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Raghuraman A, Lawrence R, Shetty R, Avanthika C, Jhaveri S, Pichardo BV, Mujakari A. Role of gene therapy in sickle cell disease. Dis Mon 2024; 70:101689. [PMID: 38326171 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2024.101689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene therapy is an emerging treatment for sickle cell disease that works by replacing a defective gene with a healthy gene, allowing the body to produce normal red blood cells. This form of treatment has shown promising results in clinical trials, and is a promising alternative to traditional treatments. Gene therapy involves introducing a healthy gene into the body to replace a defective gene. The new gene can be delivered using a viral vector, which is a modified virus that carries the gene. The vector, carrying the healthy gene, is injected into the bloodstream. The healthy gene then enters the patient's cells and begins to produce normal hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. METHODOLOGY We conducted an all-language literature search on Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar until December 2022. The following search strings and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms were used: "Sickle Cell," "Gene Therapy" and "Stem Cell Transplantation". We explored the literature on Sickle Cell Disease for its epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, the role of various treatment modalities and the risk-benefit ratio of gene therapy over conventional stem cell transplant. RESULTS Gene therapy can reduce or eliminate painful episodes, prevent organ damage, and raise the quality of life for those living with the disease. Additionally, gene therapy may reduce the need for blood transfusions and other traditional treatments. Gene therapy has the potential to improve the lives of those living with sickle cell disease, as well as reduce the burden of the disease on society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Lawrence
- Richmond Gabriel University, College of Medicine, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, United States
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2
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Zhang W, Jiao Y, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Yu J, Gu Z. Transdermal gene delivery. J Control Release 2024; 371:516-529. [PMID: 38849095 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Gene delivery has revolutionized conventional medical approaches to vaccination, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. However, current gene delivery methods are limited to either intravenous administration or direct local injections, failing to achieve well biosafety, tissue targeting, drug retention, and transfection efficiency for desired therapeutic outcomes. Transdermal drug delivery based on various delivery strategies can offer improved therapeutic potential and superior patient experiences. Recently, there has been increased foundational and clinical research focusing on the role of the transdermal route in gene delivery and exploring its impact on the efficiency of gene delivery. This review introduces the recent advances in transdermal gene delivery approaches facilitated by drug formulations and medical devices, as well as discusses their prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yunlong Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ziru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Burns and Wound Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jicheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China.
| | - Zhen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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3
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Leyden MC, Oviedo F, Saxena S, Kumar R, Le N, Reineke TM. Synergistic Polymer Blending Informs Efficient Terpolymer Design and Machine Learning Discerns Performance Trends for pDNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2024. [PMID: 38924453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cationic polymers offer an alternative to viral vectors in nucleic acid delivery. However, the development of polymer vehicles capable of high transfection efficiency and minimal toxicity has remained elusive, and continued exploration of the vast design space is required. Traditional single polymer syntheses with large monomer bases are very time-intensive, limiting the speed at which new formulations are identified. In this work, we present an experimental method for the quick probing of the design space, utilizing a combinatorial set of 90 polymer blends, derived from 6 statistical copolymers, to deliver pDNA. This workflow facilitated rapid screening of polyplex compositions, successfully tailoring polyplex hydrophobicity, particle size, and payload binding affinity. This workflow identified blended polyplexes with high levels of transfection efficiency and cell viability relative to single copolymer controls and commercial JetPEI, indicating synergistic benefits from copolymer blending. Polyplex composition was coupled with biological outputs to guide the synthesis of single terpolymer vehicles, with high-performing polymers P10 and M20, providing superior transfection of HEK293T cells in serum-free and serum-containing media, respectively. Machine learning coupled with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to identify polymer/polyplex attributes that most impact transfection efficiency, viability, and overall effective efficiency. Subsequent transfections on ARPE-19 and HDFn cells found that P10 and M20 were surpassed in performance by M10, contrasting with results in HEK293T cells. This cell type dependency reinforced the need to evaluate transfection conditions with multiple cell models to potentially identify moieties more beneficial to delivery in certain tissues. Overall, the workflow employed can be used to expedite the exploration of the polymer design space, bypassing extensive synthesis, and to develop improved polymer delivery vehicles more readily for nucleic acid therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Leyden
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Felipe Oviedo
- Nanite Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02109, United States
| | - Sonashree Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Ngoc Le
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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4
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Moiani A, Letort G, Lizot S, Chalumeau A, Foray C, Felix T, Le Clerre D, Temburni-Blake S, Hong P, Leduc S, Pinard N, Marechal A, Seclen E, Boyne A, Mayer L, Hong R, Pulicani S, Galetto R, Gouble A, Cavazzana M, Juillerat A, Miccio A, Duclert A, Duchateau P, Valton J. Non-viral DNA delivery and TALEN editing correct the sickle cell mutation in hematopoietic stem cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4965. [PMID: 38862518 PMCID: PMC11166989 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49353-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease is a devastating blood disorder that originates from a single point mutation in the HBB gene coding for hemoglobin. Here, we develop a GMP-compatible TALEN-mediated gene editing process enabling efficient HBB correction via a DNA repair template while minimizing risks associated with HBB inactivation. Comparing viral versus non-viral DNA repair template delivery in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vitro, both strategies achieve comparable HBB correction and result in over 50% expression of normal adult hemoglobin in red blood cells without inducing β-thalassemic phenotype. In an immunodeficient female mouse model, transplanted cells edited with the non-viral strategy exhibit higher engraftment and gene correction levels compared to those edited with the viral strategy. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that non-viral DNA repair template delivery mitigates P53-mediated toxicity and preserves high levels of long-term hematopoietic stem cells. This work paves the way for TALEN-based autologous gene therapy for sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gil Letort
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Sabrina Lizot
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Anne Chalumeau
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Chloe Foray
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Tristan Felix
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Patrick Hong
- Cellectis Inc., 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophie Leduc
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Noemie Pinard
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Alan Marechal
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | | | - Alex Boyne
- Cellectis Inc., 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Louisa Mayer
- Cellectis Inc., 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Hong
- Cellectis Inc., 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Roman Galetto
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Gouble
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France
| | - Marina Cavazzana
- Biotherapy Clinical Investigation Center, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Human Lymphohematopoiesis Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Biotherapy Department, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Annarita Miccio
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Julien Valton
- Cellectis S.A., 8 Rue de la Croix Jarry, Paris, France.
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Phuphanitcharoenkun S, Bhukhai K, Phanthong P, Prasongtanakij S, Linn AK, Sutjarit N, Anurathapan U, Leboulch P, Payen E, Hongeng S, Borwornpinyo S. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction-based quantitation of therapeutic lentiviral vector copies in transduced hematopoietic stem cells. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:586-591. [PMID: 38551525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Gene therapy using lentiviral vectors (LVs) that harbor a functional β-globin gene provides a curative treatment for hemoglobinopathies including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Accurate quantification of the vector copy number (VCN) and/or the proportion of transduced cells is critical to evaluate the efficacy of transduction and stability of the transgene during treatment. Moreover, commonly used techniques for LV quantification, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting, require either a standard curve or expression of a reporter protein for the detection of transduced cells. In the present study, we describe a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) technique to measure the lentiviral VCN in transduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). METHODS After HSPCs were transduced with an LV encoding the therapeutic β-globin (βA-T87Q) gene, the integrated lentiviral sequence in the host genome was amplified with primers that targeted a sequence within the vector and the human RPP30 gene. The dynamic range of ddPCR was between 5 × 10-3 ng and 5 × 10-6 ng of target copy per reaction. RESULTS We found that the ddPCR-based approach was able to estimate VCN with high sensitivity and a low standard deviation. Furthermore, ddPCR-mediated quantitation of lentiviral copy numbers in differentiated erythroblasts correlated with the level of βA-T87Q protein detected by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the ddPCR technique has the potential to precisely detect LV copy numbers in the host genome, which can be used for VCN estimation, calculation of infectious titer and multiplicity of infection for HSPC transduction in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kanit Bhukhai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phetcharat Phanthong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somsak Prasongtanakij
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aung Khine Linn
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nareerat Sutjarit
- Graduate Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- Harvard Medical School and Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INSERM, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto - immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Braniecki S, Vichinsky E, Walters MC, Shenoy S, Shi Q, Moore TB, Talano JA, Parsons SK, Flower A, Panarella A, Fabricatore S, Morris E, Mahanti H, Milner J, McKinstry RC, Duncan CN, van de Ven C, Cairo MS. Neurocognitive outcome in children with sickle cell disease after myeloimmunoablative conditioning and haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a non-randomized clinical trial. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1263373. [PMID: 38841694 PMCID: PMC11151850 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1263373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the risk of cerebral vascular injury, children and adolescents with high-risk sickle cell disease (SCD) experience neurocognitive decline over time. Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (HISCT) from human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donors may slow or stop progression of neurocognitive changes. Objectives The study is to determine if HISCT can ameliorate SCD-associated neurocognitive changes and prevent neurocognitive progression, determine which specific areas of neurocognitive functioning are particularly vulnerable to SCD, and determine if there are age-related differences in neurocognitive functioning over time. Methods We performed neurocognitive and neuroimaging in SCD recipients following HISCT. Children and adolescents with high-risk SCD who received parental HISCT utilizing CD34+ enrichment and mononuclear cell (T-cell) addback following myeloimmunoablative conditioning received cognitive evaluations and neuroimaging at three time points: pre-transplant, 1 and 2 years post-transplant. Results Nineteen participants (13.1 ± 1.2 years [3.3-20.0]) received HISCT. At 2 years post-transplant, neuroimaging and cognitive function were stable. Regarding age-related differences pre-transplantation, older children (≥13 years) had already experienced significant decreases in language functioning (p < 0.023), verbal intelligence quotient (p < 0.05), non-verbal intelligence quotient (p < 0.006), and processing speed (p < 0.05), but normalized post-HISCT in all categories. Conclusion Thus, HISCT has the potential to ameliorate SCD-associated neurocognitive changes and prevent neurocognitive progression. Further studies are required to determine if neurocognitive performance remains stable beyond 2 years post-HISCT.Clinical trial registration: The study was conducted under an investigator IND (14359) (MSC) and registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01461837).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Braniecki
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Mark C. Walters
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Shalini Shenoy
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Qiuhu Shi
- Department of Epidemiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Theodore B. Moore
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Julie-An Talano
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Susan K. Parsons
- Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Allyson Flower
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Anne Panarella
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Sandra Fabricatore
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Erin Morris
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Harshini Mahanti
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Jordan Milner
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Robert C. McKinstry
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Christine N. Duncan
- Dana-Faber/Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Carmella van de Ven
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Mitchell S. Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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7
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Barak M, Hu C, Matthews A, Fortenberry YM. Current and Future Therapeutics for Treating Patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Cells 2024; 13:848. [PMID: 38786070 PMCID: PMC11120250 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100848] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States, with over 100,000 people suffering from this debilitating disease. SCD is caused by abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) variants that interfere with normal red blood cell (RBC) function. Research on SCD has led to the development and approval of several new SCD therapies in recent years. The recent FDA-approved novel gene therapies are potentially curative, giving patients an additional option besides a hematopoietic bone marrow transplant. Despite the promise of existing therapies, questions remain regarding their long-term pharmacological effects on adults and children. These questions, along with the exorbitant cost of the new gene therapies, justify additional research into more effective therapeutic options. Continual research in this field focuses on not only developing cheaper, more effective cures/treatments but also investigating the physiological effects of the current therapies on SCD patients, particularly on the brain and kidneys. In this article, we undertake a comprehensive review of ongoing clinical trials with completion dates in 2024 or later. Our exploration provides insights into the landscape of current therapeutics and emerging novel therapies designed to combat and potentially eradicate SCD, including the latest FDA-approved gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yolanda M. Fortenberry
- Biology Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (M.B.); (C.H.); (A.M.)
