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Finizio A, Pagano P, Napolano A, Froechlich G, Infante L, De Chiara A, Amiranda S, Vitiello E, Totaro S, Capasso C, Raia M, D'Alise AM, de Candia P, Zambrano N, Sasso E. Integrating system biology and intratumor gene therapy by trans-complementing the appropriate co-stimulatory molecule as payload in oncolytic herpes virus. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:1335-1343. [PMID: 38839891 PMCID: PMC11405262 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00790-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Systems biology has been applied at the multi-scale level within the cancer field, improving cancer prevention, diagnosis and enabling precision medicine approaches. While systems biology can expand the knowledge and skills for oncological treatment, it also represents a challenging expedition due to cancer complexity, heterogeneity and diversity not only between different cancer indications, but also in its evolution process through space and time. Here, by characterizing the transcriptional perturbations of the tumor microenvironment induced by oncolytic, we aimed to rationally design a novel armed oncolytic herpes virus. We found that intratumor oncovirotherapy with HSV-1 induces T-cell activation signatures and transcriptionally activates several costimulatory molecules. We identified differentially expressed costimulatory receptors and binding partners, where inducible co-stimulators (ICOS) resulted in the potentially most beneficial targeted therapy. Through an ex-vivo transcriptomic analysis, we explored the potential of arming an oncolytic virus as a combination therapy strategy; in particular, we engineered a targeted herpes virus encoding ICOSL (THV_ICOSL), which resulted in a significant improvement in tumor size control compared to unarmed parental virus. Also, combination with a PD-1 inhibitor enhanced antitumor efficacy as predictable by upregulation of PD-1 and ligands pair (PD-L1/PD-L2) upon oncolytic virus injection. Generation of the human version of this virus encoding hICOSL orthologue effectively and specifically activated human T cells by triggering the ICOS pathway. Our data support the data-driven generation of armed oncolytic viruses as combination immunotherapeutic with checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Finizio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - P Pagano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - A Napolano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - G Froechlich
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | | | - A De Chiara
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - S Amiranda
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - E Vitiello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - S Totaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - C Capasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - M Raia
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | | | - P de Candia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - N Zambrano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy
| | - E Sasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Naples, Italy.
- ImGen-T Srl, Viale del Parco Carelli, Napoli, NA, Italy.
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Toropko M, Chuvpilo S, Karabelsky A. miRNA-Mediated Mechanisms in the Generation of Effective and Safe Oncolytic Viruses. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:986. [PMID: 39204331 PMCID: PMC11360794 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16080986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by inhibiting the translation of target transcripts. The expression profiles of miRNAs vary in different tissues and change with the development of diseases, including cancer. This feature has begun to be used for the modification of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in order to increase their selectivity and efficacy. OVs represent a relatively new class of anticancer drugs; they are designed to replicate in cancer tumors and destroy them. These can be natural viruses that can replicate within cancer tumor cells, or recombinant viruses created in laboratories. There are some concerns regarding OVs' toxicity, due to their ability to partially replicate in healthy tissues. In addition, lytic and immunological responses upon OV therapy are not always sufficient, so various OV editing methods are used. This review discusses the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies of OVs, modifications of which are associated with the miRNA-mediated mechanism of gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Toropko
- Gene Therapy Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Olympic Avenue, 1, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (S.C.); (A.K.)
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Zhuang GZ, Goins WF, Kandel MB, Marzulli M, Zhang M, Glorioso JC, Kang Y, Levitt AE, Sarantopoulos KD, Levitt RC. Disease-modifying rdHSV-CA8* non-opioid analgesic gene therapy treats chronic osteoarthritis pain by activating Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channels. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1416148. [PMID: 39086927 PMCID: PMC11289847 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1416148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is common in our population, and most of these patients are inadequately treated, making the development of safer analgesics a high priority. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a primary cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide, and lower extremity OA is a major contributor to loss of quality-adjusted life-years. In this study we tested the hypothesis that a novel JDNI8 replication-defective herpes simplex-1 viral vector (rdHSV) incorporating a modified carbonic anhydrase-8 transgene (CA8*) produces analgesia and treats monoiodoacetate-induced (MIA) chronic knee pain due to OA. We observed transduction of lumbar DRG sensory neurons with these viral constructs (vHCA8*) (~40% of advillin-positive cells and ~ 50% of TrkA-positive cells colocalized with V5-positive cells) using the intra-articular (IA) knee joint (KJ) route of administration. vHCA8* inhibited chronic mechanical OA knee pain induced by MIA was dose- and time-dependent. Mechanical thresholds returned to Baseline by D17 after IA KJ vHCA8* treatment, and exceeded Baseline (analgesia) through D65, whereas negative controls failed to reach Baseline responses. Weight-bearing and automated voluntary wheel running were improved by vHCA8*, but not negative controls. Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channel-specific inhibitor XE-991 reversed vHCA8*-induced analgesia. Using IHC, IA KJ of vHCA8* activated DRG Kv7 channels via dephosphorylation, but negative controls failed to impact Kv7 channels. XE-991 stimulated Kv7.2-7.5 and Kv7.3 phosphorylation using western blotting of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, which was inhibited by vHCA8* but not by negative controls. The observed prolonged dose-dependent therapeutic effects of IA KJ administration of vHCA8* on MIA-induced chronic KJ pain due to OA is consistent with the specific activation of Kv7 channels in small DRG sensory neurons. Together, these data demonstrate for the first-time local IA KJ administration of vHCA8* produces opioid-independent analgesia in this MIA-induced OA chronic pain model, supporting further therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Z. Zhuang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Munal B. Kandel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yuan Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Alexandra E. Levitt
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Konstantinos D. Sarantopoulos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Roy C. Levitt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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4
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Kandel MB, Zhuang GZ, Goins WF, Marzulli M, Zhang M, Glorioso JC, Kang Y, Levitt AE, Kwok WM, Levitt RC, Sarantopoulos KD. rdHSV-CA8 non-opioid analgesic gene therapy decreases somatosensory neuronal excitability by activating Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channels. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1398839. [PMID: 38783904 PMCID: PMC11112096 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1398839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is common and inadequately treated, making the development of safe and effective analgesics a high priority. Our previous data indicate that carbonic anhydrase-8 (CA8) expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) mediates analgesia via inhibition of neuronal ER inositol trisphosphate receptor-1 (ITPR1) via subsequent decrease in ER calcium release and reduction of cytoplasmic free calcium, essential to the regulation of neuronal excitability. This study tested the hypothesis that novel JDNI8 replication-defective herpes simplex-1 viral vectors (rdHSV) carrying a CA8 transgene (vHCA8) reduce primary afferent neuronal excitability. Whole-cell current clamp recordings in small DRG neurons showed that vHCA8 transduction caused prolongation of their afterhyperpolarization (AHP), an essential regulator of neuronal excitability. This AHP prolongation was completely reversed by the specific Kv7 channel inhibitor XE-991. Voltage clamp recordings indicate an effect via Kv7 channels in vHCA8-infected small DRG neurons. These data demonstrate for the first time that vHCA8 produces Kv7 channel activation, which decreases neuronal excitability in nociceptors. This suppression of excitability may translate in vivo as non-opioid dependent behavioral- or clinical analgesia, if proven behaviorally and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munal B. Kandel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Gerald Z. Zhuang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yuan Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Alexandra E. Levitt
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Wai-Meng Kwok
- Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Roy C. Levitt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Konstantinos D. Sarantopoulos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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5
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Di Francesco V, Chua AJ, Huang D, D'Souza A, Yang A, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. RNA therapies for CNS diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115283. [PMID: 38494152 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are a diverse group of conditions that pose an increasing health burden worldwide. There is a general lack of effective therapies due to multiple reasons, of which a key obstacle is the presence of the blood-brain barrier, which limits drug delivery to the central nervous system, and generally restricts the pool of candidate drugs to small, lipophilic molecules. However, in many cases, these are unable to target key pathways in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. As a group, RNA therapies have shown tremendous promise in treating various conditions because they offer unique opportunities for specific targeting by leveraging Watson-Crick base pairing systems, opening up possibilities to modulate pathological mechanisms that previously could not be addressed by small molecules or antibody-protein interactions. This potential paradigm shift in disease management has been enabled by recent advances in synthesizing, purifying, and delivering RNA. This review explores the use of RNA-based therapies specifically for central nervous system disorders, where we highlight the inherent limitations of RNA therapy and present strategies to augment the effectiveness of RNA therapeutics, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. We then describe translational challenges to the widespread use of RNA therapies and close with a consideration of future prospects in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Di Francesco
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andy J Chua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, 110 Sengkang E Way, 544886, Singapore
| | - Di Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Anisha D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Alicia Yang
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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6
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Ingusci S, Hall BL, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses designed for targeted treatment of EGFR-bearing tumors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200761. [PMID: 38596286 PMCID: PMC10869753 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) have emerged as leading cancer therapeutic agents. Effective oHSV virotherapy may ultimately require both intratumoral and systemic vector administration to target the primary tumor and distant metastases. An attractive approach to enhancing oHSV tumor specificity is engineering the virus envelope glycoproteins for selective recognition of and infection via tumor-specific cell surface proteins. We previously demonstrated that oHSVs could be retargeted to EGFR-expressing cells by the incorporation of a single-chain antibody (scFv) at the N terminus of glycoprotein D (gD). Here, we compared retargeted oHSVs generated by the insertion of scFv, affibody molecule, or VHH antibody ligands at different positions within the N terminus of gD. When compared to the scFv-directed oHSVs, VHH and affibody molecules mediated enhanced EGFR-specific tumor cell entry, spread and cell killing in vitro, and enabled long-term tumor-specific virus replication following intravenous delivery in vivo. Moreover, oHSVs retargeted via a VHH ligand reduced tumor growth upon intravenous injection and achieved complete tumor destruction after intratumoral injection. Systemic oHSV delivery is important for the treatment of metastatic disease, and our enhancements in targeted oHSV design are a critical step in creating an effective tumor-specific oHSVs for safe administration via the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Ingusci
