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Cavallaro PA, De Santo M, Belsito EL, Longobucco C, Curcio M, Morelli C, Pasqua L, Leggio A. Peptides Targeting HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells and Applications in Tumor Imaging and Delivery of Chemotherapeutics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2476. [PMID: 37686984 PMCID: PMC10490457 DOI: 10.3390/nano13172476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer represents the most common cancer type and one of the major leading causes of death in the female worldwide population. Overexpression of HER2, a transmembrane glycoprotein related to the epidermal growth factor receptor, results in a biologically and clinically aggressive breast cancer subtype. It is also the primary driver for tumor detection and progression and, in addition to being an important prognostic factor in women diagnosed with breast cancer, HER2 is a widely known therapeutic target for drug development. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of the main approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer proposed in the literature over the past decade. We focused on the different targeting strategies involving antibodies and peptides that have been explored with their relative outcomes and current limitations that need to be improved. The review also encompasses a discussion on targeted peptides acting as probes for molecular imaging. By using different types of HER2-targeting strategies, nanotechnology promises to overcome some of the current clinical challenges by developing novel HER2-guided nanosystems suitable as powerful tools in breast cancer imaging, targeting, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palmira Alessia Cavallaro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Marzia De Santo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Emilia Lucia Belsito
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Camilla Longobucco
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Manuela Curcio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Catia Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Luigi Pasqua
- Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Antonella Leggio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.A.C.); (M.D.S.); (E.L.B.); (C.L.); (M.C.); (C.M.)
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2
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Zhu Z, Goel PN, Zheng C, Nagai Y, Lam L, Samanta A, Ji M, Zhang H, Greene MI. HED, a Human-Engineered Domain, Confers a Unique Fc-Binding Activity to Produce a New Class of Humanized Antibody-like Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076477. [PMID: 37047449 PMCID: PMC10094569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory has identified and developed a unique human-engineered domain (HED) structure that was obtained from the human Alpha-2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein based on the three-dimensional structure of the Z-domain derived from Staphylococcal protein A. This HED retains µM binding activity to the human IgG1CH2-CH3 elbow region. We determined the crystal structure of HED in association with IgG1’s Fc. This demonstrated that HED preserves the same three-bundle helix structure and Fc-interacting residues as the Z domain. HED was fused to the single chain variable fragment (scFv) of mAb 4D5 to produce an antibody-like protein capable of interacting with the p185Her2/neu ectodomain and the Fc of IgG. When further fused with murine IFN-γ (mIFN-γ) at the carboxy terminus, the novel species exhibited antitumor efficacy in vivo in a mouse model of human breast cancer. The HED is a novel platform for the therapeutic utilization of engineered proteins to alleviate human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Zhu
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peeyush N. Goel
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Cai Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yasuhiro Nagai
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lian Lam
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Arabinda Samanta
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meiqing Ji
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence: or (H.Z.); or (M.I.G.)
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence: or (H.Z.); or (M.I.G.)
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3
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Murali R, Zhang H, Cai Z, Lam L, Greene M. Rational Design of Constrained Peptides as Protein Interface Inhibitors. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:antib10030032. [PMID: 34449551 PMCID: PMC8395526 DOI: 10.3390/antib10030032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of progress in developing targeted therapeutics directed at protein–protein complexes has been due to the absence of well-defined ligand-binding pockets and the extensive intermolecular contacts at the protein–protein interface. Our laboratory has developed approaches to dissect protein–protein complexes focusing on the superfamilies of erbB and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors by the combined use of structural biology and computational biology to facilitate small molecule development. We present a perspective on the development and application of peptide inhibitors as well as immunoadhesins to cell surface receptors performed in our laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramachandran Murali
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Biomedical Science, Research Division of Immunology, Los Angeles, CA 90211, USA
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.Z.); (Z.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Zheng Cai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.Z.); (Z.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Lian Lam
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.Z.); (Z.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Mark Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.Z.); (Z.C.); (L.L.)
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (M.G.)
