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Gujar S, Pol JG, Kumar V, Lizarralde-Guerrero M, Konda P, Kroemer G, Bell JC. Tutorial: design, production and testing of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:2540-2570. [PMID: 38769145 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00985-1] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a novel class of cancer immunotherapy agents that preferentially infect and kill cancer cells and promote protective antitumor immunity. Furthermore, OVs can be used in combination with established or upcoming immunotherapeutic agents, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, to efficiently target a wide range of malignancies. The development of OV-based therapy involves three major steps before clinical evaluation: design, production and preclinical testing. OVs can be designed as natural or engineered strains and subsequently selected for their ability to kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells rather than normal, healthy cells. OV selection is further influenced by multiple factors, such as the availability of a specific viral platform, cancer cell permissivity, the need for genetic engineering to render the virus non-pathogenic and/or more effective and logistical considerations around the use of OVs within the laboratory or clinical setting. Selected OVs are then produced and tested for their anticancer potential by using syngeneic, xenograft or humanized preclinical models wherein immunocompromised and immunocompetent setups are used to elucidate their direct oncolytic ability as well as indirect immunotherapeutic potential in vivo. Finally, OVs demonstrating the desired anticancer potential progress toward translation in patients with cancer. This tutorial provides guidelines for the design, production and preclinical testing of OVs, emphasizing considerations specific to OV technology that determine their clinical utility as cancer immunotherapy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jonathan G Pol
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Vishnupriyan Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Manuela Lizarralde-Guerrero
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Prathyusha Konda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guido Kroemer
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France.
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
- Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.
| | - John C Bell
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Leighow SM, Reynolds JA, Sokirniy I, Yao S, Yang Z, Inam H, Wodarz D, Archetti M, Pritchard JR. Programming tumor evolution with selection gene drives to proactively combat drug resistance. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02271-7. [PMID: 38965430 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Most targeted anticancer therapies fail due to drug resistance evolution. Here we show that tumor evolution can be reproducibly redirected to engineer therapeutic opportunity, regardless of the exact ensemble of pre-existing genetic heterogeneity. We develop a selection gene drive system that is stably introduced into cancer cells and is composed of two genes, or switches, that couple an inducible fitness advantage with a shared fitness cost. Using stochastic models of evolutionary dynamics, we identify the design criteria for selection gene drives. We then build prototypes that harness the selective pressure of multiple approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors and employ therapeutic mechanisms as diverse as prodrug catalysis and immune activity induction. We show that selection gene drives can eradicate diverse forms of genetic resistance in vitro. Finally, we demonstrate that model-informed switch engagement effectively targets pre-existing resistance in mouse models of solid tumors. These results establish selection gene drives as a powerful framework for evolution-guided anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Leighow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Huck Institute For The Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Joshua A Reynolds
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Ivan Sokirniy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Huck Institute For The Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shun Yao
- Huck Institute For The Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Zeyu Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Haider Inam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Dominik Wodarz
- Department of Biology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Marco Archetti
- Huck Institute For The Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Justin R Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Huck Institute For The Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Wallace R, Bliss CM, Parker AL. The Immune System-A Double-Edged Sword for Adenovirus-Based Therapies. Viruses 2024; 16:973. [PMID: 38932265 PMCID: PMC11209478 DOI: 10.3390/v16060973] [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: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic adenovirus (Ad) infections are widespread but typically mild and transient, except in the immunocompromised. As vectors for gene therapy, vaccine, and oncology applications, Ad-based platforms offer advantages, including ease of genetic manipulation, scale of production, and well-established safety profiles, making them attractive tools for therapeutic development. However, the immune system often poses a significant challenge that must be overcome for adenovirus-based therapies to be truly efficacious. Both pre-existing anti-Ad immunity in the population as well as the rapid development of an immune response against engineered adenoviral vectors can have detrimental effects on the downstream impact of an adenovirus-based therapeutic. This review focuses on the different challenges posed, including pre-existing natural immunity and anti-vector immunity induced by a therapeutic, in the context of innate and adaptive immune responses. We summarise different approaches developed with the aim of tackling these problems, as well as their outcomes and potential future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Wallace
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (R.W.); (C.M.B.)
| | - Carly M. Bliss
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (R.W.); (C.M.B.)
- Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Alan L. Parker
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (R.W.); (C.M.B.)
- Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
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4
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Guan J, Sun K, Guerrero CA, Zheng J, Xu Y, Mathur S, Teh BS, Farach A, Zhang J, Butler E, Pan PY, Zsigmond E, Mei Z, Mejia J, Chen SH, Chang JC, Bernicker EH. A Phase 2 Study of In Situ Oncolytic Virus Therapy and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Followed by Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 118:1531-1540. [PMID: 37625523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.08.044] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE A phase 2 study of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and in situ oncolytic virus therapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) followed by pembrolizumab (STOMP) was designed to explore the dual approach in enhancing single pembrolizumab with ADV/HSV-tk plus valacyclovir gene therapy and SBRT in mNSCLC. METHODS AND MATERIALS STOMP is a single-arm, open-label phase 2 study. Patients with mNSCLC received intratumoral injections of ADV/HSV-tk (5 × 1011 vp) and SBRT (30 Gy in 5 fractions) followed by pembrolizumab 200 mg IV every 3 weeks until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) (complete response [CR] and partial response [PR]). Secondary endpoints included clinical benefit rate (CBR) (CR, PR and stable disease [SD]), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS 28 patients were enrolled, of whom 27 were evaluated for response. The ORR was 33.3%, including 2 CR (7.4%) and 7 PR (25.9%). CBR was 70.4%. Six of eight (75.0%) patients who were immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) refractory derived clinical benefits. Responders had durable responses with median PFS, and OS not reached. The entire cohort had a median PFS of 7.4 months (95% CI, 5.1-9.6 months), and median OS of 18.1 months (95% CI, 15.4-20.9 months). The combination was well tolerated, with grade 3 or higher toxicity in 6 (21.4%) patients. CONCLUSIONS The dual approach of in situ ADV/HSV-tk plus valacyclovir gene therapy and SBRT as a chemotherapy-sparing strategy to enhance the antitumor effect of pembrolizumab is a well-tolerated encouraging treatment in patients with mNSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Guan
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Kai Sun
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Carlo A Guerrero
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Junjun Zheng
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Yitian Xu
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Sunil Mathur
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Bin S Teh
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas; Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew Farach
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas; Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Jun Zhang
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Edward Butler
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas; Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Ping-Ying Pan
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Eva Zsigmond
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhuyong Mei
- Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jaime Mejia
- Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey
| | - Shu Hsia Chen
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Jenny C Chang
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Eric H Bernicker
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas.