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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Shah S. Novel Therapies in Glioblastoma Treatment: Review of Glioblastoma; Current Treatment Options; and Novel Oncolytic Viral Therapies. Med Sci (Basel) 2023; 12:1. [PMID: 38249077 PMCID: PMC10801585 DOI: 10.3390/medsci12010001] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumors is glioblastoma (GB). About 6 incidents per 100,000 people are reported annually. Most frequently, these tumors are linked to a poor prognosis and poor quality of life. There has been little advancement in the treatment of GB. In recent years, some innovative medicines have been tested for the treatment of newly diagnosed cases of GB and recurrent cases of GB. Surgery, radiotherapy, and alkylating chemotherapy are all common treatments for GB. A few of the potential alternatives include immunotherapy, tumor-treating fields (TTFs), and medications that target specific cellular receptors. To provide new multimodal therapies that focus on the molecular pathways implicated in tumor initiation and progression in GB, novel medications, delivery technologies, and immunotherapy approaches are being researched. Of these, oncolytic viruses (OVs) are among the most recent. Coupling OVs with certain modern treatment approaches may have significant benefits for GB patients. Here, we discuss several OVs and how they work in conjunction with other therapies, as well as virotherapy for GB. The study was based on the PRISMA guidelines. Systematic retrieval of information was performed on PubMed. A total of 307 articles were found in a search on oncolytic viral therapies for glioblastoma. Out of these 83 articles were meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, reviews, and systematic reviews. A total of 42 articles were from the years 2018 to 2023. Appropriate studies were isolated, and important information from each of them was understood and entered into a database from which the information was used in this article. One of the most prevalent malignant brain tumors is still GB. Significant promise and opportunity exist for oncolytic viruses in the treatment of GB and in boosting immune response. Making the most of OVs in the treatment of GB requires careful consideration and evaluation of a number of its application factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
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8
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Menotti L, Vannini A. Oncolytic Viruses in the Era of Omics, Computational Technologies, and Modeling: Thesis, Antithesis, and Synthesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17378. [PMID: 38139207 PMCID: PMC10743452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are the frontier therapy for refractory cancers, especially in integration with immunomodulation strategies. In cancer immunovirotherapy, the many available "omics" and systems biology technologies generate at a fast pace a challenging huge amount of data, where apparently clashing information mirrors the complexity of individual clinical situations and OV used. In this review, we present and discuss how currently big data analysis, on one hand and, on the other, simulation, modeling, and computational technologies, provide invaluable support to interpret and integrate "omic" information and drive novel synthetic biology and personalized OV engineering approaches for effective immunovirotherapy. Altogether, these tools, possibly aided in the future by artificial intelligence as well, will allow for the blending of the information into OV recombinants able to achieve tumor clearance in a patient-tailored way. Various endeavors to the envisioned "synthesis" of turning OVs into personalized theranostic agents are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Menotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
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Gareev I, Beylerli O, Tamrazov R, Ilyasova T, Shumadalova A, Du W, Yang B. Methods of miRNA delivery and possibilities of their application in neuro-oncology. Noncoding RNA Res 2023; 8:661-674. [PMID: 37860265 PMCID: PMC10582311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current phase of medical progress, practical neuro-oncology faces critical challenges. These include the quest for and development of innovative methodological approaches, as well as the enhancement of conventional therapies to boost their efficacy in treating brain tumors, especially the malignant varieties. Recent strides in molecular and cellular biology, molecular genetics, and immunology have charted the primary research pathways in the development of new anti-cancer medications, with a particular focus on microRNA (miRNA)-based therapy. MiRNAs possess the ability to function as suppressors of tumor growth while also having the potential to act as oncogenes. MiRNAs wield control over numerous processes within the human body, encompassing tumor growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immune responses. A significant impediment to enhancing the efficacy of brain tumor treatment lies in the unresolved challenge of traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the tumor tissue. Presently, there is a worldwide effort to conduct intricate research and design endeavors aimed at creating miRNA-based dosage forms and delivery systems that can effectively target various structures within the central nervous system (CNS). MiRNA-based therapy stands out as one of the most promising domains in neuro-oncology. Hence, the development of efficient and safe methods for delivering miRNA agents to the specific target cells within brain tumors is of paramount importance. In this study, we will delve into recent findings regarding various methods for delivering miRNA agents to brain tumor cells. We will explore the advantages and disadvantages of different delivery systems and consider some clinical aspects of miRNA-based therapy for brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilgiz Gareev
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, 150067, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Ozal Beylerli
- Central Research Laboratory, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 3 Lenin street, 450008, Russia
| | - Rasim Tamrazov
- Department of Oncology, Radiology and Radiotherapy, Tyumen State Medical University, 54 Odesskaya Street, 625023, Tyumen, Russia
| | - Tatiana Ilyasova
- Department of Internal Diseases, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 3 Lenin street, 450008, Russia
| | - Alina Shumadalova
- Department of General Chemistry, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 3 Lenin street, 450008, Russia
| | - Weijie Du
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, 150067, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Baofeng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, 150067, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150081, PR China
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10
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Li Y, Duan HY, Yang KD, Ye JF. Advancements and challenges in oncolytic virus therapy for gastrointestinal tumors. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115627. [PMID: 37812894 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115627] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract impose a substantial healthcare burden due to their prevalence and challenging prognosis. METHODS We conducted a review of peer-reviewed scientific literature using reputable databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) with a focus on oncolytic virus therapy within the context of gastrointestinal tumors. Our search covered the period up to the study's completion in June 2023. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA This study includes articles from peer-reviewed scientific journals, written in English, that specifically address oncolytic virus therapy for gastrointestinal tumors, encompassing genetic engineering advances, combined therapeutic strategies, and safety and efficacy concerns. Excluded are articles not meeting these criteria or focusing on non-primary gastrointestinal metastatic tumors. RESULTS Our review revealed the remarkable specificity of oncolytic viruses in targeting tumor cells and their potential to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. However, challenges related to safety and efficacy persist, underscoring the need for ongoing research and improvement. CONCLUSION This study highlights the promising role of oncolytic virus therapy in enhancing gastrointestinal tumor treatments. Continued investigation and innovative combination therapies hold the key to reducing the burden of these tumors on patients and healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hao-Yu Duan
- General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Kai-di Yang
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun-Feng Ye
- General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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11
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Marzulli M, Hall BL, Zhang M, Goins WF, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Novel mutations in U L24 and gH rescue efficient infection of an HSV vector retargeted to TrkA. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:208-220. [PMID: 37519407 PMCID: PMC10384243 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.06.012] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Transductional targeting of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based gene therapy vectors offers the potential for improved tissue-specific delivery and can be achieved by modification of the viral entry machinery to incorporate ligands that bind the desired cell surface proteins. The interaction of nerve growth factor (NGF) with tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) is essential for survival of sensory neurons during development and is involved in chronic pain signaling. We targeted HSV infection to TrkA-bearing cells by replacing the signal peptide and HVEM binding domain of glycoprotein D (gD) with pre-pro-NGF. This TrkA-targeted virus (KNGF) infected cells via both nectin-1 and TrkA. However, infection through TrkA was inefficient, prompting a genetic search for KNGF mutants showing enhanced infection following repeat passage on TrkA-expressing cells. These studies revealed unique point mutations in envelope glycoprotein gH and in UL24, a factor absent from mature particles. Together these mutations rescued efficient infection of TrkA-expressing cells, including neurons, and facilitated the production of a completely retargeted KNGF derivative. These studies provide insight into HSV vector improvements that will allow production of replication-defective TrkA-targeted HSV for delivery to the peripheral nervous system and may be applied to other retargeted vector studies in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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12
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Kardani K, Sanchez Gil J, Rabkin SD. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses for the treatment of glioma and targeting glioblastoma stem-like cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1206111. [PMID: 37325516 PMCID: PMC10264819 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1206111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most lethal cancers, having a poor prognosis and a median survival of only about 15 months with standard treatment (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy), which has not been significantly extended in decades. GBM demonstrates remarkable cellular heterogeneity, with glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) at the apex. GSCs are a subpopulation of GBM cells that possess the ability to self-renew, differentiate, initiate tumor formation, and manipulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). GSCs are no longer considered a static population of cells with specific markers but are quite flexible phenotypically and in driving tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. In light of these features, they are a critical target for successful GBM therapy. Oncolytic viruses, in particular oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs), have many attributes for therapy and are promising agents to target GSCs. oHSVs are genetically-engineered to selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells, including GSCs, but not normal cells. Moreover, oHSV can induce anti-tumor immune responses and synergize with other therapies, such as chemotherapy, DNA repair inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, to potentiate treatment effects and reduce GSC populations that are partly responsible for chemo- and radio-resistance. Herein, we present an overview of GSCs, activity of different oHSVs, clinical trial results, and combination strategies to enhance efficacy, including therapeutic arming of oHSV. Throughout, the therapeutic focus will be on GSCs and studies specifically targeting these cells. Recent clinical trials and approval of oHSV G47Δ in Japan for patients with recurrent glioma demonstrate the efficacy and promise of oHSV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samuel D. Rabkin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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13
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Bryant JD, Lee JS, De Almeida A, Jacques J, Chang CH, Fassler W, Quéva C, Lerner L, Kennedy EM. Seneca Valley virus replicons are packaged in trans and have the capacity to overcome the limitations of viral transgene expression. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 28:321-333. [PMID: 36938543 PMCID: PMC10018389 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.02.005] [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: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) promote the anti-tumor immune response as their replication, and the subsequent lysis of tumor cells, triggers the activation of immune-sensing pathways. Arming OVs by expressing transgenes with the potential to promote immune cell recruitment and activation is an attractive strategy to enhance OVs' therapeutic benefit. For picornaviruses, a family of OVs with clinical experience, the expression of a transgene is limited by multiple factors: genome physical packaging limits, high rates of recombination, and viral-mediated inhibition of transgene secretion. Here, we evaluated strategies for arming Seneca Valley virus (SVV) with relevant immunomodulatory transgenes. Specificially in the contex of arming SVV, we evaluated transgene maximum size and stabiltity, transgene secretion, and the impact of transgene inclusion on viral fitness. We find that SVV is not capable of expressing secreted payloads and has a transgene packaging capacity of ∼10% of viral genome size. To enable transgene expression, we developed SVV replicons with greater transgene size capacity and secretion capabilities. SVV replicons can be packaged in trans by virus in co-infected cells to express immunomodulatory transgenes in surrounding cells, thus providing a means to enhance the potential of this therapeutic to augment the anti-tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Edward M. Kennedy
- Oncorus, Inc., Andover, MA 01810, USA
- Corresponding author: Edward M. Kennedy, Oncorus, Inc., 4 Corporate Dr., Andover, MA 01810, USA.
