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Cui L, Wang J, Orlando F, Giacconi R, Malavolta M, Bartozzi B, Galeazzi R, Giorgini G, Pesce L, Cardarelli F, Quagliarini E, Renzi S, Xiao S, Pozzi D, Provinciali M, Caracciolo G, Marchini C, Amici A. Enhancing Immune Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Aged Mice with INDUK: A Chimeric DNA Vaccine Encoding the Spike S1-TM Subunits. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:34624-34635. [PMID: 39157118 PMCID: PMC11325517 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Currently available vaccines against COVID-19 showed high efficacy against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 but progressively lower efficacy against new variants. In response to emerging SARS-CoV-2 strains, we propose chimeric DNA vaccines encoding the spike antigen, including a combination of selected key mutations from different variants of concern. We developed two DNA vaccines, pVAX-S1-TM-D614G and pVAX-S1-TM-INDUK (INDUK), encoding the SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike subunit in fusion with the transmembrane region that allows protein trimerization as predicted by in silico analysis. pVAX-S1-TM-D614G included the dominant D614G substitution, while the chimeric vaccine INDUK contained additional selected mutations from the Delta (E484Q and L452R) and Alpha (N501Y and A570D) variants. Considering that aging is a risk factor for severe disease and that suboptimal vaccine responses were observed in older individuals, the immunogenicity of pVAX-S1-TM-D614G and INDUK was tested in both young and aged C57BL/6 mice. Two vaccine doses were able to trigger significant anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody production, showing neutralizing activity. ELISA tests confirmed that antibodies induced by pVAX-S1-TM-D614G and INDUK were able to recognize both Wuhan Spike and Delta variant Spike as trimers, while neutralizing antibodies were detected by an ACE2:SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 inhibitor screening assay, designed to assess the capacity of antibodies to block the interaction between the viral spike S1 protein and the ACE2 receptor. Although antibody titer declined within six months, a third booster dose significantly increased the magnitude of humoral response, even in aged individuals, suggesting that immune recall can improve antibody response durability. The analysis of cellular responses demonstrated that vaccination with INDUK elicited an increase in the percentage of SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ producing T lymphocytes in immunized young mice and TNF-α-producing T lymphocytes in both young and aged mice. These findings not only hold immediate promise for addressing evolving challenges in SARS-CoV-2 vaccination but also open avenues to refine strategies and elevate the effectiveness of next-generation vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishan Cui
- School
of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Junbiao Wang
- School
of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Orlando
- Experimental
Animal Models for Aging Unit, Scientific Technological Area, IRRCS INRCA, 60100 Ancona, Italy
| | - Robertina Giacconi
- Advanced
Technology Center for Aging Research, IRCCS
INRCA, 60100Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Malavolta
- Advanced
Technology Center for Aging Research, IRCCS
INRCA, 60100Ancona, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bartozzi
- Advanced
Technology Center for Aging Research, IRCCS
INRCA, 60100Ancona, Italy
| | - Roberta Galeazzi
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche
Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giorgini
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche
Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Luca Pesce
- NEST
Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- NEST
Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Erica Quagliarini
- NanoDelivery
Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, viale
Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Renzi
- NanoDelivery
Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, viale
Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Siyao Xiao
- NanoDelivery
Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, viale
Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Pozzi
- NanoDelivery
Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, viale
Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Provinciali
- Experimental
Animal Models for Aging Unit, Scientific Technological Area, IRRCS INRCA, 60100 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulio Caracciolo
- NanoDelivery
Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, viale
Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchini
- School
of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Augusto Amici
- School
of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy
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Taha Z, Crupi MJ, Alluqmani N, Fareez F, Ng K, Sobh J, Lee E, Chen A, Thomson M, Spinelli MM, Ilkow CS, Bell JC, Arulanandam R, Diallo JS. Syngeneic mouse model of human HER2+ metastatic breast cancer for the evaluation of trastuzumab emtansine combined with oncolytic rhabdovirus. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1181014. [PMID: 37153626 PMCID: PMC10154558 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1181014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Established mouse models of HER2+ cancer are based on the over-expression of rodent Neu/Erbb2 homologues, which are incompatible with human HER2 (huHER2) targeted therapeutics. Additionally, the use of immune-deficient xenograft or transgenic models precludes assessment of native anti-tumour immune responses. These hurdles have been a challenge for our understanding of the immune mechanisms behind huHER2-targeting immunotherapies. Methods To assess the immune impacts of our huHER2-targeted combination strategy, we generated a syngeneic mouse model of huHER2+ breast cancer, using a truncated form of huHER2, HER2T. Following validation of this model, we next treated tumour-bearing with our immunotherapy strategy: oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVΔ51) with clinically approved antibody-drug conjugate targeting huHER2, trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). We assessed efficacy through tumour control, survival, and immune analyses. Results The generated truncated HER2T construct was non-immunogenic in wildtype BALB/c mice upon expression in murine mammary carcinoma 4T1.2 cells. Treatment of 4T1.2-HER2T tumours with VSVΔ51+T-DM1 yielded robust curative efficacy compared to controls, and broad immunologic memory. Interrogation of anti-tumour immunity revealed tumour infiltration by CD4+ T cells, and activation of B, NK, and dendritic cell responses, as well as tumour-reactive serum IgG. Conclusions The 4T1.2-HER2T model was used to evaluate the anti-tumour immune responses following our complex pharmacoviral treatment strategy. These data demonstrate utility of the syngeneic HER2T model for assessment of huHER2-targeted therapies in an immune-competent in vivo setting. We further demonstrated that HER2T can be implemented in multiple other syngeneic tumour models, including but not limited to colorectal and ovarian models. These data also suggest that the HER2T platform may be used to assess a range of surface-HER2T targeting approaches, such as CAR-T, T-cell engagers, antibodies, or even retargeted oncolytic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Taha
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mathieu J.F. Crupi
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nouf Alluqmani
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Faiha Fareez
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kristy Ng
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Judy Sobh
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Emily Lee
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Chen
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Max Thomson
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marcus M. Spinelli
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina S. Ilkow
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John C. Bell
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rozanne Arulanandam
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Simon Diallo
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jean-Simon Diallo,
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Quagliarini E, Wang J, Renzi S, Cui L, Digiacomo L, Ferri G, Pesce L, De Lorenzi V, Matteoli G, Amenitsch H, Masuelli L, Bei R, Pozzi D, Amici A, Cardarelli F, Marchini C, Caracciolo G. Mechanistic Insights into the Superior DNA Delivery Efficiency of Multicomponent Lipid Nanoparticles: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:56666-56677. [PMID: 36524967 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently having an increasing impact on nanomedicines as delivery agents, among others, of RNA molecules (e.g., short interfering RNA for the treatment of hereditary diseases or messenger RNA for the development of COVID-19 vaccines). Despite this, the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) by LNPs in preclinical studies is still unsatisfactory, mainly due to the lack of systematic structural and functional studies on DNA-loaded LNPs. To tackle this issue, we developed, characterized, and tested a library of 16 multicomponent DNA-loaded LNPs which were prepared by microfluidics and differed in lipid composition, surface functionalization, and manufacturing factors. 8 out of 16 formulations exhibited proper size and zeta potential and passed to the validation step, that is, the simultaneous quantification of transfection efficiency and cell viability in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). The most efficient formulation (LNP15) was then successfully validated both in vitro, in an immortalized adult keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and in an epidermoid cervical cancer cell line (CaSki), and in vivo as a nanocarrier to deliver a cancer vaccine against the benchmark target tyrosine-kinase receptor HER2 in C57BL/6 mice. Finally, by a combination of confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, we were able to show that the superior efficiency of LNP15 can be linked to its disordered nanostructure consisting of small-size unoriented layers of pDNA sandwiched between closely apposed lipid membranes that undergo massive destabilization upon interaction with cellular lipids. Our results provide new insights into the structure-activity relationship of pDNA-loaded LNPs and pave the way to the clinical translation of this gene delivery technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Quagliarini
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Junbiao Wang
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032Camerino, Italy
| | - Serena Renzi
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Lishan Cui
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032Camerino, Italy
| | - Luca Digiacomo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Pesce
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina De Lorenzi
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Matteoli
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Heinz Amenitsch
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010Graz, Austria
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Pozzi
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Amici
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032Camerino, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchini
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032Camerino, Italy
| | - Giulio Caracciolo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161Rome, Italy
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4