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5
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Zafar A, Khan MJ, Abu J, Naeem A. Revolutionizing cancer care strategies: immunotherapy, gene therapy, and molecular targeted therapy. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:219. [PMID: 38281269 PMCID: PMC10822809 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09096-8] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Despite the availability of technological advances in traditional anti-cancer therapies, there is a need for more precise and targeted cancer treatment strategies. The wide-ranging shortfalls of conventional anticancer therapies such as systematic toxicity, compromised life quality, and limited to severe side effects are major areas of concern of conventional cancer treatment approaches. Owing to the expansion of knowledge and technological advancements in the field of cancer biology, more innovative and safe anti-cancerous approaches such as immune therapy, gene therapy and targeted therapy are rapidly evolving with the aim to address the limitations of conventional therapies. The concept of immunotherapy began with the capability of coley toxins to stimulate toll-like receptors of immune cells to provoke an immune response against cancers. With an in-depth understating of the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and their relationship to disease prognosis, molecular targeted therapy approaches, that inhibit or stimulate specific cancer-promoting or cancer-inhibitory molecules respectively, have offered promising outcomes. In this review, we evaluate the achievement and challenges of these technically advanced therapies with the aim of presenting the overall progress and perspective of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aasma Zafar
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan
| | | | - Junaid Abu
- Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aisha Naeem
- Qatar University Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Yanagisawa N, Satoh T, Tabata KI, Tsumura H, Nasu Y, Watanabe M, Thompson TC, Okayasu I, Murakumo Y, Baba S, Iwamura M. Cytopathic effects and local immune responses in repeated neoadjuvant HSV- tk + ganciclovir gene therapy for prostate cancer. Asian J Urol 2021; 8:280-288. [PMID: 34401335 PMCID: PMC8356062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Cytopathic effects and local immune response were analyzed histologically in prostatic cancer (PCa) with in situ herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-tk)/ganciclovir (GCV) gene therapy (GT). Methods Four high-risk PCa patients who received HSV-tk/GCV GT were investigated. After two cycles of intraprostatic injection of HSV-tk and administration of GCV, radical prostatectomy was performed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. PCa with hormone therapy (HT, n=3) or without neoadjuvant therapy (NT, n=4) that were equivalent in terms of risk were also examined as reference. Immunoreactively-positive cells were counted in at least three areas in cancer tissue. Labeling indices (LI) were calculated as percentage values. Results ssDNA LI in GT increased, indicating apoptosis, as well as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages, compared with their biopsies. GT cases showed significantly higher numbers of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) LI, CD4/CD8-positive T cells and CD68-positive macrophages including M1/M2 macrophages than HT or NT cases. However, there was no significant difference in CD20-positive B cells among the types of case. There were strong correlations between CD8+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages (ρ=0.656, p<0.0001) as well as CD4+ T cells and CD20+ B cells (ρ=0.644, p<0.0001) in PCa with GT. Conclusions Enhanced cytopathic effect and local immune response might be indicated in PCa patients with HSV-tk/GCV gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Yanagisawa
- Department of Pathology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama-City Seibu Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Corresponding author. Department of Pathology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama-City Seibu Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Takefumi Satoh
- Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Takefumi Satoh Prostate Clinic, Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Tabata
- Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hideyasu Tsumura
- Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Nasu
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masami Watanabe
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
- Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Timothy C. Thompson
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Isao Okayasu
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Division of Nutrition, School of Health Care, Kiryu University, Midori-City Gunma, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Murakumo
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shiro Baba
- Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Iwamura
- Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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Mishra K, Jain AK. Liposomes: An Emerging Approach for the Treatment of Cancer. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:2398-2414. [PMID: 33823772 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210406141449] [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: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional drug delivery agents for a life-threatening disease, i.e., cancer, lack specificity towards cancer cells, producing a greater degree of side effects in the normal cells with a poor therapeutic index. These toxic side effects often limit dose escalation of anti-cancer drugs, leading to incomplete tumor suppression/ cancer eradication, early disease relapse, and ultimately, the development of drug resistance. Accordingly, targeting the tumor vasculatures is essential for the treatment of cancer. OBJECTIVE To search and describe a safer drug delivery carrier for the treatment of cancer with reduced systemic toxicities. METHOD Data were collected from Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct using the following keywords: 'liposomes', 'nanocarriers', 'targeted drug delivery', 'ligands', 'liposome for anti-cancerous drugs', 'treatment for cancer' and 'receptor targeting.' RESULTS Liposomes have provided a safe platform for the targeted delivery of encapsulated anti-cancer drugs for the treatment of cancer, which results in the reduction of the cytotoxic side effects of anti-cancer drugs on normal cells. CONCLUSION Liposomal targeting is a better emerging approach as an advanced drug delivery carrier with targeting ligands for anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerti Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur- 495 009 (C.G.), India
| | - Akhlesh K Jain
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur- 495 009 (C.G.), India
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Mashima H, Zhang R, Kobayashi T, Tsukamoto H, Liu T, Iwama T, Hagiya Y, Yamamoto M, Fukushima S, Okada S, Idiris A, Kaneko S, Nakatsura T, Ohdan H, Uemura Y. Improved safety of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived antigen-presenting cell-based cancer immunotherapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 21:171-179. [PMID: 33816647 PMCID: PMC7994724 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The tumorigenicity and toxicity of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their derivatives are major safety concerns in their clinical application. Recently, we developed granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing proliferating myeloid cells (GM-pMCs) from mouse iPSCs as a source of unlimited antigen-presenting cells for use in cancer immunotherapy. As GM-pMCs are generated by introducing c-Myc and Csf2 into iPSC-derived MCs and are dependent on self-produced GM-CSF for proliferation, methods to control their proliferation after administration should be introduced to improve safety. In this study, we compared the efficacy of two promising suicide gene systems, herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) and inducible caspase-9 (iCasp9)/AP1903, for safeguarding GM-pMCs in cancer immunotherapy. The expression of HSV-TK or iCasp9 did not impair the fundamental properties of GM-pMCs. Both of these suicide gene-expressing cells selectively underwent apoptosis after treatment with the corresponding apoptosis-inducing drug, and they were promptly eliminated in vivo. iCasp9/AP1903 induced apoptosis more efficiently than HSV-TK/GCV. Furthermore, high concentrations of GCV were toxic to cells not expressing HSV-TK, whereas AP1903 was bioinert. These results suggest that iCasp9/AP1903 is superior to HSV-TK/GCV in terms of both safety and efficacy when controlling the fate of GM-pMCs after priming antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Mashima
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Rong Zhang
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hirotake Tsukamoto
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tianyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Tatsuaki Iwama
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Hagiya
- Biochemistry Team, Bio Science Division, Technology General Division, Materials Integration Laboratories, AGC, Inc., Yokohama 221-8755, Japan
| | - Masateru Yamamoto
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukushima
- Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Seiji Okada
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Center for AIDS Research, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Alimjan Idiris
- Biochemistry Team, Bio Science Division, Technology General Division, Materials Integration Laboratories, AGC, Inc., Yokohama 221-8755, Japan
| | - Shin Kaneko
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Nakatsura
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan
| | - Hideki Ohdan
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Yasushi Uemura
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan
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9
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Wang T, Chen Y, Goodale D, Allan AL, Ronald JA. A survivin-driven, tumor-activatable minicircle system for prostate cancer theranostics. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 20:209-219. [PMID: 33665359 PMCID: PMC7889447 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene vectors regulated by tumor-specific promoters to express transgenes specifically in cancer cells are an emerging approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Minicircles are shortened plasmids stripped of prokaryotic sequences that have potency and safety characteristics beneficial for clinical translation. Previously, we developed minicircles driven by the tumor-specific survivin promoter, which exhibits elevated transcriptional activity in aggressive cancers, to express a secreted reporter for blood-based cancer detection. Here we present the first activatable, cancer theranostic minicircle system featuring a pair of diagnostic and therapeutic minicircles expressing Gaussia luciferase for urine-based cancer detection or cytosine deaminase:uracil phosphoribosyltransferase for gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. Diagnostic minicircles revealed urinary reporter output related to cellular survivin levels. Notably, mice with aggressive prostate tumors exhibited significantly higher urine reporter activity than mice with non-aggressive tumors and healthy mice after intratumoral minicircle administration. Therapeutic minicircles displayed specific cytotoxicity in survivin-rich cancer cells and significantly attenuated growth of aggressive orthotopic prostate tumors in mice. Use of these minicircles together creates a theranostic system that can first identify individuals carrying aggressive prostate cancer via a urinary test, followed by stringent control of tumor progression in stratified individuals who carry high-risk prostate lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- TianDuo Wang
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute - Imaging Research Laboratories, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Yuanxin Chen
- Robarts Research Institute - Imaging Research Laboratories, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - David Goodale
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Science Centre, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Alison L Allan
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada.,London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Science Centre, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - John A Ronald
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute - Imaging Research Laboratories, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
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10
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Dogrammatzis C, Waisner H, Kalamvoki M. "Non-Essential" Proteins of HSV-1 with Essential Roles In Vivo: A Comprehensive Review. Viruses 2020; 13:E17. [PMID: 33374862 PMCID: PMC7824580 DOI: 10.3390/v13010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses encode for structural proteins that participate in virion formation and include capsid and envelope proteins. In addition, viruses encode for an array of non-structural accessory proteins important for replication, spread, and immune evasion in the host and are often linked to virus pathogenesis. Most virus accessory proteins are non-essential for growth in cell culture because of the simplicity of the infection barriers or because they have roles only during a state of the infection that does not exist in cell cultures (i.e., tissue-specific functions), or finally because host factors in cell culture can complement their absence. For these reasons, the study of most nonessential viral factors is more complex and requires development of suitable cell culture systems and in vivo models. Approximately half of the proteins encoded by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) genome have been classified as non-essential. These proteins have essential roles in vivo in counteracting antiviral responses, facilitating the spread of the virus from the sites of initial infection to the peripheral nervous system, where it establishes lifelong reservoirs, virus pathogenesis, and other regulatory roles during infection. Understanding the functions of the non-essential proteins of herpesviruses is important to understand mechanisms of viral pathogenesis but also to harness properties of these viruses for therapeutic purposes. Here, we have provided a comprehensive summary of the functions of HSV-1 non-essential proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Kalamvoki
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (C.D.); (H.W.)