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4
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Zhang H, Lam L, Nagai Y, Zhu Z, Chen X, Ji MQ, Greene MI. A targeted immunotherapy approach for HER2/neu transformed tumors by coupling an engineered effector domain with interferon-γ. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1300739. [PMID: 29632709 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1300739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite substantial clinical progress with targeted therapies, current antibody-based approaches have limited efficacy at controlling HER2/neu-positive breast cancers, especially in the absence of chemotherapies. Previously, we showed that the combination of IFNγ and anti-HER2/neu antibody synergistically reduces tumor growth in an in vivo implanted mammary tumor model. Here, we report a recombinant approach to produce an anti-HER2/neu scFv and IFNγ fusion protein using an engineered effector domain (EED) scaffold. The new molecule induces in vitro apoptosis in an IFNγ receptor-dependent manner. At a very low dose in the in vivo xenografted tumor models, the new EED-IFNγ fusion protein demonstrates superior activity over the anti-HER2/neu antibody and is even active on tumors that are resistant to anti-HER2/neu antibody therapy. Examination of tumor infiltrated macrophages and lymphocytes reveals that the fusion protein can induce changes in tumor microenvironment to support immune reactivity against tumors. Our studies have defined a targeted immunotherapy approach for the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lian Lam
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yasuhiro Nagai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Zhu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mei Q Ji
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark I Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Wang J, Dzuricky M, Chilkoti A. The Weak Link: Optimization of the Ligand-Nanoparticle Interface To Enhance Cancer Cell Targeting by Polymer Micelles. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:5995-6005. [PMID: 28853896 PMCID: PMC6372105 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b02225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Many promising targeting ligands are hydrophobic peptides, and these ligands often show limited accessibility to receptors, resulting in suboptimal targeting. A systematic study to elucidate the rules for the design of linkers that optimize their presentation on nanoparticles has not been carried out to date. In this study, we recombinantly synthesized an elastin-like polypeptide diblock copolymer (ELPBC) that self-assembles into monodisperse micelles. AHNP and EC1, two hydrophobic ErbB2-targeted peptide ligands, were incorporated at the C-terminus of the ELPBC with an intervening peptide linker. We tested more than 20 designs of peptide linkers, where the linker could be precisely engineered at the gene level to systematically investigate the molecular parameters-sequence, length, and charge-of the peptide linker that optimally assist ligands in targeting the ErbB2 receptor on cancer cells. We found that peptide linkers with a minimal length of 12 hydrophilic amino acids and an overall cationic charge-and that impart a zeta potential of the micelle that is close to neutral-were necessary to enhance the uptake of peptide-modified ELPBC micelles by cancer cells that overexpress the ErbB2 receptor. This work advances our understanding of the optimal presentation of hydrophobic ligands by nanoparticles and suggests design rules for peptide linkers for targeted delivery by polymer micelles, an emerging class of nanoparticle carriers for drugs and imaging agents.
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Ding H, Gangalum PR, Galstyan A, Fox I, Patil R, Hubbard P, Murali R, Ljubimova JY, Holler E. HER2-positive breast cancer targeting and treatment by a peptide-conjugated mini nanodrug. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 13:631-639. [PMID: 27520726 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
HER2+ breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. The new polymalic acid-based mini nanodrug copolymers are synthesized and specifically characterized to inhibit growth of HER2+ breast cancer. These mini nanodrugs are highly effective and in the clinic may substitute for trastuzumab (the marketed therapeutic antibody) and antibody-targeted nanobioconjugates. Novel mini nanodrugs are designed to have slender shape and small size. HER2+ cells were recognized by the polymer-attached trastuzumab-mimetic 12-mer peptide. Synthesis of the nascent cell-transmembrane HER2/neu receptors by HER2+ cells was inhibited by antisense oligonucleotides that prevented cancer cell proliferation and significantly reduced tumor size by more than 15 times vs. untreated control or PBS-treated group. We emphasize that the shape and size of mini nanodrugs can enhance penetration of multiple bio-barriers to facilitate highly effective treatment. Replacement of trastuzumab by the mimetic peptide favors reduced production costs and technical efforts, and a negligible immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pallavi R Gangalum
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Anna Galstyan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Irving Fox
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rameshwar Patil