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14
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Fudaba H, Wakimoto H. Oncolytic virus therapy for malignant gliomas: entering the new era. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:269-282. [PMID: 36809883 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2184256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To overcome the challenge of treating malignant brain tumors, oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent an innovative therapeutic approach, featuring unique mechanisms of action. The recent conditional approval of the oncolytic herpes simplex virus G47Δ as a therapeutic for malignant brain tumors marked a significant milestone in the long history of OV development in neuro-oncology. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the results of recently completed and active clinical studies that investigate the safety and efficacy of different OV types in patients with malignant gliomas. The changing landscape of the OV trial design includes expansion of subjects to newly diagnosed tumors and pediatric populations. A variety of delivery methods and new routes of administration are vigorously tested to optimize tumor infection and overall efficacy. New therapeutic strategies such as combination with immunotherapies are proposed that take advantage of the characteristics of OV therapy as an immunotherapy. Preclinical studies of OV have been active and aim to translate new OV strategies to the clinic. EXPERT OPINION For the next decade, clinical trials and preclinical and translational research will continue to drive the development of innovative OV treatments for malignant gliomas and benefit patients and define new OV biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Fudaba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Wakimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Tripodi L, Sasso E, Feola S, Coluccino L, Vitale M, Leoni G, Szomolay B, Pastore L, Cerullo V. Systems Biology Approaches for the Improvement of Oncolytic Virus-Based Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1297. [PMID: 36831638 PMCID: PMC9954314 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV)-based immunotherapy is mainly dependent on establishing an efficient cell-mediated antitumor immunity. OV-mediated antitumor immunity elicits a renewed antitumor reactivity, stimulating a T-cell response against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and recruiting natural killer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite the fact that OVs are unspecific cancer vaccine platforms, to further enhance antitumor immunity, it is crucial to identify the potentially immunogenic T-cell restricted TAAs, the main key orchestrators in evoking a specific and durable cytotoxic T-cell response. Today, innovative approaches derived from systems biology are exploited to improve target discovery in several types of cancer and to identify the MHC-I and II restricted peptide repertoire recognized by T-cells. Using specific computation pipelines, it is possible to select the best tumor peptide candidates that can be efficiently vectorized and delivered by numerous OV-based platforms, in order to reinforce anticancer immune responses. Beyond the identification of TAAs, system biology can also support the engineering of OVs with improved oncotropism to reduce toxicity and maintain a sufficient portion of the wild-type virus virulence. Finally, these technologies can also pave the way towards a more rational design of armed OVs where a transgene of interest can be delivered to TME to develop an intratumoral gene therapy to enhance specific immune stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Tripodi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Sasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Feola
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ludovica Coluccino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Vitale
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Guido Leoni
- Nouscom Srl, via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Szomolay
- Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
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16
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Hamad A, Yusubalieva GM, Baklaushev VP, Chumakov PM, Lipatova AV. Recent Developments in Glioblastoma Therapy: Oncolytic Viruses and Emerging Future Strategies. Viruses 2023; 15:547. [PMID: 36851761 PMCID: PMC9958853 DOI: 10.3390/v15020547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of malignant brain tumor. Standard treatment protocols and traditional immunotherapy are poorly effective as they do not significantly increase the long-term survival of glioblastoma patients. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) may be an effective alternative approach. Combining OVs with some modern treatment options may also provide significant benefits for glioblastoma patients. Here we review virotherapy for glioblastomas and describe several OVs and their combination with other therapies. The personalized use of OVs and their combination with other treatment options would become a significant area of research aiming to develop the most effective treatment regimens for glioblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azzam Hamad
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gaukhar M. Yusubalieva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Baklaushev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter M. Chumakov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasiya V. Lipatova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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17
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Ma R, Li Z, Chiocca EA, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. The emerging field of oncolytic virus-based cancer immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:122-139. [PMID: 36402738 PMCID: PMC9877109 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) provide novel and promising therapeutic options for patients with cancers resistant to traditional therapies. Natural or genetically modified OVs are multifaceted tumor killers. They directly lyse tumor cells while sparing normal cells, and indirectly potentiate antitumor immunity by releasing antigens and activating inflammatory responses in the tumor microenvironment. However, some limitations, such as limited penetration of OVs into tumors, short persistence, and the host antiviral immune response, are impeding the broad translation of oncolytic virotherapy into the clinic. If these challenges can be overcome, combination therapies, such as OVs plus immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, or CAR natural killer (NK) cells, may provide powerful therapeutic platforms in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Zhenlong Li
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Harvey Cushing Neuro-Oncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA; Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA.
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18
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Vazifehmand R, Ali DS, Othman Z, Chau DM, Stanslas J, Shafa M, Sekawi Z. The evaluation expression of non-coding RNAs in response to HSV-G47∆ oncolytic virus infection in glioblastoma multiforme cancer stem cells. J Neurovirol 2022; 28:566-582. [PMID: 35951174 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-022-01089-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive astrocytes brain tumor. Glioblastoma cancer stem cells and hypoxia conditions are well-known major obstacles in treatment. Studies have revealed that non-coding RNAs serve a critical role in glioblastoma progression, invasion, and resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. The present study examined the expression levels of microRNAs (in normoxic condition) and long non-coding RNAs (in normoxic and hypoxic conditions) in glioblastoma stem cells treated with the HSV-G47∆. The expression levels of 43 miRNAs and 8 lncRNAs isolated from U251-GBM-CSCs were analyzed using a miRCURY LNA custom PCR array and a quantitative PCR assay, respectively. The data revealed that out of 43 miRNAs that only were checked in normoxic condition, the only 8 miRNAs, including miR-7-1, miR-let-7b, miR-130a, miR-137, miR-200b, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-874, were markedly upregulated. The expression levels of lncRNAs, including LEF1 antisense RNA 1 (LEF1-AS1), metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 470 (LINC00470), tumor suppressor candidate 7 (TUSC7), HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), and X inactive specific transcript (XIST), were markedly downregulated in the hypoxic microenvironment, and H19-imprinted maternally expressed transcript (H19) was not observed to be dysregulated in this environment. Under normoxic conditions, LEF1-AS1, MALAT1, LINC00470, H19, HOTAIR, NEAT1, and XIST were downregulated and TUSC7 was not targeted by HSV-G47∆. Overall, the present data shows HSVG47Δ treatment deregulates non-coding RNA expression in GBM-CSC tumor microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Vazifehmand
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 43400, Malaysia
| | - Dhuha Saeed Ali
- Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM, Serdang, Selangor, 43400, Malaysia
| | - Zulkefley Othman
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 43400, Malaysia
| | - De-Ming Chau
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 43400, Malaysia
| | - Johnson Stanslas
- Pharmacotherapeutics Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM, Serdang, Selangor, 43400, Malaysia
| | - Mehdi Shafa
- Cell Therapy process development, Lonza Houston Inc, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 43400, Malaysia.