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11
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Dai J, Cheng Y, Wu J, Wang Q, Wang W, Yang J, Zhao Z, Lou X, Xia F, Wang S, Tang BZ. Modular Peptide Probe for Pre/Intra/Postoperative Therapeutic to Reduce Recurrence in Ovarian Cancer. ACS NANO 2020; 14:14698-14714. [PMID: 33174739 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b09818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Even with optimal surgery, 80% of patients with ovarian cancer will have recurrence. Adjuvant therapy can reduce the recurrence of tumors; however, the therapeutic effect is still not prominent. Herein, we designed a modular peptide probe (TCDTMP), which can be self-assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) by loading in miR-145-5p or VEGF-siRNA. In vivo, (1) preoperative administration of TCDTMP/miR-145-5p ensured that NPs were adequately accumulated in tumors through active targeting and increased the expression of miR-145-5p in tumors, thereby inducing tumor cell apoptosis. (2) Intraoperatively, most of the tumors were removed, while the microscopic residual tumors were largely eliminated by TCDTMP/miR-145-5p-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT). (3) Postoperatively, TCDTMP/VEGF-siRNA were given for antiangiogenesis therapy, thus delaying the recurrence of tumors. This treatment was named a preoperative (TCDTMP/miR-145-5p)||intraoperative (surgery and PDT)||postoperative (TCDTMP/VEGF-siRNA) therapeutic system and abbreviated as the PIP therapeutic system, which reduced the recurrence of ovarian cancer in subcutaneous tumor models, intraperitoneal metastasis models, and patient-derived tumor xenograft models. Our findings provide a therapeutic system based on modular peptide probes to reduce the recurrence of ovarian cancer after surgery, which provides a perspective for the surgical management of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430032, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430032, China
| | - Juliang Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zujin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiaoding Lou
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fan Xia
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430032, China
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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12
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Pucci C, Martinelli C, Ciofani G. Innovative approaches for cancer treatment: current perspectives and new challenges. Ecancermedicalscience 2019; 13:961. [PMID: 31537986 PMCID: PMC6753017 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2019.961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Every year, cancer is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide and, even though much progress has been achieved in medicine, there are still many issues that must be addressed in order to improve cancer therapy. For this reason, oncological research is putting a lot of effort towards finding new and efficient therapies which can alleviate critical side effects caused by conventional treatments. Different technologies are currently under evaluation in clinical trials or have been already introduced into clinical practice. While nanomedicine is contributing to the development of biocompatible materials both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, bioengineering of extracellular vesicles and cells derived from patients has allowed designing ad hoc systems and univocal targeting strategies. In this review, we will provide an in-depth analysis of the most innovative advances in basic and applied cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Pucci
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 56025 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Martinelli
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 56025 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 56025 Pisa, Italy.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
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13
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Khan N, Bammidi S, Chattopadhyay S, Jayandharan GR. Combination Suicide Gene Delivery with an Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Encoding Inducible Caspase-9 and a Chemical Inducer of Dimerization Is Effective in a Xenotransplantation Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:1754-1762. [PMID: 31181889 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current treatment approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a narrow therapeutic index and alternate modes of treatment are thus required. We have utilized a gene delivery vector containing inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9) gene, which is a synthetic analogue based on the mammalian caspase 9 and fused to a human FK506 binding protein that allows its conditional dimerization to a synthetic, small molecule [chemical inducer of dimerization, AP20187] and results in target cell apoptosis. In our studies, we have tested these synthetic vectors based on an adeno-associated virus platform for their potential anti-tumorigenic effect in human HCC cells in vitro and in a HCC tumor model developed in nude mice. Our data demonstrates that the iCasp9-AP20187 bioconjugate is able to trigger terminal effectors of cellular apoptosis and presents a viable approach for the potential treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
| | - Sridhar Bammidi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
| | - Sourav Chattopadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
| | - Giridhara R Jayandharan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
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14
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Xie Y, Wu L, Wang M, Cheng A, Yang Q, Wu Y, Jia R, Zhu D, Zhao X, Chen S, Liu M, Zhang S, Wang Y, Xu Z, Chen Z, Zhu L, Luo Q, Liu Y, Yu Y, Zhang L, Chen X. Alpha-Herpesvirus Thymidine Kinase Genes Mediate Viral Virulence and Are Potential Therapeutic Targets. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:941. [PMID: 31134006 PMCID: PMC6517553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-herpesvirus thymidine kinase (TK) genes are virulence-related genes and are nonessential for viral replication; they are often preferred target genes for the construction of gene-deleted attenuated vaccines and genetically engineered vectors for inserting and expressing foreign genes. The enzymes encoded by TK genes are key kinases in the nucleoside salvage pathway and have significant substrate diversity, especially the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) TK enzyme, which phosphorylates four nucleosides and various nucleoside analogues. Hence, the HSV-1 TK gene is exploited for the treatment of viral infections, as a suicide gene in antitumor therapy, and even for the regulation of stem cell transplantation and treatment of parasitic infection. This review introduces the effects of α-herpesvirus TK genes on viral virulence and infection in the host and classifies and summarizes the current main application domains and potential uses of these genes. In particular, mechanisms of action, clinical limitations, and antiviral and antitumor therapy development strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xie
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liping Wu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - XinXin Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiwen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengli Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qihui Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunya Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanling Yu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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15
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Tamura RE, de Luna IV, Lana MG, Strauss BE. Improving adenoviral vectors and strategies for prostate cancer gene therapy. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018; 73:e476s. [PMID: 30133562 PMCID: PMC6097088 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e476s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has been evaluated for the treatment of prostate cancer and includes the application of adenoviral vectors encoding a suicide gene or oncolytic adenoviruses that may be armed with a functional transgene. In parallel, versions of adenoviral vector expressing the p53 gene (Ad-p53) have been tested as treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Although Ad-p53 gene therapy has yielded some interesting results when applied to prostate cancer, it has not been widely explored, perhaps due to current limitations of the approach. To achieve better functionality, improvements in the gene transfer system and the therapeutic regimen may be required. We have developed adenoviral vectors whose transgene expression is controlled by a p53-responsive promoter, which creates a positive feedback mechanism when used to drive the expression of p53. Together with improvements that permit efficient transduction, this new approach was more effective than the use of traditional versions of Ad-p53 in killing prostate cancer cell lines and inhibiting tumor progression. Even so, gene therapy is not expected to replace traditional chemotherapy but should complement the standard of care. In fact, chemotherapy has been shown to assist in viral transduction and transgene expression. The cooperation between gene therapy and chemotherapy is expected to effectively kill tumor cells while permitting the use of reduced chemotherapy drug concentrations and, thus, lowering side effects. Therefore, the combination of gene therapy and chemotherapy may prove essential for the success of both approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Esaki Tamura
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Igor Vieira de Luna
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Marlous Gomes Lana
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Bryan E Strauss
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- *Corresponding author. E-mail: ,
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16
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Guo W, Song H. Development of Gene Therapeutics for Head and Neck Cancer in China: From Bench to Bedside. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:180-187. [PMID: 29334764 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial—Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hao Song
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial—Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
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17
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Zhou X, Brenner MK. Improving the safety of T-Cell therapies using an inducible caspase-9 gene. Exp Hematol 2016; 44:1013-1019. [PMID: 27473568 PMCID: PMC5083205 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2016.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells can be an effective anticancer treatment. However, uncontrolled or unpredictable immediate or persistent toxic effects are a source of concern. The ability to conditionally eliminate aberrant cells in vivo is therefore becoming a critical step for the successful translation of this approach to the clinic. We review the evolution of safety systems, focusing on a suicide switch that can be expressed stably and efficiently in human T cells without impairing phenotype, function, or antigen specificity. This system is based on the fusion of human caspase-9 to a modified human FK-binding protein, allowing conditional dimerization in the presence of an otherwise bio-inert small molecule drug. When exposed to the synthetic dimerizing drug, the inducible caspase-9 becomes activated, resulting in the rapid apoptosis of cells expressing this construct. We have illustrated the clinical feasibility and efficacy of this approach after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Here we review the benefits and limitations of the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoou Zhou
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX; USA
| | - Malcolm K. Brenner
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX; USA
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18
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Malekshah OM, Chen X, Nomani A, Sarkar S, Hatefi A. Enzyme/Prodrug Systems for Cancer Gene Therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 2:299-308. [PMID: 28042530 DOI: 10.1007/s40495-016-0073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The use of enzyme/prodrug system has gained attention because it could help improve the efficacy and safety of conventional cancer chemotherapies. In this approach, cancer cells are first transfected with a gene that can express an enzyme with ability to convert a non-toxic prodrug into its active cytotoxic form. As a result, the activated prodrug could kill the transfected cancer cells. Despite the significant progress of different suicide gene therapy protocols in preclinical studies and early clinical trials, none has reached the clinic due to several shortcomings. These include slow prodrug-drug conversion rate, low transfection/transduction efficiency of the vectors and nonspecific toxicity/immunogenicity related to the delivery systems, plasmid DNA, enzymes and/or prodrugs. This mini review aims at providing an overview of the most widely used enzyme/prodrug systems with emphasis on reporting the results of the recent preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obeid M Malekshah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Xuguang Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Alireza Nomani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Siddik Sarkar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Arash Hatefi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, United States
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
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20
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Progress and problems with the use of suicide genes for targeted cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 99:113-128. [PMID: 26004498 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Among various gene therapy methods for cancer, suicide gene therapy attracts a special attention because it allows selective conversion of non-toxic compounds into cytotoxic drugs inside cancer cells. As a result, therapeutic index can be increased significantly by introducing high concentrations of cytotoxic molecules to the tumor environment while minimizing impact on normal tissues. Despite significant success at the preclinical level, no cancer suicide gene therapy protocol has delivered the desirable clinical significance yet. This review gives a critical look at the six main enzyme/prodrug systems that are used in suicide gene therapy of cancer and familiarizes readers with the state-of-the-art research and practices in this field. For each enzyme/prodrug system, the mechanisms of action, protein engineering strategies to enhance enzyme stability/affinity and chemical modification techniques to increase prodrug kinetics and potency are discussed. In each category, major clinical trials that have been performed in the past decade with each enzyme/prodrug system are discussed to highlight the progress to date. Finally, shortcomings are underlined and areas that need improvement in order to produce clinical significance are delineated.