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Paul Hubbard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Research Division of Immunology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ramachandran Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Research Division of Immunology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Julia Y Ljubimova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eggehard Holler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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Zahmatkeshan M, Gheybi F, Rezayat SM, Jaafari MR. Improved drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy of PEgylated liposomal doxorubicin by targeting anti-HER2 peptide in murine breast tumor model. Eur J Pharm Sci 2016; 86:125-35. [PMID: 26972276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Targeted cancer therapy is a powerful therapeutic strategy to management of cancer. HER2 as an anticancer target has long been studied. Its overexpression plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progressiveness of breast and other cancers. To establish efficient and reliable drug delivery to HER2-overexpressing cells, the authors of this study have developed anti-HER2 (ErbB2) peptide-liposomal formulations of doxorubicin (DOX) by an engineered breast tumor-targeting peptide ligand, AHNP, Anti-HER2/neu peptide, (FCDGFYACYADV) with three glycine amino acids as spacer before its original sequencing. Towards this goal, PEGylated liposome doxorubicin (PLD) bearing different ligand densities of AHNP was prepared and characterized for their size, zeta potential and peptide conjugation. The AHNP functionalization and density effects on breast tumor cell uptake, selective cytotoxicity, prevention of tumor growth and the tissue biodistribution of encapsulated DOX were studied in mice bearing TUBO breast cancer tumor model. The findings demonstrated that increasing the ligand density of AHNP increases cytotoxicity and cell-uptake in SKBR3 and TUBO cells which overexpress HER2 but not in MDA-MB-231with low HER2 expression profile. The anticancer activity was also superior for targeted liposomal DOX with more AHNP densities. Overall, the results showed that optimum AHNP density functionalization of PLD can significantly improve selectivity and the therapeutic index of liposomal DOX in the treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer and merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Zahmatkeshan
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417755469, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Gheybi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417755469, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Rezayat
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417755469, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91775-1365, Iran.
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9
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Co-expression of Dsb proteins enables soluble expression of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) against human type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) in E. coli. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 30:3221-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-014-1749-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Du T, Nagai Y, Xiao Y, Greene MI, Zhang H. Lysosome-dependent p300/FOXP3 degradation and limits Treg cell functions and enhances targeted therapy against cancers. Exp Mol Pathol 2013; 95:38-45. [PMID: 23644046 PMCID: PMC3963828 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
p300 is one of several acetyltransferases that regulate FOXP3 acetylation and functions. Our recent studies have defined a complex set of histone acetyltransferase interactions which can lead to enhanced or repressed changes in FOXP3 function. We have explored the use of a natural p300 inhibitor, Garcinol, as a tool to understand mechanisms by which p300 regulates FOXP3 acetylation. In the presence of Garcinol, p300 appears to become disassociated from the FOXP3 complex and undergoes lysosome-dependent degradation. As a consequence of p300's physical absence, FOXP3 becomes less acetylated and eventually degraded, a process that cannot be rescued by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. p300 plays a complex role in FOXP3 acetylation, as it could also acetylate a subset of four Lys residues that repressively regulate total FOXP3 acetylation. Garcinol acts as a degradation device to reduce the suppressive activity of regulatory T cells (Treg) and to enhance the in vivo anti-tumor activity of a targeted therapeutic anti-p185(her2/neu) (ERBB2) antibody in MMTV-neu transgenics implanted with neu transformed breast tumor cells. Our studies provide the rationale for molecules that disrupt p300 stability to limit Treg functions in targeted therapies for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taofeng Du
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 3620 Hamilton Walk, PA 19104, USA
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Yasuhiro Nagai
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 3620 Hamilton Walk, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yan Xiao
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 3620 Hamilton Walk, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 3620 Hamilton Walk, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 3620 Hamilton Walk, PA 19104, USA