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Zhang K, Wan P, Wang L, Wang Z, Tan F, Li J, Ma X, Cen J, Yuan X, Liu Y, Sun Z, Cheng X, Liu Y, Liu X, Hu J, Zhong G, Li D, Xia Q, Hui L. Efficient expansion and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene correction of patient-derived hepatocytes for treatment of inherited liver diseases. Cell Stem Cell 2024:S1934-5909(24)00177-2. [PMID: 38772378 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.04.022] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Cell-based ex vivo gene therapy in solid organs, especially the liver, has proven technically challenging. Here, we report a feasible strategy for the clinical application of hepatocyte therapy. We first generated high-quality autologous hepatocytes through the large-scale expansion of patient-derived hepatocytes. Moreover, the proliferating patient-derived hepatocytes, together with the AAV2.7m8 variant identified through screening, enabled CRISPR-Cas9-mediated targeted integration efficiently, achieving functional correction of pathogenic mutations in FAH or OTC. Importantly, these edited hepatocytes repopulated the injured mouse liver at high repopulation levels and underwent maturation, successfully treating mice with tyrosinemia following transplantation. Our study combines ex vivo large-scale cell expansion and gene editing in patient-derived transplantable hepatocytes, which holds potential for treating human liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Ping Wan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Liren Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Fangzhi Tan
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Xiaolong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jin Cen
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Genome Editing Research Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xi Cheng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yuanhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xuhao Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Genome Editing Research Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jiazhi Hu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Genome Editing Research Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Guisheng Zhong
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Dali Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China.
| | - Lijian Hui
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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9
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Li S, Ling S, Wang D, Wang X, Hao F, Yin L, Yuan Z, Liu L, Zhang L, Li Y, Chen Y, Luo L, Dai Y, Zhang L, Chen L, Deng D, Tang W, Zhang S, Wang S, Cai Y. Modified lentiviral globin gene therapy for pediatric β 0/β 0 transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia: A single-center, single-arm pilot trial. Cell Stem Cell 2024:S1934-5909(24)00175-9. [PMID: 38759653 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.04.021] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
β0/β0 thalassemia is the most severe type of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) and is still a challenge facing lentiviral gene therapy. Here, we report the interim analysis of a single-center, single-arm pilot trial (NCT05015920) evaluating the safety and efficacy of a β-globin expression-optimized and insulator-engineered lentivirus-modified cell product (BD211) in β0/β0 TDT. Two female children were enrolled, infused with BD211, and followed up for an average of 25.5 months. Engraftment of genetically modified hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells was successful and sustained in both patients. No unexpected safety issues occurred during conditioning or after infusion. Both patients achieved transfusion independence for over 22 months. The treatment extended the lifespan of red blood cells by over 42 days. Single-cell DNA/RNA-sequencing analysis of the dynamic changes of gene-modified cells, transgene expression, and oncogene activation showed no notable adverse effects. Optimized lentiviral gene therapy may safely and effectively treat all β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Li
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Sikai Ling
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; BDgene Therapeutics, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | | | | | - Liufan Yin
- Sequanta Technologies, Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Zhongtao Yuan
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Lin Liu
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- BDgene Therapeutics, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yu Li
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Yingnian Chen
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Le Luo
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Ying Dai
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | - Lvzhe Chen
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China
| | | | - Wei Tang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Sujiang Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Sanbin Wang
- 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army of China, Kunming, Yunnan 650100, China.
| | - Yujia Cai
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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10
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Munung NS, Nnodu OE, Moru PO, Kalu AA, Impouma B, Treadwell MJ, Wonkam A. Looking ahead: ethical and social challenges of somatic gene therapy for sickle cell disease in Africa. Gene Ther 2024; 31:202-208. [PMID: 38012299 PMCID: PMC11090833 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00429-7] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Somatic gene therapy will be one of the most exciting practices of genetic medicine in Africa and is primed to offer a "new life" for persons living with sickle cell disease (SCD). Recently, successful gene therapy trials for SCD in the USA have sparked a ray of hope within the SCD community in Africa. However, the high cost, estimated to exceed 1.5 million USD, continues to be a major concern for many stakeholders. While affordability is a key global health equity consideration, it is equally important to reflect on other ethical, legal and social issues (ELSIs) that may impact the responsible implementation of gene therapy for SCD in Africa. These include informed consent comprehension, risk of therapeutic misestimation and optimistic bias; priorities for SCD therapy trials; dearth of ethical and regulatory oversight for gene therapy in many African countries; identifying a favourable risk-benefit ratio; criteria for the selection of trial participants; decisional conflict in consent; standards of care; bounded justice; and genetic tourism. Given these ELSIs, we suggest that researchers, pharma, funders, global health agencies, ethics committees, science councils and SCD patient support/advocacy groups should work together to co-develop: (1) patient-centric governance for gene therapy in Africa, (2) public engagement and education materials, and (3) decision making toolkits for trial participants. It is also critical to establish harmonised ethical and regulatory frameworks for gene therapy in Africa, and for global health agencies to accelerate access to basic care for SCD in Africa, while simultaneously strengthening capacity for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nchangwi Syntia Munung
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Obiageli E Nnodu
- Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training (CESRTA), University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Patrick Ohiani Moru
- Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training (CESRTA), University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Akpaka A Kalu
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Benido Impouma
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Marsha J Treadwell
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, University of California San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- McKusick-Nathans Institute & Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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11
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Dimitrievska M, Bansal D, Vitale M, Strouboulis J, Miccio A, Nicolaides KH, El Hoss S, Shangaris P, Jacków-Malinowska J. Revolutionising healing: Gene Editing's breakthrough against sickle cell disease. Blood Rev 2024; 65:101185. [PMID: 38493007 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2024.101185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in gene editing illuminate new potential therapeutic approaches for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a debilitating monogenic disorder caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene. Despite the availability of several FDA-approved medications for symptomatic relief, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the sole curative option, underscoring a persistent need for novel treatments. This review delves into the growing field of gene editing, particularly the extensive research focused on curing haemoglobinopathies like SCD. We examine the use of techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 and homology-directed repair, base editing, and prime editing to either correct the pathogenic variant into a non-pathogenic or wild-type one or augment fetal haemoglobin (HbF) production. The article elucidates ways to optimize these tools for efficacious gene editing with minimal off-target effects and offers insights into their effective delivery into cells. Furthermore, we explore clinical trials involving alternative SCD treatment strategies, such as LentiGlobin therapy and autologous HSCT, distilling the current findings. This review consolidates vital information for the clinical translation of gene editing for SCD, providing strategic insights for investigators eager to further the development of gene editing for SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Dimitrievska
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Dravie Bansal
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Marta Vitale
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - John Strouboulis
- Red Cell Hematology Lab, Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris 75015, France
| | - Kypros H Nicolaides
- Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara El Hoss
- Red Cell Hematology Lab, Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Panicos Shangaris
- Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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12
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Creary S, Reeves S. Assessing the Quality of Care for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: We Are Still Failing. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023064284. [PMID: 38444351 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-064284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Creary
- Department of Pediatrics, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sarah Reeves
- Department of Pediatrics, Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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13
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Sztandera K, Rodríguez-García JL, Ceña V. In Vivo Applications of Dendrimers: A Step toward the Future of Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:439. [PMID: 38675101 PMCID: PMC11053723 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040439] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, the development of nanotechnology has allowed for the synthesis of many different nanostructures with controlled sizes, shapes, and chemical properties, with dendrimers being the best-characterized of them. In this review, we present a succinct view of the structure and the synthetic procedures used for dendrimer synthesis, as well as the cellular uptake mechanisms used by these nanoparticles to gain access to the cell. In addition, the manuscript reviews the reported in vivo applications of dendrimers as drug carriers for drugs used in the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and ocular diseases. The dendrimer-based formulations that have reached different phases of clinical trials, including safety and pharmacokinetic studies, or as delivery agents for therapeutic compounds are also presented. The continuous development of nanotechnology which makes it possible to produce increasingly sophisticated and complex dendrimers indicates that this fascinating family of nanoparticles has a wide potential in the pharmaceutical industry, especially for applications in drug delivery systems, and that the number of dendrimer-based compounds entering clinical trials will markedly increase during the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Sztandera