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21
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Nitroreductase gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy: insights and advances toward clinical utility. Biochem J 2015; 471:131-53. [PMID: 26431849 DOI: 10.1042/bj20150650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This review examines the vast catalytic and therapeutic potential offered by type I (i.e. oxygen-insensitive) nitroreductase enzymes in partnership with nitroaromatic prodrugs, with particular focus on gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT; a form of cancer gene therapy). Important first indications of this potential were demonstrated over 20 years ago, for the enzyme-prodrug pairing of Escherichia coli NfsB and CB1954 [5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide]. However, it has become apparent that both the enzyme and the prodrug in this prototypical pairing have limitations that have impeded their clinical progression. Recently, substantial advances have been made in the biodiscovery and engineering of superior nitroreductase variants, in particular development of elegant high-throughput screening capabilities to enable optimization of desirable activities via directed evolution. These advances in enzymology have been paralleled by advances in medicinal chemistry, leading to the development of second- and third-generation nitroaromatic prodrugs that offer substantial advantages over CB1954 for nitroreductase GDEPT, including greater dose-potency and enhanced ability of the activated metabolite(s) to exhibit a local bystander effect. In addition to forging substantial progress towards future clinical trials, this research is supporting other fields, most notably the development and improvement of targeted cellular ablation capabilities in small animal models, such as zebrafish, to enable cell-specific physiology or regeneration studies.
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22
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Das SK, Menezes ME, Bhatia S, Wang XY, Emdad L, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. Gene Therapies for Cancer: Strategies, Challenges and Successes. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:259-71. [PMID: 25196387 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy, which involves replacement of a defective gene with a functional, healthy copy of that gene, is a potentially beneficial cancer treatment approach particularly over chemotherapy, which often lacks selectivity and can cause non-specific toxicity. Despite significant progress pre-clinically with respect to both enhanced targeting and expression in a tumor-selective manner several hurdles still prevent success in the clinic, including non-specific expression, low-efficiency delivery and biosafety. Various innovative genetic approaches are under development to reconstruct vectors/transgenes to make them safer and more effective. Utilizing cutting-edge delivery technologies, gene expression can now be targeted in a tissue- and organ-specific manner. With these advances, gene therapy is poised to become amenable for routine cancer therapy with potential to elevate this methodology as a first line therapy for neoplastic diseases. This review discusses recent advances in gene therapy and their impact on a pre-clinical and clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Mitchell E Menezes
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Shilpa Bhatia
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Xiang-Yang Wang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Slot Christiansen L, Egeblad L, Munch-Petersen B, Piškur J, Knecht W. New Variants of Tomato Thymidine Kinase 1 Selected for Increased Sensitivity of E. coli KY895 towards Azidothymidine. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:966-80. [PMID: 26061968 PMCID: PMC4491694 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7020819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside analogues (NA) are prodrugs that are phosphorylated by deoxyribonucleoside kinases (dNKs) as the first step towards a compound toxic to the cell. During the last 20 years, research around dNKs has gone into new organisms other than mammals and viruses. Newly discovered dNKs have been tested as enzymes for suicide gene therapy. The tomato thymidine kinase 1 (ToTK1) is a dNK that has been selected for its in vitro kinetic properties and then successfully been tested in vivo for the treatment of malignant glioma. We present the selection of two improved variants of ToTK1 generated by random protein engineering for suicide gene therapy with the NA azidothymidine (AZT).We describe their selection, recombinant production and a subsequent kinetic and biochemical characterization. Their improved performance in killing of E. coli KY895 is accompanied by an increase in specificity for the NA AZT over the natural substrate thymidine as well as a decrease in inhibition by dTTP, the end product of the nucleoside salvage pathway for thymidine. The understanding of the enzymatic properties improving the variants efficacy is instrumental to further develop dNKs for use in suicide gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Slot Christiansen
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; E-Mail:
- Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; E-Mail:
| | - Louise Egeblad
- Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; E-Mail:
| | - Birgitte Munch-Petersen
- Department of Science, Systems and Models, Roskilde University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark; E-Mail:
| | - Jure Piškur
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; E-Mail:
| | - Wolfgang Knecht
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; E-Mail:
- Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; E-Mail:
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Specific Colon Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity Induced by Bacteriophage E Gene Expression under Transcriptional Control of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:12601-15. [PMID: 26053394 PMCID: PMC4490463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160612601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. Patients in advanced stages often develop metastases that require chemotherapy and usually show a poor response, have a low survival rate and develop considerable toxicity with adverse symptoms. Gene therapy may act as an adjuvant therapy in attempts to destroy the tumor without affecting normal host tissue. The bacteriophage E gene has demonstrated significant antitumor activity in several cancers, but without any tumor-specific activity. The use of tumor-specific promoters may help to direct the expression of therapeutic genes so they act against specific cancer cells. We used the carcinoembryonic antigen promoter (CEA) to direct E gene expression (pCEA-E) towards colon cancer cells. pCEA-E induced a high cell growth inhibition of human HTC-116 colon adenocarcinoma and mouse MC-38 colon cancer cells in comparison to normal human CCD18co colon cells, which have practically undetectable levels of CEA. In addition, in vivo analyses of mice bearing tumors induced using MC-38 cells showed a significant decrease in tumor volume after pCEA-E treatment and a low level of Ki-67 in relation to untreated tumors. These results suggest that the CEA promoter is an excellent candidate for directing E gene expression specifically toward colon cancer cells.
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Inducible caspase-9 suicide gene controls adverse effects from alloreplete T cells after haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Blood 2015; 125:4103-13. [PMID: 25977584 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-02-628354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To test the feasibility of a single T-cell manipulation to eliminate alloreactivity while sparing antiviral and antitumor T cells, we infused 12 haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients with increasing numbers of alloreplete haploidentical T cells expressing the inducible caspase 9 suicide gene (iC9-T cells). We determined whether the iC9-T cells produced immune reconstitution and if any resultant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) could be controlled by administration of a chemical inducer of dimerization (CID; AP1903/Rimiducid). All patients receiving >10(4) alloreplete iC9-T lymphocytes per kilogram achieved rapid reconstitution of immune responses toward 5 major pathogenic viruses and concomitant control of active infections. Four patients received a single AP1903 dose. CID infusion eliminated 85% to 95% of circulating CD3(+)CD19(+) T cells within 30 minutes, with no recurrence of GVHD within 90 days. In one patient, symptoms and signs of GVHD-associated cytokine release syndrome (CRS-hyperpyrexia, high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and rash) resolved within 2 hours of AP1903 infusion. One patient with varicella zoster virus meningitis and acute GVHD had iC9-T cells present in the cerebrospinal fluid, which were reduced by >90% after CID. Notably, virus-specific T cells recovered even after AP1903 administration and continued to protect against infection. Hence, alloreplete iC9-T cells can reconstitute immunity posttransplant and administration of CID can eliminate them from both peripheral blood and the central nervous system (CNS), leading to rapid resolution of GVHD and CRS. The approach may therefore be useful for the rapid and effective treatment of toxicities associated with infusion of engineered T lymphocytes. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01494103.
