1
|
Hamada M, Varkoly KS, Riyadh O, Beladi R, Munuswamy-Ramanujam G, Rawls A, Wilson-Rawls J, Chen H, McFadden G, Lucas AR. Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in Inflammation and Disease: A Unique Inflammatory Pathway Activator. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1167. [PMID: 38927374 PMCID: PMC11201033 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a unique protease binding receptor, now recognized as a key regulator of inflammation. Initially, uPA/uPAR was considered thrombolytic (clot-dissolving); however, recent studies have demonstrated its predominant immunomodulatory functions in inflammation and cancer. The uPA/uPAR complex has a multifaceted central role in both normal physiological and also pathological responses. uPAR is expressed as a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked receptor interacting with vitronectin, integrins, G protein-coupled receptors, and growth factor receptors within a large lipid raft. Through protein-to-protein interactions, cell surface uPAR modulates intracellular signaling, altering cellular adhesion and migration. The uPA/uPAR also modifies extracellular activity, activating plasminogen to form plasmin, which breaks down fibrin, dissolving clots and activating matrix metalloproteinases that lyse connective tissue, allowing immune and cancer cell invasion and releasing growth factors. uPAR is now recognized as a biomarker for inflammatory diseases and cancer; uPAR and soluble uPAR fragments (suPAR) are increased in viral sepsis (COVID-19), inflammatory bowel disease, and metastasis. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structure, function, and current studies examining uPAR and suPAR as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Understanding uPAR is central to developing diagnostic markers and the ongoing development of antibody, small-molecule, nanogel, and virus-derived immune-modulating treatments that target uPAR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Hamada
- College of Medicine, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (M.H.); (O.R.)
| | - Kyle Steven Varkoly
- Department of Internal Medicine, McLaren Macomb Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 1000 Harrington St., Mt Clemens, MI 48043, USA
| | - Omer Riyadh
- College of Medicine, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (M.H.); (O.R.)
| | - Roxana Beladi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 16001 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48075, USA;
| | - Ganesh Munuswamy-Ramanujam
- Molecular Biology and Immunobiology Division, Interdisciplinary Institute of Indian System of Medicine, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, India;
| | - Alan Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; (A.R.); (J.W.-R.)
| | - Jeanne Wilson-Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; (A.R.); (J.W.-R.)
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Tumor Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China;
| | - Grant McFadden
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 E Tyler St., Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Alexandra R. Lucas
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 E Tyler St., Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chowaniec H, Ślubowska A, Mroczek M, Borowczyk M, Braszka M, Dworacki G, Dobosz P, Wichtowski M. New hopes for the breast cancer treatment: perspectives on the oncolytic virus therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375433. [PMID: 38576614 PMCID: PMC10991781 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375433] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy has emerged as a promising frontier in cancer treatment, especially for solid tumours. While immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells have demonstrated impressive results, their limitations in inducing complete tumour regression have spurred researchers to explore new approaches targeting tumours resistant to current immunotherapies. OVs, both natural and genetically engineered, selectively replicate within cancer cells, inducing their lysis while sparing normal tissues. Recent advancements in clinical research and genetic engineering have enabled the development of targeted viruses that modify the tumour microenvironment, triggering anti-tumour immune responses and exhibiting synergistic effects with other cancer therapies. Several OVs have been studied for breast cancer treatment, including adenovirus, protoparvovirus, vaccinia virus, reovirus, and herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1). These viruses have been modified or engineered to enhance their tumour-selective replication, reduce toxicity, and improve oncolytic properties.Newer generations of OVs, such as Oncoviron and Delta-24-RGD adenovirus, exhibit heightened replication selectivity and enhanced anticancer effects, particularly in breast cancer models. Clinical trials have explored the efficacy and safety of various OVs in treating different cancers, including melanoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, head and neck cancer, and gynecologic malignancies. Notably, Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and Oncorine have. been approved for advanced melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, respectively. However, adverse effects have been reported in some cases, including flu-like symptoms and rare instances of severe complications such as fistula formation. Although no OV has been approved specifically for breast cancer treatment, ongoing preclinical clinical trials focus on four groups of viruses. While mild adverse effects like low-grade fever and nausea have been observed, the effectiveness of OV monotherapy in breast cancer remains insufficient. Combination strategies integrating OVs with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, show promise in improving therapeutic outcomes. Oncolytic virus therapy holds substantial potential in breast cancer treatment, demonstrating safety in trials. Multi-approach strategies combining OVs with conventional therapies exhibit more promising therapeutic effects than monotherapy, signalling a hopeful future for OV-based breast cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Chowaniec
- Department of Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Antonina Ślubowska