- Unidad Asociada Neurodeath, Instituto de Nanociencia Molecular, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Valentín Ceña
- Unidad Asociada Neurodeath, Instituto de Nanociencia Molecular, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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14
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Stibbs DJ, Silva Couto P, Takeuchi Y, Rafiq QA, Jackson NB, Rayat AC. Continuous manufacturing of lentiviral vectors using a stable producer cell line in a fixed-bed bioreactor. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101209. [PMID: 38435128 PMCID: PMC10907162 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Continuous manufacturing of lentiviral vectors (LVs) using stable producer cell lines could extend production periods, improve batch-to-batch reproducibility, and eliminate costly plasmid DNA and transfection reagents. A continuous process was established by expanding cells constitutively expressing third-generation LVs in the iCELLis Nano fixed-bed bioreactor. Fixed-bed bioreactors provide scalable expansion of adherent cells and enable a straightforward transition from traditional surface-based culture vessels. At 0.5 vessel volume per day (VVD), the short half-life of LVs resulted in a low total infectious titer at 1.36 × 104 TU cm-2. Higher perfusion rates increased titers, peaking at 7.87 × 104 TU cm-2 at 1.5 VVD. The supernatant at 0.5 VVD had a physical-to-infectious particle ratio of 659, whereas this was 166 ± 15 at 1, 1.5, and 2 VVD. Reducing the pH from 7.20 to 6.85 at 1.5 VVD improved the total infectious yield to 9.10 × 104 TU cm-2. Three independent runs at 1.5 VVD and a culture pH of 6.85 showed low batch-to-batch variability, with a coefficient of variation of 6.4% and 10.0% for total infectious and physical LV yield, respectively. This study demonstrated the manufacture of high-quality LV supernatant using a stable producer cell line that does not require induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale J. Stibbs
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Pedro Silva Couto
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Takeuchi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Biotherapeutics and Advanced Therapies, Scientific Research and Innovation, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QC, UK
| | - Qasim A. Rafiq
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nigel B. Jackson
- Cytiva, 5 Harbourgate Business Park, Southampton Road, Portsmouth PO6 4BQ, UK
| | - Andrea C.M.E. Rayat
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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15
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Rab MAE, Kanne CK, Boisson C, Bos J, van Oirschot BA, Houwing ME, Renoux C, Bartels M, Rijneveld AW, Nur E, Cnossen MH, Joly P, Nader E, Fort R, Connes P, van Wijk R, Sheehan VA, van Beers EJ. Oxygen gradient ektacytometry-derived biomarkers are associated with acute complications in sickle cell disease. Blood Adv 2024; 8:276-286. [PMID: 37976458 PMCID: PMC10824684 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011013] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT We investigated the potential of the point of sickling (PoS; the pO2 tension at which red cells start to sickle), determined by oxygen gradient ektacytometry to serve as a biomarker associated with the incidence of acute sickle cell disease-related complications in 177 children and 50 adults. In the pediatric cohort, for every 10 mmHg increase in PoS reflecting a greater likelihood of sickling, the likelihood of an individual experiencing >1 type of acute complication increased; the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.65. For every 0.1 increase in minimum elongation index (EImin; reflecting improved red blood cell deformability at hypoxia), the aOR was 0.50. In the adult cohort, for every 10 mmHg increase in PoS, we found an aOR of 3.00, although this was not significant after correcting for multiple testing. There was a trend for an association between higher PoS and greater likelihood of vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs; children aOR, 1.35; adults aOR, 2.22). In children, only EImin was associated with VOEs (aOR, 0.68). When data of both cohorts were pooled, significant associations with PoS and/or EImin were found for all acute complications, independently and when >1 type of acute complication was assessed. These findings indicate that oxygen gradient ektacytometry generates novel biomarkers and provides a rationale for further development of these biomarkers in the assessment of clinical severity, evaluation of novel therapies, and as surrogate clinical trial end points. These biomarkers may be useful in assessing efficacy of novel therapies like pyruvate kinase activators, voxelotor, and L-glutamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minke A. E. Rab
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory-Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Celeste K. Kanne
- Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Camille Boisson
- Laboratory LIBM EA7424, University of Lyon 1, “Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell” team, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Jennifer Bos
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory-Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte A. van Oirschot
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory-Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maite E. Houwing
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Céline Renoux
- Laboratory LIBM EA7424, University of Lyon 1, “Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell” team, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UF Biochemistry of Red Blood Cell Diseases, Est Center of Biology and Pathology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Marije Bartels
- Van Creveldkliniek, Divison of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anita W. Rijneveld
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erfan Nur
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Marjon H. Cnossen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Joly
- Laboratory LIBM EA7424, University of Lyon 1, “Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell” team, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UF Biochemistry of Red Blood Cell Diseases, Est Center of Biology and Pathology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Elie Nader
- Laboratory LIBM EA7424, University of Lyon 1, “Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell” team, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Romain Fort
- Laboratory LIBM EA7424, University of Lyon 1, “Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell” team, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Connes
- Laboratory LIBM EA7424, University of Lyon 1, “Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell” team, Lyon, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Richard van Wijk
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory-Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vivien A. Sheehan
- Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Eduard J. van Beers
- Van Creveldkliniek, Divison of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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16
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Rostami T, Rad S, Rostami MR, Mirhosseini SA, Alemi H, Khavandgar N, Janbabai G, Kiumarsi A, Kasaeian A, Mousavi SA. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Sickle Cell Disease: A Multidimentional Review. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241246351. [PMID: 38680015 PMCID: PMC11057353 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241246351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
While exagamglogene autotemcel (Casgevy) and lovotibeglogene autotemcel (Lyfgenia) have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first cell-based gene therapies for the treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with sickle cell disease (SCD), this treatment is not universally accessible. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has the potential to eradicate the symptoms of patients with SCD, but a significant obstacle in HSCT for SCD is the availability of suitable donors, particularly human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donors. Furthermore, individuals with SCD face an elevated risk of complications during stem cell transplantation due to SCD-related tissue damage, endothelial activation, and inflammation. Therefore, it is imperative to consider optimal conditioning regimens and investigate HSCT from alternative donors. This review encompasses information on the use of HSCT in patients with SCD, including the indications for HSCT, conditioning regimens, alternative donors, and posttransplant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Rostami
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroush Rad
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rostami
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seied Amirhossein Mirhosseini
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Imam Ali Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hediyeh Alemi
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Khavandgar
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Janbabai
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Kiumarsi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Childrens Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Kasaeian
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seied Asadollah Mousavi
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology and Cell Therapy, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Gorur V, Kranc KR, Ganuza M, Telfer P. Haematopoietic stem cell health in sickle cell disease and its implications for stem cell therapies and secondary haematological disorders. Blood Rev 2024; 63:101137. [PMID: 37919142 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101137] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene modification of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is a potentially curative approach to sickle cell disease (SCD) and offers hope for patients who are not eligible for allogeneic HSC transplantation. Current approaches require in vitro manipulation of healthy autologous HSC prior to their transplantation. However, the health and integrity of HSCs may be compromised by a variety of disease processes in SCD, and challenges have emerged in the clinical trials of gene therapy. There is also concern about increased susceptibility to haematological malignancies during long-term follow up of patients, and this raises questions about genomic stability in the stem cell compartment. In this review, we evaluate the evidence for HSC deficits in SCD and then discuss their potential causation. Finally, we suggest several questions which need to be addressed in order to progress with successful HSC manipulation for gene therapy in SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishaka Gorur
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Kamil R Kranc
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Miguel Ganuza
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Paul Telfer
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, E1 2AT, UK.
