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Chakraborty E, Sarkar D. Emerging Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112798. [PMID: 35681776 PMCID: PMC9179883 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from hepatocytes and accounts for 90% of primary liver cancer. According to Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence (GLOBOCAN) 2020, globally HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Reasons for HCC prognosis remaining dismal are that HCC is asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to late diagnosis, and it is markedly resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice in early stages, while surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments for advanced HCC. Additional first line therapy for advanced HCC includes broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, as well as a combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy, namely atezolizumab and bevacizumab. However, these strategies provide nominal extension in the survival curve, cause broad spectrum toxic side effects, and patients eventually develop therapy resistance. Some common mutations in HCC, such as in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) and tumor protein p53 (TP53) genes, are still considered to be undruggable. In this context, identification of appropriate gene targets and specific gene delivery approaches create the potential of gene- and immune-based therapies for the safe and effective treatment of HCC. This review elaborates on the current status of HCC treatment by focusing on potential gene targets and advanced techniques, such as oncolytic viral vectors, nanoparticles, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, immunotherapy, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), and describes future prospects in HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eesha Chakraborty
- C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Massey Cancer Center, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-804-827-2339; Fax: +1-804-628-1176
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Kojima K, Miyoshi H, Nagoshi N, Kohyama J, Itakura G, Kawabata S, Ozaki M, Iida T, Sugai K, Ito S, Fukuzawa R, Yasutake K, Renault‐Mihara F, Shibata S, Matsumoto M, Nakamura M, Okano H. Selective Ablation of Tumorigenic Cells Following Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:260-270. [PMID: 30485733 PMCID: PMC6392358 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is an important problem that needs to be addressed in the field of human stem/progenitor cell transplantation for the treatment of subacute spinal cord injury (SCI). When certain "tumorigenic" cell lines are transplanted into the spinal cord of SCI mice model, there is initial improvement of motor function, followed by abrupt deterioration secondary to the effect of tumor growth. A significant proportion of the transplanted cells remains undifferentiated after transplantation and is thought to increase the risk of tumorigenesis. In this study, using lentiviral vectors, we introduced the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene into a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cell (hiPSC-NS/PC) line that is known to undergo tumorigenic transformation. Such approach enables selective ablation of the immature proliferating cells and thereby prevents subsequent tumor formation. In vitro, the HSVtk system successfully ablated the immature proliferative neural cells while preserving mature postmitotic neuronal cells. Similar results were observed in vivo following transplantation into the injured spinal cords of immune-deficient (nonobese diabetic-severe combined immune-deficient) mice. Ablation of the proliferating cells exerted a protective effect on the motor function which was regained after transplantation, simultaneously defending the spinal cord from the harmful tumor growth. These results suggest a potentially promising role of suicide genes in opposing tumorigenesis during stem cell therapy. This system allows both preventing and treating tumorigenesis following hiPSC-NS/PC transplantation without sacrificing the improved motor function. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:260&270.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Kojima
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Miyoshi
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Jun Kohyama
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Go Itakura
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Soya Kawabata
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Masahiro Ozaki
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Tsuyoshi Iida
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Keiko Sugai
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Shuhei Ito
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Ryuji Fukuzawa
- Department of PathologyInternational University of Health and WelfareChibaJapan
| | - Kaori Yasutake
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | | | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Morio Matsumoto
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Masaya Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
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3