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19
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Jafari M, Kadkhodazadeh M, Shapourabadi MB, Goradel NH, Shokrgozar MA, Arashkia A, Abdoli S, Sharifzadeh Z. Immunovirotherapy: The role of antibody based therapeutics combination with oncolytic viruses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1012806. [PMID: 36311790 PMCID: PMC9608759 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1012806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that the new drugs and targeted therapies have been approved for cancer therapy during the past 30 years, the majority of cancer types are still remain challenging to be treated. Due to the tumor heterogeneity, immune system evasion and the complex interaction between the tumor microenvironment and immune cells, the great majority of malignancies need multimodal therapy. Unfortunately, tumors frequently develop treatment resistance, so it is important to have a variety of therapeutic choices available for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. Immunotherapy has lately shown clinical responses in malignancies with unfavorable outcomes. Oncolytic virus (OV) immunotherapy is a cancer treatment strategy that employs naturally occurring or genetically-modified viruses that multiply preferentially within cancer cells. OVs have the ability to not only induce oncolysis but also activate cells of the immune system, which in turn activates innate and adaptive anticancer responses. Despite the fact that OVs were translated into clinical trials, with T-VECs receiving FDA approval for melanoma, their use in fighting cancer faced some challenges, including off-target side effects, immune system clearance, non-specific uptake, and intratumoral spread of OVs in solid tumors. Although various strategies have been used to overcome the challenges, these strategies have not provided promising outcomes in monotherapy with OVs. In this situation, it is increasingly common to use rational combinations of immunotherapies to improve patient benefit. With the development of other aspects of cancer immunotherapy strategies, combinational therapy has been proposed to improve the anti-tumor activities of OVs. In this regard, OVs were combined with other biotherapeutic platforms, including various forms of antibodies, nanobodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and dendritic cells, to reduce the side effects of OVs and enhance their efficacy. This article reviews the promising outcomes of OVs in cancer therapy, the challenges OVs face and solutions, and their combination with other biotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdie Jafari
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Nasser Hashemi Goradel
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriyar Abdoli
- School of Advanced Medical Technologies, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- *Correspondence: Zahra Sharifzadeh, ; Shahriyar Abdoli,
| | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Zahra Sharifzadeh, ; Shahriyar Abdoli,
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20
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Qi Z, Long X, Liu J, Cheng P. Glioblastoma microenvironment and its reprogramming by oncolytic virotherapy. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:819363. [PMID: 36159398 PMCID: PMC9507431 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.819363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive form of brain tumor, responds poorly to current conventional therapies, including surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic chemotherapy. The reason is that the delicate location of the primary tumor and the existence of the blood-brain barrier limit the effectiveness of traditional local and systemic therapies. The immunosuppressive status and multiple carcinogenic pathways in the complex GBM microenvironment also pose challenges for immunotherapy and single-targeted therapy. With an improving understanding of the GBM microenvironment, it has become possible to consider the immunosuppressive and highly angiogenic GBM microenvironment as an excellent opportunity to improve the existing therapeutic efficacy. Oncolytic virus therapy can exert antitumor effects on various components of the GBM microenvironment. In this review, we have focused on the current status of oncolytic virus therapy for GBM and the related literature on antitumor mechanisms. Moreover, the limitations of oncolytic virus therapy as a monotherapy and future directions that may enhance the field have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbing Qi
- Department of State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangyu Long
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Oncology, West China Guang’an Hospital, Sichuan University, Guangan, China
| | - Jiyan Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ping Cheng Jiyan Liu
| | - Ping Cheng
- Department of State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ping Cheng Jiyan Liu
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21
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Chen YC, Li H, Martin-Caraballo M, Hsia SV. Establishing a Herpesvirus Quiescent Infection in Differentiated Human Dorsal Root Ganglion Neuronal Cell Line Mediated by Micro-RNA Overexpression. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070803. [PMID: 35890047 PMCID: PMC9317301 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
HSV-1 is a neurotropic pathogen associated with severe encephalitis, excruciating orofacial sensation, and other chronic neuropathic complications. After the acute infection, the virus may establish a lifelong latency in the neurons of trigeminal ganglia (TG) and other sensory and autonomic ganglia, including the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), etc. The reactivation occurred periodically by a variety of physical or emotional stressors. We have been developing a human DRG neuronal cell-culture model HD10.6, which mimics the mature neurons for latency and reactivation with robust neuronal physiology. We found that miR124 overexpression without acyclovir (ACV) could maintain the virus in a quiescent infection, with the accumulation of latency-associate transcript (LAT). The immediate-early (IE) gene ICP0, on the other hand, was very low and the latent viruses could be reactivated by trichostatin A (TSA) treatment. Together, these observations suggested a putative role of microRNA in promoting HSV-1 latency in human neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chih Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA; (Y.-C.C.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Hedong Li
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Rm. CA4012, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Miguel Martin-Caraballo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA; (Y.-C.C.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Shaochung Victor Hsia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA; (Y.-C.C.); (M.M.-C.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Hong B, Sahu U, Mullarkey MP, Kaur B. Replication and Spread of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus in Solid Tumors. Viruses 2022; 14:v14010118. [PMID: 35062322 PMCID: PMC8778098 DOI: 10.3390/v14010118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) is a highly promising treatment for solid tumors. Intense research and development efforts have led to first-in-class approval for an oHSV for melanoma, but barriers to this promising therapy still exist that limit efficacy. The process of infection, replication and transmission of oHSV in solid tumors is key to obtaining a good lytic destruction of infected cancer cells to kill tumor cells and release tumor antigens that can prime anti-tumor efficacy. Intracellular tumor cell signaling and tumor stromal cells present multiple barriers that resist oHSV activity. Here, we provide a review focused on oncolytic HSV and the essential viral genes that allow for virus replication and spread in order to gain insight into how manipulation of these pathways can be exploited to potentiate oHSV infection and replication among tumor cells.
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23
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Jackson JW, Hall BL, Marzulli M, Shah VK, Bailey L, Chiocca EA, Goins WF, Kohanbash G, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Treatment of glioblastoma with current oHSV variants reveals differences in efficacy and immune cell recruitment. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 22:444-453. [PMID: 34553031 PMCID: PMC8430372 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) have demonstrated efficient lytic replication in human glioblastoma tumors using immunodeficient mouse models, but early-phase clinical trials have reported few complete responses. Potential reasons for the lack of efficacy are limited vector potency and the suppressive glioma tumor microenvironment (TME). Here we compare the oncolytic activity of two HSV-1 vectors, a KOS-strain derivative KG4:T124 and an F-strain derivative rQNestin34.5v.1, in the CT2A and GL261N4 murine syngeneic glioma models. rQNestin34.5v1 generally demonstrated a greater in vivo viral burden compared to KG4:T124. However, both vectors were rapidly cleared from CT2A tumors, while virus remained ensconced in GL261N4 tumors. Immunological evaluation revealed that the two vectors induced similar changes in immune cell recruitment to either tumor type at 2 days after infection. However, at 7 days after infection, the CT2A microenvironment displayed the phenotype of an untreated tumor, while GL261N4 tumors exhibited macrophage and CD4+/CD8+ T cell accumulation. Furthermore, the CT2A model was completely resistant to virus therapy, while in the GL261N4 model rQNestin34.5v1 treatment resulted in enhanced macrophage recruitment, impaired tumor progression, and long-term survival of a few animals. We conclude that prolonged intratumoral viral presence correlates with immune cell recruitment, and both are needed to enhance anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W. Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Vrusha K. Shah
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Lisa Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - E. Antonio Chiocca
- Harvey W. Cushing Neuro-oncology Laboratories (HCNL), Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Gary Kohanbash
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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24
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Appolloni I, Alessandrini F, Menotti L, Avitabile E, Marubbi D, Piga N, Ceresa D, Piaggio F, Campadelli-Fiume G, Malatesta P. Specificity, Safety, Efficacy of EGFRvIII-Retargeted Oncolytic HSV for Xenotransplanted Human Glioblastoma. Viruses 2021; 13:1677. [PMID: 34578259 PMCID: PMC8473268 DOI: 10.3390/v13091677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a lethal primary brain tumor lacking effective therapy. The secluded onset site, combined with the infiltrative properties of this tumor, require novel targeted therapies. In this scenario, the use of oncolytic viruses retargeted to glioblastoma cells and able to spread across the tumor cells represent an intriguing treatment strategy. Here, we tested the specificity, safety and efficacy of R-613, the first oncolytic HSV fully retargeted to EGFRvIII, a variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor carrying a mutation typically found in glioblastoma. An early treatment with R-613 on orthotopically transplanted EGFRvIII-expressing human glioblastoma significantly increased the median survival time of mice. In this setting, the growth of human glioblastoma xenotransplants was monitored by a secreted luciferase reporter and showed that R-613 is able to substantially delay the development of the tumor masses. When administered as late treatment to a well-established glioblastomas, R-613 appeared to be less effective. Notably the uninfected tumor cells derived from the explanted tumor masses were still susceptible to R-613 infection ex vivo, thus suggesting that multiple treatments could enhance R-613 therapeutic efficacy, making R-613 a promising oncolytic HSV candidate for glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Appolloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
| | | | - Laura Menotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Elisa Avitabile
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Daniela Marubbi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
| | - Noemi Piga
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
| | - Davide Ceresa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
| | - Francesca Piaggio
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
| | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
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25
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Immunomodulatory Arming Factors-The Current Paradigm for Oncolytic Vectors Relies on Immune Stimulating Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169051. [PMID: 34445759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The dogma of engineering oncolytic viral vectors has shifted from emphasizing the viral lysis of individual cancer cells to the recruitment and coordination of the adaptive immune system to clear the tumor. To accomplish this, researchers have been adding several classes of transgenes to their preferred viral platforms. The most prevalent of these include antibodies and targeting moieties, interleukins and cytokines, and genes which rely on small molecule co-administration for tumor killing. Most current vectors rely exclusively on one of these types of transgenes to elicit the desired immune response to clear tumors, but are not mutually exclusive, with several larger OVs armed with several of these factors. The common theme of emerging armed vectors is to simply initiate or enhance infiltration of effector CD8+ T cells to clear the tumor locally at OV infection sites, and systemically throughout the body where the OV has not infected tumor cells. The precision of oncolytic vectors to target a cell type or tissue remains its key advantage over small-molecule drugs. Unlike chemo- and other drug therapies, viral vectors can be made to specifically infect and grow within tumor cells. This ensures localized expression of the therapeutic transgene to the diseased tissue, thereby limiting systemic toxicity. This review will examine the immunomodulating transgenes of current OVs, describe their general effect on the immune system, and provide the rationale for each vector's use in clearing its targeted tumor.
