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Huang P, Wen F, Tuerhong N, Yang Y, Li Q. Neoantigens in cancer immunotherapy: focusing on alternative splicing. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1437774. [PMID: 39055714 PMCID: PMC11269099 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1437774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) functions as a crucial program in transcriptional modulation, leading to proteomic diversity and functional alterations of proteins. These splicing actions induce various neoantigens that hold prognostic significance and contribute to various aspects of cancer progression, including immune responses against cancer. The advent of immunotherapy has remarkably revolutionized tumor therapy. In this regard, AS-derived neoantigens are potent targets for cancer vaccines and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. In this review, we outline that AS-derived neoantigens serve as promising immunotherapeutic targets and guide immunotherapy strategies. This evidence contributes to a deeper comprehension of the complexity of proteomic diversity and provides novel perspectives and techniques for precision medicine in immunotherapy. Moreover, we underscore the obstacles that are awaited to be addressed for this novel approach to become clinically applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Wen
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Nuerye Tuerhong
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiu Li
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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2
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Pounraj S, Chen S, Ma L, Mazzieri R, Dolcetti R, Rehm BHA. Targeting Tumor Heterogeneity with Neoantigen-Based Cancer Vaccines. Cancer Res 2024; 84:353-363. [PMID: 38055891 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2042] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Neoantigen-based cancer vaccines have emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic approach to treat cancer. Nevertheless, the high degree of heterogeneity in tumors poses a significant hurdle for developing a vaccine that targets the therapeutically relevant neoantigens capable of effectively stimulating an immune response as each tumor contains numerous unique putative neoantigens. Understanding the complexities of tumor heterogeneity is crucial for the development of personalized neoantigen-based vaccines, which hold the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in the design of neoantigen-based cancer vaccines emphasizing the identification, validation, formulation, and targeting of neoantigens while addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity. The review highlights the application of cutting-edge approaches, such as single-cell sequencing and artificial intelligence to identify immunogenic neoantigens, while outlining current limitations and proposing future research directions to develop effective neoantigen-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Pounraj
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers (CCFB), Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shuxiong Chen
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers (CCFB), Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Linlin Ma
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers (CCFB), Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roberta Mazzieri
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers (CCFB), Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ), Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus), Queensland, Australia
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Lee S, Yoon H, Hong SH, Kwon SP, Hong JJ, Kwak HW, Park HJ, Yoo S, Bae SH, Park HJ, Lee J, Bang YJ, Lee YS, Kim JY, Yoon S, Roh G, Cho Y, Kim Y, Kim D, Park SI, Kim DH, Lee S, Oh A, Ha D, Lee SY, Park M, Hwang EH, Bae G, Jeon E, Park SH, Choi WS, Oh HR, Kim IW, Youn H, Keum G, Bang EK, Rhee JH, Lee SE, Nam JH. mRNA-HPV vaccine encoding E6 and E7 improves therapeutic potential for HPV-mediated cancers via subcutaneous immunization. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29309. [PMID: 38100632 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29309] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The E6 and E7 proteins of specific subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV), including HPV 16 and 18, are highly associated with cervical cancer as they modulate cell cycle regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antitumor effects of a messenger RNA-HPV therapeutic vaccine (mHTV) containing nononcogenic E6 and E7 proteins. To achieve this, C57BL/6j mice were injected with the vaccine via both intramuscular and subcutaneous routes, and the resulting effects were evaluated. mHTV immunization markedly induced robust T cell-mediated immune responses and significantly suppressed tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor-implanted mouse model, with a significant infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues. Tumor retransplantation at day 62 postprimary vaccination completely halted progression in all mHTV-treated mice. Furthermore, tumor expansion was significantly reduced upon TC-1 transplantation 160 days after the last immunization. Immunization of rhesus monkeys with mHTV elicited promising immune responses. The immunogenicity of mHTV in nonhuman primates provides strong evidence for clinical application against HPV-related cancers in humans. All data suggest that mHTV can be used as both a therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonghyun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyunho Yoon
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Seol Hee Hong
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Sung Pil Kwon
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Joo Hong
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
- KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hye Won Kwak
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyeong-Jun Park
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Soyeon Yoo
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seo-Hyeon Bae
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Jung Park
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Jisun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yoo-Jin Bang