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Zhang B, Chen M, Zhang Y, Chen W, Zhang L, Chen L. An ultrasonic nanobubble-mediated PNP/fludarabine suicide gene system: A new approach for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196686. [PMID: 29718963 PMCID: PMC5931662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to generate an ultrasonic nanobubble (NB)-mediated purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP)/fludarabine suicide gene system for the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS NBs were prepared from a mixture the phospholipids 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (DPPA), perfluoropropane gas and other materials using the high shear dispersion method. NBs treated with ultrasound irradiation functioned as a gene-transfer system, and a self-constructed suicide gene expression plasmid, pcDNA3.1(+)/PNP, treated with fludarabine functioned as a therapeutic gene. This system was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of PNP/fludarabine on HepG2 cells and SMMC7721 cells. RESULTS 1. NBs with a small diameter (208-416 nm) and at a high concentration and fine homogeneity were prepared under the optimal method. 2. The pcDNA3.1(+)/PNP plasmid was efficiently transfected into HCC cells using ultrasonic NBs. 3. At 0.75μg/ml fludarabine, PNP/fludarabine showed marked cytotoxic effects toward HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells. PNP/fludarabine achieved the same effect against both SMMC7721 and HepG2 cells but at a lower concentration of fludarabine for the latter. 4. Bystander effects: a 10-20% decrease in the cell survival rate was observed when only 5-10% of transfected cells were PNP positive. CONCLUSIONS NBs constitute a non-toxic, stable and effective gene-delivery platform. The PNP/fludarabine suicide gene system inhibited the growth of HCC cells, induced HCC cell apoptosis, and caused a notable bystander effect at a low fludarabine concentration. This study establishes an important new method for miniaturizing microbubbles and improving a new NB-mediated approach for gene therapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Department of Ultrasonic Imaging, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mingna Chen
- Department of Ultrasonic Imaging, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Youming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Hepatobiliary and Enteric Surgery Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Hepatobiliary and Enteric Surgery Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lv Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
- * E-mail:
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Twitty CG, Diago OR, Hogan DJ, Burrascano C, Ibanez CE, Jolly DJ, Ostertag D. Retroviral Replicating Vectors Deliver Cytosine Deaminase Leading to Targeted 5-Fluorouracil-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Multiple Human Cancer Types. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2015; 27:17-31. [PMID: 26467507 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2015.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toca 511 is a modified retroviral replicating vector based on Moloney γ-retrovirus with an amphotropic envelope. As an investigational cancer treatment, Toca 511 preferentially infects cancer cells without direct cell lysis and encodes an enhanced yeast cytosine deaminase that converts the antifungal drug 5-fluorocytosine to the anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil. A panel of established human cancer cell lines, derived from glioblastoma, colon, and breast cancer tissue, was used to evaluate parameters critical for effective anticancer activity. Gene transfer, cytosine deaminase production, conversion of 5-fluorocytosine to 5-fluorouracil, and subsequent cell killing occurred in all lines tested. We observed >50% infection within 25 days in all lines and 5-fluorocytosine LD50 values between 0.02 and 6 μg/ml. Although we did not identify a small number of key criteria, these studies do provide a straightforward approach to rapidly gauge the probability of a Toca 511 and 5-fluorocytosine treatment effect in various cancer indications: a single MTS assay of maximally infected cancer cell lines to determine 5-fluorocytosine LD50. The data suggest that, although there can be variation in susceptibility to Toca 511 and 5-fluorocytosine because of multiple mechanistic factors, this therapy may be applicable to a broad range of cancer types and individuals.
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Shao D, Li J, Pan Y, Zhang X, Zheng X, Wang Z, Zhang M, Zhang H, Chen L. Noninvasive theranostic imaging of HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy in liver cancer by folate-targeted quantum dot-based liposomes. Biomater Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5bm00077g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We have successfully developed folate-targeting liposomes for effective and safe HSV-TK suicide gene theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shao
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Yue Pan
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
| | - Hong Zhang
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences
- University of Amsterdam
- 1098 XH Amsterdam
- The Netherlands
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pharmacology
- Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province
- College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130021
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Sakkas A, Zarogoulidis P, Domvri K, Hohenforst-Schmidt W, Bougiouklis D, Kakolyris S, Zarampoukas T, Kioumis I, Pitsiou G, Huang H, Li Q, Meditskou S, Tsiouda T, Pezirkianidis N, Zarogoulidis K. Safety and efficacy of suicide gene therapy with adenosine deaminase 5-fluorocytosine silmutaneously in in vitro cultures of melanoma and retinal cell lines. J Cancer 2014; 5:368-81. [PMID: 24799955 PMCID: PMC4007525 DOI: 10.7150/jca.9147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Local treatment as a treatment modality is gaining increased general acceptance over time. Novel drugs and methodologies of local administration are being investigated in an effort to achieve disease local control. Suicide gene therapy is a method that has been investigated as a local treatment with simultaneously distant disease control. In our current experiment we purchased HTB-70 (melanoma cell line, derived from metastatic axillary node) and CRL-2302 (human retinal epithelium) were from ATCC LGC Standards and Ancotil®, 2.5 g/250 ml (1 g/00ml) (5-Flucytosine) MEDA; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. UK. Adenosine Cytosine Deaminase (Ad.CD) was also used in order to convert the pro-drug 5-Flucytosine to the active 5-Fluoracil. Three different concentrations of 5-Flucytosine (5-FC) were administered (0.2ml, 0.8ml and 1.2ml). At indicated time-points (4h, 8h and 24h) cell viability and apoptosis were measured. Our concept was to investigate whether suicide gene therapy with Ad. CD-5-FC could be used with safety and efficiency as a future local treatment for melanoma located in the eye cavity. Indeed, our results indicated that in every 5-FC administration had mild cytotoxicity for the retinal cells, while increased apoptosis was observed for the melanoma cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Sakkas