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Mroczek
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Univeristy of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martyna Borowczyk
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Braszka
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London Medical School, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grzegorz Dworacki
- Department of Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Chair of Patomorphology and Clinical Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Paula Dobosz
- University Centre of Cancer Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wichtowski
- Surgical Oncology Clinic, Institute of Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ghaleh HEG, Vakilzadeh G, Zahiri A, Farzanehpour M. Investigating the potential of oncolytic viruses for cancer treatment via MSC delivery. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:228. [PMID: 37667271 PMCID: PMC10478302 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01232-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted considerable interest as a promising approach for cancer treatment due to their ability to undergo tumor-trophic migration. MSCs possess the unique ability to selectively migrate to tumors, making them an excellent candidate for targeted delivery of oncolytic viruses (OVs) to treat isolated tumors and metastatic malignancies. OVs have attracted attention as a potential treatment for cancer due to their ability to selectively infect and destroy tumor cells while sparing normal cells. In addition, OVs can induce immunogenic cell death and contain curative transgenes in their genome, making them an attractive candidate for cancer treatment in combination with immunotherapies. In combination with MSCs, OVs can modulate the tumor microenvironment and trigger anti-tumor immune responses, making MSC-releasing OVs a promising approach for cancer treatment. This study reviews researches on the use of MSC-released OVs as a novel method for treating cancer. Video Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gazal Vakilzadeh
- Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zahiri
- Students Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Farzanehpour
- Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou Y, Song M, Xie D, Yan S, Yu S, Xie S, Cai M, Li H, Shang L, Jiang L, Yuan C, Huang M, Li J, Xu P. Structural Dynamics-Driven Discovery of Anticancer and Antimetastatic Effects of Diltiazem and Glibenclamide Targeting Urokinase Receptor. J Med Chem 2023; 66:5415-5426. [PMID: 36854648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Diltiazem and glibenclamide are commonly used hypotensive and antidiabetic drugs. This study reports the discovery of the potential antitumor and antimetastatic effects of these two drugs using a structural dynamics-driven virtual screening targeting urokinase receptor (uPAR). Owing to uPAR's high flexibility, currently resolved crystal structures of uPAR, all in ligand-bound states, provide limited representations of its physiological conformation. To improve the accuracy of screening, we performed a long-timescale molecular dynamics simulation and obtained the representative conformations of apo-uPAR as the targets for our screening. Experimentally, we demonstrated that diltiazem and glibenclamide bound uPAR with KD values in the micromolar range. In addition, both compounds effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in a uPAR-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. This work not only provides two potent uPAR inhibitors but also reports a proof-of-concept study on the potential off-label antitumor and antimetastatic uses of diltiazem and glibenclamide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Meiru Song
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, P. R. China
| | - Daoqing Xie
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Shufeng Yan
- Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian 365004, P. R. China
| | - Shujuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Song Xie
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Meiqin Cai
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Hanlin Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Le Shang
- Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Science, Fuzhou, Fujian 350109, P. R. China
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Cai Yuan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Jinyu Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Peng Xu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nonclinical pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of VSV-GP using methods to decouple input drug disposition and viral replication. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 28:190-207. [PMID: 36700123 PMCID: PMC9843450 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Viral replication places oncolytic viruses (OVs) in a unique niche in the field of drug pharmacokinetics (PK) as their self-amplification obscures exposure-response relationships. Moreover, standard bioanalytical techniques are unable to distinguish the input from replicated drug products. Here, we combine two novel approaches to characterize PK and biodistribution (BD) after systemic administration of vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotyped with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-GP) in healthy mice. First: to decouple input drug PK/BD versus replication PK/BD, we developed and fully characterized a replication-incompetent tool virus that retained all other critical attributes of the drug. We used this approach to quantify replication in blood and tissues and to determine its impact on PK and BD. Second: to discriminate the genomic and antigenomic viral RNA strands contributing to replication dynamics in tissues, we developed an in situ hybridization method using strand-specific probes and assessed their spatiotemporal distribution in tissues. This latter approach demonstrated that distribution, transcription, and replication localized to tissue-resident macrophages, indicating their role in PK and BD. Ultimately, our study results in a refined PK/BD profile for a replicating OV, new proposed PK parameters, and deeper understanding of OV PK/BD using unique approaches that could be applied to other replicating vectors.