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Kumon H, Sasaki K, Ariyoshi Y, Sadahira T, Ebara S, Hiraki T, Kanazawa S, Yanai H, Watanabe M, Nasu Y. Ad-REIC Gene Therapy: Promising Results in a Patient with Metastatic CRPC Following Chemotherapy. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ONCOLOGY 2015; 9:31-8. [PMID: 25861236 PMCID: PMC4373706 DOI: 10.4137/cmo.s23252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A 63-year-old man with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was successfully treated for two years with in situ gene therapy using an adenovirus vector carrying the human REIC/Dkk-3 gene (Ad-REIC), following chemotherapy. Ad-REIC mediates simultaneous induction of cancer-selective apoptosis and augmentation of antitumor immunity, and a Phase I/IIa clinical study on Ad-REIC has been conducted at Okayama University Hospital since January 2011. At the time of enrollment in December 2012, the patient presented with rapid progression of lymph node (LN) metastases. Two scheduled Ad-REIC injections and 10 additional Ad-REIC injections into metastatic pelvic and para-aortic LNs under CT guidance, with an average four weeks' interval, exhibited the potent direct and indirect effects of Ad-REIC as a therapeutic cancer vaccine. During the next 12 months, three additional injections into para-aortic LNs showing regrowth achieved adequate control of all metastatic LNs with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline, without any particular adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi Kumon
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Katsumi Sasaki
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Yuichi Ariyoshi
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Takuya Sadahira
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Shin Ebara
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Takao Hiraki
- Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Susumu Kanazawa
- Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yanai
- Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Masami Watanabe
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan. ; Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama City, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Nasu
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama City, Japan. ; Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama City, Japan
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Slot Christiansen L, Munch-Petersen B, Knecht W. Non-Viral Deoxyribonucleoside Kinases--Diversity and Practical Use. J Genet Genomics 2015; 42:235-48. [PMID: 26059771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Deoxyribonucleoside kinases (dNKs) phosphorylate deoxyribonucleosides to their corresponding monophosphate compounds. dNks also phosphorylate deoxyribonucleoside analogues that are used in the treatment of cancer or viral infections. The study of the mammalian dNKs has therefore always been of great medical interest. However, during the last 20 years, research on dNKs has gone into non-mammalian organisms. In this review, we focus on non-viral dNKs, in particular their diversity and their practical applications. The diversity of this enzyme family in different organisms has proven to be valuable in studying the evolution of enzymes. Some of these newly discovered enzymes have been useful in numerous practical applications in medicine and biotechnology, and have contributed to our understanding of the structural basis of nucleoside and nucleoside analogue activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgitte Munch-Petersen
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; Department of Science, Systems and Models, Roskilde University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Wolfgang Knecht
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden; Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund 22362, Sweden.
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Abstract
As one targeting strategy of prodrug delivery, gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) promises to realize the targeting through its three key features in cancer therapy-cell-specific gene delivery and expression, controlled conversion of prodrugs to drugs in target cells, and expanded toxicity to the target cells' neighbors through bystander effects. After over 20 years of development, multiple GDEPT systems have advanced into clinical trials. However, no GDEPT product is currently marketed as a drug, suggesting that there are still barriers to overcome before GDEPT becomes a standard therapy. In this review, we first provide a general introduction of this prodrug targeting strategy. Then, we utilize the four most thoroughly studied systems to illustrate components, mechanisms, preclinical and clinical results, and further development directions of GDEPT. These four systems are herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir, cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine, cytochrome P450/oxazaphosphorines, and nitroreductase/CB1954 system. Later, we focus our discussion on bystander effects including local and distant bystander effects. Lastly, we discuss carriers that are used to deliver genes for GDEPT including virus carriers and non-virus carriers. Among these carriers, the stem cell-based gene delivery system represents one of the newest carriers under development, and may brought about a breakthrough to the gene delivery issue of GDEPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- />The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993 USA
| | - Vijay Kale
- />College of Pharmacy, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10920 S. Riverfront Pkwy, South Jordan, Utah 84095 USA
| | - Mingnan Chen
- />Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 USA
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Shao D, Li J, Xiao X, Zhang M, Pan Y, Li S, Wang Z, Zhang X, Zheng H, Zhang X, Chen L. Real-time visualizing and tracing of HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy by near-infrared fluorescent quantum dots. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:11082-11090. [PMID: 24972118 DOI: 10.1021/am503998x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Exploring intracellular behavior of suicide gene is significant for improving the efficacy and safety of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) system in cancer therapy. Molecular imaging represents a powerful tool to understand gene transportation and function dynamics. In this work, we reported a quantum-dot-based technique for revealing the procedure of HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy by constructing covalent linkage between near-infrared fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) and TK gene. This stable QD labeling did not influence either the QDs fluorescence or the biological activity of TK gene. Furthermore, we visualized and dynamically traced the intracellular behavior antitumor effect of TK gene in vitro and in vivo. It is demonstrated that TK gene was shuttled to the nucleus after a-24 h treatment; at that time the single dose of GCV administration exerts the gradually increasing lethal effect until to 72 h. Real-time tracing the formation of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene system in vivo by QD-based NIR fluorescence imaging provides useful insight toward QD-based theranostics in future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University , Changchun 130021, China
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Sakkas A, Zarogoulidis P, Domvri K, Hohenforst-Schmidt W, Bougiouklis D, Kakolyris S, Zarampoukas T, Kioumis I, Pitsiou G, Huang H, Li Q, Meditskou S, Tsiouda T, Pezirkianidis N, Zarogoulidis K. Safety and efficacy of suicide gene therapy with adenosine deaminase 5-fluorocytosine silmutaneously in in vitro cultures of melanoma and retinal cell lines. J Cancer 2014; 5:368-81. [PMID: 24799955 PMCID: PMC4007525 DOI: 10.7150/jca.9147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Local treatment as a treatment modality is gaining increased general acceptance over time. Novel drugs and methodologies of local administration are being investigated in an effort to achieve disease local control. Suicide gene therapy is a method that has been investigated as a local treatment with simultaneously distant disease control. In our current experiment we purchased HTB-70 (melanoma cell line, derived from metastatic axillary node) and CRL-2302 (human retinal epithelium) were from ATCC LGC Standards and Ancotil®, 2.5 g/250 ml (1 g/00ml) (5-Flucytosine) MEDA; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. UK. Adenosine Cytosine Deaminase (Ad.CD) was also used in order to convert the pro-drug 5-Flucytosine to the active 5-Fluoracil. Three different concentrations of 5-Flucytosine (5-FC) were administered (0.2ml, 0.8ml and 1.2ml). At indicated time-points (4h, 8h and 24h) cell viability and apoptosis were measured. Our concept was to investigate whether suicide gene therapy with Ad. CD-5-FC could be used with safety and efficiency as a future local treatment for melanoma located in the eye cavity. Indeed, our results indicated that in every 5-FC administration had mild cytotoxicity for the retinal cells, while increased apoptosis was observed for the melanoma cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Sakkas
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paul Zarogoulidis
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Domvri
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Dimitris Bougiouklis
- 3. Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology-BMT Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stylianos Kakolyris
- 4. Oncology Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Thomas Zarampoukas
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kioumis
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgia Pitsiou
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Haidong Huang
- 5. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Changhai Hospital/First Affiliated Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- 5. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Changhai Hospital/First Affiliated Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Soultana Meditskou
- 6. Laboratory of Histology, Embryology and Anthropology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodora Tsiouda
- 7. Internal Medicine Department, ``Theiageneio`` Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Zarogoulidis
- 1. Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, ``G. Papanikolaou`` General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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31
