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Schmitz V, Sauerbruch T, Raskopf E. Anti-tumoural effects of PlgK1-5 are directly linked to reduced ICAM expression, resulting in hepatoma cell apoptosis. Int J Colorectal Dis 2012; 27:1029-38. [PMID: 22451253 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-012-1418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Angiostatin and angiostatin-like molecules are known as anti-angiogenic factors, which inhibit endothelial cell functions resulting in reduced tumour growth. Recent data indicate that these molecules, especially PlgK1-5, directly affect tumour cells, which could explain the strong anti-tumoural effects of PlgK1-5. Therefore, we have analysed whether PlgK1-5 alters tumour cell functions and expression levels of cell adhesion molecules in murine and human hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS First, effects on tumour growth, proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in vivo in a subcutaneous tumour model. In vitro, effects of PlgK1-5 on tumour cell apoptosis, clonal expansion, migration, corresponding ICAM expression and intracellular signal transduction in murine Hepa129 and human HuH7 hepatoma cells have been analysed. RESULTS In vivo, subcutaneous tumour growth was reduced by 75% in PlgK1-5-treated animals compared to the controls. This was accompanied by increased tumour cell apoptosis (up to 33%) and decreased tumour cell proliferation (by up to 21%). In vitro, PlgK1-5 induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells, corresponding to increased caspase-8 cleavage and reduced AKT phosphorylation. Migration and clonal expansion was also diminished in PlgK1-5-treated Hepa129, corresponding to decreased ICAM expression levels. CONCLUSIONS Here, we show that PlgK1-5 directly affects tumour cells by decreasing cell adhesion resulting-at least partly-in apoptosis. This is mediated by altered intracellular signal transduction and by activation of the caspase cascade. These findings further underscore the potential therapeutic role of PlgK1-5 in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Schmitz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Souza C, Carvalho L, Ferreira M, Pesquero J, Cassali G. Kint3-4 promotes apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis in solid Ehrlich Tumor. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s0102-09352012000300036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Raskopf E, Gerceker S, Vogt A, Standop J, Sauerbruch T, Schmitz V. Plasminogen fragment K1-3 inhibits expression of adhesion molecules and experimental HCC recurrence in the liver. Int J Colorectal Dis 2009; 24:837-44. [PMID: 19172279 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-009-0652-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is no established adjuvant or neo-adjuvant treatment to curb tumor recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent data showed that angiostatic factors can inhibit tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium and therefore recurrence/metastasis. We tested a potential preventive, pre-operative strategy using plasminogen kringles 1-3 (K1-3) to overcome this hurdle. MATERIALS AND METHODS Effects of K1-3 on the intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) expression was analyzed in vitro and in vivo on RNA and protein levels. Influence of K1-3 on HCC recurrence in the liver was analyzed in an orthotopic tumor model. RESULTS K1-3 decreased ICAM expression in Hepa129 tumor cells and VCAM expression in SVEC4-10 endothelial cells in vitro. In vivo, ICAM was reduced in histological tumor sections. Preventive treatment with AdK1-3 inhibited experimental HCC recurrence and tumor growth in the liver. CONCLUSIONS We were able to show that K1-3 inhibits intrahepatic tumor recurrence. This novel aspect elucidates a possible approach to prevent HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Raskopf
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Schmitz V, Raskopf E, Gonzalez-Carmona MA, Vogt A, Kornek M, Sauerbruch T, Caselmann WH. Plasminogen derivatives encoding kringles 1-4 and kringles 1-5 exert indirect antiangiogenic and direct antitumoral effects in experimental lung cancer. Cancer Invest 2008; 26:464-70. [PMID: 18568768 DOI: 10.1080/07357900801970927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, increasing evidence has been found demonstrating direct effects of angiostatin on tumor cells themselves. We have applied the plasminogen derivatives K1-4 and K1-5 to a lung cancer model to analyse indirect angiostatic effects against endothelial and direct effects against tumor cells. In accordance with preceding findings both derivatives inhibited endothelial cell functions in vitro. Additionally K1-4 and K1-5 have also shown substantial anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in tumor cells and have inhibited tumor growth. In addition our data supports the recent conclusion that plasminogen derivatives have a dual antitumor mechanism affecting both tumor angiogenesis and tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Schmitz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Germany