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18
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Alsalman M. Laboratory predictors of sickle cell disease severity: a cross-sectional study. J Med Life 2024; 17:63-66. [PMID: 38737665 PMCID: PMC11080514 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenic disorder, although the diversity and heterogenicity of clinical presentations render estimations of disease severity unpredictable. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine if laboratory markers could serve as indicators of SCD severity. We enrolled 90 adult patients with SCD with a mean age of 32.33 ± 11.84 years from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, where SCD is more common than in other regions. Our study revealed a positive significant association between the number of hospitalizations and emergency visits with white blood cells (WBC) (R = 0.241, R = 0.207), respectively. Similarly, positive significant associations were found between the number of hospitalizations and emergency visits with platelets (R = 0.393, R = 0.276), respectively. Conversely, negative significant relationships were found between the number of hospitalizations and emergency visits (ER) with hemoglobin (Hb) F (R = -0.268, R = -0.263), respectively. Additionally, significant negative relationships were found between Hb F (R = -0.223) and the frequency of ICU admission. Only the number of hospitalizations and emergency visits annually were significantly predicted with P values of 0.021 and 0.038, respectively. Moreover, an increase in WBC was found to significantly increase the chance of undergoing splenectomy by 23.02%. SCD is a multisystemic disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations and disease severity. Inflammatory markers are valuable tools for better risk stratification and could be translated into developing new therapeutic strategies and modifying the treatment paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mortadah Alsalman
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
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19
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Wang X, McKillop WM, Dlugi TA, Faber ML, Alvarez-Argote J, Chambers CB, Wilber A, Medin JA. A mass spectrometry assay for detection of endogenous and lentiviral engineered hemoglobin in cultured cells and sickle cell disease mice. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3567. [PMID: 37455676 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3567] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) results from a sequence defect in the β-globin chain of adult hemoglobin (HbA) leading to expression of sickle hemoglobin (HbS). It is traditionally diagnosed by cellulose-acetate hemoglobin electrophoresis or high-performance liquid chromatography. While clinically useful, these methods have both sensitivity and specificity limitations. We developed a novel mass spectrometry (MS) method for the rapid, sensitive and highly quantitative detection of endogenous human β-globin and sickle hβ-globin, as well as lentiviral-encoded therapeutic hβAS3-globin in cultured cells and small quantities of mouse peripheral blood. The MS methods were used to phenotype homozygous HbA (AA), heterozygous HbA-HbS (AS) and homozygous HbS (SS) Townes SCD mice and detect lentiviral vector-encoded hβAS3-globin in transduced mouse erythroid cell cultures and transduced human CD34+ cells after erythroid differentiation. hβAS3-globin was also detected in peripheral blood 6 weeks post-transplant of transduced Townes SS bone marrow cells into syngeneic Townes SS mice and persisted for over 20 weeks post-transplant. As several genome-editing and gene therapy approaches for severe hemoglobin disorders are currently in clinical trials, this MS method will be useful for patient assessment before treatment and during follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William M McKillop
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Theresa A Dlugi
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mary L Faber
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Juliana Alvarez-Argote
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christopher B Chambers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew Wilber
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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20
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Liu Y, Karlsson S. Perspectives of current understanding and therapeutics of Diamond-Blackfan anemia. Leukemia 2024; 38:1-9. [PMID: 37973818 PMCID: PMC10776401 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02082-w] [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] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
ABSTACT Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare congenital bone marrow failure disorder characterized by erythroid hypoplasia. It primarily affects infants and is often caused by heterozygous allelic variations in ribosomal protein (RP) genes. Recent studies also indicated that non-RP genes like GATA1, TSR2, are associated with DBA. P53 activation, translational dysfunction, inflammation, imbalanced globin/heme synthesis, and autophagy dysregulation were shown to contribute to disrupted erythropoiesis and impaired red blood cell production. The main therapeutic option for DBA patients is corticosteroids. However, half of these patients become non-responsive to corticosteroid therapy over prolonged treatment and have to be given blood transfusions. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently the sole curative option, however, the treatment is limited by the availability of suitable donors and the potential for serious immunological complications. Recent advances in gene therapy using lentiviral vectors have shown promise in treating RPS19-deficient DBA by promoting normal hematopoiesis. With deepening insights into the molecular framework of DBA, emerging therapies like gene therapy hold promise for providing curative solutions and advancing comprehension of the underlying disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Stefan Karlsson
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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21
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Alsalman M, Alsalman Z, Alkhalifa HA, Alfaraj AN, Alkhalifah A, Almulihi Q. Predictors of Intensive Care Admission Among Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. J Blood Med 2023; 14:671-680. [PMID: 38162949 PMCID: PMC10757811 DOI: 10.2147/jbm.s435861] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Sickle cell disease (SCD) comprises a complex group of hematologic disorders that are collectively the most common monogenic disorder and are associated with increased risk of intensive care unit admission (ICU). The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that predict admission of adult patients with SCD to the ICU. Patients and Methods This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled adult patients with SCD from Saudi Arabia. Results A total of 107 patients with SCD, with a median age 31.9±12.1 years, were evaluated retrospectively. Regarding predictors of ICU admission, patients who indicated a history of blood transfusions were at 8.047-fold higher risk of ICU admission (OR=8.047; 95% CI=2.392-27.07; p=0.001). Patients who started hydroxyurea were at least 3.071 times more likely to be admitted than those who did not (OR=3.071; 95% CI=1.164-8.104; p=0.023). We also observed three or more hospitalizations per year to be associated with increased risk of ICU admission (OR=3.393; 95% CI=1.285-8.960; p=0.014), with those making 3 to 5 visits annually having at least 10.4 times higher risk (OR=10.38; 95% CI=10.098-98.19; p=0.041) and those with 6 to 10 ER admissions having 18 times higher risk (OR=18.00; 95% CI=2.149-150.8; p=0.008). Finally, patients with high WBC were predicted to have at least 3.34 times higher risk of ICU admission (OR=3.337; 95% CI=1.131-9.846; p=0.029). Conclusion SCD is a multi-systemic disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recognition of high-risk features in patients helps to eliminate subjectivity in ICU referral decision. Frequent hospitalization and emergency visits, multiple blood transfusions, and elevated white blood cell count were significantly associated with a higher rate of ICU admission despite hydroxyurea usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mortadah Alsalman
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zaenb Alsalman
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Aman N Alfaraj
- Department of Medicine, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Alkhalifah
- Emergency Department, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Qasem Almulihi
- Emergency Department, King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
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22
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Neto V, Victor BL, Galamba N. Cyclic Peptides as Aggregation Inhibitors for Sickle Cell Disease. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16062-16074. [PMID: 37988411 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01484] [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: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease is a missense genetic disorder characterized by the aggregation of deoxy-HbS into helical fibers that distort erythrocytes into a sickle-like shape. Herein, we investigate, through molecular dynamics, the effect of nine 5-mer cyclic peptides (CPs), tailor-designed to block key lateral contacts of the fibers. Our results show that the CPs bind orthogonally to the main HbS pocket involved in the latter contacts, with some revealing exceedingly long residence times. These CPs display moderate to high specificity, exhibiting molecular recognition events even at a HbS/CP (1:1) ratio. A much lower HbS-CP binding free energy, longer residence times, and higher specificity are also found relative to a previously reported CP with modest in vitro antisickling activity. These results indicate that some of these CPs have the potential to reduce the concentration of aggregation-competent deoxy-HbS, precluding or delaying the formation of lateral contact at the homogeneous nucleation stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Neto
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C8, Campo Grande 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bruno Lourenço Victor
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C8, Campo Grande 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Galamba
- Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C8, Campo Grande 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
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23
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Leonard A, Tisdale JF. Gene therapy for sickle cell disease. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2023; 2023:542-547. [PMID: 38066927 PMCID: PMC10727030 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2023000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is potentially curable after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or autologous HSCT after ex vivo genetic modification. Autologous HSCT with gene therapy has the potential to overcome many of the limitations of allogeneic HSCT that include the lack of suitable donors, graft-versus-host disease, the need for immune suppression, and the potential for graft rejection. Significant progress in gene therapy for SCD has been made over the past several decades, now with a growing number of clinical trials investigating various gene addition and gene editing strategies. Available results from a small number of patients, some with relatively short follow-up, are promising as a potentially curative strategy, with current efforts focused on continuing to improve the efficacy, durability, and safety of gene therapies for the cure of SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John F Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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24
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Rotin LE, Viswabandya A, Kumar R, Patriquin CJ, Kuo KHM. A systematic review comparing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant to gene therapy in sickle cell disease. HEMATOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 28:2163357. [PMID: 36728286 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2022.2163357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and gene therapy (GT) are two potentially curative approaches for sickle cell disease (SCD), but they have never been compared in clinical trials. OBJECTIVE To compare the safety and efficacy of HSCT and GT to assist clinicians and patients in making informed treatment decisions. METHODS Phase I-III clinical trials and case reports/series were included. Regimens included HSCT from all stem cell sources, lentiviral gene therapy, and gene editing, with any conditioning regimen. We searched Medline and EMBASE databases as of 1st June 2020 for studies reporting HSCT and GT outcomes in SCD. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Descriptive statistics and post-hoc imputation for standard deviations of mean change in FEV1 and FVC were performed. RESULTS In total, 56 studies (HSCT, n = 53; GT, n = 3) representing 1,198 patients met inclusion criteria (HSCT, n = 1,158; GT, n = 40). Length of follow-up was 3,881.5 and 58.7 patient-years for HSCT and GT, respectively. Overall quality of evidence was low, with no randomized controlled trials identified. Two-year overall survival for HSCT was 91%; mortality was 2.5% for GT. Acute chest syndrome and vaso-occlusive episodes were reduced post-HSCT and GT. Meta-analysis was not possible due to lack of comparator and heterogeneity in outcome measures reporting. Very few studies reported post-transplant end-organ function. Six secondary malignancies (5 post-HSCT, 1 post-GT) were reported. DISCUSSION Reporting of SCD-related complications and patient-important outcomes is lacking for both strategies. We advocate for standardized reporting to better compare outcomes within and between treatment groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne E Rotin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Auro Viswabandya
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Messner Allogeneic Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rajat Kumar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Messner Allogeneic Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christopher J Patriquin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kevin H M Kuo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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25
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Rós FA, Couto SCF, Milhomens J, Ovider I, Maio KT, Jennifer V, Ramos RN, Picanço-Castro V, Kashima S, Calado RT, Barros LRC, Rocha V. A systematic review of clinical trials for gene therapies for β-hemoglobinopathy around the world. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:1300-1306. [PMID: 37318395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Amidst the success of cell therapy for the treatment of onco-hematological diseases, the first recently Food and Drug Administration-approved gene therapy product for patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) indicates the feasibility of gene therapy as curative for genetic hematologic disorders. This work analyzed the current-world scenario of clinical trials involving gene therapy for β-hemoglobinopathies. METHODS Eighteen trials for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and 24 for patients with TDT were analyzed. RESULTS Most are phase 1 and 2 trials, funded by the industry and are currently recruiting volunteers. Treatment strategies for both diseases are fetal hemoglobin induction (52.4%); addition of wild-type or therapeutic β-globin gene (38.1%) and correction of mutations (9,5%). Gene editing (52.4%) and gene addition (40.5%) are the two most used techniques. The United States and France are the countries with the greatest number of clinical trials centers for SCD, with 83.1% and 4.2%, respectively. The United States (41.1%), China (26%) and Italy (6.8%) lead TDT trials centers. CONCLUSIONS Geographic trial concentration indicates the high costs of this technology, logistical issues and social challenges that need to be overcome for gene therapy to reach low- and middle-income countries where SCD and TDT are prevalent and where they most impact the patient's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Augusto Rós
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate program in Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Samuel Campanelli Freitas Couto
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Fundação Pró-Sangue-Hemocentro de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonathan Milhomens
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ian Ovider
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate program in Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karina Tozatto Maio
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Viviane Jennifer
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate program in Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nalio Ramos
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto D'Or de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Virginia Picanço-Castro
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Simone Kashima
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Calado
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luciana Rodrigues Carvalho Barros
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderson Rocha