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Watanabe M, Sakaguchi M, Kinoshita R, Kaku H, Ariyoshi Y, Ueki H, Tanimoto R, Ebara S, Ochiai K, Futami J, Li SA, Huang P, Nasu Y, Huh NH, Kumon H. A novel gene expression system strongly enhances the anticancer effects of a REIC/Dkk-3-encoding adenoviral vector. Oncol Rep 2013; 31:1089-95. [PMID: 24398705 PMCID: PMC3926669 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression systems with various promoters, including the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, have been developed to increase the gene expression in a variety of normal and cancer cells. In particular, in the clinical trials of cancer gene therapy, a more efficient and robust gene expression system is required to achieve sufficient therapeutic outcomes. By inserting the triple translational enhancer sequences of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), Simian virus 40 (SV40) and CMV downstream of the sequence of the BGH polyA, we were able to develop a novel gene expression system that significantly enhances the expression of the genes of interest. We termed this novel gene expression cassette the super gene expression (SGE) system, and herein verify the utility of the SGE cassette for a replication-deficient adenoviral vector. We newly developed an adenoviral vector expressing the tumor suppressor, reduced expression in immortalized cells (REIC)/Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3), based on the CMV promoter-driven SGE system (Ad-SGE-REIC) and compared the therapeutic utility of Ad-SGE-REIC with that of the conventional adenoviral vectors (Ad-CMV-REIC or Ad-CAG-REIC). The results demonstrated that the CMV promoter-SGE system allows for more potent gene expression, and that the Ad-SGE-REIC is superior to conventional adenoviral systems in terms of the REIC protein expression and therapeutic effects. Since the SGE cassette can be applied for the expression of various therapeutic genes using various vector systems, we believe that this novel system will become an innovative tool in the field of gene expression and gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masami Watanabe
- Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Rie Kinoshita
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Haruki Kaku
- Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Hideo Ueki
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ryuta Tanimoto
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shin Ebara
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ochiai
- Department of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichiro Futami
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shun-Ai Li
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Nasu
- Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Nam-Ho Huh
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kumon
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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A novel plasmid and SonoVue formulation plus ultrasound sonication for effective gene delivery in nude mice. Life Sci 2013; 93:536-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2013.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 07/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Gruber C, Koller U, Murauer EM, Hainzl S, Hüttner C, Kocher T, South AP, Hintner H, Bauer JW. The design and optimization of RNA trans-splicing molecules for skin cancer therapy. Mol Oncol 2013; 7:1056-68. [PMID: 23998959 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor marker genes by RNA trans-splicing is a promising means to induce tumor cell-specific death. Using a screening system we designed RNA trans-splicing molecules (RTM) specifically binding the pre-mRNA of SLCO1B3, a marker gene in epidermolysis bullosa associated squamous cell carcinoma (EB-SCC). Specific trans-splicing, results in the fusion of the endogenous target mRNA of SLCO1B3 and the coding sequence of the suicide gene, provided by the RTM. SLCO1B3-specific RTMs containing HSV-tk were analyzed regarding their trans-splicing potential in a heterologous context using a SLCO1B3 expressing minigene (SLCO1B3-MG). Expression of the chimeric SLCO1B3-tk was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis assays confirmed that the RTMs induced suicide gene-mediated apoptosis in SLCO1B3-MG expressing cells. The lead RTM also showed its potential to facilitate a trans-splicing reaction into the endogenous SLCO1B3 pre-mRNA in EB-SCC cells resulting in tk-mediated apoptosis. We assume that the pre-selection of RTMs by our inducible cell-death system accelerates the design of optimal RTMs capable to induce tumor specific cell death in skin cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gruber
- Division of Experimental Dermatology and EB House Austria, Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
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Xie X, Guo J, Kong Y, Xie GX, Li L, Lv N, Xiao X, Tang J, Wang X, Liu P, Yang M, Xie Z, Wei W, Spencer DM, Xie X. Targeted expression of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase and Fludara® for prostate cancer therapy. J Gene Med 2013; 13:680-91. [PMID: 22009763 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk)/ganciclovir (GCV) comprised the most commonly used suicide gene therapy for prostate cancer, with modest results being obtained. However, novel suicide genes, such as Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), have been utilized to demonstrate more potent tumor killing and an enhanced bystander effect on local, non-expressing cells compared to HSV-tk. METHODS PNP/fludarabine (Fludara®; fludarabine phosphate; Berlex Labs, Richmond, CA, USA) was deliveried by prostate-specific, rat probasin-based promoter, ARR2PB. After infection of various cell lines with ADV.ARR(2) PB-PNP and administration of androgen analog, R1881, expression of PNP mRNA was detected; in vivo, the antitumor effect of the ARR(2) PB-PNP/Fludara system was monitored and analyzed, as well as animal survival. RESULTS After in vitro infection with ADV.ARR(2) PB-PNP (multiplicity of infection = 10), LNCaP cells were more sensitive to a lower concentration Fludara (LD(50) , approximately 0.1 µg/ml) in the presence of R1881. Furthermore, robust bystander effects after R1881/Fludara treatment were observed in LNCaP cells after infection with bicistronic vector ADV.ARR2PB/PNP-IRES-EGFP in contrast to a much weaker effect in cells treated with ADV.CMV-HSV-tk/GCV. In vivo, tumor size in the ADV.ARR2PB-PNP/Fludara treatment group was dramatically smaller than in the control groups, and the mice treated with our system had a significantly prolonged survival, with three of eight mice surviving up to the 160-day termination point, as well as no systemic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS The ARR(2) PB-PNP/Fludara system induced massive tumor cell death and a prolonged life span without systemic cytotoxicity; therefore, it might be a more attractive strategy for suicide gene therapy of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China; Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Zarogoulidis P, Darwiche K, Sakkas A, Yarmus L, Huang H, Li Q, Freitag L, Zarogoulidis K, Malecki M. Suicide Gene Therapy for Cancer - Current Strategies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 4. [PMID: 24294541 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7412.1000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Current cancer treatments may create profound iatrogenic outcomes. The adverse effects of these treatments still remain, as the serious problems that practicing physicians have to cope with in clinical practice. Although, non-specific cytotoxic agents constitute an effective treatment modality against cancer cells, they also tend to kill normal, quickly dividing cells. On the other hand, therapies targeting the genome of the tumors are both under investigation, and some others are already streamlined to clinical practice. Several approaches have been investigated in order to find a treatment targeting the cancer cells, while not affecting the normal cells. Suicide gene therapy is a therapeutic strategy, in which cell suicide inducing transgenes are introduced into cancer cells. The two major suicide gene therapeutic strategies currently pursued are: cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine and the herpes simplex virus/ganciclovir. The novel strategies include silencing gene expression, expression of intracellular antibodies blocking cells' vital pathways, and transgenic expression of caspases and DNases. We analyze various elements of cancer cells' suicide inducing strategies including: targets, vectors, and mechanisms. These strategies have been extensively investigated in various types of cancers, while exploring multiple delivery routes including viruses, non-viral vectors, liposomes, nanoparticles, and stem cells. We discuss various stages of streamlining of the suicide gene therapy into clinical oncology as applied to different types of cancer. Moreover, suicide gene therapy is in the center of attention as a strategy preventing cancer from developing in patients participating in the clinical trials of regenerative medicine. In oncology, these clinical trials are aimed at regenerating, with the aid of stem cells, of the patients' organs damaged by pathologic and/or iatrogenic factors. However, the stem cells carry the risk of neoplasmic transformation. We discuss cell suicide inducing strategies aimed at preventing stem cell-originated cancerogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zarogoulidis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, EU ; Department of Interventional Pneumology, Ruhrlandklinik, West German Lung Center, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany, EU
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Suicide gene therapy in cancer: where do we stand now? Cancer Lett 2012; 324:160-70. [PMID: 22634584 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy is based on the introduction into tumor cells of a viral or a bacterial gene, which allows the conversion of a non-toxic compound into a lethal drug. Although suicide gene therapy has been successfully used in a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies, its application to cancer patients has not reached the desirable clinical significance. However, recent reports on pre-clinical cancer models demonstrate the huge potential of this strategy when used in combination with new therapeutic approaches. In this review, we summarize the different suicide gene systems and gene delivery vectors addressed to cancer, with particular emphasis on recently developed systems and associated bystander effects. In addition, we review the different strategies that have been used in combination with suicide gene therapy and provide some insights into the future directions of this approach, particularly towards cancer stem cell eradication.