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhai BT, Tian H, Sun J, Zou JB, Zhang XF, Cheng JX, Shi YJ, Fan Y, Guo DY. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as a therapeutic target in cancer. J Transl Med 2022; 20:135. [PMID: 35303878 PMCID: PMC8932206 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is an attractive target for the treatment of cancer, because it is expressed at low levels in healthy tissues but at high levels in malignant tumours. uPAR is closely related to the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumours, plays important roles in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), tumour angiogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and is associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumour cells, which has important guiding significance for the judgement of tumor malignancy and prognosis. Several uPAR-targeted antitumour therapeutic agents have been developed to suppress tumour growth, metastatic processes and drug resistance. Here, we review the recent advances in the development of uPAR-targeted antitumor therapeutic strategies, including nanoplatforms carrying therapeutic agents, photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) platforms, oncolytic virotherapy, gene therapy technologies, monoclonal antibody therapy and tumour immunotherapy, to promote the translation of these therapeutic agents to clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Tao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Huan Tian
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jiang-Xue Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Ya-Jun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Dong-Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Naumenko VA, Stepanenko AA, Lipatova AV, Vishnevskiy DA, Chekhonin VP. Infection of non-cancer cells: A barrier or support for oncolytic virotherapy? MOLECULAR THERAPY - ONCOLYTICS 2022; 24:663-682. [PMID: 35284629 PMCID: PMC8898763 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are designed to specifically target cancer cells, sparing normal cells. Although numerous studies demonstrate the ability of oncolytic viruses to infect a wide range of non-tumor cells, the significance of this phenomenon for cancer virotherapy is poorly understood. To fill the gap, we summarize the data on infection of non-cancer targets by oncolytic viruses with a special focus on tumor microenvironment and secondary lymphoid tissues. The review aims to address two major questions: how do attenuated viruses manage to infect normal cells, and whether it is of importance for oncolytic virotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor A. Naumenko
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow 119034, Russia
- Corresponding author Victor A. Naumenko, PhD, V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow 119034, Russia.