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26
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The Effect of Herpes Simplex Virus-Type-1 (HSV-1) Oncolytic Immunotherapy on the Tumor Microenvironment. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071200. [PMID: 34206677 PMCID: PMC8310320 DOI: 10.3390/v13071200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer causes disruption of anti-tumor immunity required for surveillance and elimination of tumor cells. Immunotherapeutic strategies aim for the restoration or establishment of these anti-tumor immune responses. Cancer immunotherapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cellular therapy (ACT), cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virotherapy (OVT). The clinical success of some of these immunotherapeutic modalities, including herpes simplex virus type-1 derived OVT, resulted in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in treatment of human cancers. However, a significant proportion of patients do not respond or benefit equally from these immunotherapies. The creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) represents an important barrier preventing success of many immunotherapeutic approaches. Mechanisms of immunosuppression in the TME are a major area of current research. In this review, we discuss how oncolytic HSV affects the tumor microenvironment to promote anti-tumor immune responses. Where possible we focus on oncolytic HSV strains for which clinical data is available, and discuss how these viruses alter the vasculature, extracellular matrix and immune responses in the tumor microenvironment.
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27
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Shahryari A, Burtscher I, Nazari Z, Lickert H. Engineering Gene Therapy: Advances and Barriers. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shahryari
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- School of Medicine Department of Human Genetics Technical University of Munich Klinikum Rechts der Isar 81675 München Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Stem Cell Research Center Golestan University of Medical Sciences Gorgan 49341‐74515 Iran
| | - Ingo Burtscher
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
| | - Zahra Nazari
- Department of Biology School of Basic Sciences Golestan University Gorgan 49361‐79142 Iran
| | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- School of Medicine Department of Human Genetics Technical University of Munich Klinikum Rechts der Isar 81675 München Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
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28
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Lambrou GI, Zaravinos A, Braoudaki M. Co-Deregulated miRNA Signatures in Childhood Central Nervous System Tumors: In Search for Common Tumor miRNA-Related Mechanics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123028. [PMID: 34204289 PMCID: PMC8235499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Childhood tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) constitute a grave disease and their diagnosis is difficult to be handled. To gain better knowledge of the tumor’s biology, it is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that are dysregulated in many types of CNS tumors and regulate their occurrence and development through specific signal pathways. However, different types of CNS tumors’ area are characterized by different deregulated miRNAs. Here, we hypothesized that CNS tumors could have commonly deregulated miRNAs, i.e., miRNAs that are simultaneously either upregulated or downregulated in all tumor types compared to the normal brain tissue, irrespectively of the tumor sub-type and/or diagnosis. The only criterion is that they are present in brain tumors. This approach could lead us to the discovery of miRNAs that could be used as pan-CNS tumoral therapeutic targets, if successful. Abstract Despite extensive experimentation on pediatric tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), related to both prognosis, diagnosis and treatment, the understanding of pathogenesis and etiology of the disease remains scarce. MicroRNAs are known to be involved in CNS tumor oncogenesis. We hypothesized that CNS tumors possess commonly deregulated miRNAs across different CNS tumor types. Aim: The current study aims to reveal the co-deregulated miRNAs across different types of pediatric CNS tumors. Materials: A total of 439 CNS tumor samples were collected from both in-house microarray experiments as well as data available in public databases. Diagnoses included medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependydoma, cortical dysplasia, glioblastoma, ATRT, germinoma, teratoma, yoc sac tumors, ocular tumors and retinoblastoma. Results: We found miRNAs that were globally up- or down-regulated in the majority of the CNS tumor samples. MiR-376B and miR-372 were co-upregulated, whereas miR-149, miR-214, miR-574, miR-595 and miR-765 among others, were co-downregulated across all CNS tumors. Receiver-operator curve analysis showed that miR-149, miR-214, miR-574, miR-595 and miR765 could distinguish between CNS tumors and normal brain tissue. Conclusions: Our approach could prove significant in the search for global miRNA targets for tumor diagnosis and therapy. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports concerning the present approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- George I. Lambrou
- Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Diogenis Str., 6, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
- Cancer Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology Group, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
- Correspondence: (A.Z.); (M.B.); Tel.: +974-4403-7819 (A.Z.); +44-(0)-1707286503 (ext. 3503) (M.B.)
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield AL10 9AB, Hertfordshire, UK
- Correspondence: (A.Z.); (M.B.); Tel.: +974-4403-7819 (A.Z.); +44-(0)-1707286503 (ext. 3503) (M.B.)
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29
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Chianese A, Santella B, Ambrosino A, Stelitano D, Rinaldi L, Galdiero M, Zannella C, Franci G. Oncolytic Viruses in Combination Therapeutic Approaches with Epigenetic Modulators: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112761. [PMID: 34199429 PMCID: PMC8199618 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer rates have been accelerating significantly in recent years. Despite notable advances having been made in cancer therapy, and numerous studies being currently conducted in clinical trials, research is always looking for new treatment. Novel and promising anticancer therapies comprise combinations of oncolytic viruses and epigenetic modulators, including chromatin modifiers, such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylases, and microRNA. Combinatorial treatments have several advantages: they enhance viral entry, replication, and spread between proximal cells and, moreover, they strengthen the immune response. In this review we summarize the main combination of therapeutic approaches, giving an insight into past, present, and future perspectives. Abstract According to the World Cancer Report, cancer rates have been increased by 50% with 15 million new cases in the year 2020. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the only one of the most common tumors to cause a huge increase in mortality with a survival rate between 40% and 70% at 5 years, due to the high relapse and limitations associated with current therapies. Despite great progress in medicine, oncological research is always looking for new therapies: different technologies have been evaluated in clinical trials and others have been already used in clinics. Among them, oncolytic virotherapy represents a therapeutic option with a widespread possibility of approaches and applications. Oncolytic viruses are naturally occurring, or are engineered, viruses characterized by the unique features of preferentially infecting, replicating, and lysing malignant tumor cells, as well as activating the immune response. The combination of oncolytic virotherapy and chemical drugs are arousing great interest in the tumor treatment. In this scenario, novel and promising anticancer therapies comprise combinations of oncolytic viruses and epigenetic modulators or inhibitors of the signalling pathways. Combination treatments are required to improve the immune response and allow viral entry, replication, and diffusion between proximal cells. In this review, we summarize all combination therapies associated with virotherapy, including co-administered inhibitors of chromatin modifiers (combination strategies) and inserted target sites for miRNAs (recombination or arming strategies).
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (D.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Biagio Santella
- Section of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Ambrosino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (D.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Debora Stelitano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (D.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Luca Rinaldi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (D.S.); (M.G.)
- Section of Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (D.S.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianluigi Franci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (G.F.)