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Kim KH, Dmitriev I, O'Malley JP, Wang M, Saddekni S, You Z, Preuss MA, Harris RD, Aurigemma R, Siegal GP, Zinn KR, Curiel DT, Alvarez RD. A phase I clinical trial of Ad5.SSTR/TK.RGD, a novel infectivity-enhanced bicistronic adenovirus, in patients with recurrent gynecologic cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:3440-51. [PMID: 22510347 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-2852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ad5.SSTR/TK.RGD is an infectivity-enhanced adenovirus expressing a therapeutic thymidine kinase suicide gene and a somatostatin receptor (SSTR) that allows for noninvasive gene transfer imaging. The purpose of this study was to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, clinical efficacy, and biologic effects of Ad5.SSTR/TK.RGD in patients with recurrent gynecologic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Eligible patients were treated intraperitoneally for 3 days with 1 × 10(9) to 1 × 10(12) vp/dose of Ad5.SSTR/TK.RGD followed by intravenous ganciclovir for 14 days. Toxicity and clinical efficacy were assessed using Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) Adverse Events grading and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. Imaging using In-111 pentetreotide was obtained before and after treatment. Tissue samples were obtained to evaluate for gene transfer, generation of wild-type virus, viral shedding, and antibody response. RESULTS Twelve patients were treated in three cohorts. The most common vector-related clinical toxicities were grade I/II constitutional or pain symptoms, experienced most often in patients treated at the highest dose. MTD was not identified. Five patients showed stable disease; all others experienced progressive disease. One patient with stable disease experienced complete resolution of disease and normalization of CA125 on further follow-up. Imaging detected increased In-111 pentetreotide retention in patients treated at the highest dose. Ancillary studies showed presence of Ad5.SSTR/TK.RGD virus and HSV1-tk expression in ascites samples collected at various time points in most patients treated within the higher dose cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the safety, potential efficacy, and possible gene transfer imaging capacity of Ad5.SSTR/TK.RGD in patients with recurrent gynecologic cancer. Further development of this novel gene therapeutic appears to be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth H Kim
- The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35249, USA
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In vitro and in vivo double-enhanced suicide gene therapy mediated by generation 5 polyamidoamine dendrimers for PC-3 cell line. World J Surg Oncol 2012; 10:3. [PMID: 22226139 PMCID: PMC3283475 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-10-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most frequently used and efficient suicide gene therapies for prostate cancer is HSV-TK/GCV system, but its application has been limited due to lack of favorable gene vector and the reduction of "bystander effect". We investigated the effect of a novel combination of HSV-TK/GCV fused with Cx43 and gemcitabine using non-viral vector generation 5 polyamidoamine dendrimers (G5-PAMAM-D) on PC-3 cells. Methods RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect TK and Cx43 expression. Cell viability and proliferation were measured by using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected with double-staining of Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Nude mice models were established to evaluate the therapeutic effect in vivo. Results G5-PAMAM-D efficiently delivered recombinant plasmids into PC-3 cells and HSV-TK and Cx43 could be expressed successfully. With gemcitabine, G5-PAMAM-D mediated HSV-TK and Cx43 expression effectively inhibited prostate cancer PC-3 cell proliferation, leading to more cellular apoptosis and inhibiting PC-3 tumor growth in nude mice models. Conclusions This study illustrates that this new suicide gene system mediated by G5-PAMAM-D is effective in decreasing PC-3 cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. In a word, our study could provide a potential approach for gene therapy of prostate cancer.
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Chen Y, Wang G, Kong D, Zhang Z, Yang K, Liu R, Zhao W, Xu Y. Double-targeted and double-enhanced suicide gene therapy mediated by generation 5 polyamidoamine dendrimers for prostate cancer. Mol Carcinog 2011; 52:237-46. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.21850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Veeck J, Dahl E. Targeting the Wnt pathway in cancer: the emerging role of Dickkopf-3. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2011; 1825:18-28. [PMID: 21982838 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a major trait of many human cancers. Due to its vast implications in tumorigenesis and progression, the Wnt pathway has attracted considerable attention at several molecular levels, also with respect to developing novel cancer therapeutics. Indeed, research in Wnt biology has recently provided numerous clues, and evidence is accumulating that the secreted Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-related protein 3 (Dkk-3) and its regulators may constitute interesting therapeutic targets in the most important human cancers. Based on the currently available literature, we here review the knowledge on the biological role of Dkk-3 as an antagonist of the Wnt signaling pathway, the involvement of Dkk-3 in several stages of tumor development, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms disrupting DKK3 gene function in cancerous cells, and the potential clinical value of Dkk-3 expression/DKK3 promoter methylation as a biomarker and molecular target in cancer diseases. In conclusion, Dkk-3 rapidly emerges as a key player in human cancer with auspicious tumor suppressive capacities, most of all affecting apoptosis and proliferation. Its gene expression is frequently downregulated by promoter methylation in almost any solid and hematological tumor entity. Clinically, evidence is accumulating of Dkk-3 being both a potential tumor biomarker and effective anti-cancer agent. Although further research is needed, re-establishing Dkk-3 expression in cancer cells holds promise as novel targeted molecular tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Veeck
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Harvey TJ, Hennig IM, Shnyder SD, Cooper PA, Ingram N, Hall GD, Selby PJ, Chester JD. Adenovirus-mediated hypoxia-targeted gene therapy using HSV thymidine kinase and bacterial nitroreductase prodrug-activating genes in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Gene Ther 2011; 18:773-84. [PMID: 21836632 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2011.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is an important factor in tumor growth. It is associated with resistance to conventional anticancer treatments. Gene therapy targeting hypoxic tumor cells therefore has the potential to enhance the efficacy of treatment of solid tumors. Transfection of a panel of tumor cell lines with plasmid constructs containing hypoxia-responsive promoter elements from the genes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin, linked to the minimal cytomegalovirus (mCMV) or minimal interleukin-2 (mIL-2) promoters showed optimum hypoxia-inducible luciferase reporter gene expression with five repeats of VEGF hypoxic-response element linked to the mCMV promoter. Adenoviral vectors using this hypoxia-inducible promoter to drive therapeutic transgenes produced hypoxia-specific cell kill of HT1080 and HCT116 cells in the presence of prodrug with both herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir and nitroreductase (NTR)/CB1954 prodrug-activating systems. Significant cytotoxic effects were also observed in patient-derived human ovarian cancer cells. The NTR/CB1954 system provided more readily controllable transgene expression and so was used for in vivo experiments of human HCT116 xenografts in nude mice. Subjects treated intratumorally with Ad-VEGFmCMV-NTR and intraperitoneal injection of CB1954 demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry of treated xenografts showed a good correlation between transgene expression and hypoxic areas. Further investigation of these hypoxia-inducible adenoviral vectors, alone or in combination with existing modalities of cancer therapy, may aid in the future development of successful Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy systems, which are much needed for targeting solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Harvey
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, UK
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Morii A, Ogawa R, Watanabe A, Kakutani S, Zhao QL, Kume K, Kondo T, Fuse H. Regulation of gene expression in prostate cancer cells with an artificially constructed promoter responsive to radiation. Gene Ther 2011; 19:219-27. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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43
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Zhong B, Watts KL, Gori JL, Wohlfahrt ME, Enssle J, Adair JE, Kiem HP. Safeguarding nonhuman primate iPS cells with suicide genes. Mol Ther 2011; 19:1667-75. [PMID: 21587213 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of technology to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells constitutes one of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs because of the enormous potential for regenerative medicine. However, the safety of iPS cell-related products is a major concern for clinical translation. Insertional mutagenesis, possible oncogenic transformation of iPS cells or their derivatives, or the contamination of differentiated iPS cells with undifferentiated cells, resulting in the formation of teratomas, have remained considerable obstacles. Here, we demonstrate the utility of suicide genes to safeguard iPS cells and their derivatives. We found suicide genes can control the cell fate of iPS cells in vitro and in vivo without interfering with their pluripotency and self-renewal capacity. This study will be useful to evaluate the safety of iPS cell technology in a clinically highly relevant, large animal model and further benefit the clinical use of human iPS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonan Zhong
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA
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Bourke MG, Salwa S, Harrington KJ, Kucharczyk MJ, Forde PF, de Kruijf M, Soden D, Tangney M, Collins JK, O'Sullivan GC. The emerging role of viruses in the treatment of solid tumours. Cancer Treat Rev 2011; 37:618-32. [PMID: 21232872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2010.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 12/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing optimism for the use of non-pathogenic viruses in the treatment of many cancers. Initial interest in oncolytic virotherapy was based on the observation of an occasional clinical resolution of a lymphoma after a systemic viral infection. In many cancers, by comparison with normal tissues, the competency of the cellular anti-viral mechanism is impaired, thus creating an exploitable difference between the tumour and normal cells, as an unimpeded viral proliferation in cancer cells is eventually cytocidal. In addition to their oncolytic capability, these particular viruses may be engineered to facilitate gene delivery to tumour cells to produce therapeutic effects such as cytokine secretion and anti -tumour immune responses prior to the eventual cytolysis. There is now promising clinical experience with these viral strategies, particularly as part of multimodal studies, and already several clinical trials are in progress. The limitations of standard cancer chemotherapies, including their lack of specificity with consequent collateral toxicity and the development of cross-resistance, do not appear to apply to viral-based therapies. Furthermore, virotherapy frequently restores chemoradiosensitivity to resistant tumours and has also demonstrated efficacy against cancers that historically have a dismal prognosis. While there is cause for optimism, through continued improvements in the efficiency and safety of systemic delivery, through the emergence of alternative viral agents and through favourable clinical experiences, clinical trials as part of multimodal protocols will be necessary to define clinical utility. Significant progress has been made and this is now a major research area with an increasing annual bibliography.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Bourke
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Jnr. Laboratory, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Ireland.