| | - Aleksei A. Stepanenko
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow 119034, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, N.I Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Anastasiia V. Lipatova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Daniil A. Vishnevskiy
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow 119034, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Chekhonin
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow 119034, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, N.I Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang L, Gu X, Yu J, Ge S, Fan X. Oncolytic Virotherapy: From Bench to Bedside. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:790150. [PMID: 34901031 PMCID: PMC8662562 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.790150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are naturally occurring or genetically engineered viruses that can replicate preferentially in tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth. These viruses have been considered an effective anticancer strategy in recent years. They mainly function by direct oncolysis, inducing an anticancer immune response and expressing exogenous effector genes. Their multifunctional characteristics indicate good application prospects as cancer therapeutics, especially in combination with other therapies, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively understand the utility of oncolytic viruses in cancer therapeutics. Here, we review the characteristics, antitumor mechanisms, clinical applications, deficiencies and associated solutions, and future prospects of oncolytic viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ludi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Panagioti E, Kurokawa C, Viker K, Ammayappan A, Anderson SK, Sotiriou S, Chatzopoulos K, Ayasoufi K, Johnson AJ, Iankov ID, Galanis E. Immunostimulatory bacterial antigen-armed oncolytic measles virotherapy significantly increases the potency of anti-PD1 checkpoint therapy. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e141614. [PMID: 34196308 DOI: 10.1172/jci141614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical immunotherapy approaches are lacking efficacy in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). In this study, we sought to reverse local and systemic GBM-induced immunosuppression using the Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein (NAP), a potent TLR2 agonist, as an immunostimulatory transgene expressed in an oncolytic measles virus (MV) platform, retargeted to allow viral entry through the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). While single-agent murine anti-PD1 treatment or repeat in situ immunization with MV-s-NAP-uPA provided modest survival benefit in MV-resistant syngeneic GBM models, the combination treatment led to synergy with a cure rate of 80% in mice bearing intracranial GL261 tumors and 72% in mice with CT-2A tumors. Combination NAP-immunovirotherapy induced massive influx of lymphoid cells in mouse brain, with CD8+ T cell predominance; therapeutic efficacy was CD8+ T cell dependent. Inhibition of the IFN response pathway using the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib decreased PD-L1 expression on myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the brain and further potentiated the therapeutic effect of MV-s-NAP-uPA and anti-PD1. Our findings support the notion that MV strains armed with bacterial immunostimulatory antigens represent an effective strategy to overcome the limited efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies in GBM, creating a promising translational strategy for this lethal brain tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Panagioti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Harvey W. Cushing Neuro-oncology Laboratories (HCNL), Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cheyne Kurokawa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kimberly Viker
- Department of Molecular Medicine and.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Arun Ammayappan
- Department of Molecular Medicine and.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Aaron J Johnson
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ianko D Iankov
- Department of Molecular Medicine and.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Evanthia Galanis
- Department of Molecular Medicine and.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Synergism of rMV-Hu191 with cisplatin to treat gastric cancer by acid sphingomyelinase-mediated apoptosis requiring integrity of lipid raft microdomains. Gastric Cancer 2021; 24:1293-1306. [PMID: 34251544 PMCID: PMC8502160 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-021-01210-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DDP-based chemotherapy is one of the first-line treatment in GC. However, the therapeutic efficacy of DDP is limited due to side effects. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop novel adjuvants to synergize with DDP. We had demonstrated previously that rMV-Hu191 had antitumor activity in GC. Here we examined the synergism of rMV-Hu191 with DDP in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Cellular proliferation, the synergistic effect and cell apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, ZIP analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein levels and location of ASMase were monitored by western blot and immunofluorescence assay. shRNA and imipramine were used to regulate the expression and activity of ASMase. MβCD was administrated to disrupt lipid rafts. Mice bearing GC xenografts were used to confirm the synergism in vivo. RESULTS From our data, combinational therapy demonstrated synergistic cytotoxicity both in resistant GC cell lines from a Chinese patient and drug-nonresistant GC cell lines, and increased cell apoptosis, instead of viral replication. Integrity of lipid rafts and ASMase were required for rMV-Hu191- and combination-induced apoptosis. The ASMase was delivered to the lipid raft microdomains at the initial stage of rMV-Hu191 treatment. In vivo GC mice xenografts confirmed the synergism of combinational treatment, together with increased apoptosis and trivial side-effects. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to demonstrate that rMV-Hu191 combined with DDP could be used as a potential therapeutic strategy in GC treatment and the ASMase and the integrity of lipid rafts are required for the synergistic effects.
