1
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Jeon D, Hill E, McNeel DG. Toll-like receptor agonists as cancer vaccine adjuvants. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2297453. [PMID: 38155525 PMCID: PMC10760790 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2297453] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy to treat cancer patients. Among the wide range of immunological approaches, cancer vaccines have been investigated to activate and expand tumor-reactive T cells. However, most cancer vaccines have not shown significant clinical benefit as monotherapies. This is likely due to the antigen targets of vaccines, "self" proteins to which there is tolerance, as well as to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To help circumvent immune tolerance and generate effective immune responses, adjuvants for cancer vaccines are necessary. One representative adjuvant family is Toll-Like receptor (TLR) agonists, synthetic molecules that stimulate TLRs. TLRs are the largest family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that serve as the sensors of pathogens or cellular damage. They recognize conserved foreign molecules from pathogens or internal molecules from cellular damage and propel innate immune responses. When used with vaccines, activation of TLRs signals an innate damage response that can facilitate the development of a strong adaptive immune response against the target antigen. The ability of TLR agonists to modulate innate immune responses has positioned them to serve as adjuvants for vaccines targeting infectious diseases and cancers. This review provides a summary of various TLRs, including their expression patterns, their functions in the immune system, as well as their ligands and synthetic molecules developed as TLR agonists. In addition, it presents a comprehensive overview of recent strategies employing different TLR agonists as adjuvants in cancer vaccine development, both in pre-clinical models and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghwan Jeon
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ethan Hill
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Douglas G. McNeel
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
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2
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Sayers I, Thakker D, Billington C, Kreideweiss S, Grundl MA, Bouyssou T, Thamm S, Kreuz S, Hall IP. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a critical regulator of inflammatory signalling through toll-like receptors 4 and 7/8 in murine and human lungs. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:4647-4657. [PMID: 39137914 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16509] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) and TLR7/TLR8 play an important role in mediating the inflammatory effects of bacterial and viral pathogens. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is an important regulator of signalling by toll-like receptor (TLR) and hence is a potential therapeutic target in diseases characterized by increased lung inflammatory signalling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used an established murine model of acute lung inflammation, and studied human lung tissue ex vivo, to investigate the effects of inhibiting IRAK4 on lung inflammatory pathways. KEY RESULTS We show that TLR4 stimulation produces an inflammatory response characterized by neutrophil influx and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in murine lungs and that these responses are markedly reduced in IRAK4 kinase-dead mice. In addition, we characterize a novel selective IRAK4 inhibitor, BI1543673, and show that this compound can reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced airway inflammation in wild-type mice. Additionally, BI1543673 reduced inflammatory responses to both TLR4 and TLR7/8 stimulation in human lung tissue studied ex vivo. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These data demonstrate a key role for IRAK4 signalling in lung inflammation and suggest that IRAK4 inhibition has potential utility to treat lung diseases characterized by inflammatory responses driven through TLR4 and TLR7/8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Sayers
- Centre for Respiratory Research, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dhruma Thakker
- Centre for Respiratory Research, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Charlotte Billington
- Centre for Respiratory Research, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Marc A Grundl
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | | | - Sven Thamm
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Ian P Hall
- Centre for Respiratory Research, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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3
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Peng H, Martens S, Uvyn A, Chen Y, Zhong Z, Louage B, De Geest BG. Exploration of Solid Phase Peptoid Synthesis for the Design of Trifunctional Hapten-Lipid-TLR7/8 Agonist Antibody-Recruiting Oligomers That Combine Innate Effector with Innate Activation Function. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 39288003 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
The strategic engagement of innate immunity is a promising avenue for cancer treatment. Antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs) direct endogenous antibodies to target tumor sites, eliciting innate immune effector killing responses. In this study, we report the synthesis of ARMs by employing solid-phase peptoid synthesis to construct three libraries of antibody-recruiting oligomers. Using dinitrophenyl (DNP) as a model hapten and alkyl lipid chains for cell surface anchoring, we tailored oligomers with variations in valency and spatial configuration. Among these, an oligomer design featuring DNP connected to the oligomer backbone through an extended PEG linker and flanked by two lipid motifs emerged as the most effective in antibody recruitment in vitro. This oligomer was further functionalized to include an imidazoquinoline, creating a trifunctional hapten-lipid-TLR7/8 agonist oligomer, and a parallel variant was conjugated with rhodamine, resulting in a trifunctional hapten-lipid-dye oligomer. Upon intratumorally administration in a murine model, these oligomers induced localized immune activation within tumors. Subsequent ex vivo analysis of single-cell suspensions from excised tumors confirmed the enhanced binding of anti-DNP antibodies. These findings underscore the potential of custom-designed ARMs in orchestrating precise immune-mediated tumor targeting and highlight the adaptability of solid-phase synthesis in oligomer design for the design of multifunctional antibody recruiting molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Peng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Steven Martens