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30
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Zhou Z, Tian J, Zhang W, Xiang W, Ming Y, Chen L, Zhou J. Multiple strategies to improve the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic herpes simplex virus in the treatment of glioblastoma. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:510. [PMID: 33986870 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12771] [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: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses have attracted widespread attention as biological anticancer agents that can selectively kill tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Although progress has been made in therapeutic strategies, the prognosis of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains poor and no ideal treatment approach has been developed. Recently, oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) has been considered a promising novel treatment approach for GBM. However, the therapeutic efficacy of oHSV in GBM, with its intricate pathophysiology, remains unsatisfactory due to several obstacles, such as limited replication and attenuated potency of oHSV owing to deletions or mutations in virulence genes, and ineffective delivery of the therapeutic virus. Multiple strategies have attempted to identify the optimal strategy for the successful clinical application of oHSV. Several preclinical trials have demonstrated that engineering novel oHSVs, developing combination therapies and improving methods for delivering oHSV to tumor cells seem to hold promise for improving the efficacy of this virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjun Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Junjie Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Ming
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Ligang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Neurological Diseases and Brain Function Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Neurological Diseases and Brain Function Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
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31
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Peters CW, Maguire CA, Hanlon KS. Delivering AAV to the Central Nervous and Sensory Systems. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:461-474. [PMID: 33863599 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As gene therapy enters mainstream medicine, it is more important than ever to have a grasp of exactly how to leverage it for maximum benefit. The development of new targeting strategies and tools makes treating patients with genetic diseases possible. Many Mendelian disorders are amenable to gene replacement or correction. These often affect post-mitotic tissues, meaning that a single stably expressing therapy can be applied. Recent years have seen the development of a large number of novel viral vectors for delivering specific therapies. These new vectors - predominately recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) variants - target nervous tissues with differing efficiencies. This review gives an overview of current gene therapies in the brain, ear, and eye, and describes the optimal approaches, depending on cell type and transgene. Overall, this work aims to serve as a primer for gene therapy in the central nervous and sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole W Peters
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Killian S Hanlon
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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32
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He G, Ding J, Zhang Y, Cai M, Yang J, Cho WC, Zheng Y. microRNA-21: a key modulator in oncogenic viral infections. RNA Biol 2021; 18:809-817. [PMID: 33499700 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1880756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic viruses are associated with approximately 15% of human cancers. In viral infections, microRNAs play an important role in host-pathogen interactions. miR-21 is a highly conserved non-coding RNA that not only regulates the development of oncogenic viral diseases, but also responds to the regulation of intracellular signal pathways. Oncogenic viruses, including HBV, HCV, HPV, and EBV, co-evolve with their hosts and cause persistent infections. The upregulation of host miR-21 manipulates key cellular pathways to evade host immune responses and then promote viral replication. Thus, a better understanding of the role of miR-21 in viral infections may help us to develop effective genetically-engineered oncolytic virus-based therapies against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guitian He
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology' and 'Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| | - Juntao Ding
- College of Life Science and Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yong'e Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology' and 'Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mengting Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology' and 'Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology' and 'Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yadong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology' and 'Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, CAAS, Lanzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou China
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Nguyen HM, Saha D. The Current State of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus for Glioblastoma Treatment. Oncolytic Virother 2021; 10:1-27. [PMID: 33659221 PMCID: PMC7917312 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s268426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal primary malignant brain tumor with no current effective treatments. The recent emergence of immuno-virotherapy and FDA approval of T-VEC have generated a great expectation towards oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) as a promising treatment option for GBM. Since the generation and testing of the first genetically engineered oHSV in glioma in the early 1990s, oHSV-based therapies have shown a long way of great progress in terms of anti-GBM efficacy and safety, both preclinically and clinically. Here, we revisit the literature to understand the recent advancement of oHSV in the treatment of GBM. In addition, we discuss current obstacles to oHSV-based therapies and possible strategies to overcome these pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-My Nguyen
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Abilene, TX, 79601, USA
| | - Dipongkor Saha
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Abilene, TX, 79601, USA
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Monie DD, Bhandarkar AR, Parney IF, Correia C, Sarkaria JN, Vile RG, Li H. Synthetic and systems biology principles in the design of programmable oncolytic virus immunotherapies for glioblastoma. Neurosurg Focus 2021; 50:E10. [PMID: 33524942 DOI: 10.3171/2020.12.focus20855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a class of immunotherapeutic agents with promising preclinical results for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) but have shown limited success in recent clinical trials. Advanced bioengineering principles from disciplines such as synthetic and systems biology are needed to overcome the current challenges faced in developing effective OV-based immunotherapies for GBMs, including off-target effects and poor clinical responses. Synthetic biology is an emerging field that focuses on the development of synthetic DNA constructs that encode networks of genes and proteins (synthetic genetic circuits) to perform novel functions, whereas systems biology is an analytical framework that enables the study of complex interactions between host pathways and these synthetic genetic circuits. In this review, the authors summarize synthetic and systems biology concepts for developing programmable, logic-based OVs to treat GBMs. Programmable OVs can increase selectivity for tumor cells and enhance the local immunological response using synthetic genetic circuits. The authors discuss key principles for developing programmable OV-based immunotherapies, including how to 1) select an appropriate chassis, a vector that carries a synthetic genetic circuit, and 2) design a synthetic genetic circuit that can be programmed to sense key signals in the GBM microenvironment and trigger release of a therapeutic payload. To illustrate these principles, some original laboratory data are included, highlighting the need for systems biology studies, as well as some preliminary network analyses in preparation for synthetic biology applications. Examples from the literature of state-of-the-art synthetic genetic circuits that can be packaged into leading candidate OV chassis are also surveyed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep D Monie
- Departments of1Immunology.,6Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.,7Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Cristina Correia
- 5Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic
| | | | | | - Hu Li
- 5Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic
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Novel Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus 1 VC2 Promotes Long-Lasting, Systemic Anti-melanoma Tumor Immune Responses and Increased Survival in an Immunocompetent B16F10-Derived Mouse Melanoma Model. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.01359-20. [PMID: 33177208 PMCID: PMC7925097 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01359-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Current oncolytic virotherapies possess limited response rates. However, when certain patient selection criteria are used, oncolytic virotherapy response rates have been shown to increase. Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is now understood to be an immunotherapy that uses viral infection to liberate tumor antigens in an immunogenic context to promote the development of antitumor immune responses. The only currently FDA-approved oncolytic virotherapy, T-Vec, is a modified type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). While T-Vec is associated with limited response rates, its modest efficacy supports the continued development of novel OVT viruses. Herein, we test the efficacy of a recombinant HSV-1, VC2, as an OVT in a syngeneic B16F10-derived mouse model of melanoma. VC2 possesses mutations that block its ability to enter neurons via axonal termini. This greatly enhances its safety profile by precluding the ability of the virus to establish latent infection. VC2 has been shown to be a safe, effective vaccine against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection in mice, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates. We found that VC2 slows tumor growth rates and that VC2 treatment significantly enhances survival of tumor-engrafted, VC2-treated mice over control treatments. VC2-treated mice that survived initial tumor engraftment were resistant to a second engraftment as well as colonization of lungs by intravenous introduction of tumor cells. We found that VC2 treatment induced substantial increases in intratumoral T cells and a decrease in immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. This immunity was critically dependent on CD8+ T cells and less dependent on CD4+ T cells. Our data provide significant support for the continued development of VC2 as an OVT for the treatment of human and animal cancers. IMPORTANCE Current oncolytic virotherapies possess limited response rates. However, when certain patient selection criteria are used, oncolytic virotherapy response rates have been shown to increase. This, in addition to the increased response rates of oncolytic virotherapy in combination with other immunotherapies, suggests that oncolytic viruses possess significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer. As such, it is important to continue to develop novel oncolytic viruses as well as support basic research into their mechanisms of efficacy. Our data demonstrate significant clinical potential for VC2, a novel type 1 oncolytic herpes simplex virus. Additionally, due to the high rates of survival and the dependence on CD8+ T cells for efficacy, our model will enable study of the immunological correlates of protection for VC2 oncolytic virotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy in general. Understanding the mechanisms of efficacious oncolytic virotherapy will inform the rational design of improved oncolytic virotherapies.
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Haines BB, Denslow A, Grzesik P, Lee JS, Farkaly T, Hewett J, Wambua D, Kong L, Behera P, Jacques J, Goshert C, Ball M, Colthart A, Finer MH, Hayes MW, Feau S, Kennedy EM, Lerner L, Quéva C. ONCR-177, an Oncolytic HSV-1 Designed to Potently Activate Systemic Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 9:291-308. [PMID: 33355229 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
ONCR-177 is an engineered recombinant oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) with complementary safety mechanisms, including tissue-specific miRNA attenuation and mutant UL37 to inhibit replication, neuropathic activity, and latency in normal cells. ONCR-177 is armed with five transgenes for IL12, FLT3LG (extracellular domain), CCL4, and antagonists to immune checkpoints PD-1 and CTLA-4. In vitro assays demonstrated that targeted miRNAs could efficiently suppress ONCR-177 replication and transgene expression, as could the HSV-1 standard-of-care therapy acyclovir. Although ONCR-177 was oncolytic across a panel of human cancer cell lines, including in the presence of type I IFN, replication was suppressed in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes. Dendritic cells activated with ONCR-177 tumor lysates efficiently stimulated tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses. In vivo, biodistribution analyses suggested that viral copy number and transgene expression peaked approximately 24 to 72 hours after injection and remained primarily within the injected tumor. Intratumoral administration of ONCR-177 mouse surrogate virus, mONCR-171, was efficacious across a panel of syngeneic bilateral mouse tumor models, resulting in partial or complete tumor regressions that translated into significant survival benefits and to the elicitation of a protective memory response. Antitumor effects correlated with local and distant intratumoral infiltration of several immune effector cell types, consistent with the proposed functions of the transgenes. The addition of systemic anti-PD-1 augmented the efficacy of mONCR-171, particularly for abscopal tumors. Based in part upon these preclinical results, ONCR-177 is being evaluated in patients with metastatic cancer (ONCR-177-101, NCT04348916).
