1
|
Salinas-Montalvo AM, Supramaniam A, McMillan NA, Idris A. RNA-based gene targeting therapies for human papillomavirus driven cancers. Cancer Lett 2021; 523:111-120. [PMID: 34627949 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
While platinum-based chemotherapy, radiation therapy and or surgery are effective in reducing human papillomavirus (HPV) driven cancer tumours, they have some significant drawbacks, including low specificity for tumour, toxicity, and severe adverse effects. Though current therapies for HPV-driven cancers are effective, severe late toxicity associated with current treatments contributes to the deterioration of patient quality of life. This warrants the need for novel therapies for HPV derived cancers. In this short review, we examined RNA-based therapies targeting the major HPV oncogenes, including short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) as putative treatment modalities. We also explore other potential RNA-based targeting approaches such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and mRNA vaccines as future treatment modalities for HPV cancers. Some of these technologies have already been approved for clinical use for a range of other human diseases but not for HPV cancers. Here we explore the emerging evidence supporting the effectiveness of some of these gene-based therapies for HPV malignancies. In short, the evidence sheds promising light on the feasibility of translating these technologies into a clinically relevant treatment modality for HPV derived cancers and potentially other virally driven human cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana María Salinas-Montalvo
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Aroon Supramaniam
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Nigel Aj McMillan
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Adi Idris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Idris A, Davis A, Supramaniam A, Acharya D, Kelly G, Tayyar Y, West N, Zhang P, McMillan CLD, Soemardy C, Ray R, O'Meally D, Scott TA, McMillan NAJ, Morris KV. A SARS-CoV-2 targeted siRNA-nanoparticle therapy for COVID-19. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2219-2226. [PMID: 33992805 PMCID: PMC8118699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in humans. Despite several emerging vaccines, there remains no verifiable therapeutic targeted specifically to the virus. Here we present a highly effective small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2 infection using a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system. Multiple siRNAs targeting highly conserved regions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were screened, and three candidate siRNAs emerged that effectively inhibit the virus by greater than 90% either alone or in combination with one another. We simultaneously developed and screened two novel LNP formulations for the delivery of these candidate siRNA therapeutics to the lungs, an organ that incurs immense damage during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Encapsulation of siRNAs in these LNPs followed by in vivo injection demonstrated robust repression of virus in the lungs and a pronounced survival advantage to the treated mice. Our LNP-siRNA approaches are scalable and can be administered upon the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. We suggest that an siRNA-LNP therapeutic approach could prove highly useful in treating COVID-19 disease as an adjunctive therapy to current vaccine strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adi Idris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Alicia Davis
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Aroon Supramaniam
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Dhruba Acharya
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Kelly
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Yaman Tayyar
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Nic West
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Ping Zhang
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Christopher L D McMillan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Citradewi Soemardy
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Roslyn Ray
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Denis O'Meally
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tristan A Scott
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nigel A J McMillan
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia.