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Fundação Pró-Sangue-Hemocentro de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Churchill Hospital, Department of Hematology, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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26
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Pollock G, Negre O, Ribeil JA. Gene-addition/editing therapy in sickle cell disease. Presse Med 2023; 52:104214. [PMID: 38000628 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2023.104214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is an innovative strategy that offers potential cure for patients with sickle cell disease, and no appropriate donor for transplant consideration. While we await long term data from these clinical trials, we remain optimistic that gene therapy will become a standard of care for curative treatment in sickle cell disease. As gene therapy becomes a standard of treatment in sickle cell disease, we must also acknowledge the potential for financial burden to patients. We also must acknowledge the prevalence of sickle cell disease in low-resource settings. Hopefully, as we learn more about gene therapy, we can assess ways to overcome the financial toxicity that comes with this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Pollock
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jean-Antoine Ribeil
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Cui Z, Wei H, Goding C, Cui R. Stem cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and regulation. Life Sci 2023; 334:122240. [PMID: 37925141 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
As a population of homogeneous cells with both self-renewal and differentiation potential, stem cell pools are highly compartmentalized and contain distinct subsets that exhibit stable but limited heterogeneity during homeostasis. However, their striking plasticity is showcased under natural or artificial stress, such as injury, transplantation, cancer, and aging, leading to changes in their phenotype, constitution, metabolism, and function. The complex and diverse network of cell-extrinsic niches and signaling pathways, together with cell-intrinsic genetic and epigenetic regulators, tightly regulate both the heterogeneity during homeostasis and the plasticity under perturbation. Manipulating these factors offers better control of stem cell behavior and a potential revolution in the current state of regenerative medicine. However, disruptions of normal regulation by genetic mutation or excessive plasticity acquisition may contribute to the formation of tumors. By harnessing innovative techniques that enhance our understanding of stem cell heterogeneity and employing novel approaches to maximize the utilization of stem cell plasticity, stem cell therapy holds immense promise for revolutionizing the future of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Cui
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Hope Wei
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Colin Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX37DQ, UK
| | - Rutao Cui
- Skin Disease Research Institute, The 2nd Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
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28
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Ceglie G, Lecis M, Canciani G, Algeri M, Frati G. Genome editing for sickle cell disease: still time to correct? Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1249275. [PMID: 38027257 PMCID: PMC10652763 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1249275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder, due to a single point mutation in the β-globin gene (HBB) leading to multisystemic manifestations and it affects millions of people worldwide. The monogenic nature of the disease and the availability of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) make this disorder an ideal candidate for gene modification strategies. Notably, significant advances in the field of gene therapy and genome editing that took place in the last decade enabled the possibility to develop several strategies for the treatment of SCD. These curative approaches were firstly based on the correction of disease-causing mutations holding the promise for a specific, effective and safe option for patients. Specifically, gene-editing approaches exploiting the homology directed repair pathway were investigated, but soon their limited efficacy in quiescent HSC has curbed their wider development. On the other hand, a number of studies on globin gene regulation, led to the development of several genome editing strategies based on the reactivation of the fetal γ-globin gene (HBG) by nuclease-mediated targeting of HBG-repressor elements. Although the efficiency of these strategies seems to be confirmed in preclinical and clinical studies, very little is known about the long-term consequences of these modifications. Moreover, the potential genotoxicity of these nuclease-based strategies must be taken into account, especially when associated with high targeting rates. The recent introduction of nuclease-free genome editing technologies brought along the potential for safer strategies for SCD gene correction, which may also harbor significant advantages over HBG-reactivating ones. In this Review, we discuss the recent advances in genome editing strategies for the correction of SCD-causing mutations trying to recapitulate the promising strategies currently available and their relative strengths and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ceglie
- Cell and Gene Therapy for Hematological Disorders Unit, Department of Oncology-Hematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Lecis
- Cell and Gene Therapy for Hematological Disorders Unit, Department of Oncology-Hematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, Modena University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Canciani
- Cell and Gene Therapy for Hematological Disorders Unit, Department of Oncology-Hematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
- Residency School of Pediatrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Algeri
- Cell and Gene Therapy for Hematological Disorders Unit, Department of Oncology-Hematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Frati
- Cell and Gene Therapy for Hematological Disorders Unit, Department of Oncology-Hematology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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29
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Yan KK, Condori J, Ma Z, Metais JY, Ju B, Ding L, Dhungana Y, Palmer LE, Langfitt DM, Ferrara F, Throm R, Shi H, Risch I, Bhatara S, Shaner B, Lockey TD, Talleur AC, Easton J, Meagher MM, Puck JM, Cowan MJ, Zhou S, Mamcarz E, Gottschalk S, Yu J. Integrome signatures of lentiviral gene therapy for SCID-X1 patients. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg9959. [PMID: 37801507 PMCID: PMC10558130 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg9959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Lentiviral vector (LV)-based gene therapy holds promise for a broad range of diseases. Analyzing more than 280,000 vector integration sites (VISs) in 273 samples from 10 patients with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1), we discovered shared LV integrome signatures in 9 of 10 patients in relation to the genomics, epigenomics, and 3D structure of the human genome. VISs were enriched in the nuclear subcompartment A1 and integrated into super-enhancers close to nuclear pore complexes. These signatures were validated in T cells transduced with an LV encoding a CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor. Intriguingly, the one patient whose VISs deviated from the identified integrome signatures had a distinct clinical course. Comparison of LV and gamma retrovirus integromes regarding their 3D genome signatures identified differences that might explain the lower risk of insertional mutagenesis in LV-based gene therapy. Our findings suggest that LV integrome signatures, shaped by common features such as genome organization, may affect the efficacy of LV-based cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koon-Kiu Yan
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jose Condori
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Zhijun Ma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jean-Yves Metais
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Bensheng Ju
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Liang Ding
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yogesh Dhungana
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lance E. Palmer
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Deanna M. Langfitt
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Francesca Ferrara
- Vector Development and Production Core, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Robert Throm
- Vector Development and Production Core, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Hao Shi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Isabel Risch
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sheetal Bhatara
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Bridget Shaner
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Timothy D. Lockey
- Department of Therapeutics Production and Quality, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Aimee C. Talleur
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - John Easton
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Michael M. Meagher
- Department of Therapeutics Production and Quality, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Puck
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Morton J. Cowan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sheng Zhou
- Experimental Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ewelina Mamcarz
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Del Core L, Pellin D, Wit EC, Grzegorczyk MA. Scalable inference of cell differentiation networks in gene therapy clonal tracking studies of haematopoiesis. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad605. [PMID: 37774002 PMCID: PMC10585354 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad605] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Investigating cell differentiation under a genetic disorder offers the potential for improving current gene therapy strategies. Clonal tracking provides a basis for mathematical modelling of population stem cell dynamics that sustain the blood cell formation, a process known as haematopoiesis. However, many clonal tracking protocols rely on a subset of cell types for the characterization of the stem cell output, and the data generated are subject to measurement errors and noise. RESULTS We propose a stochastic framework to infer dynamic models of cell differentiation from clonal tracking data. A state-space formulation combines a stochastic quasi-reaction network, describing cell differentiation, with a Gaussian measurement model accounting for data errors and noise. We developed an inference algorithm based on an extended Kalman filter, a nonlinear optimization, and a Rauch-Tung-Striebel smoother. Simulations show that our proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art and scales to complex structures of cell differentiations in terms of nodes size and network depth. The application of our method to five in vivo gene therapy studies reveals different dynamics of cell differentiation. Our tool can provide statistical support to biologists and clinicians to better understand cell differentiation and haematopoietic reconstitution after a gene therapy treatment. The equations of the state-space model can be modified to infer other dynamics besides cell differentiation. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The stochastic framework is implemented in the R package Karen which is available for download at https://cran.r-project.org/package=Karen. The code that supports the findings of this study is openly available at https://github.com/delcore-luca/CellDifferentiationNetworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Del Core
- University of Groningen – Bernoulli Institute, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Nottingham – School of Mathematical Sciences, Nottingham NG72RD, United Kingdom
| | - Danilo Pellin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Ernst C Wit
- University of Groningen – Bernoulli Institute, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Università della Svizzera italiana – Institute of Computing, 6962 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Marco A Grzegorczyk
- University of Groningen – Bernoulli Institute, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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31
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Tucci F, Consiglieri G, Cossutta M, Bernardo ME. Current and Future Perspective in Hematopoietic Stem Progenitor Cell-gene Therapy for Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e953. [PMID: 37711990 PMCID: PMC10499111 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tucci
- Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Consiglieri
- Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Matilde Cossutta
- Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Maria Ester Bernardo
- Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Milan, Italy
- “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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32
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De Souza DC, Hebert N, Esrick EB, Ciuculescu MF, Archer NM, Armant M, Audureau É, Brendel C, Di Caprio G, Galactéros F, Liu D, McCabe A, Morris E, Schonbrun E, Williams D, Wood DK, Williams DA, Bartolucci P, Higgins JM. Genetic reversal of the globin switch concurrently modulates both fetal and sickle hemoglobin and reduces red cell sickling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5850. [PMID: 37730674 PMCID: PMC10511721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40923-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported initial clinical results of post-transcriptional gene silencing of BCL11A expression (NCT03282656) reversing the fetal to adult hemoglobin switch. A goal of this approach is to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression while coordinately reducing sickle hemoglobin (HbS) expression. The resulting combinatorial effect should prove effective in inhibiting HbS polymerization at lower physiologic oxygen values thereby mitigating disease complications. Here we report results of exploratory single-cell analysis of patients in which BCL11A is targeted molecularly and compare results with cells of patients treated with hydroxyurea (HU), the current standard of care. We use single-cell assays to assess HbF, HbS, oxygen saturation, and hemoglobin polymer content in RBCs for nine gene therapy trial subjects (BCLshmiR, median HbF% = 27.9) and compare them to 10 HU-treated subjects demonstrating high and comparable levels of HbF (HU High Responders, median HbF% = 27.0). All BCL11A patients achieved the primary endpoint for NCT03282656, which was defined by an absolute neutrophil count greater than or equal to 0.5 × 109 cells/L for three consecutive days, achieved within 7 weeks following infusion. Flow cytometric assessment of single-RBC HbF and HbS shows fewer RBCs with high HbS% that would be most susceptible to sickling in BCLshmiR vs. HU High Responders: median 42% of RBCs with HbS%>70% in BCLshmiR vs. 61% in HU High Responders (p = 0.004). BCLshmiR subjects also demonstrate more RBCs resistant to HbS polymerization at lower physiologic oxygen tension: median 32% vs. 25% in HU High Responders (p = 0.006). Gene therapy-induced BCL11A down-regulation reverses the fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch and induces RBCs with higher HbF%, lower HbS%, and greater resistance to deoxygenation-induced polymerization in clinical trial subjects compared with a cohort of highly responsive hydroxyurea-treated subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C De Souza
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicolas Hebert
- French Blood Establishment (EFS), Créteil, France
- University Paris-Est-Créteil, IMRB, Laboratory of excellence LABEX, Créteil, France
- Paris-East Créteil University, Henri Mondor University Hospitals, APHP, Sickle Cell Referral Center-UMGGR, Créteil, France
| | - Erica B Esrick
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Natasha M Archer
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Myriam Armant
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Étienne Audureau
- INSERM U955 Team CEpiA, Paris-East Créteil University, Créteil, France
- Department of Public Health, Henri Mondor University Hospitals, APHP, Créteil, France
| | - Christian Brendel
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giuseppe Di Caprio
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Frédéric Galactéros
- University Paris-Est-Créteil, IMRB, Laboratory of excellence LABEX, Créteil, France
- Paris-East Créteil University, Henri Mondor University Hospitals, APHP, Sickle Cell Referral Center-UMGGR, Créteil, France
| | - Donghui Liu
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda McCabe
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Morris
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ethan Schonbrun
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dillon Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David K Wood
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David A Williams
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Pablo Bartolucci
- University Paris-Est-Créteil, IMRB, Laboratory of excellence LABEX, Créteil, France.
