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Liu W, Zhao Y, Liu Z, Zhang G, Wu H, Zheng X, Tang X, Chen Z. Therapeutic effects against high-grade glioblastoma mediated by engineered induced neural stem cells combined with GD2-specific CAR-NK. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1747-1762. [PMID: 37420122 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00842-5] [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] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-grade glioblastoma is extremely challenging to treat because of its aggressiveness and resistance to conventional chemo- and radio-therapies. On the contrary, genetic and cellular immunotherapeutic strategies based on the stem and immune cells are emerging as promising treatments against glioblastoma (GBM). We aimed to developed a novel combined immunotherapeutic strategy to improve the treatment efficacy using genetically engineered PBMC-derived induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) expressing HSV-TK and second-generation CAR-NK cells against GBM. METHODS iNSCs cells expressing HSV-TK (iNSCsTK) and GD2-specific CAR-NK92 (GD2NK92) were generated from PBMC-derived iNSCs and NK92 cell lines, respectively. The anti-tumor effect of iNSCsTK and the combinational therapeutics of iNSCsTK and GD2NK92 were evaluated by GBM cell line using in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS PBMC-derived iNSCsTK possessed tumor-tropism migration ability in vitro and in vivo, which exhibited considerable anti-tumor activity via bystander effect in the presence of ganciclovir (GCV). iNSCsTK/GCV could slow GBM progression and prolong median survival in tumor-bearing mice. However, the anti-tumor effect was limited to single therapy. Therefore, the combinational therapeutic effect of iNSCsTK/GCV and GD2NK92 against GBM was investigated. This approach displayed a more significant anti-tumor effect in vitro and in xenograft tumor mice. CONCLUSIONS PBMC-derived iNSCsTK showed a significant tumor-tropic migration and an effective anti-tumor activity with GCV in vitro and in vivo. In addition, combined with GD2NK92, iNSCsTK therapeutic efficacy improved dramatically to prolong the tumor-bearing animal model's median survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhongfeng Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Guangji Zhang
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Huantong Wu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xihe Tang
- Neurosurgery Center of Aeronautical General Hospital, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China.
- , Beijing, China.
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2
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Raftery MJ, Franzén AS, Radecke C, Boulifa A, Schönrich G, Stintzing S, Blohmer JU, Pecher G. Next Generation CD44v6-Specific CAR-NK Cells Effective against Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109038. [PMID: 37240385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a medical need to develop new and effective therapies against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells are a promising alternative to CAR-T cell therapy for cancer. A search for a suitable target in TNBC identified CD44v6, an adhesion molecule expressed in lymphomas, leukemias and solid tumors that is implicated in tumorigenesis and metastases. We have developed a next-generation CAR targeting CD44v6 that incorporates IL-15 superagonist and checkpoint inhibitor molecules. We could show that CD44v6 CAR-NK cells demonstrated effective cytotoxicity against TNBC in 3D spheroid models. The IL-15 superagonist was specifically released upon recognition of CD44v6 on TNBC and contributed to the cytotoxic attack. PD1 ligands are upregulated in TNBC and contribute to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Competitive inhibition of PD1 neutralized inhibition by PD1 ligands expressed on TNBC. In total, CD44v6 CAR-NK cells are resistant to TME immunosuppression and offer a new therapeutic option for the treatment of BC, including TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Raftery
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Clarissa Radecke
- Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hämatologie, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Abdelhadi Boulifa
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Günther Schönrich
- Institute of Virology, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Stintzing
- Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hämatologie, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens-Uwe Blohmer
- Department of Gynecology and Breast Cancer Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pecher
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medizinische Klinik m. S. Hämatologie, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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3
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Suicide gene strategies applied in ovarian cancer studies. Cancer Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41417-023-00590-6. [PMID: 36717737 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer represents the most lethal gynecological malignancy among women in developed countries. Despite the recent innovations, the improvements in the 5-year survival rate have been insufficient and the management of this disease still remains a challenge. The fact that the majority of patients experience recurrent or resistant disease have substantiated the necessity of an innovative treatment. Among various strategies investigated, the recent strides made in gene delivery techniques have made gene therapy, including suicide gene strategies, a potential alternative for treating ovarian cancer. Various suicide gene candidates, which are capable of promoting cancer cell apoptosis directly after its entry or indirectly by prodrug administration, can be separated into three systems using enzyme-coding, toxin or pro-apoptotic genes. With this review, we aim to provide an overview of different suicide genes depending on therapeutic strategies, the vectors used to deliver these transgenes specifically to malignant cells, and the combined treatments of these genes with various therapeutic regimens.