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Annemiek Uvyn
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Benoit Louage
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Bruno G De Geest
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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4
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Kumar K, Sihag B, Patil MT, Singh R, Sakala IG, Honda-Okubo Y, Singh KN, Petrovsky N, Salunke DB. Design and Synthesis of Polyphenolic Imidazo[4,5- c]quinoline Derivatives to Modulate Toll Like Receptor-7 Agonistic Activity and Adjuvanticity. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2063-2079. [PMID: 39022355 PMCID: PMC11249636 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
TLR-7/8 agonists are a well-known class of vaccine adjuvants, with a leading example now included in Covaxin, a licensed human COVID-19 vaccine. This thereby provides the opportunity to develop newer, more potent adjuvants based on structure-function studies of these classes of compounds. Imidazoquinoline-based TLR7/8 agonists are the most potent, but when used as a vaccine adjuvant side effects can arise due to diffusion from the injection site into a systemic circulation. In this work, we sought to address this issue through structural modifications in the agonists to enhance their adsorption capacity to the classic adjuvant alum. We selected a potent TLR7-selective agonist, BBIQ (EC50 = 0.85 μM), and synthesized polyphenolic derivatives to assess their TLR7 agonistic activity and adjuvant potential alone or in combination with alum. Most of the phenolic derivatives were more active than BBIQ and, except for 12b, all were TLR7 specific. Although the synthesized compounds were less active than resiquimod, the immunization data on combination with alum, specifically the IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2c responses, were superior in comparison to BBIQ as well as the reference standard resiquimod. Compound 12b was 5-fold more potent (EC50 = 0.15 μM in TLR7) than BBIQ and induced double the IgG response to SARS-CoV-2 and hepatitis antigens. Similarly, compound 12c (EC50 = 0.31 μM in TLR7) was about 3-fold more potent than BBIQ and doubled the IgG levels. Even though compound 12d exhibited low TLR7 activity (EC50 = 5.13 μM in TLR7), it demonstrated superior adjuvant results, which may be attributed to its enhanced alum adsorption capability as compared with BBIQ and resiquimod. Alum-adsorbed polyphenolic TLR7 agonists thereby represent promising combination adjuvants resulting in a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushvinder Kumar
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Binita Sihag
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Madhuri T. Patil
- Mehr
Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Sector 36A, Chandigarh 160 036, India
| | - Rahul Singh
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Isaac G. Sakala
- Vaxine
Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College
of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Yoshikazu Honda-Okubo
- Vaxine
Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College
of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Kamal Nain Singh
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine
Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College
of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Deepak B. Salunke
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
- National
Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials
(NICOVIA), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
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5
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Kaushik D, Kaur A, Patil MT, Sihag B, Piplani S, Sakala I, Honda-Okubo Y, Ramakrishnan S, Petrovsky N, Salunke DB. Structure-Activity Relationships toward the Identification of a High-Potency Selective Human Toll-like Receptor-7 Agonist. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8346-8360. [PMID: 38741265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonists are immunostimulatory vaccine adjuvants. A systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of TLR7-active 1-benzyl-2-butyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine led to the identification of a potent hTLR7-specific p-hydroxymethyl IMDQ 23 with an EC50 value of 0.22 μM. The SAR investigation also resulted in the identification of TLR7 selective carboxamide 12 with EC50 values of 0.32 μM for hTLR7 and 18.25 μM for hTLR8. In the vaccination study, TLR7-specific compound 23 alone or combined with alum (aluminum hydroxide wet gel) showed adjuvant activity for a spike protein immunogen in mice, with enhanced anti-spike antibody production. Interestingly, the adjuvant system comprising carboxamide 12 and alum showed prominent adjuvant activity with high levels of IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG2c in immunized mice, confirming a balanced Th1/Th2 response. In the absence of any apparent toxicity, the TLR7 selective agonists in combination with alum may make a suitable vaccine adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepender Kaushik
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Arshpreet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Madhuri T Patil
- Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Sector 36A, Chandigarh 160 036, India
| | - Binita Sihag
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Sakshi Piplani
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Isaac Sakala
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Yoshikazu Honda-Okubo
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | | | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
- National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials (NICOVIA), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
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6