- Paris-East Créteil University, Henri Mondor University Hospitals, APHP, Sickle Cell Referral Center-UMGGR, Créteil, France.
| | - John M Higgins
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Xu L, Lahiri P, Skowronski J, Bhatia N, Lattanzi A, Porteus MH. Molecular dynamics of genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9 and rAAV6 virus in human HSPCs to treat sickle cell disease. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:317-331. [PMID: 37637384 PMCID: PMC10447934 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Ex vivo gene correction with CRISPR-Cas9 and a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (rAAV6) in autologous hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) has now entered early-phase clinical investigation. To facilitate the progress of CRISPR-Cas9/rAAV6 genome editing technology, we analyzed the molecular changes in key reagents and cellular responses during and after the genome editing procedure in human HSPCs. We demonstrated the high stability of rAAV6 to serve as the donor DNA template. We assessed the benefit of longer HSPC pre-stimulation in terms of increased numbers of edited cells. We observed that the p53 pathway was transiently activated, peaking at 6 h, and resolved over time. Notably, we revealed a strong correlation between p21 mRNA level and rAAV6 genome number in cells and beneficial effects of transient inhibition of p53 with siRNA on genome editing, cell proliferation, and cell survival. In terms of potential immunogenicity, we found that rAAV6 capsid protein was not detectable, while a trace amount of residual Cas9 protein was still detected at 48 h post-genome editing. We believe this information will provide important insights for future improvements of gene correction protocols in HSPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Premanjali Lahiri
- Stanford Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Jason Skowronski
- Stanford Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Neehar Bhatia
- Stanford Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Annalisa Lattanzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Bueren JA, Auricchio A. Advances and Challenges in the Development of Gene Therapy Medicinal Products for Rare Diseases. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:763-775. [PMID: 37694572 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of viral vectors and recombinant DNA technology since the 1960s has enabled gene therapy to become a real therapeutic option for several inherited and acquired diseases. After several ups and downs in the gene therapy field, we are currently living a new era in the history of medicine in which several ex vivo and in vivo gene therapies have reached maturity. This is testified by the recent marketing authorization of several gene therapy medicinal products. In addition, many others are currently under evaluation after exhaustive investigation in human clinical trials. In this review, we summarize some of the most significant milestones in the development of gene therapy medicinal products that have already facilitated the treatment of a significant number of rare diseases. Despite progresses in the gene therapy field, the transfer of these innovative therapies to clinical practice is also finding important restrictions. Advances and also challenges in the progress of gene therapy for rare diseases are discussed in this opening review of a Human Gene Therapy issue dedicated to the 30th annual Congress of the European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Bueren
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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Lidonnici MR, Scaramuzza S, Ferrari G. Gene Therapy for Hemoglobinopathies. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:793-807. [PMID: 37675899 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are autosomal recessive disorders of red blood cells due to mutations in the adult β-globin gene, with a worldwide diffusion. The severe forms of hemoglobinopathies are fatal if untreated, and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation can be offered to a limited proportion of patients. The unmet clinical need and the disease incidence have promoted the development of new genetic therapies based on the engineering of autologous hematopoietic stem cells. Here, the steps of ex vivo gene therapy development are reviewed along with results from clinical trials and recent new approaches employing cutting edge gene editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Lidonnici
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
| | - Samantha Scaramuzza
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
| | - Giuliana Ferrari
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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36
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Hardouin G, Magrin E, Corsia A, Cavazzana M, Miccio A, Semeraro M. Sickle Cell Disease: From Genetics to Curative Approaches. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2023; 24:255-275. [PMID: 37624668 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-120122-081037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic blood disease caused by a point mutation in the gene coding for β-globin. The abnormal hemoglobin [sickle hemoglobin (HbS)] polymerizes under low-oxygen conditions and causes red blood cells to sickle. The clinical presentation varies from very severe (with acute pain, chronic pain, and early mortality) to normal (few complications and a normal life span). The variability of SCD might be due (in part) to various genetic modulators. First, we review the main genetic factors, polymorphisms, and modifier genes that influence the expression of globin or otherwise modulate the severity of SCD. Considering SCD as a complex, multifactorial disorder is important for the development of appropriate pharmacological and genetic treatments. Second, we review the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of the latest advances in gene therapy for SCD, from lentiviral-vector-based approaches to gene-editing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Hardouin
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; ,
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Spécialisé en Biothérapie, Département de Biothérapie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; ,
- Human Lymphohematopoiesis Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France;
| | - Elisa Magrin
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Spécialisé en Biothérapie, Département de Biothérapie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; ,
| | - Alice Corsia
- Human Lymphohematopoiesis Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France;
| | - Marina Cavazzana
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Spécialisé en Biothérapie, Département de Biothérapie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; ,
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; ,
| | - Michaela Semeraro
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique and Unité de Recherche Clinique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France;
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Li X, La Salvia S, Liang Y, Adamiak M, Kohlbrenner E, Jeong D, Chepurko E, Ceholski D, Lopez-Gordo E, Yoon S, Mathiyalagan P, Agarwal N, Jha D, Lodha S, Daaboul G, Phan A, Raisinghani N, Zhang S, Zangi L, Gonzalez-Kozlova E, Dubois N, Dogra N, Hajjar RJ, Sahoo S. Extracellular Vesicle-Encapsulated Adeno-Associated Viruses for Therapeutic Gene Delivery to the Heart. Circulation 2023; 148:405-425. [PMID: 37409482 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.122.063759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as one of the best tools for cardiac gene delivery due to its cardiotropism, long-term expression, and safety. However, a significant challenge to its successful clinical use is preexisting neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), which bind to free AAVs, prevent efficient gene transduction, and reduce or negate therapeutic effects. Here we describe extracellular vesicle-encapsulated AAVs (EV-AAVs), secreted naturally by AAV-producing cells, as a superior cardiac gene delivery vector that delivers more genes and offers higher NAb resistance. METHODS We developed a 2-step density-gradient ultracentrifugation method to isolate highly purified EV-AAVs. We compared the gene delivery and therapeutic efficacy of EV-AAVs with an equal titer of free AAVs in the presence of NAbs, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we investigated the mechanism of EV-AAV uptake in human left ventricular and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in vitro and mouse models in vivo using a combination of biochemical techniques, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence imaging. RESULTS Using cardiotropic AAV serotypes 6 and 9 and several reporter constructs, we demonstrated that EV-AAVs deliver significantly higher quantities of genes than AAVs in the presence of NAbs, both to human left ventricular and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in vitro and to mouse hearts in vivo. Intramyocardial delivery of EV-AAV9-sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a to infarcted hearts in preimmunized mice significantly improved ejection fraction and fractional shortening compared with AAV9-sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a delivery. These data validated NAb evasion by and therapeutic efficacy of EV-AAV9 vectors. Trafficking studies using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cells in vitro and mouse hearts in vivo showed significantly higher expression of EV-AAV6/9-delivered genes in cardiomyocytes compared with noncardiomyocytes, even with comparable cellular uptake. Using cellular subfraction analyses and pH-sensitive dyes, we discovered that EV-AAVs were internalized into acidic endosomal compartments of cardiomyocytes for releasing and acidifying AAVs for their nuclear uptake. CONCLUSIONS Together, using 5 different in vitro and in vivo model systems, we demonstrate significantly higher potency and therapeutic efficacy of EV-AAV vectors compared with free AAVs in the presence of NAbs. These results establish the potential of EV-AAV vectors as a gene delivery tool to treat heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xisheng Li
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Sabrina La Salvia
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Yaxuan Liang
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China (Y.L.)
| | - Marta Adamiak
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Erik Kohlbrenner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA (E.K.)
| | - Dongtak Jeong
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University-ERICA, Ansan, South Korea (D.J.)