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4
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Oishi T, Ito M, Koizumi S, Horikawa M, Yamamoto T, Yamagishi S, Yamasaki T, Sameshima T, Suzuki T, Sugimura H, Namba H, Kurozumi K. Efficacy of HSV-TK/GCV system suicide gene therapy using SHED expressing modified HSV-TK against lung cancer brain metastases. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:253-265. [PMID: 35892087 PMCID: PMC9307584 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and the number of patients with intracranial metastases is increasing. Previously, we developed an enzyme prodrug suicide gene therapy based on the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) system using various mesenchymal stem cells to induce apoptosis in malignant gliomas through bystander killing effects. Here, we describe stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) as gene vehicles of the TK/GCV system against a brain metastasis model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We introduced the A168H mutant TK (TKA168H) into SHED to establish the therapeutic cells because of the latent toxicity of wild type. SHED expressing TKA168H (SHED-TK) exhibited chemotaxis to the conditioned medium of NSCLC and migrated toward implanted NSCLC in vivo. SHED-TK demonstrated a strong bystander effect in vitro and in vivo and completely eradicated H1299 NSCLC in the brain. SHED-TK cells implanted intratumorally followed by GCV administration significantly suppressed the growth of H1299 and improved survival time. These results indicate that the TKA168H variant is suitable for establishing therapeutic cells and that intratumoral injection of SHED-TK followed by GCV administration may be a useful strategy for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Oishi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ito
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Koizumi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Makoto Horikawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Taisuke Yamamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Satoru Yamagishi
- Department of Organ and Tissue Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Preeminent Medical Photonics Education and Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yamasaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Sameshima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Suzuki
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sugimura
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Hiroki Namba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Enshu Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kurozumi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
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5
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Bashyal N, Lee TY, Chang DY, Jung JH, Kim MG, Acharya R, Kim SS, Oh IH, Suh-Kim H. Improving the Safety of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Ex Vivo Therapy Using Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase. Mol Cells 2022; 45:479-494. [PMID: 35356894 PMCID: PMC9260133 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.5015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have been intensively studied as therapeutic tools for a variety of disorders. To enhance the efficacy of MSCs, therapeutic genes are introduced using retroviral and lentiviral vectors. However, serious adverse events (SAEs) such as tumorigenesis can be induced by insertional mutagenesis. We generated lentiviral vectors encoding the wild-type herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene and a gene containing a point mutation that results in an alanine to histidine substitution at residue 168 (TK(A168H)) and transduced expression in MSCs (MSC-TK and MSC-TK(A168H)). Transduction of lentiviral vectors encoding the TK(A168H) mutant did not alter the proliferation capacity, mesodermal differentiation potential, or surface antigenicity of MSCs. The MSC-TK(A168H) cells were genetically stable, as shown by karyotyping. MSC-TK(A168H) responded to ganciclovir (GCV) with an half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value 10-fold less than that of MSC-TK. Because MSC-TK(A168H) cells were found to be non-tumorigenic, a U87-TK(A168H) subcutaneous tumor was used as a SAE-like condition and we evaluated the effect of valganciclovir (vGCV), an oral prodrug for GCV. U87-TK(A168H) tumors were more efficiently ablated by 200 mg/kg vGCV than U87-TK tumors. These results indicate that MSC-TK(A168H) cells appear to be pre-clinically safe for therapeutic use. We propose that genetic modification with HSV-TK(A168H) makes allogeneic MSC-based ex vivo therapy safer by eliminating transplanted cells during SAEs such as uncontrolled cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Bashyal
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Tae-Young Lee
- Research Center, Cell&Brain Co., Ltd., Jeonju 54871, Korea
| | - Da-Young Chang
- Research Center, Cell&Brain Co., Ltd., Jeonju 54871, Korea
| | - Jin-Hwa Jung
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Min Gyeong Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Rakshya Acharya
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Il-Hoan Oh
- Department of Medical Lifescience, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Haeyoung Suh-Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
- Research Center, Cell&Brain Co., Ltd., Jeonju 54871, Korea
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6
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Efficient Genetic Safety Switches for Future Application of iPSC-Derived Cell Transplants. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11060565. [PMID: 34204193 PMCID: PMC8234706 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell products hold great promise as a potential cell source in personalized medicine. As concerns about the potential risk of graft-related severe adverse events, such as tumor formation from residual pluripotent cells, currently restrict their applicability, we established an optimized tool for therapeutic intervention that allows drug-controlled, specific and selective ablation of either iPSCs or the whole graft through genetic safety switches. To identify the best working system, different tools for genetic iPSC modification, promoters to express safety switches and different safety switches were combined. Suicide effects were slightly stronger when the suicide gene was delivered through lentiviral (LV) vectors compared to integration into the AAVS1 locus through TALEN technology. An optimized HSV-thymidine kinase and the inducible Caspase 9 both mediated drug-induced, efficient in vitro elimination of transgene-positive iPSCs. Choice of promoter allowed selective elimination of distinct populations within the graft: the hOct4 short response element restricted transgene expression to iPSCs, while the CAGs promoter ubiquitously drove expression in iPSCs and their progeny. Remarkably, both safety switches were able to prevent in vivo teratoma development and even effectively eliminated established teratomas formed by LV CAGs-transgenic iPSCs. These optimized tools to increase safety provide an important step towards clinical application of iPSC-derived transplants.