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paul Zarogoulidis
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Domvri
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Dimitris Bougiouklis
- 3. Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology-BMT Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stylianos Kakolyris
- 4. Oncology Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Thomas Zarampoukas
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kioumis
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Pitsiou
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Haidong Huang
- 5. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Changhai Hospital/First Affiliated Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- 5. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Changhai Hospital/First Affiliated Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Soultana Meditskou
- 6. Laboratory of Histology, Embryology and Anthropology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodora Tsiouda
- 7. Internal Medicine Department, ``Theiageneio`` Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Zarogoulidis
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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7
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Miao L, Fraefel C, Sia KC, Newman JP, Mohamed-Bashir SA, Ng WH, Lam PYP. The potential application of a transcriptionally regulated oncolytic herpes simplex virus for human cancer therapy. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:94-106. [PMID: 24196790 PMCID: PMC3887293 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging studies have shown the potential benefit of arming oncolytic viruses with therapeutic genes. However, most of these therapeutic genes are placed under the regulation of ubiquitous viral promoters. Our goal is to generate a safer yet potent oncolytic herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) for cancer therapy. METHODS Using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) recombineering, a cell cycle-regulatable luciferase transgene cassette was replaced with the infected cell protein 6 (ICP6) coding region (encoded for UL39 or large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase) of the HSV-1 genome. These recombinant viruses, YE-PC8, were further tested for its proliferation-dependent luciferase gene expression. RESULTS The ability of YE-PC8 to confer proliferation-dependent transgene expression was demonstrated by injecting similar amount of viruses into the tumour-bearing region of the brain and the contralateral normal brain parenchyma of the same mouse. The results showed enhanced levels of luciferase activities in the tumour region but not in the normal brain parenchyma. Similar findings were observed in YE-PC8-infected short-term human brain patient-derived glioma cells compared with normal human astrocytes. intratumoural injection of YE-PC8 viruses resulted in 77% and 80% of tumour regression in human glioma and human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts, respectively. CONCLUSION YE-PC8 viruses confer tumour selectivity in proliferating cells and may be developed further as a feasible approach to treat human cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain Neoplasms/genetics
- Brain Neoplasms/therapy
- Brain Neoplasms/virology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Cell Cycle/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Female
- Glioma/genetics
- Glioma/therapy
- Glioma/virology
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/physiology
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Luciferases/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Mice, SCID
- Oncolytic Virotherapy/methods
- Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transgenes
- Vero Cells
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- L Miao
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - C Fraefel
- Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K C Sia
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - J P Newman
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - S A Mohamed-Bashir
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - W H Ng
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - P Y P Lam
- Laboratory of Cancer Gene Therapy, Cellular and Molecular Research Division, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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8