Collapse
|
12
|
Yu G, Ali Z, Sajjad Khan A, Ullah K, Jamshaid H, Zeb A, Imran M, Sarwar S, Choi HG, Ud Din F. Preparation, Pharmacokinetics, and Antitumor Potential of Miltefosine-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:3255-3273. [PMID: 34012260 PMCID: PMC8127833 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s299443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with miltefosine (HePC) as an anticancer drug for the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS HePC-NLCs were prepared using a microemulsion technique and then evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), incorporation efficiency, in vitro release of entrapped drug, and hemolytic potential. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and liver toxicity analyses were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats, and antitumor efficacy was evaluated in Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) and squamous cell carcinoma-7 (SCC-7) cells in vitro and in tumour-bearing BALB/c mice in vivo. Advanced analyses including survival rate, immunohistopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assays were performed to evaluate apoptosis in vivo. RESULTS The average particle size of the HePC-NLCs was 143 ± 16 nm, with a narrow PDI (0.104 ± 0.002), and the incorporation efficiency was found to be 91 ± 7%. The NLCs released HePC in a sustained manner, and this release was significantly lower than that of free drug. The in vitro hemolytic assay demonstrated a significantly reduced hemolytic potential (~9%) of the NLCs compared to that of the test formulations. The HePC-NLCs demonstrated enhanced pharmacokinetic behaviour over free drug, including extended blood circulation and an abridged clearance rate in rats. Furthermore, the HePC-NLCs exhibited higher cytotoxicity than the free drug in MCF-7 and SCC-7 cells. Moreover, the HePC-NLCs showed significantly enhanced (P < 0.005) antitumor activity compared to that of the control and free drug-treated mouse groups. Tumour cell apoptosis was also confirmed, indicating the antitumor potential of the HePC-NLCs. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate the ability of NLCs as a drug delivery system for enhanced pharmacokinetic, antitumor, and apoptotic effects, most importantly when loaded with HePC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo Yu
- Department of Head and Neck Breast, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, 453000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zakir Ali
- Nanomedicine Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Anam Sajjad Khan
- Nanomedicine Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Kalim Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Humzah Jamshaid
- Nanomedicine Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Alam Zeb
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Sarwar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Han-Gon Choi
- College of Pharmacy & Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Fakhar Ud Din
- Nanomedicine Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Syed Najmuddin SUF, Amin ZM, Tan SW, Yeap SK, Kalyanasundram J, Veerakumarasivam A, Chan SC, Chia SL, Yusoff K, Alitheen NB. Oncolytic effects of the recombinant Newcastle disease virus, rAF-IL12, against colon cancer cells in vitro and in tumor-challenged NCr-Foxn1nu nude mice. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9761. [PMID: 33354412 PMCID: PMC7731658 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer remains one of the main cancers causing death in men and women worldwide as certain colon cancer subtypes are resistant to conventional treatments and the development of new cancer therapies remains elusive. Alternative modalities such as the use of viral-based therapeutic cancer vaccine is still limited, with only the herpes simplex virus (HSV) expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec) being approved in the USA and Europe so far. Therefore, it is imperative to continue the search for a new treatment modality. This current study evaluates a combinatorial therapy between the oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) cytokine as a potential therapeutic vaccine to the current anti-cancer drugs. Several in vitro analyses such as MTT assay, Annexin V/FITC flow cytometry, and cell cycle assay were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity effect of recombinant NDV, rAF-IL12. Meanwhile, serum cytokine, serum biochemical, histopathology of organs and TUNEL assay were carried out to assess the anti-tumoral effects of rAF-IL12 in HT29 tumor-challenged nude mice. The apoptosis mechanism underlying the effect of rAF-IL12 treatment was also investigated using NanoString Gene expression analysis. The recombinant NDV, rAF-IL12 replicated in HT29 colon cancer cells as did its parental virus, AF2240-i. The rAF-IL12 treatment had slightly better cytotoxicity effects towards HT29 cancer cells when compared to the AF2240-i as revealed by the MTT, Annexin V FITC and cell cycle assay. Meanwhile, the 28-day treatment with rAF-IL12 had significantly (p < 0.05) perturbed the growth and progression of HT29 tumor in NCr-Foxn1nu nude mice when compared to the untreated and parental wild-type NDV strain AF2240-i. The rAF-IL12 also modulated the immune system in nude mice by significantly (p < 0.05) increased the level of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ cytokines. Treatment with rAF-IL12 had also significantly (p < 0.05) increased the expression level of apoptosis-related genes such as Fas, caspase-8, BID, BAX, Smad3 and granzyme B in vitro and in vivo. Besides, rAF-IL12 intra-tumoral delivery was considered safe and was not hazardous to the host as evidenced in pathophysiology of the normal tissues and organs of the mice as well as from the serum biochemistry profile of liver and kidney. Therefore, this study proves that rAF-IL12 had better cytotoxicity effects than its parental AF2240-i and could potentially be an ideal treatment for colon cancer in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zahiah Mohamed Amin