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Garcia-Rodríguez L, Abate-Daga D, Rojas A, González JR, Fillat C. E-cadherin contributes to the bystander effect of TK/GCV suicide therapy and enhances its antitumoral activity in pancreatic cancer models. Gene Ther 2011; 18:73-81. [PMID: 20720574 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2010.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2010] [Revised: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (TK/GCV) cancer gene therapy approach is based on inducing GCV metabolite cytotoxicity in tumor cells expressing the herpes simplex virus TK gene and exposed to GCV. A bystander effect, mediated by gap junctions, accounts for the transfer of toxic metabolites from TK-expressing cells to neighboring cells. It has been proposed that E-cadherin participates in the formation and function of such gap junctions. In this study we investigate the influence of E-cadherin on TK/GCV suicide therapy with a panel of cellular and in vivo models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We observed a strong correlation of E-cadherin expression and the TK/GCV bystander effect, associated with the modulation of gap junction communication and connexin expression or localization. Importantly, the co-expression of TK and E-cadherin genes in the adenoviral vector AdTat8TKIE improved TK/GCV cytotoxicity and triggered a potent antitumoral effect, superior to standard AdTat8TK/GCV in MIAPaCa-2 xenografts. The increased expression of E-cadherin resulted in the reduction of the bcl-2 content. Interestingly, the knockdown of bcl-2 sensitized cells to TK/GCV. Thus, we propose that by restoring E-cadherin in pancreatic tumor cells we will improve TK/GCV therapy, both by enhancing the bystander effect and by facilitating the induction of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Garcia-Rodríguez
- Programa Gens i Malaltia, Centre de Regulació Genòmica, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, UPF, Barcelona, Spain
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Schenk E, Essand M, Bangma CH. Clinical Adenoviral Gene Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 21:807-13. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Schenk
- Department of Urology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Magnus Essand
- Clinical Immunology Division, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chris H. Bangma
- Department of Urology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in understanding, detection, and treatment, it accounts for almost one-fourth of all deaths per year in Western countries. Prostate cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous cancer in men in Europe and the United States, accounting for 15% of all cancers in men. As life expectancy of individuals increases, it is expected that there will also be an increase in the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer may be inoperable at initial presentation, unresponsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or recur following appropriate treatment. At the time of presentation, patients may already have metastases in their tissues. Preventing tumor recurrence requires systemic therapy; however, current modalities are limited by toxicity or lack of efficacy. For patients with such metastatic cancers, the development of alternative therapies is essential. Gene therapy is a realistic prospect for the treatment of prostate and other cancers, and involves the delivery of genetic information to the patient to facilitate the production of therapeutic proteins. Therapeutics can act directly (eg, by inducing tumor cells to produce cytotoxic agents) or indirectly by upregulating the immune system to efficiently target tumor cells or by destroying the tumor's vasculature. However, technological difficulties must be addressed before an efficient and safe gene medicine is achieved (primarily by developing a means of delivering genes to the target cells or tissue safely and efficiently). A wealth of research has been carried out over the past 20 years, involving various strategies for the treatment of prostate cancer at preclinical and clinical trial levels. The therapeutic efficacy observed with many of these approaches in patients indicates that these treatment modalities will serve as an important component of urological malignancy treatment in the clinic, either in isolation or in combination with current approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Tangney
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
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Pincha M, Sundarasetty BS, Stripecke R. Lentiviral vectors for immunization: an inflammatory field. Expert Rev Vaccines 2010; 9:309-21. [PMID: 20218859 DOI: 10.1586/erv.10.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviruses are retroviruses that are able to transduce both dividing and nondividing cells. Dendritic cells are key players in the innate and adaptive immune responses, and are natural targets for lentiviruses. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) have recently reached the clinical gene therapy arena, prompting their use as clinical vaccines. In recent years, LVs have emerged as a robust and practical experimental platform for gene delivery and rational genetic reprogramming of dendritic cells. Here, we present the status quo of the LV system for protective or therapeutic vaccine development. This vector system has been extensively evaluated for ex vivo and in vivo (immuno)gene delivery. Improvements of the LV design in order to further grant a higher biosafety profile for vaccine development are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudita Pincha
- Department of Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Dachs GU, Hunt MA, Syddall S, Singleton DC, Patterson AV. Bystander or no bystander for gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy. Molecules 2009; 14:4517-45. [PMID: 19924084 PMCID: PMC6255103 DOI: 10.3390/molecules14114517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2009] [Revised: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) of cancer aims to improve the selectivity of chemotherapy by gene transfer, thus enabling target cells to convert nontoxic prodrugs to cytotoxic drugs. A zone of cell kill around gene-modified cells due to transfer of toxic metabolites, known as the bystander effect, leads to tumour regression. Here we discuss the implications of either striving for a strong bystander effect to overcome poor gene transfer, or avoiding the bystander effect to reduce potential systemic effects, with the aid of three successful GDEPT systems. This review concentrates on bystander effects and drug development with regard to these enzyme prodrug combinations, namely herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) with ganciclovir (GCV), cytosine deaminase (CD) from bacteria or yeast with 5-fluorocytodine (5-FC), and bacterial nitroreductase (NfsB) with 5-(azaridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide (CB1954), and their respective derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabi U. Dachs
- Angiogenesis and Cancer Research Group, University of Otago, Christchurch, PO Box 4345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; E-Mail: (M.A.H.)
| | - Michelle A. Hunt
- Angiogenesis and Cancer Research Group, University of Otago, Christchurch, PO Box 4345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; E-Mail: (M.A.H.)
| | - Sophie Syddall
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; E-Mails: (S.S.); (D-C.S.); (A-V.P.)
| | - Dean C. Singleton
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; E-Mails: (S.S.); (D-C.S.); (A-V.P.)
| | - Adam V. Patterson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; E-Mails: (S.S.); (D-C.S.); (A-V.P.)
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Inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines by overexpression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3. Cancer Gene Ther 2009; 17:171-9. [PMID: 19798124 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2009.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The destruction of extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases is a key event in cancer progression. The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases can restrain tumor growth by inhibiting these enzymes. We sought to determine whether overexpression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) could suppress the malignant phenotype of human prostate cancer cell line PC-3M. Stable overexpression of TIMP-3 inhibited cell proliferation significantly by MTT assay. Both early and late apoptosis were observed in TIMP-3 overexpressing cells, and flow cytometry analysis showed S-phase blocking of the cell cycle. Monolayer invasion assay and transwell invasion assay showed significantly decreased invasive potential in TIMP-3 overexpressing cells compared with control cells. Cell adhesion and motility were also lower after TIMP-3 was overexpressed. In vivo, cells stably overexpressing TIMP-3 completely lost the ability to form tumors after injection into nude mice. Transfection of TIMP-3 into established tumors by electroporation also had a significant antitumor effect. TIMP-3-treated tumor tissues had significant apoptosis by TUNEL assay. These results showed that overexpression of TIMP-3 inhibits invasion and proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. The experiments suggest a potential use for TIMP-3 in the gene therapy of prostate cancer.
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