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Cai Z, Fu T, Nagai Y, Lam L, Yee M, Zhu Z, Zhang H. scFv-based "Grababody" as a general strategy to improve recruitment of immune effector cells to antibody-targeted tumors. Cancer Res 2013; 73:2619-27. [PMID: 23396586 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-3920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recruitment of immune cells to tumor cells targeted by a therapeutic antibody can heighten the antitumor efficacy of the antibody. For example, p185(her2/neu)-targeting antibodies not only downregulate the p185(her2/neu) kinase (ERBB2) but also trigger complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) through the antibody Fc region. Here, we describe a generalized strategy to improve immune cell recruitment to targeted cancer cells, using a modified scFv antibody we call a "Grababody" that binds the target protein and endogenous immunoglobulins. The model system we used to illustrate the use of this platform recognizes p185(her2/neu) and includes an IgG binding domain. The recombinant scFv Grababody that was created recruited circulating human IgGs and attracted immune cells carrying Fc receptors to tumor cells that expressed p185(her2/neu). The presence of the IgG binding domain significantly enhanced CDC and ADCC activity and improved antitumor activity in vivo. Our results illustrate a novel general approach to improve antibody-like proteins for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cai
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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Murali R, Greene MI. Structure based antibody-like peptidomimetics. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2012; 5:209-35. [PMID: 24288089 PMCID: PMC3763629 DOI: 10.3390/ph5020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologics such as monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and soluble receptors represent new classes of therapeutic agents for treatment of several diseases. High affinity and high specificity biologics can be utilized for variety of clinical purposes. Monoclonal antibodies have been used as diagnostic agents when coupled with radionuclide, immune modulatory agents or in the treatment of cancers. Among other limitations of using large molecules for therapy the actual cost of biologics has become an issue. There is an effort among chemists and biologists to reduce the size of biologics which includes monoclonal antibodies and receptors without a reduction of biological efficacy. Single chain antibody, camel antibodies, Fv fragments are examples of this type of deconstructive process. Small high-affinity peptides have been identified using phage screening. Our laboratory used a structure-based approach to develop small-size peptidomimetics from the three-dimensional structure of proteins with immunoglobulin folds as exemplified by CD4 and antibodies. Peptides derived either from the receptor or their cognate ligand mimics the functions of the parental macromolecule. These constrained peptides not only provide a platform for developing small molecule drugs, but also provide insight into the atomic features of protein-protein interactions. A general overview of the reduction of monoclonal antibodies to small exocyclic peptide and its prospects as a useful diagnostic and as a drug in the treatment of cancer are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramachandran Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, D5091 Davis Building, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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13
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Abstract
There is enormous interest to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) for clinical treatment because these cells are highly tumorigenic and resistant to chemotherapy. Oct4 is expressed by CSC-like cells in different types of cancer. However, function of Oct4 in tumor cells is unclear. In this study, we showed that expression of Oct4 gene or transmembrane delivery of Oct4 protein promoted dedifferentiation of melanoma cells to CSC-like cells. The dedifferentiated melanoma cells showed significantly decreased expression of melanocytic markers and acquired the ability to form tumor spheroids. They showed markedly increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and hypoxic injury. In the subcutaneous xenograft and tail vein injection assays, these cells had significantly increased tumorigenic capacity. The dedifferentiated melanoma cells acquired features associated with CSCs such as multipotent differentiation capacity and expression of melanoma CSC markers such as ABCB5 and CD271. Mechanistically, Oct4 induced dedifferentiation was associated with increased expression of endogenous Oct4, Nanog and Klf4, and global gene expression changes that enriched for transcription factors. RNAi mediated knockdown of Oct4 in dedifferentiated cells led to diminished CSC phenotypes. Oct4 expression in melanoma was regulated by hypoxia and its expression was detected in a subpopulation of melanoma cells in clinical samples. Our data indicate that Oct4 is a positive regulator of tumor dedifferentiation. The results suggest that CSC phenotype is dynamic and may be acquired through dedifferentiation. Oct4 mediated tumor cell dedifferentiation may play an important role during tumor progression.