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Lange S, Lampe J, Bossow S, Zimmermann M, Neubert W, Bitzer M, Lauer UM. A novel armed oncolytic measles vaccine virus for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. Hum Gene Ther 2013; 24:554-64. [PMID: 23550539 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is curable only in early stages by complete surgical resection. Thus, in advanced disease stages in which a complete removal of the tumor mass is no longer possible and palliative chemotherapy achieves only modest success, therapeutics employing new methods of action are desperately needed. Oncolytic viruses employed in clinical studies have been shown to spread preferentially in cancer cells. Beyond that, virotherapeutic cell killing can be enhanced by virus-based expression of suicide genes. We engineered a measles vaccine virus (MeV) vector expressing super cytosine deaminase (SCD), a fusion protein of yeast cytosine deaminase and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase, which converts the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and subsequently to 5-fluorouridine-monophosphate. This novel vector was evaluated using three different human-derived CC cell lines. In vitro, all CC cell lines were found to be permissive to MeV infection. Partial blocking of MeV-mediated oncolysis could be overcome by employment of the SCD transgene together with administration of 5-FC. In vivo, intratumoral application of SCD-armed MeV together with a systemic 5-FC treatment showed a significant reduction in tumor size in a TFK-1 xenograft mouse model when compared with virus-only treatment. In a second animal experiment employing a HuCCT1 xenograft tumor model, an enhanced SCD-armed MeV vector, in which the SCD transgene was expressed from a different genomic position, led not only to reduced tumor volumes, but also to a significant survival benefit. On the basis of these encouraging preclinical data on employment of SCD-armed MeV for the virotherapeutic treatment of chemotherapy-resistant CC, a clinical virotherapy trial is set up currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lange
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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9
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Ronald JA, Katzenberg R, Nielsen CH, Jae HJ, Hofmann LV, Gambhir SS. MicroRNA-regulated non-viral vectors with improved tumor specificity in an orthotopic rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gene Ther 2013; 20:1006-13. [PMID: 23719066 PMCID: PMC3864878 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2013.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), tumor specificity of gene therapy is of utmost importance to preserve liver function. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful negative regulators of gene expression and many are downregulated in human HCC. We identified seven miRNAs that are also downregulated in tumors in a rat hepatoma model (P<0.05) and attempted to improve tumor specificity by constructing a panel of luciferase-expressing vectors containing binding sites for these miRNAs. Attenuation of luciferase expression by the corresponding miRNAs was confirmed across various cell lines and in mouse liver. We then tested our vectors in tumor-bearing rats and identified two miRNAs, miR-26a and miR-122, that significantly decreased expression in liver compared with the control vector (6.40 and 0.26%, respectively; P<0.05). In tumor, miR-122 had a nonsignificant trend towards decreased (∼50%) expression, whereas miR-26 had no significant effect on tumor expression. To our knowledge, this is the first work using differentially expressed miRNAs to de-target transgene expression in an orthotopic hepatoma model and to identify miR-26a, in addition to miR-122, for de-targeting liver. Considering the heterogeneity of miRNA expression in human HCC, this information will be important in guiding development of more personalized vectors for the treatment of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Ronald
- 1] Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA [2] Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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10
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Sia KC, Huynh H, Chung AYF, Ooi LLPJ, Lim KH, Hui KM, Lam PYP. Preclinical evaluation of transcriptional targeting strategy for human hepatocellular carcinoma in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:1651-64. [PMID: 23720769 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene regulation of many key cell-cycle players in S-, G(2) phase, and mitosis results from transcriptional repression in their respective promoter regions during the G(0) and G(1) phases of cell cycle. Within these promoter regions are phylogenetically conserved sequences known as the cell-cycle-dependent element (CDE) and cell-cycle genes homology regions (CHR) sites. Thus, we hypothesize that transcriptional regulation of cell-cycle regulation via the CDE/CHR region together with liver-specific apolipoprotein E (apoE)-hAAT promoter could bring about a selective transgene expression in proliferating human hepatocellular carcinoma. We show that the newly generated vector AH-6CC-L2C could mediate hepatocyte-targeted luciferase gene expression in tumor cells and freshly isolated short-term hepatocellular carcinoma cultures from patient biopsy. In contrast, normal murine and human hepatocytes infected with AH-6CC-L2C expressed minimal or low luciferase activities. In the presence of prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), AH-6CC-L2C effectively suppressed the growth of orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma patient-derived xenograft mouse model via the expression of yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD) that converts 5-FC to anticancer metabolite 5-fluoruracil. More importantly, we show that combination treatment of AH-6CC-L2C with an EZH2 inhibitor, DZNep, that targets EpCAM-positive hepatocellular carcinoma, can bring about a greater therapeutic efficacy compared with a single treatment of virus or inhibitor. Our study showed that targeting proliferating human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the transcriptional control of therapeutic gene could represent a feasible approach against hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian Chuan Sia
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Center, Singapore
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11