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common cancers worldwide, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when most potentially curative therapies such as resection, transplantation or percutaneous and transarterial interventions are of limited efficacy. The fact that HCC is resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and is rarely amenable to radiotherapy, leaves this disease with no effective therapeutic options and a very poor prognosis. Therefore, the development of more effective therapeutic tools and strategies is much needed. HCCs are phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous tumors that commonly emerge on a background of chronic liver disease. However, in spite of this heterogeneity recent insights into the biology of HCC suggest that certain signaling pathways and molecular alterations are likely to play essential roles in HCC development by promoting cell growth and survival. The identification of such mechanisms may open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of HCC through the development of targeted therapies. In this review we will describe the new potential therapeutic targets and clinical developments that have emerged from progress in the knowledge of HCC biology, In addition, recent advances in gene therapy and combined cell and gene therapy, together with new radiotherapy techniques and immunotherapy in patients with HCC will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Avila
- Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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Li X, Raikwar SP, Liu YH, Lee SJ, Zhang YP, Zhang S, Cheng L, Lee SD, Juliar BE, Gardner TA, Jeng MH, Kao C. Combination therapy of androgen-independent prostate cancer using a prostate restricted replicative adenovirus and a replication-defective adenovirus encoding human endostatin-angiostatin fusion gene. Mol Cancer Ther 2006; 5:676-84. [PMID: 16546982 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-05-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus has exhibited significant antitumor efficacy in preclinical studies, it is necessary to develop more potent adenoviruses for prostate cancer gene therapy. We evaluated the synergistic killing effect of prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus and AdEndoAngio, a replication-defective adenovirus expressing the endostatin-angiostatin fusion protein (EndoAngio). When coadministered with AdEndoAngio, prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus significantly elevated EndoAngio expression, suggesting that AdEndoAngio coreplicates with prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus. Conditioned medium from prostate cancer cells infected by prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus plus AdEndoAngio inhibited the growth, tubular network formation, and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells better than conditioned medium from prostate cancer cells infected by AdEndoAngio alone. Furthermore, in vivo animal studies showed that the coadministration of prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus plus AdEndoAngio resulted in the complete regression of seven out of eight treated androgen-independent CWR22rv tumors, with a tumor nodule maintaining a small size for 14 weeks. The residual single tumor exhibited extreme pathologic features together with more endostatin-reactive antibody-labeled tumor cells and fewer CD31-reactive antibody-labeled capillaries than the AdEndoAngio-treated tumors. These results show that combination therapy using prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus together with antiangiogenic therapy has more potent antitumor effects and advantages than single prostate-restricted replicative adenovirus and deserves more extensive investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Li
- Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine. 1001 West 10th Street, Room OPW 320, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Schmitz V, Tirado-Ledo L, Raskopf E, Rabe C, Wernert N, Wang L, Prieto J, Qian C, Sauerbruch T, Caselmann WH. Effective antitumour mono- and combination therapy by gene delivery of angiostatin-like molecule and interleukin-12 in a murine hepatoma model. Int J Colorectal Dis 2005; 20:494-501. [PMID: 15864607 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-004-0727-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2004] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
METHODS We applied an experimental approach employing two recombinant adenoviral vectors (Ad) that express interleukin-12 (IL-12) and angiostatin-like molecule (K1-3) respectively to a subcutaneous hepatoma model in mice. RESULTS Injection of AdK1-3 into tumour nodules established by subcutaneous (s.c.) implantation of Hepa129 hepatoma cells in C3H mice resulted in a significant dose-dependent reduction in tumour growth by 57% in the high dosage group (5x10(9) plaque-forming units [pfu], n=8) 10 days after treatment initiation. Similar antitumoural effects were found for the intratumoural mono-therapy with IL-12 (2.5x10(9) pfu, n=8) resulting in 60% tumour inhibition at the same time point. The survival rate was significantly (p=0.009) improved in the IL-12 but not in the K1-3 treatment group. A combination therapy of AdK1-3 and AdIL-12 was also effective, but did not further improve antitumour efficacy compared with the monotherapy. CONCLUSION In conclusion, both