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7
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Morgan MA, Galla M, Grez M, Fehse B, Schambach A. Retroviral gene therapy in Germany with a view on previous experience and future perspectives. Gene Ther 2021; 28:494-512. [PMID: 33753908 PMCID: PMC8455336 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00237-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy can be used to restore cell function in monogenic disorders or to endow cells with new capabilities, such as improved killing of cancer cells, expression of suicide genes for controlled elimination of cell populations, or protection against chemotherapy or viral infection. While gene therapies were originally most often used to treat monogenic diseases and to improve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcome, the advent of genetically modified immune cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells, has contributed to the increased numbers of patients treated with gene and cell therapies. The advancement of gene therapy with integrating retroviral vectors continues to depend upon world-wide efforts. As the topic of this special issue is "Spotlight on Germany," the goal of this review is to provide an overview of contributions to this field made by German clinical and research institutions. Research groups in Germany made, and continue to make, important contributions to the development of gene therapy, including design of vectors and transduction protocols for improved cell modification, methods to assess gene therapy vector efficacy and safety (e.g., clonal imbalance, insertion sites), as well as in the design and conduction of clinical gene therapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Morgan
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Galla
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manuel Grez
- grid.418483.20000 0001 1088 7029Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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8
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Hossain JA, Latif MA, Ystaas LAR, Ninzima S, Riecken K, Muller A, Azuaje F, Joseph JV, Talasila KM, Ghimire J, Fehse B, Bjerkvig R, Miletic H. Long-term treatment with valganciclovir improves lentiviral suicide gene therapy of glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2020; 21:890-900. [PMID: 30958558 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide gene therapy for malignant gliomas has shown encouraging results in the latest clinical trials. However, prodrug application was most often restricted to short-term treatment (14 days), especially when replication-defective vectors were used. We previously showed that a substantial fraction of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) transduced tumor cells survive ganciclovir (GCV) treatment in an orthotopic glioblastoma (GBM) xenograft model. Here we analyzed whether these TK+ tumor cells are still sensitive to prodrug treatment and whether prolonged prodrug treatment can enhance treatment efficacy. METHODS Glioma cells positive for TK and green fluorescent protein (GFP) were sorted from xenograft tumors recurring after suicide gene therapy, and their sensitivity to GCV was tested in vitro. GBM xenografts were treated with HSV-TK/GCV, HSV-TK/valganciclovir (valGCV), or HSV-TK/valGCV + erlotinib. Tumor growth was analyzed by MRI, and survival as well as morphological and molecular changes were assessed. RESULTS TK-GFP+ tumor cells from recurrent xenograft tumors retained sensitivity to GCV in vitro. Importantly, a prolonged period (3 mo) of prodrug administration with valganciclovir (valGCV) resulted in a significant survival advantage compared with short-term (3 wk) application of GCV. Recurrent tumors from the treatment groups were more invasive and less angiogenic compared with primary tumors and showed significant upregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. However, double treatment with the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib did not increase therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSION Long-term treatment with valGCV should be considered as a replacement for short-term treatment with GCV in clinical trials of HSV-TK mediated suicide gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubayer A Hossain
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Md A Latif
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars A R Ystaas
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sandra Ninzima
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arnaud Muller
- Bioinformatics Team, Center for Quantitative Biology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Francisco Azuaje
- Bioinformatics Team, Center for Quantitative Biology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Justin V Joseph
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Jiwan Ghimire
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Bjerkvig
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norlux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Hrvoje Miletic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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9
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Hossain JA, Marchini A, Fehse B, Bjerkvig R, Miletic H. Suicide gene therapy for the treatment of high-grade glioma: past lessons, present trends, and future prospects. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:vdaa013. [PMID: 32642680 PMCID: PMC7212909 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy has represented an experimental cancer treatment modality for nearly 40 years. Among the various cancers experimentally treated by suicide gene therapy, high-grade gliomas have been the most prominent both in preclinical and clinical settings. Failure of a number of promising suicide gene therapy strategies in the clinic pointed toward a bleak future of this approach for the treatment of high-grade gliomas. Nevertheless, the development of new vectors and suicide genes, better prodrugs, more efficient delivery systems, and new combinatorial strategies represent active research areas that may eventually lead to better efficacy of suicide gene therapy. These trends are evident by the current increasing focus on suicide gene therapy for high-grade glioma treatment both in the laboratory and in the clinic. In this review, we give an overview of different suicide gene therapy approaches for glioma treatment and discuss clinical trials, delivery issues, and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubayer A Hossain