| | - Kevin V Morris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia; Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zharkov MI, Zenkova MA, Vlassov VV, Chernolovskaya EL. Molecular Mechanism of the Antiproliferative Activity of Short Immunostimulating dsRNA. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1454. [PMID: 31921696 PMCID: PMC6933605 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Small double-stranded RNAs with certain sequence motifs are able to interact with pattern-recognition receptors and activate the innate immune system. Recently, we identified a set of short double-stranded 19-bp RNA molecules with 3-nucleotide 3′-overhangs that exhibited pronounced antiproliferative activity against cancer cells in vitro, and antitumor and antimetastatic activities in mouse models in vivo. The main objectives of this study were to identify the pattern recognition receptors that mediate the antiproliferative action of immunostimulating RNA (isRNA). Two cell lines, epidermoid carcinoma KB-3-1 cells and lung cancer A549 cells, were used in the study. These lines respond to the action of isRNA by a decrease in the growth rate, and in the case of A549 cells, also by a secretion of IL-6. Two sets of cell lines with selectively silenced genes encoding potential sensors and signal transducers of isRNA action were obtained on the basis of KB-3-1 and A549 cells. It was found that the selective silencing of PKR and RIG-I genes blocked the antiproliferative effect of isRNA, both in KB-3-1 and A549 cells, whereas the expression of MDA5 and IRF3 was not required for the antiproliferative action of isRNA. It was shown that, along with PKR and RIG-I genes, the expression of IRF3 also plays a role in isRNA mediated IL-6 synthesis in A549 cells. Thus, PKR and RIG-I sensors play a major role in the anti-proliferative signaling triggered by isRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail I Zharkov
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina A Zenkova
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valentin V Vlassov
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena L Chernolovskaya
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Raja MAG, Katas H, Amjad MW. Design, mechanism, delivery and therapeutics of canonical and Dicer-substrate siRNA. Asian J Pharm Sci 2019; 14:497-510. [PMID: 32104477 PMCID: PMC7032099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), canonical small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been recognized to trigger sequence-specific gene silencing. Despite the benefits of siRNAs as potential new drugs, there are obstacles still to be overcome, including off-target effects and immune stimulation. More recently, Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) has been introduced as an alternative to siRNA. Similarly, it also is proving to be potent and target-specific, while rendering less immune stimulation. DsiRNA is 25–30 nucleotides in length, and is further cleaved and processed by the Dicer enzyme. As with siRNA, it is crucial to design and develop a stable, safe, and efficient system for the delivery of DsiRNA into the cytoplasm of targeted cells. Several polymeric nanoparticle systems have been well established to load DsiRNA for in vitro and in vivo delivery, thereby overcoming a major hurdle in the therapeutic uses of DsiRNA. The present review focuses on a comparison of siRNA and DsiRNA on the basis of their design, mechanism, in vitro and in vivo delivery, and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Abdul Ghafoor Raja
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 73211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haliza Katas
- Centre for Drug Delivery Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Wahab Amjad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 73211, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Togtema M, Jackson R, Grochowski J, Villa PL, Mellerup M, Chattopadhyaya J, Zehbe I. Synthetic siRNA targeting human papillomavirus 16 E6: a perspective on in vitro nanotherapeutic approaches. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:455-474. [PMID: 29382252 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses infect skin and mucosa, causing approximately 5% of cancers worldwide. In the search for targeted nanotherapeutic approaches, siRNAs against the viral E6 transcript have been molecules of interest but have not yet seen successful translation into the clinic. By reviewing the past approximately 15 years of in vitro literature, we identify the need for siRNA validation protocols which concurrently evaluate ranges of key treatment parameters as well as characterize downstream process restoration in a methodical, quantitative manner and demonstrate their implementation using our own data. We also reflect on the future need for more appropriate cell culture models to represent patient lesions as well as the application of personalized approaches to identify optimal treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Togtema
- Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, Canada.,Biotechnology Program, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Robert Jackson
- Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, Canada.,Biotechnology Program, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Jessica Grochowski
- Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, Canada
| | - Peter L Villa
- Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, Canada.,Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Miranda Mellerup
- Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, Canada
| | - Jyoti Chattopadhyaya
- Program of Chemical Biology, Institute of Cell & Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75123, Sweden
| | - Ingeborg Zehbe
- Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4, Canada.,Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kabilova TO, Meschaninova MI, Venyaminova AG, Vlassov VV, Zenkova MA, Chernolovskaya EL. Impact of chemical modifications in the structure of isRNA on its antiproliferative and immunostimulatory properties. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162017010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
7
|
Gabrielli B, Bokhari F, Ranall MV, Oo ZY, Stevenson AJ, Wang W, Murrell M, Shaikh M, Fallaha S, Clarke D, Kelly M, Sedelies K, Christensen M, McKee S, Leggatt G, Leo P, Skalamera D, Soyer HP, Gonda TJ, McMillan NA. Aurora A Is Critical for Survival in HPV-Transformed Cervical Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2753-61. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
8
|
Ubiquitin-like Molecule ISG15 Acts as an Immune Adjuvant to Enhance Antigen-specific CD8 T-cell Tumor Immunity. Mol Ther 2015; 23:1653-62. [PMID: 26122932 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
ISG15 is an ubiquitin-like protein induced by type I interferon associated with antiviral activity. ISG15 is also secreted and known to function as an immunomodulatory molecule. However, ISG15's role in influencing the adaptive CD8 T-cell responses has not been studied. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of ISG15 as a vaccine adjuvant, inducing human papilloma virus (HPV) E7-specific IFNγ responses as well as the percentage of polyfunctional, cytolytic, and effector CD8 T-cell responses. Vaccination with ISG15 conferred remarkable control and/or regression of established HPV-associated tumor-bearing mice. T-cell depletion coupled with adoptive transfer experiments revealed that ISG15 protective efficacy was CD8 T-cell mediated. Importantly, we demonstrate that ISG15 vaccine-induced responses could be generated independent of ISGylation, suggesting that responses were mostly influenced by free ISG15. Our results provide more insight into the immunomodulatory properties of ISG15 and its potential to serve as an effective immune adjuvant in a therapeutic tumor or infectious disease setting.