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Zarogoulidis P, Darwiche K, Sakkas A, Yarmus L, Huang H, Li Q, Freitag L, Zarogoulidis K, Malecki M. Suicide Gene Therapy for Cancer - Current Strategies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 4. [PMID: 24294541 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7412.1000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Current cancer treatments may create profound iatrogenic outcomes. The adverse effects of these treatments still remain, as the serious problems that practicing physicians have to cope with in clinical practice. Although, non-specific cytotoxic agents constitute an effective treatment modality against cancer cells, they also tend to kill normal, quickly dividing cells. On the other hand, therapies targeting the genome of the tumors are both under investigation, and some others are already streamlined to clinical practice. Several approaches have been investigated in order to find a treatment targeting the cancer cells, while not affecting the normal cells. Suicide gene therapy is a therapeutic strategy, in which cell suicide inducing transgenes are introduced into cancer cells. The two major suicide gene therapeutic strategies currently pursued are: cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine and the herpes simplex virus/ganciclovir. The novel strategies include silencing gene expression, expression of intracellular antibodies blocking cells' vital pathways, and transgenic expression of caspases and DNases. We analyze various elements of cancer cells' suicide inducing strategies including: targets, vectors, and mechanisms. These strategies have been extensively investigated in various types of cancers, while exploring multiple delivery routes including viruses, non-viral vectors, liposomes, nanoparticles, and stem cells. We discuss various stages of streamlining of the suicide gene therapy into clinical oncology as applied to different types of cancer. Moreover, suicide gene therapy is in the center of attention as a strategy preventing cancer from developing in patients participating in the clinical trials of regenerative medicine. In oncology, these clinical trials are aimed at regenerating, with the aid of stem cells, of the patients' organs damaged by pathologic and/or iatrogenic factors. However, the stem cells carry the risk of neoplasmic transformation. We discuss cell suicide inducing strategies aimed at preventing stem cell-originated cancerogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zarogoulidis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, EU ; Department of Interventional Pneumology, Ruhrlandklinik, West German Lung Center, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany, EU
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Current world literature. Curr Opin Pediatr 2012; 24:770-9. [PMID: 23146873 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0b013e32835af8de] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kim KI, Lee YJ, Lee TS, Song I, Cheon GJ, Lim SM, Chung JK, Kang JH. In vitro radionuclide therapy and in vivo scintigraphic imaging of alpha-fetoprotein-producing hepatocellular carcinoma by targeted sodium iodide symporter gene expression. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2012; 47:1-8. [PMID: 24895502 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-012-0166-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to develop a gene expression targeting method for specific imaging and therapy of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, using an adenovirus vector containing the human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) gene driven by an AFP enhancer/promoter. METHODS The recombinant adenovirus vector, AdAFPhNIS (containing the hNIS gene driven by human AFP enhancer/promoter) was prepared. After in vitro infection by the adenovirus, hNIS gene expression in AFP-producing cells and in AFP-nonproducing cells was investigated using (125)I uptake assay and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The killing effect of (131)I on AdAFPhNIS-infected HCC cells was studied using an in vitro clonogenic assay. In addition, tumor-bearing mice were intravenously injected with the adenovirus, and scintigraphic images were obtained. RESULTS The expression of hNIS was efficiently demonstrated by (125)I uptake assay in AFP-producing cells, but not in AFP-nonproducing cells. AFP-producing HCC-targeted gene expression was confirmed at the mRNA level. Furthermore, in vitro clonogenic assay showed that hNIS gene expression induced by AdAFPhNIS infection in AFP-producing cells caused more sensitivity to (131)I than that in AFP-nonproducing cells. Injected intravenously in HuH-7 tumor xenografts mice by adenovirus, the functional hNIS gene expression was confirmed in tumor by in vivo scintigraphic imaging. CONCLUSIONS An AFP-producing HCC was targeted with an adenovirus vector containing the hNIS gene using the AFP enhancer/promoter in vitro and in vivo. These findings demonstrate that AFP-producing HCC-specific molecular imaging and radionuclide gene therapy are feasible using this recombinant adenovirus vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang Il Kim
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-gil, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706 Korea
| | - Yong Jin Lee
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-gil, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706 Korea
| | - Tae Sup Lee
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-gil, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706 Korea
| | - Inho Song
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-gil, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706 Korea
| | - Gi Jeong Cheon
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-gil, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706 Korea ; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Moo Lim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - June-Key Chung
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28, Yongon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744 Korea
| | - Joo Hyun Kang
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75, Nowon-gil, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706 Korea
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