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Cui L, Renzi S, Quagliarini E, Digiacomo L, Amenitsch H, Masuelli L, Bei R, Ferri G, Cardarelli F, Wang J, Amici A, Pozzi D, Marchini C, Caracciolo G. Efficient Delivery of DNA Using Lipid Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1698. [PMID: 36015328 PMCID: PMC9416266 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccination has been extensively studied as a promising strategy for tumor treatment. Despite the efforts, the therapeutic efficacy of DNA vaccines has been limited by their intrinsic poor cellular internalization. Electroporation, which is based on the application of a controlled electric field to enhance DNA penetration into cells, has been the method of choice to produce acceptable levels of gene transfer in vivo. However, this method may cause cell damage or rupture, non-specific targeting, and even degradation of pDNA. Skin irritation, muscle contractions, pain, alterations in skin structure, and irreversible cell damage have been frequently reported. To overcome these limitations, in this work, we use a microfluidic platform to generate DNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) which are then characterized by a combination of dynamic light scattering (DLS), synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Despite the clinical successes obtained by LNPs for mRNA and siRNA delivery, little is known about LNPs encapsulating bulkier DNA molecules, the clinical application of which remains challenging. For in vitro screening, LNPs were administered to human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and ranked for their transfection efficiency (TE) and cytotoxicity. The LNP formulation exhibiting the highest TE and the lowest cytotoxicity was then tested for the delivery of the DNA vaccine pVAX-hECTM targeting the human neoantigen HER2, an oncoprotein overexpressed in several cancer types. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), immunofluorescence assays and fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCS), we proved that pVAX-hECTM-loaded LNPs produce massive expression of the HER2 antigen on the cell membrane of HEK-293 cells. Our results provide new insights into the structure-activity relationship of DNA-loaded LNPs and pave the way for the access of this gene delivery technology to preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishan Cui
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Serena Renzi
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Quagliarini
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Digiacomo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Heinz Amenitsch
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTechnology (NEST), Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTechnology (NEST), Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Junbiao Wang
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Augusto Amici
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Daniela Pozzi
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchini
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Giulio Caracciolo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Iezzi M, Quaglino E, Amici A, Lollini PL, Forni G, Cavallo F. DNA vaccination against oncoantigens: A promise. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:316-325. [PMID: 22737607 PMCID: PMC3382874 DOI: 10.4161/onci.19127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging evidence that DNA vaccines elicit a protective immune response in rodents, dogs and cancer patients, coupled with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of an initial DNA vaccine to treat canine tumors is beginning to close the gap between the optimistic experimental data and their difficult application in a clinical setting. Here we review a series of conceptual and biotechnological advances that are working together to make DNA vaccines targeting molecules that play important roles during cancer progression (oncoantigens) a promise with near-term clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Iezzi
- Aging Research Centre; G. d'Annunzio University; Chieti, Italy
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Recent Development and Clinical Application of Cancer Vaccine: Targeting Neoantigens. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:4325874. [PMID: 30662919 PMCID: PMC6313977 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4325874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, increasing data show that immunotherapy could be a powerful weapon against cancers. Comparing to the traditional surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, immunotherapy more specifically targets cancer cells, giving rise to the opportunities to the patients to have higher response rates and better quality of life and even to cure the disease. Cancer vaccines could be designed to target tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), cancer germline antigens, virus-associated antigens, or tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), which are also called neoantigens. The cancer vaccines could be cell-based (e.g., dendritic cell vaccine provenge (sipuleucel-T) targeting prostatic acid phosphatase for metastatic prostate cancer), peptide/protein-based, or gene- (DNA/RNA) based, with the different kinds of adjuvants. Neoantigens are tumor-specific and could be presented by MHC molecules and recognized by T lymphocytes, serving the ideal immune targets to increase the therapeutic specificity and decrease the risk of nonspecific autoimmunity. By targeting the shared antigens and private epitopes, the cancer vaccine has potential to treat the disease. Accordingly, personalized neoantigen-based immunotherapies are emerging. In this article, we review the literature and evidence of the advantage and application of cancer vaccine. We summarize the recent clinical trials of neoantigen cancer vaccines which were designed according to the patients' personal mutanome. With the rapid development of personalized immunotherapy, it is believed that tumors could be efficiently controlled and become curable in the new era of precision medicine.