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Zhang S, Rabkin SD. The discovery and development of oncolytic viruses: are they the future of cancer immunotherapy? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:391-410. [PMID: 33232188 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1850689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Despite diverse treatment modalities and novel therapies, many cancers and patients are not effectively treated. Cancer immunotherapy has recently achieved breakthrough status yet is not effective in all cancer types or patients and can generate serious adverse effects. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising new therapeutic modality that harnesses virus biology and host interactions to treat cancer. OVs, genetically engineered or natural, preferentially replicate in and kill cancer cells, sparing normal cells/tissues, and mediating anti-tumor immunity.Areas covered: This review focuses on OVs as cancer therapeutic agents from a historical perspective, especially strategies to boost their immunotherapeutic activities. OVs offer a multifaceted platform, whose activities are modulated based on the parental virus and genetic alterations. In addition to direct viral effects, many OVs can be armed with therapeutic transgenes to also act as gene therapy vectors, and/or combined with other drugs or therapies.Expert opinion: OVs are an amazingly versatile and malleable class of cancer therapies. They tend to target cellular and host physiology as opposed to specific genetic alterations, which potentially enables broad responsiveness. The biological complexity of OVs have hindered their translation; however, the recent approval of talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec) has invigorated the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunchuan Zhang
- Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory and the Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel D Rabkin
- Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory and the Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Jamieson TR, Poutou J, Ilkow CS. Redirecting oncolytic viruses: Engineering opportunists to take control of the tumour microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 56:102-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Sasso E, D'Alise AM, Zambrano N, Scarselli E, Folgori A, Nicosia A. New viral vectors for infectious diseases and cancer. Semin Immunol 2020; 50:101430. [PMID: 33262065 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery in 1796 by Edward Jenner of vaccinia virus as a way to prevent and finally eradicate smallpox, the concept of using a virus to fight another virus has evolved into the current approaches of viral vectored genetic vaccines. In recent years, key improvements to the vaccinia virus leading to a safer version (Modified Vaccinia Ankara, MVA) and the discovery that some viruses can be used as carriers of heterologous genes encoding for pathological antigens of other infectious agents (the concept of 'viral vectors') has spurred a new wave of clinical research potentially providing for a solution for the long sought after vaccines against major diseases such as HIV, TB, RSV and Malaria, or emerging infectious diseases including those caused by filoviruses and coronaviruses. The unique ability of some of these viral vectors to stimulate the cellular arm of the immune response and, most importantly, T lymphocytes with cell killing activity, has also reawakened the interest toward developing therapeutic vaccines against chronic infectious diseases and cancer. To this end, existing vectors such as those based on Adenoviruses have been improved in immunogenicity and efficacy. Along the same line, new vectors that exploit viruses such as Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), Measles Virus (MV), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), have emerged. Furthermore, technological progress toward modifying their genome to render some of these vectors incompetent for replication has increased confidence toward their use in infant and elderly populations. Lastly, their production process being the same for every product has made viral vectored vaccines the technology of choice for rapid development of vaccines against emerging diseases and for 'personalised' cancer vaccines where there is an absolute need to reduce time to the patient from months to weeks or days. Here we review the recent developments in viral vector technologies, focusing on novel vectors based on primate derived Adenoviruses and Poxviruses, Rhabdoviruses, Paramixoviruses, Arenaviruses and Herpesviruses. We describe the rationale for, immunologic mechanisms involved in, and design of viral vectored gene vaccines under development and discuss the potential utility of these novel genetic vaccine approaches in eliciting protection against infectious diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Sasso
- Nouscom srl, Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Ceinge-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. A.R.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Nicola Zambrano
- Ceinge-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. A.R.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | | | | | - Alfredo Nicosia
- Ceinge-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. A.R.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Generation of an Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viral Vector Completely Retargeted to the GDNF Receptor GFRα1 for Specific Infection of Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228815. [PMID: 33233403 PMCID: PMC7700293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSV) are under development for the treatment of a variety of human cancers, including breast cancer, a leading cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide. Here we report the design of a fully retargeted oHSV for preferential infection of breast cancer cells through virus recognition of GFRα1, the cellular receptor for glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GFRα1 displays a limited expression profile in normal adult tissue, but is upregulated in a subset of breast cancers. We generated a recombinant HSV expressing a completely retargeted glycoprotein D (gD), the viral attachment/entry protein, that incorporates pre-pro-GDNF in place of the signal peptide and HVEM binding domain of gD and contains a deletion of amino acid 38 to eliminate nectin-1 binding. We show that GFRα1 is necessary and sufficient for infection by the purified recombinant virus. Moreover, this virus enters and spreads in GFRα1-positive breast cancer cells in vitro and caused tumor regression upon intratumoral injection in vivo. Given the heterogeneity observed between and within individual breast cancers at the molecular level, these results expand our ability to deliver oHSV to specific tumors and suggest opportunities to enhance drug or viral treatments aimed at other receptors.
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Menotti L, Avitabile E. Herpes Simplex Virus Oncolytic Immunovirotherapy: The Blossoming Branch of Multimodal Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218310. [PMID: 33167582 PMCID: PMC7664223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are smart therapeutics against cancer due to their potential to replicate and produce the needed therapeutic dose in the tumor, and to their ability to self-exhaust upon tumor clearance. Oncolytic virotherapy strategies based on the herpes simplex virus are reaching their thirties, and a wide variety of approaches has been envisioned and tested in many different models, and on a range of tumor targets. This huge effort has culminated in the primacy of an oncolytic HSV (oHSV) being the first oncolytic virus to be approved by the FDA and EMA for clinical use, for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The path has just been opened; many more cancer types with poor prognosis await effective and innovative therapies, and oHSVs could provide a promising solution, especially as combination therapies and immunovirotherapies. In this review, we analyze the most recent advances in this field, and try to envision the future ahead of oHSVs.
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Oncolytic Viruses as a Platform for the Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207449. [PMID: 33050329 PMCID: PMC7589928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant brain tumors remain incurable diseases. Although much effort has been devoted to improving patient outcome, multiple factors such as the high tumor heterogeneity, the strong tumor-induced immunosuppressive microenvironment, and the low mutational burden make the treatment of these tumors especially challenging. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are urgent. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are biotherapeutics that have been selected or engineered to infect and selectively kill cancer cells. Increasingly, preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate the ability of OVs to recruit T cells and induce durable immune responses against both virus and tumor, transforming a “cold” tumor microenvironment into a “hot” environment. Besides promising clinical results as a monotherapy, OVs can be powerfully combined with other cancer therapies, helping to overcome critical barriers through the creation of synergistic effects in the fight against brain cancer. Although many questions remain to be answered to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of OVs, oncolytic virotherapy will clearly be part of future treatments for patients with malignant brain tumors.