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yu-Sun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Jae-Yong Kim
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Subin Yoon
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Gahyun Roh
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Youngran Cho
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yongkwan Kim
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Daegeun Kim
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sang-In Park
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Do-Hyung Kim
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- R&D Research Center, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sowon Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Ayoung Oh
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Dahyeon Ha
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Soo-Yeon Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Misung Park
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eun-Ha Hwang
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Gyuseo Bae
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Eunsu Jeon
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Sung Hyun Park
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Won Seok Choi
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - Ho Rim Oh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In Woo Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyewon Youn
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Imaging Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gyochang Keum
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joon Haeng Rhee
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, South Korea
| | - Shee Eun Lee
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Nam
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
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Lv D, Khawar MB, Liang Z, Gao Y, Sun H. Neoantigens and NK Cells: “Trick or Treat” the Cancers? Front Immunol 2022; 13:931862. [PMID: 35874694 PMCID: PMC9302773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an important treatment strategy for cancer patients nowadays. Targeting cancer neoantigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, which emerge as a result of non-synonymous somatic mutations with high immunogenicity, is one of the most promising cancer immunotherapy strategies. Currently, several therapeutic options based on the personalized or shared neoantigens have been developed, including neoantigen vaccine and adoptive T-cell therapy, both of which are now being tested in clinical trials for various malignancies. The goal of this review is to outline the use of neoantigens as cancer therapy targets, with an emphasis on neoantigen identification, clinical usage of personalized neoantigen-based cancer therapy agents, and the development of off-the-shelf products based on shared neoantigens. In addition, we introduce and discuss the potential impact of the neoantigen–MHC complex on natural killer (NK) cell antitumor function, which could be a novel way to boost immune response-induced cytotoxicity against malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lv
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Zhengyan Liang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Haibo Sun,
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Ashi MO, Mami-Chouaib F, Corgnac S. Mutant and non-mutant neoantigen-based cancer vaccines: recent advances and future promises. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:746-762. [PMID: 36654823 PMCID: PMC9834040 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00111] [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: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Major advances in cancer treatment have emerged with the introduction of immunotherapies using blocking antibodies that target T-cell inhibitory receptors, such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), known as immune checkpoints. However, most cancer patients do not respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, suggesting the development of resistance mechanisms associated with either an insufficient number of preexisting tumor-specific T-cell precursors and/or inappropriate T-cell reactivation. To broaden clinical benefit, anti-PD-1/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) neutralizing antibodies have been combined with therapeutic cancer vaccines based on non-mutant and/or mutant tumor antigens, to stimulate and expand tumor-specific T lymphocytes. Although these combination treatments achieve the expected goal in some patients, relapse linked to alterations in antigen presentation machinery (APM) of cancer cells often occurs leading to tumor escape from CD8 T-cell immunity. Remarkably, an alternative antigenic peptide repertoire, referred to as T-cell epitopes associated with impaired peptide processing (TEIPP), arises on these malignant cells with altered APM. TEIPP are derived from ubiquitous non-mutant self-proteins and represent a unique resource to target immune-edited tumors that have acquired resistance to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) related to defects in transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and possibly also to ICB. The present review discusses tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and mutant neoantigens and their use as targets in peptide- and RNA-based therapeutic cancer vaccines. Finally, this paper highlights TEIPP as a promising immunogenic non-mutant neoantigen candidates for active cancer immunotherapy and combination with TAA and mutant neoantigens. Combining these polyepitope cancer vaccines with ICB would broaden T-cell specificity and reinvigorate exhausted antitumor CTL, resulting in the eradication of all types of neoplastic cells, including immune-escaped subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Omar Ashi
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Fathia Mami-Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France,Correspondence: Fathia Mami-Chouaib,
| | - Stéphanie Corgnac
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France,Stéphanie Corgnac, . INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France
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