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7
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Bartolacci C, Andreani C, Curcio C, Occhipinti S, Massaccesi L, Giovarelli M, Galeazzi R, Iezzi M, Tilio M, Gambini V, Wang J, Marchini C, Amici A. Phage-Based Anti-HER2 Vaccination Can Circumvent Immune Tolerance against Breast Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:1486-1498. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Anticoli S, Aricò E, Arenaccio C, Manfredi F, Chiozzini C, Olivetta E, Ferrantelli F, Lattanzi L, D'Urso MT, Proietti E, Federico M. Engineered exosomes emerging from muscle cells break immune tolerance to HER2 in transgenic mice and induce antigen-specific CTLs upon challenge by human dendritic cells. J Mol Med (Berl) 2017; 96:211-221. [PMID: 29282521 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-017-1617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We recently described a novel biotechnological platform for the production of unrestricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) vaccines. It relies on in vivo engineering of exosomes, i.e., nanovesicles constitutively released by all cells, with full-length antigens of choice upon fusion with an exosome-anchoring protein referred to as Nefmut. They are produced upon intramuscular injection of a DNA vector and, when uploaded with a viral tumor antigen, were found to elicit an immune response inhibiting the tumor growth in a model of transplantable tumors. However, for a possible application in cancer immunotherapy, a number of key issues remained unmet. Among these, we investigated: (i) whether the immunogenic stimulus induced by the engineered exosomes can break immune tolerance, and (ii) their effectiveness when applied in human system. As a model of immune tolerance, we considered mice transgenic for the expression of activated rat HER2/neu which spontaneously develop adenocarcinomas in all mammary glands. When these mice were injected with a DNA vector expressing the product of fusion between Nefmut and the extracellular domain of HER2/neu, antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes became readily detectable. This immune response associated with a HER2-directed CTL activity and a significant delay in tumor development. On the other hand, through cross-priming experiments, we demonstrated the effectiveness of the engineered exosomes emerging from transfected human primary muscle cells in inducing antigen-specific CTLs. We propose our CTL vaccine platform as part of new immunotherapy strategies against tumors expressing self-antigens, i.e., products highly expressed in oncologic lesions but tolerated by the immune system. KEY MESSAGES We established a novel, exosome-based method to produce unrestricted CTL vaccines. This strategy is effective in breaking the tolerance towards tumor self-antigens. Our method is also useful to elicit antigen-specific CTL immunity in humans. These findings open the way towards the use of this antitumor strategy in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Anticoli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- FabioCell, Core Facilities, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Arenaccio
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Manfredi
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Chiozzini
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Olivetta
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Ferrantelli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Lattanzi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa D'Urso
- National Center for Animal Experimentation and Health, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Proietti
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Federico
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Riccardo F, Réal A, Voena C, Chiarle R, Cavallo F, Barutello G. Maternal Immunization: New Perspectives on Its Application Against Non-Infectious Related Diseases in Newborns. Vaccines (Basel) 2017; 5:E20. [PMID: 28763018 PMCID: PMC5620551 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines5030020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The continuous evolution in preventive medicine has anointed vaccination a versatile, human-health improving tool, which has led to a steady decline in deaths in the developing world. Maternal immunization represents an incisive step forward for the field of vaccination as it provides protection against various life-threatening diseases in pregnant women and their children. A number of studies to improve prevention rates and expand protection against the largest possible number of infections are still in progress. The complex unicity of the mother-infant interaction, both during and after pregnancy and which involves immune system cells and molecules, is an able partner in the success of maternal immunization, as intended thus far. Interestingly, new studies have shed light on the versatility of maternal immunization in protecting infants from non-infectious related diseases, such as allergy, asthma and congenital metabolic disorders. However, barely any attempt at applying maternal immunization to the prevention of childhood cancer has been made. The most promising study reported in this new field is a recent proof of concept on the efficacy of maternal immunization in protecting cancer-prone offspring against mammary tumor progression. New investigations into the possibility of exploiting maternal immunization to prevent the onset and/or progression of neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood malignancies, are therefore justified. Maternal immunization is presented in a new guise in this review. Attention will be focused on its versatility and potential applications in preventing tumor progression in neuroblastoma-prone offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Aline Réal
