical studies and phase 1/2 clinical trials, IL-15-based therapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell or CAR NK cell infusion following in vitro expansion in the presence of IL-15, used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapy may extend to clinical practice in the future. It is also important to understand the biological characteristics of IL-15 to ensure the maximal benefit of therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize the current development of IL-15 in the following areas: anti-tumor mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment, advances in IL-15-based therapy itself or in combination with other methods, including biological agents, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jianzhu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Mike Handley
- Cytocm lnc, 3001 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80-expressing AML cell vaccines eradicate minimal residual disease in leukemic mice. Blood Adv 2019; 2:3177-3192. [PMID: 30482760 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018019026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered autologous acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells present multiple leukemia-associated and patient-specific antigens and as such hold promise as immunotherapeutic vaccines. However, prior vaccines have not reliably induced effective antileukemic immunity, in part because AML blasts have immune inhibitory effects and lack expression of the critical costimulatory molecule CD80. To enhance induction of leukemia-specific cytolytic activity, 32Dp210 murine AML cells were engineered to express either CD80 alone, or the immunostimulatory cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) with its receptor α (IL-15Rα), or heterodimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα together with CD80 and tested as irradiated cell vaccines. IL-15 is a γc-chain cytokine, with unique properties suited to stimulating antitumor immunity, including stimulation of both natural killer and CD8+ memory T cells. Coexpression of IL-15 and IL-15Rα markedly increases IL-15 stability and secretion. Non-tumor-bearing mice vaccinated with irradiated 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80 and challenged with 32Dp210 leukemia had greater survival than did mice treated with 32Dp210-CD80 or 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα vaccines, whereas no unvaccinated mice inoculated with leukemia survived. In mice with established leukemia, treatment with 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80 vaccination stimulated unprecedented antileukemic immunity enabling 80% survival, an effect that was abrogated by anti-CD8 antibody-mediated depletion in vivo. Because, clinically, AML vaccines are administered as postremission therapy, we established a novel model in which mice with high leukemic burdens were treated with cytotoxic therapy to induce remission (<5% marrow blasts). Postremission vaccination with 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80 achieved 50% overall survival in these mice, whereas all unvaccinated mice achieving remission subsequently relapsed. These studies demonstrate that combined expression of IL-15/IL-15Rα and CD80 by syngeneic AML vaccines stimulates effective and long-lasting antileukemic immunity.
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Translational Advances of Hydrofection by Hydrodynamic Injection. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9030136. [PMID: 29494564 PMCID: PMC5867857 DOI: 10.3390/genes9030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrodynamic gene delivery has proven to be a safe and efficient procedure for gene transfer, able to mediate, in murine model, therapeutic levels of proteins encoded by the transfected gene. In different disease models and targeting distinct organs, it has been demonstrated to revert the pathologic symptoms and signs. The therapeutic potential of hydrofection led different groups to work on the clinical translation of the procedure. In order to prevent the hemodynamic side effects derived from the rapid injection of a large volume, the conditions had to be moderated to make them compatible with its use in mid-size animal models such as rat, hamster and rabbit and large animals as dog, pig and primates. Despite the different approaches performed to adapt the conditions of gene delivery, the results obtained in any of these mid-size and large animals have been poorer than those obtained in murine model. Among these different strategies to reduce the volume employed, the most effective one has been to exclude the vasculature of the target organ and inject the solution directly. This procedure has permitted, by catheterization and surgical procedures in large animals, achieving protein expression levels in tissue close to those achieved in gold standard models. These promising results and the possibility of employing these strategies to transfer gene constructs able to edit genes, such as CRISPR, have renewed the clinical interest of this procedure of gene transfer. In order to translate the hydrodynamic gene delivery to human use, it is demanding the standardization of the procedure conditions and the molecular parameters of evaluation in order to be able to compare the results and establish a homogeneous manner of expressing the data obtained, as ‘classic’ drugs.