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Gu L, Kong X, Li M, Chen R, Xu K, Li G, Qin Y, Wu L. Molecule engineering strategy of toll-like receptor 7/8 agonists designed for potentiating immune stimuli activation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:5474-5485. [PMID: 38712400 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00792a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR-7/8) agonists serve as a promising class of pattern recognition receptors that effectively evoke the innate immune response, making them promising immunomodulatory agents for tumor immunotherapy. However, the uncontrollable administration of TLR-7/8 agonists frequently leads to the occurrence of severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Thus, it is imperative to strategically design tumor-microenvironment-associated biomarkers or exogenous stimuli responsive TLR-7/8 agonists in order to accurately evaluate and activate innate immune responses. No comprehensive elucidation has been documented thus far regarding TLR-7/8 immune agonists that are specifically engineered to enhance immune activation. In this feature article, we provide an overview of the advancements in TLR-7/8 agonists, aiming to enhance the comprehension of their mechanisms and promote the clinical progression through nanomedicine strategies. The current challenges and future directions of cancer immunotherapy are also discussed, with the hope that this work will inspire researchers to explore innovative applications for triggering immune responses through TLR-7/8 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuwei Gu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaojie Kong
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Mengyan Li
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Rui Chen
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Ke Xu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Guo Li
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Yulin Qin
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Li Wu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
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7
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Kamboj A, Patil MT, Petrovsky N, Salunke DB. Structure-activity relationship in NOD2 agonistic muramyl dipeptides. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116439. [PMID: 38691886 PMCID: PMC11099613 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116439] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) is a receptor of the innate immune system that is capable of perceiving bacterial and viral infections. Muramyl dipeptide (MDP, N-acetyl muramyl L-alanyl-d-isoglutamine), identified as the minimal immunologically active component of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan (PGN) is recognized by NOD2. In terms of biological activities, MDP demonstrated vaccine adjuvant activity and stimulated non-specific protection against bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections and cancer. However, MDP has certain drawbacks including pyrogenicity, rapid elimination, and lack of oral bioavailability. Several detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies around MDP scaffolds are being carried out to identify better NOD2 ligands. The present review elaborates a comprehensive SAR summarizing structural aspects of MDP derivatives in relation to NOD2 agonistic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarzoo Kamboj
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Madhuri T Patil
- Department of Chemistry, Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, Warradale, Australia; Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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8
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He L, Zhang MY, Cox M, Zhang Q, Donnell AF, Zhang Y, Tarby C, Gill P, Subbaiah MAM, Ramar T, Reddy M, Puttapaka V, Li YX, Sivaprakasam P, Critton D, Mulligan D, Xie C, Ramakrishnan R, Nagar J, Dudhgaonkar S, Murtaza A, Oderinde MS, Schieven GL, Mathur A, Gavai AV, Vite G, Gangwar S, Poudel YB. Identification and Optimization of Small Molecule Pyrazolopyrimidine TLR7 Agonists for Applications in Immuno-oncology. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:189-196. [PMID: 38352849 PMCID: PMC10860188 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Small molecule toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 agonists have gathered considerable interest as promising therapeutic agents for applications in cancer immunotherapy. Herein, we describe the development and optimization of a series of novel TLR7 agonists through systematic structure-activity relationship studies focusing on modification of the phenylpiperidine side chain. Additional refinement of ADME properties culminated in the discovery of compound 14, which displayed nanomolar reporter assay activity and favorable drug-like properties. Compound 14 demonstrated excellent in vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and synergistic antitumor activity when administered in combination with aPD1 antibody, suggesting opportunities of employing 14 in immuno-oncology therapies with immune checkpoint blockade agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqi He
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Meng Yao Zhang
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Matthew Cox
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Qian Zhang
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Andrew F. Donnell
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Yong Zhang
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Christine Tarby
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Patrice Gill
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | | | | | - Maheswara Reddy
- Biocon
Bristol Myers Squibb R&D Centre, Bangalore 560099, India
| | | | - Yi-Xin Li
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Prasanna Sivaprakasam
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - David Critton
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Dawn Mulligan
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Chunshan Xie
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Radha Ramakrishnan
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Jignesh Nagar
- Biocon
Bristol Myers Squibb R&D Centre, Bangalore 560099, India
| | | | - Anwar Murtaza
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Martins S. Oderinde
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Gary L. Schieven
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Arvind Mathur
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Ashvinikumar V. Gavai
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Gregory Vite
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Sanjeev Gangwar
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Yam B. Poudel
- Research
and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
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9