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Claudia Voena
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
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10
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Tallerico R, Conti L, Lanzardo S, Sottile R, Garofalo C, Wagner AK, Johansson MH, Cristiani CM, Kärre K, Carbone E, Cavallo F. NK cells control breast cancer and related cancer stem cell hematological spread. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1284718. [PMID: 28405511 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1284718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and recurrence of a number of cancers is driven by a scarce population of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are resistant to most current therapies. It has been shown previously that natural killer (NK) cells recognize human glioma, melanoma, colon and prostate CSCs in vitro. We herein show that human and mouse breast CSCs are also susceptible to NK cytotoxic activity in vitro. Moreover, CSC induced autologous NK cell activation and expansion in vivo, which correlate with the inhibition of CSC metastatic spread. These data suggest that NK cells control CSC metastatic spread in vivo and that their use in breast cancer therapy may well be fruitful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Tallerico
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin , Turin, Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin , Turin, Italy
| | - Rosa Sottile
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cinzia Garofalo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Arnika K Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria H Johansson
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Costanza Maria Cristiani
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ennio Carbone
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin , Turin, Italy
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11
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Chotprakaikiat W, Allen A, Bui-Minh D, Harden E, Jobsri J, Cavallo F, Gleba Y, Stevenson FK, Ottensmeier C, Klimyuk V, Savelyeva N. A plant-expressed conjugate vaccine breaks CD4(+) tolerance and induces potent immunity against metastatic Her2(+) breast cancer. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1166323. [PMID: 27471642 PMCID: PMC4938312 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1166323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Passive antibody therapy for cancer is an effective but costly treatment modality. Induction of therapeutically potent anticancer antibodies by active vaccination is an attractive alternative but has proven challenging in cancer due to tolerogenic pressure in patients. Here, we used the clinically relevant cancer target Her2, known to be susceptible to targeting by antibody therapy, to demonstrate how potent antibody can be induced by vaccination. A novel 44kD Her2 protein fragment was generated and found to be highly effective at inducing anti-Her2 antibody including trastuzumab-like reactivities. In the tolerant and spontaneous BALB-neuT mouse model of metastatic breast cancer this Her2-targeting vaccine was only effective if the fragment was conjugated to a foreign immunogenic carrier; Fragment C of tetanus toxin. Only the conjugate vaccine induced high affinity anti-Her2 antibody of multiple isotypes and suppressed tumor development. The magnitude of CD4(+) T-cell help and breadth of cytokines secreted by the CD4(+) T helper (Th) cells induced to the foreign antigen was critical. We used a highly efficient plant-based bio-manufacturing process for protein antigens, magnICON, for vaccine expression, to underpin feasibility of future clinical testing. Hence, our novel Her2-targeting conjugate vaccine combines preclinical efficacy with clinical deliverability, thus setting the scene for therapeutic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Allen
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Elena Harden
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jantipa Jobsri
- Oral Biology Department, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Freda K. Stevenson
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Christian Ottensmeier
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Natalia Savelyeva
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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12
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Lollini PL, Cavallo F, Nanni P, Quaglino E. The Promise of Preventive Cancer Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 3:467-89. [PMID: 26343198 PMCID: PMC4494347 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines3020467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Years of unsuccessful attempts at fighting established tumors with vaccines have taught us all that they are only able to truly impact patient survival when used in a preventive setting, as would normally be the case for traditional vaccines against infectious diseases. While true primary cancer prevention is still but a long-term goal, secondary and tertiary prevention are already in the clinic and providing encouraging results. A combination of immunopreventive cancer strategies and recently approved checkpoint inhibitors is a further promise of forthcoming successful cancer disease control, but prevention will require a considerable reduction of currently reported toxicities. These considerations summed with the increased understanding of tumor antigens allow space for an optimistic view of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, Torino 10126, Italy.