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Guo Y, Luan L, Patil NK, Sherwood ER. Immunobiology of the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex as an antitumor and antiviral agent. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 38:10-21. [PMID: 28888485 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-15 is essential for natural killer (NK), NKT and memory (m) CD8+ T cell development and function, and is currently under investigation as an immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer. Recently, the creation of IL-15 superagonist by complexing IL-15 and its high affinity receptor alpha (IL-15 Rα) in solution, inspired by the natural trans-presentation of IL-15, advances the potential of IL-15-based tumor immunotherapy. IL-15 superagonist shows promising advantages over monomeric IL-15 such as sustaining high circulating concentrations due to prolonged half-life and more potently stimulating NK and CD8+ T effector lymphocytes. So far, there are three different forms of recombinant IL-15 superagonist fusion protein based on configurational modifications. Gene therapy using engineered cells co-expressing IL-15/IL-15 Rα complex for cancer treatment is also emerging. All forms have demonstrated efficacy in causing tumor regression in animal studies, which provides strong rationale for advancing IL-15 superagonist through clinical trials. To date, there are fourteen phase I/II IL-15 superagonist trials in cancer patients and one phase I trial in HIV patients. Information generated by ongoing trials regarding the toxicity and efficacy of IL-15 superagonist is awaited. Finally, we elaborate on immunotoxicity caused by IL-15 superagonist in preclinical studies and discuss important safety considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Guo
- Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Anesthesiology. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Liming Luan
- Department of Anesthesiology. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Naeem K Patil
- Department of Anesthesiology. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Edward R Sherwood
- Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Anesthesiology. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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The potential and promise of IL-15 in immuno-oncogenic therapies. Immunol Lett 2017; 190:159-168. [PMID: 28823521 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
This review provides an in-depth description of the preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness and limitations of IL-15 and IL-15 analogs given as an exogenous immuno-oncology agent. IL-15 is a cytokine that primarily stimulates the proliferation and cytotoxic functions of CD8T cells and NK cells leading to enhanced anti-tumor responses. While initially showing promise as a cancer therapeutic, the efficacy of IL-15 was limited by its short in vivo half-life. More recently, various approaches have been developed to improve the in vivo half-life and efficacy of IL-15, largely by generating IL-15/IL-15Rα conjugates. These new IL-15 based agents renew the prospect of IL-15 as a cancer immunotherapeutic agent. While having some efficacy in inducing tumor regression as a monotherapy, IL-15 agents also show great potential in being used in combination with other immuno-oncological therapies. Indeed, IL-15 used in combination therapy yields even better anti-tumor responses and prolongs survival than IL-15 treatment alone in numerous murine cancer models. The promising results from these preclinical studies have led to the implementation of several clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of IL-15-based agents as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other therapies to treat both advanced solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
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Zhen Z, Tang W, Wang M, Zhou S, Wang H, Wu Z, Hao Z, Li Z, Liu L, Xie J. Protein Nanocage Mediated Fibroblast-Activation Protein Targeted Photoimmunotherapy To Enhance Cytotoxic T Cell Infiltration and Tumor Control. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:862-869. [PMID: 28027646 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b04150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are found in many types of cancer and play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Fibroblast-activation protein (FAP), which is overexpressed on the surface of CAFs, has been proposed as a universal tumor targeting antigen. However, recent studies show that FAP is also expressed on multipotent bone marrow stem cells. A systematic anti-FAP therapy may lead to severe side effects and even death. Hence, there is an urgent need of a therapy that can selectively kill CAFs without causing systemic toxicity. Herein we report a nanoparticle-based photoimmunotherapy (nano-PIT) approach that addresses the need. Specifically, we exploit ferritin, a compact nanoparticle protein cage, as a photosensitizer carrier, and we conjugate to the surface of ferritin a FAP-specific single chain variable fragment (scFv). With photoirradiation, the enabled nano-PIT efficiently eliminates CAFs in tumors but causes little damage to healthy tissues due to the localized nature of the treatment. Interestingly, while not directly killing cancer cells, the nano-PIT caused efficient tumor suppression in tumor-bearing immunocompetent mice. Further investigations found that the nano-PIT led to suppressed C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) secretion and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, both of which are regulated by CAFs in untreated tumors and mediate T cell exclusion that prevents physical contact between T cells and cancer cells. By selective killing of CAFs, the nano-PIT reversed the effect, leading to significantly enhanced T cell infiltration, followed by efficient tumor suppression. Our study suggests a new and safe CAF-targeted therapy and a novel strategy to modulate tumor microenvironment (TME) for enhanced immunity against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zipeng Zhen
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University , Changchun 130033, China
- Department of Chemistry, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Wei Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Mengzhe Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Shiyi Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zhonglin Hao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University , Augusta, Georgia 30912, United States
| | - Zibo Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University , Changchun 130033, China
| | - Jin Xie
- Department of Chemistry, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia , Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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IL-15 receptor alpha as the magic wand to boost the success of IL-15 antitumor therapies: The upswing of IL-15 transpresentation. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 170:73-79. [PMID: 27777088 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-15 as a stand-alone therapy can activate the antitumor functions of immune effector cells resulting in significant tumor regression. Interestingly, combining IL-15 with the α-moiety of its receptor (IL-15Rα), also called IL-15 transpresentation, increases the in vivo half-life of IL-15 and enhances binding of IL-15 with cells expressing the IL-15Rβγ, such as NK cells and CD8+ T cells. These features enlarge the signal transmission of IL-15, resulting in improved proliferation and antitumor activities of both NK cells and CD8+ T cells, eventually leading to enhanced killing of tumor cells. In this review, we discuss the antitumor strategies in which this IL-15 transpresentation mechanism is implemented, that are currently under preclinical investigation. Furthermore, we give an overview of the studies in which the IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes are combined with other antitumor therapies. The promising results in these preclinical studies have incited several clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of IL-15 transpresentation strategies to treat both hematological and advanced solid tumors.
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