| | - Elena Chepurko
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Delaine Ceholski
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Estrella Lopez-Gordo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Seonghun Yoon
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Neha Agarwal
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Divya Jha
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Shweta Lodha
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Anh Phan
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Nikhil Raisinghani
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Shihong Zhang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Lior Zangi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Edgar Gonzalez-Kozlova
- Department of Oncological Sciences (E.G.-K.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Nicole Dubois
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology (N. Dubois), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute (N. Dubois), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Navneet Dogra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (N. Dogra), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Icahn Genomics Institute (N.Dogra), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- Gene and Cell Therapy Institute, Massachusetts General Brigham, Boston (R.J.H.)
| | - Susmita Sahoo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (X.L., S.L.S., M.A., E.C., D.C., E.L.-G., S.Y., N.A., D.J., S.L., A.P., N.R., S.Z., L.Z., S.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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Trajanoska K, Bhérer C, Taliun D, Zhou S, Richards JB, Mooser V. From target discovery to clinical drug development with human genetics. Nature 2023; 620:737-745. [PMID: 37612393 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06388-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The substantial investments in human genetics and genomics made over the past three decades were anticipated to result in many innovative therapies. Here we investigate the extent to which these expectations have been met, excluding cancer treatments. In our search, we identified 40 germline genetic observations that led directly to new targets and subsequently to novel approved therapies for 36 rare and 4 common conditions. The median time between genetic target discovery and drug approval was 25 years. Most of the genetically driven therapies for rare diseases compensate for disease-causing loss-of-function mutations. The therapies approved for common conditions are all inhibitors designed to pharmacologically mimic the natural, disease-protective effects of rare loss-of-function variants. Large biobank-based genetic studies have the power to identify and validate a large number of new drug targets. Genetics can also assist in the clinical development phase of drugs-for example, by selecting individuals who are most likely to respond to investigational therapies. This approach to drug development requires investments into large, diverse cohorts of deeply phenotyped individuals with appropriate consent for genetically assisted trials. A robust framework that facilitates responsible, sustainable benefit sharing will be required to capture the full potential of human genetics and genomics and bring effective and safe innovative therapies to patients quickly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Trajanoska
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in Genomic Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Claude Bhérer
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in Genomic Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel Taliun
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in Genomic Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sirui Zhou
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in Genomic Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Brent Richards
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vincent Mooser
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in Genomic Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Lundstrom K. Viral vectors engineered for gene therapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 379:1-41. [PMID: 37541721 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has seen major progress in recent years. Viral vectors have made a significant contribution through efficient engineering for improved delivery and safety. A large variety of indications such as cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, hematological, neurological, muscular, ophthalmological, infectious diseases, and immunodeficiency have been targeted. Viral vectors based on adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, herpes simplex viruses, retroviruses including lentiviruses, alphaviruses, flaviviruses, measles viruses, rhabdoviruses, Newcastle disease virus, poxviruses, picornaviruses, reoviruses, and polyomaviruses have been used. Proof-of-concept has been demonstrated for different indications in animal models. Therapeutic efficacy has also been achieved in clinical trials. Several viral vector-based drugs have been approved for the treatment of cancer, and hematological, metabolic, and neurological diseases. Moreover, viral vector-based vaccines have been approved against COVID-19 and Ebola virus disease.
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Paschoudi K, Yannaki E, Psatha N. Precision Editing as a Therapeutic Approach for β-Hemoglobinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119527. [PMID: 37298481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119527] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-hemoglobinopathies are the most common genetic disorders worldwide, caused by a wide spectrum of mutations in the β-globin locus, and associated with morbidity and early mortality in case of patient non-adherence to supportive treatment. Allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (allo-HSCT) used to be the only curative option, although the indispensable need for an HLA-matched donor markedly restricted its universal application. The evolution of gene therapy approaches made possible the ex vivo delivery of a therapeutic β- or γ- globin gene into patient-derived hematopoietic stem cells followed by the transplantation of corrected cells into myeloablated patients, having led to high rates of transfusion independence (thalassemia) or complete resolution of painful crises (sickle cell disease-SCD). Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), a syndrome characterized by increased γ-globin levels, when co-inherited with β-thalassemia or SCD, converts hemoglobinopathies to a benign condition with mild clinical phenotype. The rapid development of precise genome editing tools (ZFN, TALENs, CRISPR/Cas9) over the last decade has allowed the targeted introduction of mutations, resulting in disease-modifying outcomes. In this context, genome editing tools have successfully been used for the introduction of HPFH-like mutations both in HBG1/HBG2 promoters or/and in the erythroid enhancer of BCL11A to increase HbF expression as an alternative curative approach for β-hemoglobinopathies. The current investigation of new HbF modulators, such as ZBTB7A, KLF-1, SOX6, and ZNF410, further expands the range of possible genome editing targets. Importantly, genome editing approaches have recently reached clinical translation in trials investigating HbF reactivation in both SCD and thalassemic patients. Showing promising outcomes, these approaches are yet to be confirmed in long-term follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiriaki Paschoudi
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Clinic, George Papanikolaou Hospital, Exokhi, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Clinic, George Papanikolaou Hospital, Exokhi, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nikoletta Psatha
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Singh J, Goodman-Vincent E, Santosh P. Evidence Synthesis of Gene Therapy and Gene Editing from Different Disorders-Implications for Individuals with Rett Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109023. [PMID: 37240368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review and thematic analysis critically evaluated gene therapy trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, haemoglobinopathies, immunodeficiencies, leukodystrophies, lysosomal storage disorders and retinal dystrophies and extrapolated the key clinical findings to individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT). The PRISMA guidelines were used to search six databases during the last decade, followed by a thematic analysis to identify the emerging themes. Thematic analysis across the different disorders revealed four themes: (I) Therapeutic time window of gene therapy; (II) Administration and dosing strategies for gene therapy; (III) Methods of gene therapeutics and (IV) Future areas of clinical interest. Our synthesis of information has further enriched the current clinical evidence base and can assist in optimising gene therapy and gene editing studies in individuals with RTT, but it would also benefit when applied to other disorders. The findings suggest that gene therapies have better outcomes when the brain is not the primary target. Across different disorders, early intervention appears to be more critical, and targeting the pre-symptomatic stage might prevent symptom pathology. Intervention at later stages of disease progression may benefit by helping to clinically stabilise patients and preventing disease-related symptoms from worsening. If gene therapy or editing has the desired outcome, older patients would need concerted rehabilitation efforts to reverse their impairments. The timing of intervention and the administration route would be critical parameters for successful outcomes of gene therapy/editing trials in individuals with RTT. Current approaches also need to overcome the challenges of MeCP2 dosing, genotoxicity, transduction efficiencies and biodistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatinder Singh
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases (CIPPRD), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology (CIPP) Rett Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Ella Goodman-Vincent
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases (CIPPRD), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology (CIPP) Rett Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Paramala Santosh
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases (CIPPRD), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology (CIPP) Rett Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
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Ma L, Yang S, Peng Q, Zhang J, Zhang J. CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing technology for sickle cell disease. Gene 2023; 874:147480. [PMID: 37182559 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147480] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenic hematologic disorder and is essentially congenital hemolytic anemia caused by an inherited point mutation in the β-globin on chromosome 11. Although the genetic basis of SCD was revealed as early as 1957, treatment options for SCD have been very limited to date. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was thought to hold promise as a cure for SCD, but the available donors were still only 15% useful. Gene therapy has advanced rapidly into the 21st century with the promise of a cure for SCD, and gene editing strategies based on the cluster-based regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequence (CRISPR)/Cas9 system have revolutionized the field of gene therapy by precisely targeting genes. In this paper, we review the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches of SCD, briefly summarize the delivery strategies of CRISPR/Cas9, and finally discuss in depth the current status, application barriers, and solution directions of CRISPR/Cas9 in SCD. Through the review in this paper, we hope to provide some references for gene therapy in SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Ma
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Shanglun Yang
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Qianya Peng
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Jingping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China.
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Ferraresi M, Panzieri DL, Leoni S, Cappellini MD, Kattamis A, Motta I. Therapeutic perspective for children and young adults living with thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Eur J Pediatr 2023:10.1007/s00431-023-04900-w. [PMID: 36997768 PMCID: PMC10257623 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04900-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies, including thalassemias and sickle cell disease, are the most common monogenic diseases worldwide, with estimated annual births of more than 330,000 affected infants. Hemoglobin disorders account for about 3.4% of deaths in children under 5 years of age. The distribution of these diseases is historically linked to current or previously malaria-endemic regions; however, immigration has led to a worldwide distribution of these diseases, making them a global health problem. During the last decade, new treatment approaches and novel therapies have been proposed, some of which have the potential to change the natural history of these disorders. Indeed, the first erythroid maturation agent, luspatercept, and gene therapy have been approved for beta-thalassemia adult patients. For sickle cell disease, molecules targeting vaso-occlusion and hemoglobin S polymerization include crizanlizumab, which has been approved for patients ≥ 16 years, voxelotor approved for patients ≥ 12 years, and L-glutamine for patients older than 5 years. Conclusion: We herein present the most recent advances and future perspectives in thalassemia and sickle cell disease treatment, including new drugs, gene therapy, and gene editing, and the current clinical trial status in the pediatric populations. What is Known: • Red blood cell transfusions, iron chelation therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been the mainstay of treatment of thalassemia patients for decades. • For sickle cell disease, until 2005, treatment strategies were mostly the same as those for thalassemia, with the option of simple transfusion or exchange transfusion. In 2007, hydroxyurea was approved for patients ≥ 2 years old. What is New: • In 2019, gene therapy with betibeglogene autotemcel (LentiGlobin BB305) was approved for TDT patients ≥ 12 years old non β0/β0 without matched sibling donor. • Starting from 2017 several new drugs, such as L-glutamine (approved only by FDA), crizanlizumab (approved by FDA and EMA for patients ≥ 16 years), and lastly voxelotor (approved by FDA and EMA for patients ≥ 12 years old).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ferraresi
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, via F. Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Lello Panzieri
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, via F. Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Leoni
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, via F. Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, via F. Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Motta
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, via F. Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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Liu Z, Jiang X, Li S, Chen J, Jiang C, Wang K, Zhang C, Wang B. A disposable impedance-based sensor for in-line cell growth monitoring in CAR-T cell manufacturing. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 152:108416. [PMID: 37023618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the development of low-cost, disposable impedance-based sensors for real-time, in-line monitoring of suspension cell culture. The sensors consist of electrical discharge machining (EDM) cut aluminum electrodes and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) spacers, both of which are low-cost materials that can be safely disposed of. Our research demonstrates the capability of these low-cost sensors for in-line, non-invasive monitoring of suspension cell growth in cell manufacturing. We use a hybrid equivalent circuit model to extract key features/parameters from intertwined impedance signals, which are then fed to a novel physics-inspired (gray-box) model designed for α-relaxation. This model determines viable cell count (VCC), a critical quality attribute (CQA) in cell manufacturing. Predicted VCC trends are then compared with image-based cell count data to verify their accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaonan Liu
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
| | - Xuzhou Jiang
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
| | - Shuai Li
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
| | - Jialei Chen
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States; H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
| | - Chen Jiang
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
| | - Kan Wang
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
| | - Chuck Zhang
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States; H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States.