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13
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Marchini C, Kalogris C, Garulli C, Pietrella L, Gabrielli F, Curcio C, Quaglino E, Cavallo F, Amici A. Tailoring DNA Vaccines: Designing Strategies Against HER2-Positive Cancers. Front Oncol 2013; 3:122. [PMID: 23675574 PMCID: PMC3653119 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial role of HER2 in epithelial transformation and its selective overexpression on cancer tissues makes it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapies such as passive immunotherapy with Trastuzumab. There are, however, a number of concerns regarding the use of monoclonal antibodies which include resistance, repeated treatments, considerable costs, and side effects that make active immunotherapies against HER2 desirable alternative approaches. The efficacy of anti-HER2 DNA vaccination has been widely demonstrated in transgenic cancer-prone mice, which recapitulate several features of human breast cancers. Nonetheless, the rational design of a cancer vaccine able to trigger a long-lasting immunity, and thus prevent tumor recurrence in patients, would require the understanding of how tolerance and immunosuppression regulate antitumor immune responses and, at the same time, the identification of the most immunogenic portions of the target protein. We herein retrace the findings that led to our most promising DNA vaccines that, by encoding human/rat chimeric forms of HER2, are able to circumvent peripheral tolerance. Preclinical data obtained with these chimeric DNA vaccines have provided the rationale for their use in an ongoing Phase I clinical trial (EudraCT 2011-001104-34).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Marchini
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino Camerino, Macerata, Italy
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14
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Gabrielli F, Salvi R, Garulli C, Kalogris C, Arima S, Tardella L, Monaci P, Pupa SM, Tagliabue E, Montani M, Quaglino E, Stramucci L, Curcio C, Marchini C, Amici A. Identification of relevant conformational epitopes on the HER2 oncoprotein by using Large Fragment Phage Display (LFPD). PLoS One 2013; 8:e58358. [PMID: 23555577 PMCID: PMC3610777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a new phage-display based approach, the Large Fragment Phage Display (LFPD), that can be used for mapping conformational epitopes on target molecules of immunological interest. LFPD uses a simplified and more effective phage-display approach in which only a limited set of larger fragments (about 100 aa in length) are expressed on the phage surface. Using the human HER2 oncoprotein as a target, we identified novel B-cell conformational epitopes. The same homologous epitopes were also detected in rat HER2 and all corresponded to the epitopes predicted by computational analysis (PEPITO software), showing that LFPD gives reproducible and accurate results. Interestingly, these newly identified HER2 epitopes seem to be crucial for an effective immune response against HER2-overexpressing breast cancers and might help discriminating between metastatic breast cancer and early breast cancer patients. Overall, the results obtained in this study demonstrated the utility of LFPD and its potential application to the detection of conformational epitopes on many other molecules of interest, as well as, the development of new and potentially more effective B-cell conformational epitopes based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Gabrielli
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Roberto Salvi
- Faculté de Médecine, Biothérapie du Diabète, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France
| | - Chiara Garulli
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Cristina Kalogris
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Serena Arima
- Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Luca Tardella
- Department of Statistical Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Monaci
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Serenella M. Pupa
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Montani
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Curcio
- Aging Research Centre, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchini
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
- * E-mail: (CM); (AA)
| | - Augusto Amici
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
- * E-mail: (CM); (AA)
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15