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Sheau Wei Tan
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | | | - Suet Lin Chia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Khatijah Yusoff
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.,Malaysian Genome Institute, National Institute of Biotechnology Malaysia, Kajang, Malaysia
| | - Noorjahan Banu Alitheen
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Leber MF, Neault S, Jirovec E, Barkley R, Said A, Bell JC, Ungerechts G. Engineering and combining oncolytic measles virus for cancer therapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 56:39-48. [PMID: 32718830 PMCID: PMC7333629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using tumor-selective, oncolytic viruses is an emerging therapeutic option for solid and hematologic malignancies. A considerable variety of viruses ranging from small picornaviruses to large poxviruses are currently being investigated as potential candidates. In the early days of virotherapy, non-engineered wild-type or vaccine-strain viruses were employed. However, these viruses often did not fully satisfy the major criteria of safety and efficacy. Since the advent of reverse genetics systems for manipulating various classes of viruses, the field has shifted to developing genetically engineered viruses with an improved therapeutic index. In this review, we will summarize the concepts and strategies of multi-level genetic engineering of oncolytic measles virus, a prime candidate for cancer immunovirotherapy. Furthermore, we will provide a brief overview of measles virus-based multimodal combination therapies for improved tumor control and clinical efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias F Leber
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Serge Neault
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Elise Jirovec
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Russell Barkley
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Aida Said
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada; University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - John C Bell
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li L, Liu S, Han D, Tang B, Ma J. Delivery and Biosafety of Oncolytic Virotherapy. Front Oncol 2020; 10:475. [PMID: 32373515 PMCID: PMC7176816 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a promising anticancer therapy. Oncolytic viruses destroy cancer cells, without damaging normal tissues, through virus self-replication and antitumor immunity responses, showing great potential for cancer treatment. However, the clinical guidelines for administering oncolytic virotherapy remain unclear. Delivery routes for oncolytic virotherapy to patients vary in existing studies, depending on the tumor sites and the objective of studies. Moreover, the biosafety of oncolytic virotherapy, including mainly uncontrolled adverse events and long-term complications, remains a serious concern that needs to be accurately measured. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the delivery and biosafety of oncolytic virotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shixin Liu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Duoduo Han
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jing Y, Chavez V, Khatwani N, Ban Y, Espejo AP, Chen X, Merchan JR. In vivo antitumor activity by dual stromal and tumor-targeted oncolytic measles viruses. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 27:910-922. [PMID: 32231231 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-0171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The tumor stroma acts as a barrier that limits the efficacy of systemically administered oncolytic viruses (OV). We previously demonstrated that stromal-selective, retargeted oncolytic measles viruses (MVs) delay in vivo tumor progression. To further characterize the contribution of stromal targeting to MV's overall in vivo efficacy in an experimental cancer model, a dual targeted oncolytic measles virus (MV-CD46-muPA) able to simultaneously infect murine stromal (via murine uPAR) and human cancer (via CD46) cells was developed. MV-CD46-muPA infected, replicated, and induced cytotoxicity in both murine and human cancer cells. Viral infection was successfully transferred from stromal to tumor cells in vitro, leading to tumor cell oncolysis. Systemic administration of MV-CD46-muPA led to improved antitumor effects in colon (HT-29) cancer xenografts compared to vehicle or CD46 only targeted MVs. These effects were associated with improved tumor viral deposition, increased apoptosis, and decreases in murine stromal endothelial cells and fibroblasts. MV-CD46-muPA modulated cell cycle, survival, proliferation, and metabolic pathways, as determined by functional proteomic analysis of treated tumors. The above findings further validate the concept that dual stromal and tumor cell viral targeting enhances the therapeutic effects of systemically administered OVs and support further preclinical and clinical development of stromal directed virotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Jing