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Kennedy EM, Farkaly T, Grzesik P, Lee J, Denslow A, Hewett J, Bryant J, Behara P, Goshert C, Wambua D, De Almeida A, Jacques J, Deavall D, Rottman JB, Glorioso JC, Finer MH, Haines BB, Quéva C, Lerner L. Design of an Interferon-Resistant Oncolytic HSV-1 Incorporating Redundant Safety Modalities for Improved Tolerability. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 18:476-490. [PMID: 32953982 PMCID: PMC7479328 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Development of next-generation oncolytic viruses requires the design of vectors that are potently oncolytic, immunogenic in human tumors, and well tolerated in patients. Starting with a joint-region deleted herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) to create large transgene capability, we retained a single copy of the ICP34.5 gene, introduced mutations in UL37 to inhibit retrograde axonal transport, and inserted cell-type-specific microRNA (miRNA) target cassettes in HSV-1 genes essential for replication or neurovirulence. Ten miRNA candidates highly expressed in normal tissues and with low or absent expression in malignancies were selected from a comprehensive profile of 800 miRNAs with an emphasis on protection of the nervous system. Among the genes essential for viral replication identified using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen, we selected ICP4, ICP27, and UL8 for miRNA attenuation where a single miRNA is sufficient to potently attenuate viral replication. Additionally, a neuron-specific miRNA target cassette was introduced to control ICP34.5 expression. This vector is resistant to type I interferon compared to ICP34.5-deleted oncolytic HSVs, and in cancer cell lines, the oncolytic activity of the modified vector is equivalent to its parental virus. In vivo, this vector potently inhibits tumor growth while being well tolerated, even at high intravenous doses, compared to parental wild-type HSV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Sasso E, Froechlich G, Cotugno G, D'Alise AM, Gentile C, Bignone V, De Lucia M, Petrovic B, Campadelli-Fiume G, Scarselli E, Nicosia A, Zambrano N. Replicative conditioning of Herpes simplex type 1 virus by Survivin promoter, combined to ERBB2 retargeting, improves tumour cell-restricted oncolysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4307. [PMID: 32152425 PMCID: PMC7062820 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61275-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for solid tumours. Several oncolytic vectors in clinical testing are based on attenuated viruses; thus, efforts are being taken to develop a new repertoire of oncolytic viruses, based on virulent viral genomes. This possibility, however, raises concerns dealing with the safety features of the virulent phenotypes. We generated a double regulated Herpes simplex type-1 virus (HSV-1), in which tumour cell restricted replicative potential was combined to selective entry via ERBB2 receptor retargeting. The transcriptional control of the viral alpha4 gene encoding for the infected cell protein-4 (ICP4) by the cellular Survivin/BIRC5 promoter conferred a tumour cell-restricted replicative potential to a virulent HSV-1 genome. The combination of the additional ERBB2 retargeting further improved the selectivity for tumour cells, conferring to the double regulated virus a very limited ability to infect and propagate in non-cancerous cells. Accordingly, a suitable replicative and cytotoxic potential was maintained in tumour cell lines, allowing the double regulated virus to synergize in vivo with immune checkpoint (anti-PD-1) blockade in immunocompetent mice. Thus, restricting the replicative spectrum and tropism of virulent HSV-1 genomes by combination of conditional replication and retargeting provides an improved safety, does not alter the oncolytic strength, and is exploitable for its therapeutic potential with immune checkpoint blockade in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Sasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. .,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy. .,Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | - Chiara Gentile
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maria De Lucia
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Scarselli
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Nicosia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Zambrano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
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Goins WF, Huang S, Hall B, Marzulli M, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Engineering HSV-1 Vectors for Gene Therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2060:73-90. [PMID: 31617173 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9814-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Virus vectors have been employed as gene transfer vehicles for various preclinical and clinical gene therapy applications and with the approval of Glybera (Alipogene tiparvovec) as the first gene therapy product as a standard medical treatment (Yla-Herttuala, Mol Ther 20:1831-1832, 2013), gene therapy has reached the status of being a part of standard patient care. Replication-competent herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors that replicate specifically in actively dividing tumor cells have been used in Phase I-III human trials in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a fatal form of brain cancer, and in malignant melanoma. In fact, Imlygic® (T-VEC, Talimogene laherparepvec, formerly known as OncoVex GM-CSF), displayed efficacy in a recent Phase-III trial when compared to standard GM-CSF treatment alone (Andtbacka et al., J Clin Oncol 31:sLBA9008, 2013), and has since become the first FDA-approved viral gene therapy product used in standard patient care (October 2015) (Pol et al., Oncoimmunology 5:e1115641, 2016). Moreover, increased efficacy was observed when Imlygic® was combined with checkpoint inhibitory antibodies as a frontline therapy for malignant melanoma (Ribas et al., Cell 170:1109-1119.e1110, 2017; Dummer et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother 66:683-695, 2017). In addition to the replication-competent oncolytic HSV vectors like T-VEC, replication-defective HSV vectors have been employed in Phase I-II human trials and have been explored as delivery vehicles for disorders such as pain, neuropathy and other neurodegenerative conditions. Research during the last decade on the development of HSV vectors has resulted in the engineering of recombinant vectors that are completely replication defective, nontoxic, and capable of long-term transgene expression in neurons. This chapter describes methods for the construction of recombinant genomic HSV vectors based on the HSV-1 replication-defective vector backbones, steps in their purification, and their small-scale production for use in cell culture experiments as well as preclinical animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shaohua Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Sette P, Amankulor N, Li A, Marzulli M, Leronni D, Zhang M, Goins WF, Kaur B, Bolyard C, Cripe TP, Yu J, Chiocca EA, Glorioso JC, Grandi P. GBM-Targeted oHSV Armed with Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Enhances Anti-tumor Activity and Animal Survival. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2019; 15:214-222. [PMID: 31890868 PMCID: PMC6926261 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of mutant strains of oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) in early-phase human clinical trials for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has proven safe, but limited efficacy suggests that more potent vector designs are required for effective GBM therapy. Inadequate vector performance may derive from poor intratumoral vector replication and limited spread to uninfected cells. Vector replication may be impaired by mutagenesis strategies to achieve vector safety, and intratumoral virus spread may be hampered by vector entrapment in the tumor-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) that in GBM is composed primarily of type IV collagen. In this report, we armed our previously described epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)vIII-targeted, neuronal microRNA-sensitive oHSV with a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9) to improve intratumoral vector distribution. We show that vector-expressed MMP9 enhanced therapeutic efficacy and long-term animal survival in a GBM xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sette
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nduka Amankulor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aofei Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniela Leronni
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chelsea Bolyard
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Timothy P. Cripe
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplant, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Division of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - E. Antonio Chiocca
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospital and Harvey Cushing Neuro-oncology Laboratories, Harvard Medicine School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Neuro-oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Paola Grandi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Rider PJF, Uche IK, Sweeny L, Kousoulas KG. Anti-viral immunity in the tumor microenvironment: implications for the rational design of herpes simplex virus type 1 oncolytic virotherapy. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2019; 6:193-199. [PMID: 33344108 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-019-00134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review The design of novel herpes simplex type I (HSV-1)-derived oncolytic virotherapies is a balancing act between safety, immunogenicity and replicative potential. We have undertaken this review to better understand how these considerations can be incorporated into rational approaches to the design of novel herpesvirus oncolytic virotherapies. Recent findings Several recent papers have demonstrated that enhancing the potential of HSV-1 oncolytic viruses to combat anti-viral mechanisms present in the tumor microenvironment leads to greater efficacy than their parental viruses. Summary It is not entirely clear how the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment affects oncolytic viral replication and spread within tumors. Recent work has shown that the manipulation of specific cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression operating within the tumor microenvironment can enhance the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy. We anticipate that future work will integrate greater knowledge of immunosuppression in tumor microenvironments with design of oncolytic virotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J F Rider
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ifeanyi K Uche
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Larissa Sweeny
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.,Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana USA
| | - Konstantin G Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Reinventing the Wheel: Synthetic Circular RNAs for Mammalian Cell Engineering. Trends Biotechnol 2019; 38:217-230. [PMID: 31421856 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The circular RNA renaissance is upon us. Recent reports demonstrate applications of synthetic circular RNA molecules as gene therapies and in the production of biologics from cell-based expression systems. Circular RNAs are covalently closed loop RNA species that are formed naturally through noncolinear splicing of pre-mRNA. Although once thought to be noncoding artefacts from splicing errors, it is now accepted that circular RNAs are abundant and have diverse functions in gene regulation and protein coding in eukaryotes. Numerous reports have investigated circular RNAs in various diseases, but the promise of synthetic circular RNAs in the production of recombinant proteins and as RNA-based therapies is only now coming into focus. This review highlights reported uses of synthetic circular RNAs and describes methods for generating these molecules.
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49
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Saha D, Martuza RL, Rabkin SD. Oncolytic herpes simplex virus immunovirotherapy in combination with immune checkpoint blockade to treat glioblastoma. Immunotherapy 2019; 10:779-786. [PMID: 30008259 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses, such as oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), are a new class of cancer therapeutic, which selectively replicate and kill cancer cells, while inducing an inflammatory microenvironment, immunovirotherapy. Recently, an oHSV (talimogene laherparepvec) has been approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Glioblastoma (GBM) is an almost always lethal primary tumor in the brain that is highly immunosuppressive, and posited to contain GBM stem-like cells (GSCs). Immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized therapy for some cancers, but not GBM. We have used a syngeneic GSC-derived orthotopic GBM model (005) to develop immunotherapeutic strategies. Curative therapy required oHSV expressing IL-12 in combination with two checkpoint inhibitors, anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4. This response required CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and macrophages in a complex interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipongkor Saha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory & Brain Tumor Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Robert L Martuza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory & Brain Tumor Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Samuel D Rabkin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory & Brain Tumor Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as a viable option for clinical therapy of monogenic disorders and other genetically defined diseases, with approved gene therapies available in Europe and newly approved gene therapies in the United States. In the past 10 years, gene therapy has moved from a distant possibility, even in the minds of much of the scientific community, to being widely realized as a valuable therapeutic tool with wide-ranging potential. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved Luxturna (Spark Therapeutics Inc, Philadelphia, PA, USA), a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) 2 gene therapy for one type of Leber congenital amaurosis 2 ( 1 , 2 ). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved 3 recombinant viral vector products: Glybera (UniQure, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), an rAAV vector for lipoprotein lipase deficiency; Strimvelis (Glaxo Smith-Kline, Brentford, United Kingdom), an ex vivo gammaretrovirus-based therapy for patients with adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immune deficiency (ADA-SCID); and Kymriah (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), an ex vivo lentivirus-based therapy to engineer autologous chimeric antigen-receptor T (CAR-T) cells targeting CD19-positive cells in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These examples will be followed by the clinical approval of other gene therapy products as this field matures. In this review we provide an overview of the state of gene therapy by discussing where the field stands with respect to the different gene therapy vector platforms and the types of therapies that are available.-Gruntman, A. M., Flotte, T. R. The rapidly evolving state of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha M Gruntman
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence R Flotte
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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