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Pakravan N, Hashemi SM, Hassan ZM. Adjuvant activity of GP96 C-terminal domain towards Her2/neu DNA vaccine is fusion direction-dependent. Cell Stress Chaperones 2011; 16:41-8. [PMID: 20730610 PMCID: PMC3024088 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-010-0219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Revised: 07/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Her2 is one of tumor-associated antigens (TAA), regarded as an ideal target of immunotherapy. DNA encoding full-length or truncated rat Her2/neu have shown protective and therapeutics potentials against Her2/neu-expressing mammary tumors. However, the efficacy of active vaccination is limited since Her2 is a self-tolerated antigen. Hence, new strategies are required to enhance both the quality and quantity of the immune response against Her2-expressing tumors. Many studies have used Her2/neu gene with cytokine or other molecules involved in regulation of immune response to enhance the potency of Her2/neu DNA vaccines. Some studies fused adjuvant gene to C-terminal domain of Her2/neu gene, while others fused the adjuvant gene N-terminally to Her2/neu gene, but no comparison on how direction of fusion could affect efficiency of DNA vaccine has ever been made. Based on previous reports demonstrating potent adjuvant activity of gp96 C-terminal domain, we chose it as adjuvant. The aim of this study was to investigate if direction of fusion could affect adjuvant activity of gp96 C-terminal domain or potency of Her2/neu DNA vaccination. To do so, we fused C-terminal domain of gp96 to downstream or C-terminal end of transmembrane and extracellular domain (TM+ECD) of rat Her2/neu and resultant immune response to DNA vaccination was evaluated. The results were compared with that of N-terminally fusion of gp96 C-terminal domain to TM+ECD of rat Her2/neu. Our results revealed that adjuvant activity of gp96 C-terminal domain is enhanced when fused N-terminally to TM+ECD of rat Her2/neu. It suggests that adjuvant activity of gp96 C-terminal domain towards Her2/neu is fusion direction-dependent.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/genetics
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/chemistry
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use
- Cell Line
- Female
- Gene Fusion
- Heat-Shock Proteins/chemistry
- Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Pakravan
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Ale-Ahmad Avenue, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Ale-Ahmad Avenue, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zuhair Mohammad Hassan
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Ale-Ahmad Avenue, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Baxevanis CN, Voutsas IF, Gritzapis AD, Perez SA, Papamichail M. HER-2/neu as a target for cancer vaccines. Immunotherapy 2010; 2:213-26. [PMID: 20635929 DOI: 10.2217/imt.09.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel modality toward the treatment of HER-2/neu-positive malignancies, mostly including breast and, more recently prostate carcinomas, has been the use of vaccines targeting HER-2/neu extracellular and intracellular domains. HER-2/neu-specific vaccines have been demonstrated to generate durable T-cell anti-HER-2/neu immunity when tested in Phase I and II clinical trials with no significant toxicity or autoimmunity directed against normal tissues. Targeting of HER-2/neu in active immunotherapy may involve peptide and DNA vaccines. Moreover, active anti-HER-2/neu immunization could facilitate the ex vivo expansion of HER-2/neu-specific T cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of established metastatic disease. In addition, early data from trials examining the potential use of HER-2/neu-based vaccines in the adjuvant setting to prevent the relapse of breast cancer in high-risk patients have shown promising results. Future approaches include multiepitope preventive vaccines and combinatorial treatments for generating the most efficient protective anti-tumor immunity.
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17
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Pakravan N, Soudi S, Hassan ZM. N-terminally fusion of Her2/neu to HSP70 decreases efficiency of Her2/neu DNA vaccine. Cell Stress Chaperones 2010; 15:631-8. [PMID: 20224916 PMCID: PMC3006617 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-010-0175-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2009] [Revised: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 01/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccines consisted of tumor-associated antigen (TAA) are well suited for immunotherapy against tumor. The construct can contain TAA fused to an appropriate molecule (biologic adjuvant) to improve the efficacy of anti-tumor immune response. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has been shown to be an excellent candidate, capable of cross-priming TAA by antigen presenting cells leading to a robust T-cell response. However, the relationship between strong T-cell responses and tumor rejection is not always mutually exclusive, for which TAA loss or activation of suppressive mechanisms may occur. HSP70 fused to downstream of Her2/neu as DNA vaccine has been shown to be efficient against Her2-expressing tumors. In this study, we examined if N-terminally fusion of Her2/neu to HSP70 could also improve efficiency of Her2/neu DNA vaccine. Therefore, mice with an established Her2/neu expressing tumor were immunized with DNA vaccine consisting of extracellular and trans-membrane domain (EC+TM) of rat Her2/neu alone or N-terminally fused to HSP70 and immune response was evaluated. Administration of rat Her2/neu led to partial control of tumor progression. Surprisingly, fusion of HSP70 to N-terminal of rat Her2/neu led to tumor progression. Our result proposes that fusion direction of biologic adjuvant is an important consideration when Her2/neu is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Pakravan
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Ale-Ahmad Avenue, P.O. Box 14115-331, Tehran, Iran.