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Tsukidate T, Hespen CW, Hang HC. Small molecule modulators of immune pattern recognition receptors. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:1014-1036. [PMID: 38033733 PMCID: PMC10685800 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00096f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) represent a re-emerging class of therapeutic targets for vaccine adjuvants, inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this review article, we summarize exciting developments in discovery and characterization of small molecule PRR modulators, focusing on Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs) and the cGAS-STING pathway. We also highlight PRRs that are currently lacking small molecule modulators and opportunities for chemical biology and therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Tsukidate
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Microbial Pathogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York New York 10065 USA
| | - Charles W Hespen
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Microbial Pathogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York New York 10065 USA
| | - Howard C Hang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Microbial Pathogenesis, The Rockefeller University, New York New York 10065 USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology and Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla California 92037 USA
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10
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Salunke DB, Lindsley CW. Call for Papers: Medicinal Chemistry of Next Generation Vaccine Adjuvants. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10119-10121. [PMID: 37490392 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
- National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials (NICOVIA), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology Program in Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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11
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Avoni A, Vemireddy S, Sambyal S, Shafi S, Khan I, Khan A, Sampath Kumar HM. Synthesis and immunopharmacological evaluation of novel TLR7 agonistic triazole tethered imidazoquinolines. RSC Adv 2023; 13:1066-1077. [PMID: 36686935 PMCID: PMC9811562 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra06395f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors-7 and -8 are expressed abundantly on antigen-presenting cells, and their agonists make potential adjuvant candidates for the development of new efficacious vaccines. In view of the importance of new efficacious imidazoquinoline based adjuvants, herein we have synthesized a focused library of a new class of imidazoquinolines retaining the N-isobutyl substitution of an imidazole moiety as in imiquimod and introduced a 1,2,3-triazolyl moiety upon alkyl substitution at the imidazolemethyne carbon employing triazolyl click chemistry. All the novel analogues were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques and the target specificity of these molecules was determined using HEK TLR7/8 transfected cell lines. TLR7/8 activity and also the molecular docking results correlated primarily to the position of the substituent for aromatic groups and also to the chain length in alkyl substitutions. The immunomodulatory properties of these analogues were evaluated using murine DC activation and also with hPBMC activation markers, cytokines which revealed that these analogues after modification were able to target the TLR7 receptors and also had a pro-inflammatory immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyappa Avoni
- Vaccine Immunology Laboratory, OSPC Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical TechnologyHyderabad 500007India+91-40-27160387+914027191824,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)GhaziabadUttar Pradesh 201 002India
| | - Sravanthi Vemireddy
- Vaccine Immunology Laboratory, OSPC Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical TechnologyHyderabad 500007India+91-40-27160387+914027191824
| | - Shainy Sambyal
- Vaccine Immunology Laboratory, OSPC Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical TechnologyHyderabad 500007India+91-40-27160387+914027191824
| | - Syed Shafi
- Department of Chemistry, Hamdard UniversityHamdard NagarNew DelhiDelhi 110062India
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Hamdard UniversityHamdard NagarNew DelhiDelhi 110062India
| | - Aarif Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Hamdard UniversityHamdard NagarNew DelhiDelhi 110062India
| | - Halmuthur M. Sampath Kumar
- Vaccine Immunology Laboratory, OSPC Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical TechnologyHyderabad 500007India+91-40-27160387+914027191824,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)GhaziabadUttar Pradesh 201 002India
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12
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Design and synthesis of novel quinazolinone derivatives as anti-HBV agents with TLR8 agonist effect. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 231:114159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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13
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Toll-like Receptor 7 and 8 Imidazoquinoline-Based Agonist/Antagonist Pairs. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 59:128548. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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14
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Kaur A, Kanwar R, Kaushik D, Sakala IG, Honda-Okubo Y, Petrovsky N, Salunke DB, Mehta SK. Combined delivery of TLR2 and TLR7 agonists by Nanostructured lipid carriers induces potent vaccine adjuvant activity in mice. Int J Pharm 2021; 613:121378. [PMID: 34915144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are promising adjuvants and the combination of TLR agonists enhance immune responses by providing synergistic immune activity via triggering different signalling pathways. However, systematic cytotoxicity due to the immediate release of such immune potentiators from the site of injection hampers its clinical performance. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) offer a possibility to incorporate multiple TLR agonists with high encapsulation efficiency and slow drug release. Herein, we synthesized NLCs from didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (D12DAB) and oleic acid and used these to co-encapsulate a Pam2CS derivative (T-2, TLR2 agonist) with an imidazoquinoline derivative (T-7, TLR7 agonist) as a combination vaccine adjuvant. Hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of the prepared NLCs were found to be in the range of 200-500 nm and 23-27 mV, respectively. Spherical shape and size of prepared NLCs were also assessed through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. In-vitro release studies of T-7 demonstrated sustained release and the addition of lipopeptide T-2 augmented encapsulation efficiency (from 84 to 92.9%) with a slight trigger in the release percentage. All NLC formulations were screened in TLR2/1, TLR2/6, TLR7 and TLR8 reporter cell lines and loaded NLC formulation showed high TLR2 and TLR7 agonistic activity. Adjuvant potency was evaluated through intramuscular immunization of female C57BL/6 mice with recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen and influenza hemagglutinin protein. T-2 and T-7 loaded NLCs induced good protective efficacy in mice challenged with a lethal dose of influenza virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshpreet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rohini Kanwar