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Valery Chavez
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Natasha Khatwani
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA.,Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrea P Espejo
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jaime R Merchan
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lin CZ, Xiang GL, Zhu XH, Xiu LL, Sun JX, Zhang XY. Advances in the mechanisms of action of cancer-targeting oncolytic viruses. Oncol Lett 2018. [PMID: 29541169 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.7829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer virotherapy mediated by oncolytic viruses (OV), has emerged as a novel and effective strategy in cancer therapeutics. Preclinical models have demonstrated anticancer activity against numerous types of cancer. Currently, a number of recombinant viruses are in late phase clinical trials, many of which have demonstrated promising results regarding the safety and reliability of the treatments, particularly when combined with standard antineoplastic therapies. In addition to molecular-targeted therapeutics, genetic engineering of the viruses allows functional complementation to chemotherapy or radiotherapy agents. Co-administration of chemotherapy or radiotherapy is imperative for an effective treatment regime. Additionally, these approaches may be used in combination with current treatments to assist in cancer management. The near future may reveal whether this renewed interest in oncological virotherapy will result in meaningful therapeutic effects in patients. The aim of the present review was to highlight how the knowledge of oncolytic viral specificity and cytotoxicity has advanced in recent years, with a view to discuss OV in clinical application and the future directions of this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cun-Zhi Lin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Gui-Ling Xiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Hong Zhu
- Department of General Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, P.R. China
| | - Lu-Lu Xiu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Xing Sun
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oncolytic viruses represent a novel treatment modality that is unencumbered by the standard resistance mechanisms limiting the therapeutic efficacy of conventional antineoplastic agents. Attenuated engineered measles virus strains derived from the Edmonston vaccine lineage have undergone extensive preclinical evaluation with significant antitumor activity observed in a broad range of preclinical tumoral models. These have laid the foundation for several clinical trials in both solid and hematologic malignancies, which have demonstrated safety, biologic activity and the ability to elicit antitumor immune responses. Areas covered: This review examines the published preclinical data which supported the clinical translation of this therapeutic platform, reviews the available clinical trial data and expands on ongoing phase II testing. It also looks at approaches to optimize clinical applicability and offers future perspectives. Expert opinion: Reverse genetic engineering has allowed the generation of oncolytic MV strains retargeted to increase viral tumor specificity, or armed with therapeutic and immunomodulatory genes in order to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. Continuous efforts focusing on exploring methods to overcome resistance pathways and determining optimal combinatorial strategies will facilitate further development of this encouraging antitumor strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Robinson
- a Division of Medical Oncology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Evanthia Galanis
- a Division of Medical Oncology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Jing Y, Chavez V, Ban Y, Acquavella N, El-Ashry D, Pronin A, Chen X, Merchan JR. Molecular Effects of Stromal-Selective Targeting by uPAR-Retargeted Oncolytic Virus in Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1410-1420. [PMID: 28679779 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a relevant target for novel biological therapies. MV-m-uPA and MV-h-uPA are fully retargeted, species-specific, oncolytic measles viruses (MV) directed against murine or human urokinase receptor (PLAUR/uPAR), expressed in tumor and stromal cells. The effects of stromal-selective targeting by uPAR-retargeted MVs were investigated. In vitro infection, virus-induced GFP expression, and cytotoxicity by MV-h-uPA and MV-m-uPA were demonstrated in human and murine cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in a species-specific manner. In a murine fibroblast/human breast cancer 3D coculture model, selective fibroblast targeting by MV-m-uPA inhibited breast cancer cell growth. Systemic administration of murine-specific MV-m-uPA in mice bearing human MDA-MB-231 xenografts was associated with a significant delay in tumor progression and improved survival compared with controls. Experiments comparing tumor (MV-h-uPA) versus stromal (MV-m-uPA) versus combined virus targeting showed that tumor and stromal