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Antonio Marchini
- Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Bjerkvig
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Hrvoje Miletic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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10
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Youn H, Hong KJ. Non-invasive molecular imaging of immune cell dynamics for vaccine research. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2019; 8:89-93. [PMID: 31406689 PMCID: PMC6689497 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.2.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to develop a successful vaccine against deadly diseases with a wide range of antigenic diversity, an in-depth knowledge of the molecules and signaling mechanisms between the vaccine candidates and immune cells is required. Therefore, monitoring vaccine components, such as antigen or adjuvants, and immune cell dynamics at the vaccination site or draining lymph nodes can provide important information to understand more about the vaccine response. This review briefly introduces and describes various non-invasive molecular imaging methods for visualizing immune cell dynamics after vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyewon Youn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Cancer Imaging Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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11
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Abstract
Cancer is a devastating disease characterized by uncontrolled and aggressive cell growth. Suicide gene therapy (SGT) facilitating induction of malignancy-specific cell death represents a novel therapeutic approach to treat cancer, which has been investigated in several cancer types with very promising results. In addition, SGT has been suggested as a safeguard in adoptive immunotherapy and regenerative-medicine settings. Generally, SGT consists of two steps-vector-mediated delivery of suicide genes into tumors and subsequent activation of the suicide mechanism, e.g., by administration of a specific prodrug. This chapter provides a framework of protocols for basic and translational research using the Herpes-simplex-virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) system, the most widely used suicide gene approach. The protocols provide standard guidelines for the preparation of high-titer third-generation lentiviral vectors encoding a genetically improved HSV-TK version known as TK.007 and its application in in vitro and in vivo treatment setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubayer A Hossain
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Brain Tumor Research Centre, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hrvoje Miletic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,KG Jebsen Brain Tumor Research Centre, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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12
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Liang Q, Monetti C, Shutova MV, Neely EJ, Hacibekiroglu S, Yang H, Kim C, Zhang P, Li C, Nagy K, Mileikovsky M, Gyongy I, Sung HK, Nagy A. Linking a cell-division gene and a suicide gene to define and improve cell therapy safety. Nature 2018; 563:701-704. [PMID: 30429614 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent cell lines hold enormous promise for the development of cell-based therapies. Safety, however, is a crucial prerequisite condition for clinical applications. Numerous groups have attempted to eliminate potentially harmful cells through the use of suicide genes1, but none has quantitatively defined the safety level of transplant therapies. Here, using genome-engineering strategies, we demonstrate the protection of a suicide system from inactivation in dividing cells. We created a transcriptional link between the suicide gene herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and a cell-division gene (CDK1); this combination is designated the safe-cell system. Furthermore, we used a mathematical model to quantify the safety level of the cell therapy as a function of the number of cells that is needed for the therapy and the type of genome editing that is performed. Even with the highly conservative estimates described here, we anticipate that our solution will rapidly accelerate the entry of cell-based medicine into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Liang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claudio Monetti
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria V Shutova
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric J Neely
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sabiha Hacibekiroglu
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Kim
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Puzheng Zhang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chengjin Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Mileikovsky
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Istvan Gyongy
- School of Mathematics and Maxwell Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hoon-Ki Sung
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andras Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. .,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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13
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Morgan MA, Schambach A. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells: Extending Translation from Liquid to Solid Tumors. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1083-1097. [PMID: 30156435 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful translation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells designed to target and eradicate CD19+ lymphomas has emboldened scientists and physicians worldwide to explore the possibility of applying CAR T-cell technology to other tumor entities, including solid tumors. Next-generation strategies such as fourth-generation CARs (CAR T cells redirected for universal cytokine killing, also known as TRUCKs) designed to deliver immunomodulatory cytokines to the tumor microenvironment, dual CAR designs to improve tumor control, inclusion of suicide genes as safety switches, and precision genome editing are currently being investigated. One major ongoing goal is to determine how best to generate CAR T cells that modulate the tumor microenvironment, overcome tumor survival mechanisms, and thus allow broader applicability as universal allogeneic T-cell therapeutics. Development of state-of-the-art and beyond viral vector systems to deliver designer CARs coupled with targeted genome editing is expected to generate more effective off-the-shelf CAR T cells with activity against a greater number of cancer types and importantly solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Morgan