Collapse
|
9
|
Dobrovolskaia MA, McNeil SE. Immunological and hematological toxicities challenging clinical translation of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15:1023-48. [PMID: 26017628 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1014794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nucleic acid-based therapeutics (NATs) are proven agents in correcting disorders caused by gene mutations, as treatments against cancer, microbes and viruses, and as vaccine adjuvants. Although many traditional small molecule NATs have been approved for clinical use, commercialization of macromolecular NATs has been considerably slower, and only a few have successfully reached the market. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of macromolecular NATs has revealed many assorted challenges in immunotoxicity, hematotoxicity, pharmacokinetics (PKs), toxicology and formulation. Extensive review has been given to the PK and toxicological concerns of NATs including approaches designed to overcome these issues. Immunological and hematological issues are a commonly reported side effect of NAT treatment; however, literature exploring the mechanistic background of these effects is sparse. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the immunomodulatory properties of various types of therapeutic nucleic acid concepts. The most commonly observed immunological and hematological toxicities are described for various NAT classes, with citations of how to circumvent these toxicities. EXPERT OPINION Although some success with overcoming immunological and hematological toxicities of NATs has been achieved in recent years, immunostimulation remains the main dose-limiting factor challenging clinical translation of these promising therapies. Novel delivery vehicles should be considered to overcome this challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina A Dobrovolskaia
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program , P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 , USA +1 301 846 6939 ; +1 301 846 6399 ;
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Villarreal DO, Wise MC, Walters JN, Reuschel EL, Choi MJ, Obeng-Adjei N, Yan J, Morrow MP, Weiner DB. Alarmin IL-33 acts as an immunoadjuvant to enhance antigen-specific tumor immunity. Cancer Res 2014; 74:1789-800. [PMID: 24448242 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Studies of interleukin (IL)-33 reveal a number of pleiotropic properties. Here, we report that IL-33 has immunoadjuvant effects in a human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated model for cancer immunotherapy where cell-mediated immunity is critical for protection. Two biologically active isoforms of IL-33 exist that are full-length or mature, but the ability of either isoform to function as a vaccine adjuvant that influences CD4 T helper 1 or CD8 T-cell immune responses is not defined. We showed that both IL-33 isoforms are capable of enhancing potent antigen-specific effector and memory T-cell immunity in vivo in a DNA vaccine setting. In addition, although both IL-33 isoforms drove robust IFN-γ responses, neither elevated secretion of IL-4 or immunoglobulin E levels. Further, both isoforms augmented vaccine-induced antigen-specific polyfunctional CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses, with a large proportion of CD8(+) T cells undergoing plurifunctional cytolytic degranulation. Therapeutic studies indicated that vaccination with either IL-33 isoform in conjunction with an HPV DNA vaccine caused rapid and complete regressions in vivo. Moreover, IL-33 could expand the magnitude of antigen-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses and elicit effector-memory CD8(+) T cells. Taken together, our results support the development of these IL-33 isoforms as immunoadjuvants in vaccinations against pathogens, including in the context of antitumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel O Villarreal
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; and Korea Food and Drug Administration, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|