targeting was associated with improved tumor control over the other groups. Correlative studies confirmed in vivo viral targeting of tumor stroma by MV-m-uPA, increased apoptosis, and virus-induced differential regulation of murine stromal genes associated with inflammatory, angiogenesis, and survival pathways, as well as indirect regulation of human cancer pathways, indicating viral-induced modulation of tumor-stroma interactions. These data demonstrate the feasibility of stromal-selective targeting by an oncolytic MV, virus-induced modulation of tumor-stroma pathways, and subsequent tumor growth delay. These findings further validate the critical role of stromal uPAR in cancer progression and the potential of oncolytic viruses as antistromal agents.Implications: The current report demonstrates for the first time the biological, in vitro, and in vivo antitumor and molecular effects of stromal selective targeting by an oncolytic virus. Mol Cancer Res; 15(10); 1410-20. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Jing
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Valery Chavez
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Nicolas Acquavella
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Doraya El-Ashry
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Alexey Pronin
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Jaime R Merchan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Toro Bejarano M, Merchan JR. Targeting tumor vasculature through oncolytic virotherapy: recent advances. Oncolytic Virother 2015; 4:169-81. [PMID: 27512680 PMCID: PMC4918394 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s66045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncolytic virotherapy field has made significant advances in the last decade, with a rapidly increasing number of early- and late-stage clinical trials, some of them showing safety and promising therapeutic efficacy. Targeting tumor vasculature by oncolytic viruses (OVs) is an attractive strategy that offers several advantages over nontargeted viruses, including improved tumor viral entry, direct antivascular effects, and enhanced antitumor efficacy. Current understanding of the biological mechanisms of tumor neovascularization, novel vascular targets, and mechanisms of resistance has allowed the development of oncolytic viral vectors designed to target tumor neovessels. While some OVs (such as vaccinia and vesicular stomatitis virus) can intrinsically target tumor vasculature and induce vascular disruption, the majority of reported vascular-targeted viruses are the result of genetic manipulation of their viral genomes. Such strategies include transcriptional or transductional endothelial targeting, "armed" viruses able to downregulate angiogenic factors, or to express antiangiogenic molecules. The above strategies have shown preclinical safety and improved antitumor efficacy, either alone, or in combination with standard or targeted agents. This review focuses on the recent efforts toward the development of vascular-targeted OVs for cancer treatment and provides a translational/clinical perspective into the future development of new generation biological agents for human cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Toro Bejarano
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jaime R Merchan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
In vivo anti-metastatic effects of uPAR retargeted measles virus in syngeneic and xenograft models of mammary cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2014; 149:99-108. [PMID: 25519042 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-014-3236-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The urokinase receptor (uPAR) plays a critical role in breast cancer (BC) progression and metastases and is a validated target for novel therapies. The current study investigates the effects of MV-uPA, an oncolytic measles virus fully retargeted against uPAR in syngeneic and xenograft BC metastases models. In vitro replication and cytotoxicity of MVs retargeted against human (MV-h-uPA) or mouse (MV-m-uPA) uPAR were assessed in human and murine cancer and non-cancer mammary epithelial cells. The in vivo effects of species-specific uPAR retargeted MVs were assessed in syngeneic and xenograft models of experimental metastases, established by intravenous administration of luciferase expressing 4T1 or MDA-MD-231 cells. Metastases progression was assessed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Tumor targeting was evaluated by qRT-PCR of MV-N, rescue of viable viral particles, and immunostaining of MV particles in lungs from tumor bearing mice. In vitro, MV-h-uPA and MV-m-uPA selectively infected, replicated, and induced cytotoxicity in cancer compared to non-cancer cells in a species-specific manner. In vivo, MV-m-uPA delayed 4T1 lung metastases progression and prolonged survival. These effects were associated with identification of viable viral particles, viral RNA, and detection of MV-N by immunostaining from lung tissues in treated mice. In the human MDA-MB-231 metastases model, intravenous administration of MV-h-uPA markedly inhibited metastases progression and significantly improved survival, compared to controls. No significant treatment-related toxicity was observed in treated mice. The above preclinical findings strongly suggest that uPAR retargeted measles virotherapy is a novel and feasible systemic therapy strategy against metastatic breast cancer.
Collapse
|