mono- and combination therapy of K1-3 and IL-12 significantly inhibited tumour progression in this experimental tumour model. The co-administration of both compounds did not result in additive antitumour effects. We hypothesise that the lack of additive antitumour effects of the combination treatment might be attributed to partially counteracting antitumour effects and further studies are needed to illustrate the interference of tumour angiogenesis and tumour inflammation in this tumour model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Schmitz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Coradini D, Speranza A. Histone deacetylase inhibitors for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2005; 26:1025-33. [PMID: 16115366 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2005.00195.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Surgical resection has been considered the optimal treatment approach, but only a small proportion of patients are suitable candidates for surgery, and the relapse rate is high. Approaches to prevent recurrence, including chemoembolization before and adjuvant therapy after surgery, have proven to have a limited benefit; liver transplantation is successful in treating limited-stage HCC because only a minority of patients qualify for transplantation. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Because in addition to the classical genetic mechanisms of deletion or inactivating point mutations, epigenetic alterations, such as hyperacetylation of the chromatin-associated histones (responsible for gene silencing), are believed to be involved in the development and progression of HCC, novel compounds endowed with a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activity are an attractive therapeutic approach. In particular, pre-clinical results obtained using HA-But, an HDAC inhibitor in which butyric acid residues are esterified to a hyaluronic acid backbone and characterized by a high affinity for the membrane receptor CD44, indicated that this class of compounds may represent a promising approach for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila Coradini
- UO Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Jin F, Xie Z, Kuo CJ, Chung LWK, Hsieh CL. Cotargeting tumor and tumor endothelium effectively inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer in adenovirus-mediated antiangiogenesis and oncolysis combination therapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2005; 12:257-67. [PMID: 15565180 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-endothelial interaction contributes to local prostate tumor growth and distant metastasis. In this communication, we designed a novel approach to target both cancer cells and their "crosstalk" with surrounding microvascular endothelium in an experimental hormone refractory human prostate cancer model. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo synergistic and/or additive effects of a combination of conditional oncolytic adenovirus plus an adenoviral-mediated antiangiogenic therapy. In the in vitro study, we demonstrated that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human C4-2 androgen-independent (AI) prostate cancer cells, when infected with an antiangiogenic adenoviral (Ad)-Flk1-Fc vector secreting a soluble form of Flk1, showed dramatically inhibited proliferation, migration and tubular formation of HUVEC endothelial cells. C4-2 cells showed maximal growth inhibition when coinfected with Ad-Flk1-Fc and Ad-hOC-E1, a conditional replication-competent Ad vector with viral replication driven by a human osteocalcin (hOC) promoter targeting both prostate cancer epithelial and stromal cells. Using a three-dimensional (3D) coculture model, we found that targeting C4-2 cells with Ad-hOC-E1 markedly decreased tubular formation in HUVEC, as visualized by confocal microscopy. In a subcutaneous C4-2 tumor xenograft model, tumor volume was decreased by 40-60% in animals treated with Ad-Flk1-Fc or Ad-hOC-E1 plus vitamin D3 alone and by 90% in a combined treatment group, compared to untreated animals in an 8-week treatment period. Moreover, three of 10 (30%) pre-established tumors completely regressed when animals received combination therapy. Cotargeting tumor and tumor endothelium could be a promising gene therapy strategy for the treatment of both localized and metastatic human prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Jin
- Department of Urology, Molecular Urology and Therapeutic Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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Raskopf E, Dzienisowicz C, Hilbert T, Rabe C, Leifeld L, Wernert N, Sauerbruch T, Prieto J, Qian C, Caselmann WH, Schmitz V. Effective angiostatic treatment in a murine metastatic and orthotopic hepatoma model. Hepatology 2005; 41:1233-40. [PMID: 15915456 DOI: 10.1002/hep.20724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity is correlated with a progressive tumor disease in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In spite of the well-recognized role of VEGF in HCC, there are few data available regarding therapeutic strategies to block VEGF activity. Therefore, we employed a recombinant adenoviral vector encoding a soluble dominant negative fragment of VEGF receptor 2 (Flk-1), AdsFlk-1, to control pre-established