- 1 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany .,2 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- 1 Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany .,2 REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany .,3 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital , Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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14
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Hossain JA, Ystaas LR, Mrdalj J, Välk K, Riecken K, Fehse B, Bjerkvig R, Grønli J, Miletic H. Lentiviral HSV-Tk.007-mediated suicide gene therapy is not toxic for normal brain cells. J Gene Med 2018; 18:234-43. [PMID: 27490042 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene therapeutic strategies with suicide genes are currently investigated in clinical trials for brain tumors. Previously, we have shown that lentiviral vectors delivering the suicide gene HSV-Tk to experimental brain tumors promote a highly significant treatment effect and thus are promising vectors for clinical translation. METHODS In the present study, we tested lentiviral vectors delivering the suicide gene HSV-Tk.007, a highly active mutant of HSV-Tk, to rat brains as a preclinical toxicity study. We injected 10(6) vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) pseudotyped functional lentiviral particles harboring the suicide gene HSV-Tk.007 into the brain of healthy, immunocompetent rats. During prodrug treatment with ganciclovir (GCV), we measured weight and assessed the behavior of the rats in an open field test. After 14 days of GCV treatment, we analyzed HSV-Tk.007 expression in different brain cell populations, as well as inflammatory responses and apoptosis. RESULTS During prodrug treatment with GCV, behavior experiments did not reveal differences between the treated rats and the control groups. Analysis of HSV-Tk expression in different brain cell populations showed that transduced normal brain cells survived GCV treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of transduced cells between treatment and control groups. Furthermore, inflammatory responses and apoptosis of brain cells were not observed. CONCLUSIONS We show that HSV-Tk.007-mediated suicide gene therapy is not toxic to normal brain cells. This observation is of high relevance for the translation of lentivirus-mediated suicide gene therapies into the clinic for the treatment of brain tumor patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubayer A Hossain
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Rømo Ystaas
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jelena Mrdalj
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristjan Välk
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Bjerkvig
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norlux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg
| | - Janne Grønli
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hrvoje Miletic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,KG Jebsen Brain Tumour Research Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
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15
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Bedel A, Beliveau F, Lamrissi‐Garcia I, Rousseau B, Moranvillier I, Rucheton B, Guyonnet‐Dupérat V, Cardinaud B, de Verneuil H, Moreau‐Gaudry F, Dabernat S. Preventing Pluripotent Cell Teratoma in Regenerative Medicine Applied to Hematology Disorders. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 6:382-393. [PMID: 28191782 PMCID: PMC5442801 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2016-0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Iatrogenic tumorigenesis is a major limitation for the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in hematology. The teratoma risk comes from the persistence of hiPSCs in differentiated cell populations. Our goal was to evaluate the best system to purge residual hiPSCs before graft without compromising hematopoietic repopulation capability. Teratoma risk after systemic injection of hiPSCs expressing the reporter gene luciferase was assessed for the first time. Teratoma formation in immune‐deficient mice was tracked by in vivo bioimaging. We observed that systemic injection of hiPSCs produced multisite teratoma as soon as 5 weeks after injection. To eliminate hiPSCs before grafting, we tested the embryonic‐specific expression of suicide genes under the control of the pmiR‐302/367 promoter. This promoter was highly active in hiPSCs but not in differentiated cells. The gene/prodrug inducible Caspase‐9 (iCaspase‐9)/AP20187 was more efficient and rapid than thymidine kinase/ganciclovir, fully specific, and without bystander effect. We observed that iCaspase‐9‐expressing hiPSCs died in a dose‐dependent manner with AP20187, without reaching full eradication in vitro. Unexpectedly, nonspecific toxicity of AP20187 on iCaspase‐9‐negative hiPSCs and on CD34+ cells was evidenced in vitro. This toxic effect strongly impaired CD34+‐derived human hematopoiesis in adoptive transfers. Survivin inhibition is an alternative to the suicide gene approach because hiPSCs fully rely on survivin for survival. Survivin inhibitor YM155 was more efficient than AP20187/iCaspase‐9 for killing hiPSCs, without toxicity on CD34+ cells, in vitro and in adoptive transfers. hiPSC purge by survivin inhibitor fully eradicated teratoma formation in immune‐deficient mice. This will be useful to improve the safety management for hiPSC‐based medicine. Stem Cells Translational Medicine2017;6:382–393
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Caspase 9/genetics
- Caspase 9/metabolism
- Cell Line
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genes, Transgenic, Suicide