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14
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Cai Z, Zhang H, Liu J, Berezov A, Murali R, Wang Q, Greene MI. Targeting erbB receptors. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2010; 21:961-6. [PMID: 20850557 PMCID: PMC5940346 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2010.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Our work is concerned with the origins and therapy of human cancers. Members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of tyrosine kinases, also known as erbB or HER receptors, are over expressed and/or activated in many types of human tumors and represent important therapeutic targets in cancer therapy. Studies from our laboratory identified targeted therapy as a way to treat cancer. Rational therapeutics targeting and disabling erbB receptors have been developed to reverse the malignant properties of tumors. Reversal of the malignant phenotype, best seen with disabling the HER2 receptors using monoclonal antibodies is a distinct process from that seen with blocking of ligand binding to cognate receptors as has been done for EGFr receptors. Here we review the mechanisms of action deduced from a number of approaches developed in our laboratory and elsewhere, including monoclonal antibodies, peptide mimetics, recombinant proteins and small molecules. The biochemical and biological principles which have been uncovered during these studies of disabling HER2 homomeric or HER2-EGFr heteromeric receptors will help the development of novel and more efficient therapeutics targeting erbB family receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082, USA
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Alan Berezov
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, S122A Steven Spielberg Building, 8725 Alden Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ramachandran Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Davis Building, # 4092, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Qiang Wang
- Women’s Cancer Research Institute at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082, USA
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Suppression of human prostate tumor growth by a unique prostate-specific monoclonal antibody F77 targeting a glycolipid marker. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 107:732-7. [PMID: 20080743 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0911397107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In our effort to find diagnostic markers and to develop therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer, we have identified an mAb that is capable of binding to a cell surface antigen specifically expressed on both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Immunohistological studies revealed that this mAb, called F77, stained 112 of 116 primary and 29 of 34 metastatic human prostate cancer specimens. Although the mAb F77 alone directly promotes prostate cancer cell death, it also mediates complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In addition, mAb F77 can significantly inhibit androgen-independent PC3 and Du145 tumor growth in nude mice. Antigen characterization revealed that mAb F77 recognizes a very small molecular species with glycolipid properties. F77 antigen is concentrated in the lipid-raft microdomains, which serve as platforms for the assembly of associating protein complexes. Thus, the present study indicates that mAb F77 defines a unique prostate cancer marker and shows promising potential for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, especially for androgen-independent metastatic prostate cancer.
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Afshar S, Asai T, Morrison SL. Humanized ADEPT comprised of an engineered human purine nucleoside phosphorylase and a tumor targeting peptide for treatment of cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2009; 8:185-93. [PMID: 19139128 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunogenicity caused by the use of nonhuman enzymes in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy has limited its clinical application. To overcome this problem, we have developed a mutant human purine nucleoside phosphorylase, which, unlike the wild-type enzyme, accepts (deoxy)adenosine-based prodrugs as substrates. Among the different mutants of human purine nucleoside phosphorylase tested, a double mutant with amino acid substitutions E201Q:N243D (hDM) is the most efficient in cleaving (deoxy)adenosine-based prodrugs. Although hDM is capable of using multiple prodrugs as substrates, it is most effective at cleaving 2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine to a cytotoxic drug. To target hDM to the tumor site, the enzyme was fused to an anti-HER-2/neu peptide mimetic (AHNP). Treatment of HER-2/neu-expressing tumor cells with hDM-AHNP results in cellular localization of enzyme activity. As a consequence, harmless prodrug is converted to a cytotoxic drug in the vicinity of the tumor cells, resulting in tumor cell apoptosis. Unlike the nonhuman enzymes, the hDM should have minimal immunogenicity when used in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy, thus providing a novel promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Afshar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young Drive East, 247 BSRB, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Zhang H, Berezov A, Wang Q, Zhang G, Drebin J, Murali R, Greene MI. ErbB receptors: from oncogenes to targeted cancer therapies. J Clin Invest 2007; 117:2051-8. [PMID: 17671639 PMCID: PMC1934579 DOI: 10.1172/jci32278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 399] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic origin of cancer at the molecular level has facilitated the development of novel targeted therapies. Aberrant activation of the ErbB family of receptors is implicated in many human cancers and is already the target of several anticancer therapeutics. The use of mAbs specific for the extracellular domain of ErbB receptors was the first implementation of rational targeted therapy. The cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain is also a preferred target for small compounds that inhibit the kinase activity of these receptors. However, current therapy has not yet been optimized, allowing for opportunities for optimization of the next generation of targeted therapy, particularly with regards to inhibiting heteromeric ErbB family receptor complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alan Berezov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Geng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeffrey Drebin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ramachandran Murali
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Rich RL, Myszka DG. Survey of the year 2006 commercial optical biosensor literature. J Mol Recognit 2007; 20:300-66. [DOI: 10.1002/jmr.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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