murine orthotopic and metastatic hepatomas. Vector function was confirmed via reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, and angiostatic effects were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Antitumoral effects of systemic AdsFlk-1 application were studied in a subcutaneous and orthotopic Hepa129 HCC model. Cell supernatant containing the truncated form of Flk-1 had no direct effect on cell proliferation of Hepa129 cells in vitro but reduced endothelial tube formation on matrigel matrix by approximately 80% in vitro. Endothelial-like cell infiltration into matrigel plugs in vivo was also decreased by 80%. Systemic treatment of tumor-bearing mice inhibited tumor growth by 84% compared with the corresponding control group within 16 days after vector application. Likewise, the survival rate was significantly improved in the AdsFlk-1 group compared with control. Orthotopic tumor growth was reduced by 82%, and development of malignant ascites was also retarded. In conclusion, systemic adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of an Flk-1 fragment significantly inhibited tumor growth in orthotopic and metastatic murine HCC. The data support the value of VEGF blockade as an effective target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Raskopf
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
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Prieto J, Qian C, Hernandez-Alcoceba R, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G, Mazzolini G, Sangro B, Kramer MG. Gene therapy of liver diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2005; 4:1073-91. [PMID: 15268675 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.4.7.1073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many liver diseases lack satisfactory treatment and alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed. Gene therapy is a new mode of treatment for both inherited and acquired diseases, based on the transfer of genetic material to the tissues. Genes are incorporated into appropriate vectors in order to facilitate their entrance and function inside the target cells. Gene therapy vectors can be constructed on the basis of viral or non-viral molecular structures. Viral vectors are frequently used, due to their higher transduction efficiency. Both the type of vector and the expression cassette determine the duration, specificity and inducibility of gene expression. A considerable number of preclinical studies indicate that a great variety of liver diseases, including inherited metabolic defects, chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and primary and metastatic liver cancer, are amenable to gene therapy. Gene transfer to the liver can also be used to convert this organ into a factory of secreted proteins needed to treat conditions that do not affect the liver itself. Clinical trials of gene therapy for the treatment of inherited diseases and liver cancer have been initiated but human gene therapy is still in its infancy. Recent progress in vector technology and imaging techniques, allowing in vivo assessment of gene expression, will facilitate the development of clinical applications of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Prieto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinica Universitaria de Navarra, Avda. Pio XII 36, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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Abstract
A large proportion of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lack effective therapy. Due to chemoresistance, hope has focused on other approaches including targeted therapies, immune stimulants, and the emerging area of gene therapy. Increasing efforts in basic and clinical development of these approaches will hopefully result in more efficient therapies against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Sangro
- The Liver Unit, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Fundación para la Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Semela
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bern, 35 Murtenstrasse, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland
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Abstract
Nonresectable primary and metastatic liver tumors are common malignancies that lack therapies allowing substantial prolongation of survival. Recent progress in molecular and cell biology has opened the way to novel therapies based on biological modifiers, gene transfer, and autologous stem cells. It is now possible to transfer therapeutic genes to the tumor or pericancerous tissue, and to control their expression for long periods of time. It is also feasible to generate autologous endothelial progenitor cells that can be recruited by tumoral vessels acting as vehicles to convey therapeutic genes to the interior of the tumor mass. Combination of biological modifiers, gene therapy, and cell therapy will hopefully provide efficient means to combat inoperable neoplasms in a not-very-distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Prieto
- Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy, Fundación para la Investigación Médica Aplicada (FIMA), University of Navarra, Avenida Pio XII s/n, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
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