| | - Ben Wang
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States; H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, United States
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Kumar S, Vassallo JD, Nattamai KJ, Hassan A, Karns R, Vollmer A, Soller K, Sakk V, Sacma M, Nemkov T, D'Alessandro A, Geiger H. pH regulates hematopoietic stem cell potential via polyamines. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e55373. [PMID: 36943011 PMCID: PMC10157373 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon ex vivo culture, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) quickly lose potential and differentiate into progenitors. The identification of culture conditions that maintain the potential of HSCs ex vivo is therefore of high clinical interest. Here, we demonstrate that the potential of murine and human HSCs is maintained when cultivated for 2 days ex vivo at a pH of 6.9, in contrast to cultivation at the commonly used pH of 7.4. When cultivated at a pH of 6.9, HSCs remain smaller, less metabolically active, less proliferative and show enhanced reconstitution ability upon transplantation compared to HSC cultivated at pH 7.4. HSCs kept at pH 6.9 show an attenuated polyamine pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of the polyamine pathway in HSCs cultivated at pH 7.4 with DFMO mimics phenotypes and potential of HSCs cultivated at pH 6.9. Ex vivo exposure to a pH of 6.9 is therefore a positive regulator of HSC function by reducing polyamines. These findings might improve HSC short-term cultivation protocols for transplantation and gene therapy interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Kumar
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Jeffrey D Vassallo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kalpana J Nattamai
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Aishlin Hassan
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Rebekah Karns
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Karin Soller
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Vadim Sakk
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mehmet Sacma
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Travis Nemkov
- University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Hartmut Geiger
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Aging Research Center, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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The Potential Revolution of Cancer Treatment with CRISPR Technology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061813. [PMID: 36980699 PMCID: PMC10046289 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Immuno-oncology (IO) and targeted therapies, such as small molecule inhibitors, have changed the landscape of cancer treatment and prognosis; however, durable responses have been difficult to achieve due to tumor heterogeneity, development of drug resistance, and adverse effects that limit dosing and prolonged drug use. To improve upon the current medicinal armamentarium, there is an urgent need for new ways to understand, reverse, and treat carcinogenesis. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) 9 is a powerful and efficient tool for genome editing that has shown significant promise for developing new therapeutics. While CRISPR/Cas9 has been successfully used for pre-clinical cancer research, its use in the clinical setting is still in an early stage of development. The purpose of this review is to describe the CRISPR technology and to provide an overview of its current applications and future potential as cancer therapies.
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Platani M, Sokefun O, Bassil E, Apidianakis Y. Genetic engineering and genome editing in plants, animals and humans: Facts and myths. Gene 2023; 856:147141. [PMID: 36574935 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147141] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human history is inextricably linked to the introduction of desirable heritable traits in plants and animals. Selective breeding (SB) predates our historical period and has been practiced since the advent of agriculture and farming more than ten thousand years ago. Since the 1970s, methods of direct plant and animal genome manipulation are constantly being developed. These are collectively described as "genetic engineering" (GE). Plant GE aims to improve nutritional value, insect resistance and weed control. Animal GE has focused on livestock improvement and disease control. GE applications also involve medical improvements intended to treat human disease. The scientific consensus built around marketed products of GE organisms (GEOs) is usually well established, noting significant benefits and low risks. GEOs are exhaustively scrutinized in the EU and many non-EU countries for their effects on human health and the environment, but scrutiny should be equally applied to all previously untested organisms derived directly from nature or through selective breeding. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that natural or selectively bred plants and animals are in principle safer to humans than GEOs. Natural and selectively bred strains evolve over time via genetic mutations that can be as risky to humans and the environment as the mutations found in GEOs. Thus, previously untested plant and animal strains aimed for marketing should be proven useful or harmful to humans only upon comparative testing, regardless of their origin. Highlighting the scientific consensus declaring significant benefits and rather manageable risks provided by equitably accessed GEOs, can mitigate negative predispositions by policy makers and the public. Accordingly, we provide an overview of the underlying technologies and the scientific consensus to help resolve popular myths about the safety and usefulness of GEOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Platani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Owolabi Sokefun
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Elias Bassil
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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Segura EER, Ayoub PG, Hart KL, Kohn DB. Gene Therapy for β-Hemoglobinopathies: From Discovery to Clinical Trials. Viruses 2023; 15:713. [PMID: 36992422 PMCID: PMC10054523 DOI: 10.3390/v15030713] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigations to understand the function and control of the globin genes have led to some of the most exciting molecular discoveries and biomedical breakthroughs of the 20th and 21st centuries. Extensive characterization of the globin gene locus, accompanied by pioneering work on the utilization of viruses as human gene delivery tools in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPSCs), has led to transformative and successful therapies via autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplant with gene therapy (HSCT-GT). Due to the advanced understanding of the β-globin gene cluster, the first diseases considered for autologous HSCT-GT were two prevalent β-hemoglobinopathies: sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, both affecting functional β-globin chains and leading to substantial morbidity. Both conditions are suitable for allogeneic HSCT; however, this therapy comes with serious risks and is most effective using an HLA-matched family donor (which is not available for most patients) to obtain optimal therapeutic and safe benefits. Transplants from unrelated or haplo-identical donors carry higher risks, although they are progressively improving. Conversely, HSCT-GT utilizes the patient's own HSPCs, broadening access to more patients. Several gene therapy clinical trials have been reported to have achieved significant disease improvement, and more are underway. Based on the safety and the therapeutic success of autologous HSCT-GT, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022 approved an HSCT-GT for β-thalassemia (Zynteglo™). This review illuminates the β-globin gene research journey, adversities faced, and achievements reached; it highlights important molecular and genetic findings of the β-globin locus, describes the predominant globin vectors, and concludes by describing promising results from clinical trials for both sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Eugenie Rose Segura
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Paul George Ayoub
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kevyn Lopez Hart
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Donald Barry Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Viral Vectors in Gene Therapy: Where Do We Stand in 2023? Viruses 2023; 15:v15030698. [PMID: 36992407 PMCID: PMC10059137 DOI: 10.3390/v15030698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors have been used for a broad spectrum of gene therapy for both acute and chronic diseases. In the context of cancer gene therapy, viral vectors expressing anti-tumor, toxic, suicide and immunostimulatory genes, such as cytokines and chemokines, have been applied. Oncolytic viruses, which specifically replicate in and kill tumor cells, have provided tumor eradication, and even cure of cancers in animal models. In a broader meaning, vaccine development against infectious diseases and various cancers has been considered as a type of gene therapy. Especially in the case of COVID-19 vaccines, adenovirus-based vaccines such as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Ad26.COV2.S have demonstrated excellent safety and vaccine efficacy in clinical trials, leading to Emergency Use Authorization in many countries. Viral vectors have shown great promise in the treatment of chronic diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, β-thalassemia, and sickle cell disease (SCD). Proof-of-concept has been established in preclinical studies in various animal models. Clinical gene therapy trials have confirmed good safety, tolerability, and therapeutic efficacy. Viral-based drugs have been approved for cancer, hematological, metabolic, neurological, and ophthalmological diseases as well as for vaccines. For example, the adenovirus-based drug Gendicine® for non-small-cell lung cancer, the reovirus-based drug Reolysin® for ovarian cancer, the oncolytic HSV T-VEC for melanoma, lentivirus-based treatment of ADA-SCID disease, and the rhabdovirus-based vaccine Ervebo against Ebola virus disease have been approved for human use.
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Ugalde L, Fañanas S, Torres R, Quintana-Bustamante O, Río P. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. A promising strategy in hematological disorders. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:277-285. [PMID: 36610813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system has revolutionized the gene editing field, making it possible to interrupt, insert or replace a sequence of interest with high precision in the human genome. Its easy design and wide applicability open up a variety of therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of genetic diseases. Indeed, very promising approaches for the correction of hematological disorders have been developed in the recent years, based on the self-renewal and multipotent differentiation properties of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which make this cell subset the ideal target for gene therapy purposes. This technology has been applied in different congenital blood disorders, such as primary immunodeficiencies, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, X-linked chronic granulomatous disease or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, such as Fanconi anemia, congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia or severe congenital neutropenia. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing has been implemented successfully as a novel therapy for cancer immunotherapy, by the development of promising strategies such as the use of oncolytic viruses or adoptive cellular therapy to the chimeric antigen receptor-T-cell therapy. Therefore, considering the variety of genes and mutations affected, we can take advantage of the different DNA repair mechanisms by CRISPR/Cas9 in different manners, from homology-directed repair to non-homologous-end-joining to the latest emerging technologies such as base and prime editing. Although the delivery systems into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are still the bottleneck of this technology, some of the advances in genome editing shown in this review have already reached a clinical stage and show very promising preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ugalde
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Fañanas
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Torres
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Molecular Cytogenetics Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Quintana-Bustamante
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Río
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain.
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