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, India
| | - Deepender Kaushik
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Isaac G Sakala
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, Warradale, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Yoshikazu Honda-Okubo
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, Warradale, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, Warradale, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| | - Surinder K Mehta
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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15
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Xun Y, Yang H, Kaminska B, You H. Toll-like receptors and toll-like receptor-targeted immunotherapy against glioma. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:176. [PMID: 34715891 PMCID: PMC8555307 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01191-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma represents a fast proliferating and highly invasive brain tumor which is resistant to current therapies and invariably recurs. Despite some advancements in anti-glioma therapies, patients’ prognosis remains poor. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) act as the first line of defense in the immune system being the detectors of those associated with bacteria, viruses, and danger signals. In the glioma microenvironment, TLRs are expressed on both immune and tumor cells, playing dual roles eliciting antitumoral (innate and adaptive immunity) and protumoral (cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glioma stem cell maintenance) responses. Up to date, several TLR-targeting therapies have been developed aiming at glioma bulk and stem cells, infiltrating immune cells, the immune checkpoint axis, among others. While some TLR agonists exhibited survival benefit in clinical trials, it attracts more attention when they are involved in combinatorial treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, immune vaccination, and immune checkpoint inhibition in glioma treatment. TLR agonists can be used as immune modulators to enhance the efficacy of other treatment, to avoid dose accumulation, and what brings more interests is that they can potentiate immune checkpoint delayed resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade by upregulating PD-1/PD-L1 overexpression, thus unleash powerful antitumor responses when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Herein, we focus on recent developments and clinical trials exploring TLR-based treatment to provide a picture of the relationship between TLR and glioma and their implications for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xun
- Department of Basic Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, No.78 Heng-Zhi-Gang Road, Yue Xiu District, Guangzhou, 510095, China.,Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hua You
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, No.78 Heng-Zhi-Gang Road, Yue Xiu District, Guangzhou, 510095, China.
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16
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Dyavar SR, Singh R, Emani R, Pawar GP, Chaudhari VD, Podany AT, Avedissian SN, Fletcher CV, Salunke DB. Role of toll-like receptor 7/8 pathways in regulation of interferon response and inflammatory mediators during SARS-CoV2 infection and potential therapeutic options. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111794. [PMID: 34153851 PMCID: PMC8189763 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is the causative agent of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Lower production of type I and III interferons and higher levels of inflammatory mediators upon SARS-CoV2 infection contribute to COVID-19 pathogenesis. Optimal interferon production and controlled inflammation are essential to limit COVID-19 pathogenesis. However, the aggravated inflammatory response observed in COVID-19 patients causes severe damage to the host and frequently advances to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) signaling pathways play a central role in regulating induction of interferons (IFNs) and inflammatory mediators in dendritic cells. Controlled inflammation is possible through regulation of TLR mediated response without influencing interferon production to reduce COVID-19 pathogenesis. This review focuses on inflammatory mediators that contribute to pathogenic effects and the role of TLR pathways in the induction of interferon and inflammatory mediators and their contribution to COVID-19 pathogenesis. We conclude that potential TLR7/8 agonists inducing antiviral interferon response and controlling inflammation are important therapeutic options to effectively eliminate SARS-CoV2 induced pathogenesis. Ongoing and future studies may provide additional evidence on their safety and efficacy to treat COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shetty Ravi Dyavar
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Center for Drug Discovery, UNMC, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Rahul Singh
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Rohini Emani
- Buck Institute for Research on Ageing, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Ganesh P Pawar
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Institute of Microbiology Technology Chandigarh, Sector-39A, Chandigarh,160036, India
| | - Vinod D Chaudhari
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Institute of Microbiology Technology Chandigarh, Sector-39A, Chandigarh,160036, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Anthony T Podany
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Center for Drug Discovery, UNMC, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sean N Avedissian
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Center for Drug Discovery, UNMC, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Courtney V Fletcher
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Center for Drug Discovery, UNMC, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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