- Hematologic Diseases/surgery
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/pathology
- Humans
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/drug effects
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/pathology
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/transplantation
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Naphthoquinones/pharmacology
- Phenotype
- Regenerative Medicine/methods
- Risk Assessment
- Survivin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Survivin/metabolism
- Tacrolimus/analogs & derivatives
- Tacrolimus/pharmacology
- Teratoma/genetics
- Teratoma/metabolism
- Teratoma/pathology
- Teratoma/prevention & control
- Time Factors
- Tumor Burden
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelie Bedel
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - François Beliveau
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Benoit Rousseau
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Benoit Rucheton
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Bruno Cardinaud
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hubert de Verneuil
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - François Moreau‐Gaudry
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
- Plateforme de Vectorologie, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sandrine Dabernat
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1035, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
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16
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Labenski V, Suerth JD, Barczak E, Heckl D, Levy C, Bernadin O, Charpentier E, Williams DA, Fehse B, Verhoeyen E, Schambach A. Alpharetroviral self-inactivating vectors produced by a superinfection-resistant stable packaging cell line allow genetic modification of primary human T lymphocytes. Biomaterials 2016; 97:97-109. [PMID: 27162078 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Primary human T lymphocytes represent an important cell population for adoptive immunotherapies, including chimeric-antigen and T-cell receptor applications, as they have the capability to eliminate non-self, virus-infected and tumor cells. Given the increasing numbers of clinical immunotherapy applications, the development of an optimal vector platform for genetic T lymphocyte engineering, which allows cost-effective high-quality vector productions, remains a critical goal. Alpharetroviral self-inactivating vectors (ARV) have several advantages compared to other vector platforms, including a more random genomic integration pattern and reduced likelihood for inducing aberrant splicing of integrated proviruses. We developed an ARV platform for the transduction of primary human T lymphocytes. We demonstrated functional transgene transfer using the clinically relevant herpes-simplex-virus thymidine kinase variant TK.007. Proof-of-concept of alpharetroviral-mediated T-lymphocyte engineering was shown in vitro and in a humanized transplantation model in vivo. Furthermore, we established a stable, human alpharetroviral packaging cell line in which we deleted the entry receptor (SLC1A5) for RD114/TR-pseudotyped ARVs to prevent superinfection and enhance genomic integrity of the packaging cell line and viral particles. We showed that superinfection can be entirely prevented, while maintaining high recombinant virus titers. Taken together, this resulted in an improved production platform representing an economic strategy for translating the promising features of ARVs for therapeutic T-lymphocyte engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Labenski
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia D Suerth
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elke Barczak
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Heckl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Regulation in Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Camille Levy
- CIRI, EVIR Team, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Université de Lyon-1, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Ornellie Bernadin
- CIRI, EVIR Team, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Université de Lyon-1, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Department of Regulation in Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - David A Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI, EVIR Team, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Université de Lyon-1, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France; Inserm, U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), équipe "contrôle métabolique des morts cellulaires", Nice, France
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Brennig S, Lachmann N, Buchegger T, Hetzel M, Schambach A, Moritz T. Chemoprotection of murine hematopoietic cells by combined gene transfer of cytidine deaminase (CDD) and multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:148. [PMID: 26651614 PMCID: PMC4676838 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0260-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Hematologic toxicity represents a major side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy frequently preventing adequately dosed chemotherapy application and impeding therapeutic success. Transgenic (over)expression of chemotherapy resistance (CTX-R) genes in hematopoietic stem- and progenitor cells represents a potential strategy to overcome this problem. To apply this concept in the context of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia, we have investigated the overexpression of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and the cytidine deaminase (CDD) gene conferring resistance to anthracyclines and cytarabine (Ara-C), the two most important drugs in the treatment of these diseases. Methods State-of-the-art, third generation, self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors were utilized to overexpress a human CDD-cDNA and a codon-optimized human MDR1-cDNA corrected for cryptic splice sites from a spleen focus forming virus derived internal promoter. Studies were performed in myeloid 32D cells as well as primary lineage marker negative (lin−) murine bone marrow cells and flow cytometric analysis of suspension cultures and clonogenic analysis of vector transduced cells following cytotoxic drug challenge were utilized as read outs. Results Efficient chemoprotection of CDD and MDR1 transduced hematopoietic 32D as well as primary lin− cells was proven in the context of Ara-C and anthracycline application. Both, CTX-R transduced 32D as well as primary hematopoietic cells displayed marked resistance at concentrations 5–20 times the LD50 of non-transduced control cells. Moreover, simultaneous CDD/MDR1 gene transfer resulted in similar protection levels even when combined Ara-C anthracycline treatment was applied. Furthermore, significant enrichment of transduced cells was observed upon cytotoxic drug administration. Conclusions Our data demonstrate efficient chemoprotection as well as enrichment of transduced cells in hematopoietic cell lines as well as primary murine hematopoietic progenitor cells following Ara-C and/or anthracycline application, arguing for the efficacy as well as feasibility of our approach and warranting further evaluation of this concept. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0260-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brennig
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nico Lachmann
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,JRG Translational Hematology of Congenital Diseases, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Theresa Buchegger
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Miriam Hetzel
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany. .,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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18
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Conditional negative selection of gene-modified hematopoietic stem cells. Mol Ther 2012; 20:1841-2. [PMID: 23023057 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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19
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Suerth JD, Schambach A, Baum C. Genetic modification of lymphocytes by retrovirus-based vectors. Curr Opin Immunol 2012; 24:598-608. [PMID: 22995202 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2012.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The genetic modification of lymphocytes is an important topic in the emerging field of gene therapy. Many clinical trials targeting immunodeficiency syndromes or cancer have shown therapeutic benefit; further applications address inflammatory and infectious disorders. Retroviral vector development requires a detailed understanding of the interactions with the host. Most researchers have used simple gammaretroviral vectors to modify lymphocytes, either directly or via hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Lentiviral, spumaviral (foamyviral) and alpharetroviral vectors were designed to reduce the necessity for cell stimulation and to utilize potentially safer integration properties. Novel surface modifications (pseudotyping) and transgenes, built using synthetic components, expand the retroviral toolbox, altogether promising increased specificity and potency. Product consistency will be an important criterion for routine clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia D Suerth
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
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20
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Govers C, Berrevoets C, Treffers-Westerlaken E, Broertjes M, Debets R. Magnetic-activated cell sorting of TCR-engineered T cells, using tCD34 as a gene marker, but not peptide-MHC multimers, results in significant numbers of functional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2012; 23:213-24. [PMID: 22871260 PMCID: PMC4015082 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell-sorting technologies with peptide-MHC multimers or antibodies against gene markers enable enrichment of antigen-specific T cells and are expected to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of clinical T cell therapy. However, a direct comparison between sorting reagents for their ability to enrich T cells is lacking. Here, we compared the in vitro properties of primary human T cells gene-engineered with gp100(280-288)/HLA-A2-specific T cell receptor-αβ (TCRαβ) on magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) with various peptide-MHC multimers or an antibody against truncated CD34 (tCD34). With respect to peptide-MHC multimers, we observed that Streptamer(®), when compared with pentamers and tetramers, improved T cell yield as well as level and stability of enrichment, of TCR-engineered T cells (>65% of peptide-MHC-binding T cells, stable for at least 6 weeks). In agreement with these findings, Streptamer, the only detachable reagent, revealed significant T cell expansion in the first week after MACS. Sorting TCR and tCD34 gene-engineered T cells with CD34 monoclonal antibody (mAb) resulted in the most significant T cell yield and enrichment of T cells (>95% of tCD34 T cells, stable for at least 6 weeks). Notably, T cells sorted with CD34 mAb, when compared with Streptamer, bound about 2- to 3-fold less peptide-MHC but showed superior antigen-specific upregulated expression of CD107a and production of interferon (IFN)-γ. Multiparametric flow cytometry revealed that CD4(+) T cells, uniquely present in CD34 mAb-sorted T cells, contributed to enhanced IFN-γ production. Taken together, we postulate that CD34 mAb-based sorting of gene-marked T cells has benefits toward applications of T cell therapy, especially those that require CD4(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coen Govers
- Laboratory of Experimental Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Abstract
The genetic engineering of hematopoietic stem cells is the basis for potentially treating a large array of hereditary and acquired diseases, and stands as the paradigm for stem cell engineering in general. Recent clinical reports support the formidable promise of this approach but also highlight the limitations of the technologies used to date, which have on occasion resulted in clonal expansion, myelodysplasia, or leukemogenesis. New research directions, predicated on improved vector designs, targeted gene delivery or the therapeutic use of pluripotent stem cells, herald the advent of safer and more effective hematopoietic stem cell therapies that may transform medical practice. In this review, we place these recent advances in perspective, emphasizing the solutions emerging from a wave of new technologies and highlighting the challenges that lie ahead.