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18
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Rolla S, Ria F, Occhipinti S, Di Sante G, Iezzi M, Spadaro M, Nicolò C, Ambrosino E, Merighi IF, Musiani P, Forni G, Cavallo F. Erbb2 DNA vaccine combined with regulatory T cell deletion enhances antibody response and reveals latent low-avidity T cells: potential and limits of its therapeutic efficacy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:6124-32. [PMID: 20435927 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Rat (r)Erbb2 transgenic BALB-neuT mice genetically predestined to develop multiple invasive carcinomas allow an assessment of the potential of a vaccine against the stages of cancer progression. Because of rErbb2 expression in the thymus and its overexpression in the mammary gland, CD8(+) T cell clones reacting at high avidity with dominant rErbb2 epitopes are deleted in these mice. In BALB-neuT mice with diffuse and invasive in situ lesions and almost palpable carcinomas, a temporary regulatory T cells depletion combined with anti-rErbb2 vaccine markedly enhanced the anti-rErbb2 Ab response and allowed the expansion of latent pools of low-avidity CD8(+) T cells bearing TCRs repertoire reacting with the rErbb2 dominant peptide. This combination of a higher Ab response and activation of a low-avidity cytotoxic response persistently blocked tumor progression at stages in which the vaccine alone was ineffective. However, when diffuse and invasive microscopic cancers become almost palpable, this combination was no longer able to secure a significant extension of mice survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Rolla
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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19
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Quaglino E, Mastini C, Amici A, Marchini C, Iezzi M, Lanzardo S, De Giovanni C, Montani M, Lollini PL, Masucci G, Forni G, Cavallo F. A Better Immune Reaction to Erbb-2 Tumors Is Elicited in Mice by DNA Vaccines Encoding Rat/Human Chimeric Proteins. Cancer Res 2010; 70:2604-12. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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20
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Jacob JB, Quaglino E, Radkevich-Brown O, Jones RF, Piechocki MP, Reyes JD, Weise A, Amici A, Wei WZ. Combining human and rat sequences in her-2 DNA vaccines blunts immune tolerance and drives antitumor immunity. Cancer Res 2010; 70:119-28. [PMID: 20048073 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immune tolerance to tumor-associated self-antigens poses a major challenge in the ability to mount an effective cancer vaccine response. To overcome immune tolerance to HER-2, we formulated DNA vaccines that express both human HER-2 and heterologous rat Neu sequences in separate plasmids or as single hybrid constructs that encode HER-2/Neu fusion proteins. Candidate vaccines were tested in Her-2 transgenic (Tg) mice of BALB/c (BALB), BALB/cxC57BL/6 F1 (F1), or C57BL/6 (B6) background, which exhibit decreasing immune responsiveness to HER-2. Analysis of various cocktails or hybrid vaccines defined a requirement for particular combination of HER/2/Neu sequences to effectively prime immune effector cells in HER-2 Tg mice. In B6 HER-2 Tg mice, rejection of HER-2-positive tumors protected mice from HER-2-negative tumors, providing evidence of epitope spreading. Our findings show that a strategy of combining heterologous antigen with self-antigens could produce a potent DNA vaccine that may be applicable to other tumor-associated antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B Jacob
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
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21
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Andreasson K, Tegerstedt K, Eriksson M, Curcio C, Cavallo F, Forni G, Dalianis T, Ramqvist T. Murine pneumotropic virus chimeric Her2/neu virus-like particles as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against Her2/neu expressing tumors. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:150-6. [PMID: 18839427 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) have increasingly attracted attention as DNA-free and safe antigen carriers in tumor immunotherapy, requiring only minute amounts of antigens. Previously, we have immunized with murine polyomavirus (MPyV) VLPs carrying human Her2/neu and prevented the outgrowth of a human Her2/neu expressing tumor in a transplantable tumor model as well as outgrowth of spontaneous rat Her2/neu carcinomas in BALB-neuT mice. Here, we examine if prophylactic and therapeutic protection could be obtained with murine pneumotropic virus (MPtV) VLPs, and study the cross-reactivity between human and rat Her2/neu. VLPs from MPyV and MPtV carrying human or rat Her2/neu were tested in two transplantable tumor models against a human Her2/neu positive (D2F2/E2) and a rat Her2/neu positive tumor cell line (TUBO). Rat Her2/neu-VLPs were also tested in BALB-neuT mice. Her2/neu-MPtVLPs were as efficient as prophylactic vaccines against D2F2/E2 and TUBO as those from MPyV. Homologous Her2/neu was better than heterologous, i.e. human Her2/neu-VLPs were better than rat Her2/neu-VLPs against D2F2/E2 and vice versa. Moreover, therapeutic immunization with human Her2/neu-VLPs together with CpG given up to 6 days after challenge protected against D2F2/E2. In BALB-neuT mice, rat Her2/neu-VLPs were less efficient than human Her2/neu-VLPs used in our previous study, implying that protection seen in that study was partly due to the use of human rather than rat Her2/neu. In conclusion, Her2/neu-MPtVLPs are effective both as prophylactic and therapeutic tumor vaccines. Homologous Her2/neu-VLPs are superior to heterologous in transplantable tumor models, while the opposite is true in BALB-neuT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalle Andreasson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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