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22
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Turan S, Bode J. Site‐specific recombinases: from tag‐and‐target‐ to tag‐and‐exchange‐based genomic modifications. FASEB J 2011; 25:4088-107. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-186940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Soeren Turan
- Institute for Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany
| | - Juergen Bode
- Institute for Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany
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23
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Preuss E, Muik A, Weber K, Otte J, von Laer D, Fehse B. Cancer suicide gene therapy with TK.007: superior killing efficiency and bystander effect. J Mol Med (Berl) 2011; 89:1113-24. [PMID: 21698427 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-011-0777-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Revised: 05/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy is a promising concept in oncology. We have recently introduced a novel suicide gene, TK.007, which was shown to excel established herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) variants when used for donor-lymphocyte modification in adoptive immunotherapy models. Here, the potential of TK.007 in killing cancer cells was studied. Initially, we transduced tumour cell lines derived from different neoplasias (glioblastoma, melanoma, lung cancer, colon cancer) with lentiviral LeGO vectors encoding TK.007 or the splice-corrected (sc)HSVtk together with an eGFP/Neo-marker. Based on direct in vitro comparison, we found that TK.007 facilitates more efficient tumour cell killing at significantly lower ganciclovir doses in all tumour cell lines tested. Also, using different readout systems, we found a significantly stronger bystander effect of TK.007 as compared to scHSVtk. Importantly, in vitro data were confirmed in vivo using a subcutaneous G62 glioblastoma model in NOD/SCID mice. In mice transplanted with scHSVtk-positive tumours, treatment with low (10 mg/kg) or standard (50 mg/kg) ganciclovir doses resulted only in short-term growth inhibition or transient tumour remission, respectively. In striking contrast, in the TK.007 group, all animals achieved continuous complete remission after both standard and low-dose ganciclovir. Finally, a substantial bystander effect for TK.007 was also confirmed with the G62 model in vivo, where significantly prolonged survival for mice bearing tumours containing only 10% or 50% TK.007-expressing cells was observed. In summary, our data indicate strongly improved anti-tumour activity of TK.007 as compared to conventional HSVtk. We therefore suppose that TK.007 is an excellent candidate for cancer suicide gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Preuss
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Clinic for Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Sangiolo D, Leuci V, Gallo S, Aglietta M, Piacibello W. Gene-modified T lymphocytes in the setting of hematopoietic cell transplantation: potential benefits and possible risks. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 11:655-66. [PMID: 21375466 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2011.565325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a consolidated treatment for several hematologic malignancies. Donor T lymphocytes can mediate a graft versus tumor (GVT) effect and control opportunistic infections but can also cause severe graft versus host disease (GVHD). Gene-transfer strategies are appealing tools to modulate T cell functions when infused after HCT. AREAS COVERED The current and potential future applications of T cell gene-transfer approaches to HCT. This review is not limited to GVHD control but covers the issues of GVT and immune reconstitution. Clinical data are used to discuss more general issues, perspectives and concerns common to gene-modification of T cells. An overview of the results and limitations emerging from clinical trials with herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) engineered lymphocytes is provided. The review provides perspectives on additional gene-transfer strategies, currently at preclinical level or that have just entered clinical trials, to increase the efficacy and safety of HCT. EXPERT OPINION Gene-transfer can positively interfere with T cell functions after HCT. TK-lymphocytes have proven effective in controlling GVHD while retaining an acceptable GVT effect. Strategies exploiting new suicide molecules or engineered T cell receptors (TCRs) should be further explored to address current limitations with TK-lymphocytes and augment the efficacy and specificity of GVT and antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Sangiolo
- IRCC Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Laboratory of Cell Therapy, Department of Oncological Sciences, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
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