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Masilamani AP, Huber N, Nagl C, Dettmer-Monaco V, Monaco G, Wolf I, Schultze-Seemann S, Taromi S, Gratzke C, Fuchs H, Wolf P. Enhanced cytotoxicity of a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A based immunotoxin against prostate cancer by addition of the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1211824. [PMID: 37484018 PMCID: PMC10358361 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1211824] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins consist of an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a specific cell surface structure and a cytotoxic domain that kills the cell after cytosolic uptake. Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) based immunotoxins directed against a variety of tumor entities have successfully entered the clinic. PE possesses a KDEL-like motif (REDLK) that enables the toxin to travel from sorting endosomes via the KDEL-receptor pathway to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), from where it is transported into the cytosol. There, it ADP-ribosylates the eukaryotic elongation factor 2, resulting in ribosome inhibition and finally apoptosis. One major problem of immunotoxins is their lysosomal degradation causing the need for much more immunotoxin molecules than finally required for induction of cell death. The resulting dose limitations and substantially increased side effects require new strategies to achieve improved cytosolic uptake. Here we generated an immunotoxin consisting of a humanized single chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the de-immunized PE variant PE24mut. This immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mut, showed high and specific cytotoxicity in PSMA-expressing prostate cancer cells. We deleted the REDLK sequence to prevent transport to the ER and achieve endosomal entrapment. The cytotoxicity of this immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK, was greatly reduced. To restore activity, we added the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861 and observed an up to 190,000-fold enhanced cytotoxicity corresponding to a 57-fold enhancement compared to the initial immunotoxin with the REDLK sequence. A biodistribution study with different routes of administration clearly showed that the subcutaneous injection of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK in mice resulted in the highest tumor uptake. Treatment of mice bearing prostate tumors with a combination of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK plus SO1861 resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and enhanced overall survival compared to the monotherapies. The endosomal entrapment of non-toxic anti-PSMA immunotoxins followed by enhanced endosomal escape by SO1861 provides new therapeutic options in the future management of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anie P. Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nathalie Huber
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Nagl
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Viviane Dettmer-Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gianni Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanaz Taromi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, University Furtwangen, VS-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Wolf P. Targeted Toxins for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080986. [PMID: 34440190 PMCID: PMC8391386 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, new treatment options are urgently needed for advanced stages of the disease. Targeted toxins are chemical conjugates or fully recombinant proteins consisting of a binding domain directed against a target antigen on the surface of cancer cells and a toxin domain, which is transported into the cell for the induction of apoptosis. In the last decades, targeted toxins against prostate cancer have been developed. Several challenges, however, became apparent that prevented their direct clinical use. They comprise immunogenicity, low target antigen binding, endosomal entrapment, and lysosomal/proteasomal degradation of the targeted toxins. Moreover, their efficacy is impaired by prostate tumors, which are marked by a dense microenvironment, low target antigen expression, and apoptosis resistance. In this review, current findings in the development of targeted toxins against prostate cancer in view of effective targeting, reduction of immunogenicity, improvement of intracellular trafficking, and overcoming apoptosis resistance are discussed. There are promising approaches that should lead to the clinical use of targeted toxins as therapeutic alternatives for advanced prostate cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; ; Tel.: +49-761-270-28921
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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3
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Targeting Receptors on Cancer Cells with Protein Toxins. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091331. [PMID: 32957689 PMCID: PMC7563326 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently upregulate surface receptors that promote growth and survival. These receptors constitute valid targets for intervention. One strategy involves the delivery of toxic payloads with the goal of killing those cancer cells with high receptor levels. Delivery can be accomplished by attaching a toxic payload to either a receptor-binding antibody or a receptor-binding ligand. Generally, the cell-binding domain of the toxin is replaced with a ligand or antibody that dictates a new binding specificity. The advantage of this “immunotoxin” approach lies in the potency of these chimeric molecules for killing cancer cells. However, receptor expression on normal tissue represents a significant obstacle to therapeutic intervention.
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4
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Abstract
Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is an immunosuppressive cytokine produced by several immune cells and cancer cells. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if serum IL-13 levels have an association with clinical outcome in patients with colorectal cancer. A total of 241 patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in the present study. Preoperative serum IL-13 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We analyzed the association of serum IL-13 levels with clinicopathological variables. Patients with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, distant metastases or advanced stage of disease had significantly lower serum IL-13 levels. Low serum IL-13 was significantly associated with both poor recurrence-free and overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that low IL-13 levels were an independent predictive marker for poor prognosis. In conclusion, our data suggest that low serum IL-13 levels may be a useful predictive marker for poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.
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Simons BW, Durham NM, Bruno TC, Grosso JF, Schaeffer AJ, Ross AE, Hurley PJ, Berman DM, Drake CG, Thumbikat P, Schaeffer EM. A human prostatic bacterial isolate alters the prostatic microenvironment and accelerates prostate cancer progression. J Pathol 2015; 235:478-89. [PMID: 25348195 DOI: 10.1002/path.4472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is associated with several diseases of the prostate including benign enlargement and cancer, but a causal relationship has not been established. Our objective was to characterize the prostate inflammatory microenvironment after infection with a human prostate-derived bacterial strain and to determine the effect of inflammation on prostate cancer progression. To this end, we mimicked typical human prostate infection with retrograde urethral instillation of CP1, a human prostatic isolate of Escherichia coli. CP1 bacteria were tropic for the accessory sex glands and induced acute inflammation in the prostate and seminal vesicles, with chronic inflammation lasting at least 1 year. Compared to controls, infection induced both acute and chronic inflammation with epithelial hyperplasia, stromal hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltrates. In areas of inflammation, epithelial proliferation and hyperplasia often persist, despite decreased expression of androgen receptor (AR). Inflammatory cells in the prostates of CP1-infected mice were characterized at 8 weeks post-infection by flow cytometry, which showed an increase in macrophages and lymphocytes, particularly Th17 cells. Inflammation was additionally assessed in the context of carcinogenesis. Multiplex cytokine profiles of inflamed prostates showed that distinct inflammatory cytokines were expressed during prostate inflammation and cancer, with a subset of cytokines synergistically increased during concurrent inflammation and cancer. Furthermore, CP1 infection in the Hi-Myc mouse model of prostate cancer accelerated the development of invasive prostate adenocarcinoma, with 70% more mice developing cancer by 4.5 months of age. This study provides direct evidence that prostate inflammation accelerates prostate cancer progression and gives insight into the microenvironment changes induced by inflammation that may accelerate tumour initiation or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Simons
- The Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Li YM, Vallera DA, Hall WA. Diphtheria toxin-based targeted toxin therapy for brain tumors. J Neurooncol 2013; 114:155-64. [PMID: 23695514 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-013-1157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Targeted toxins (TT) are molecules that bind cell surface antigens or receptors such as the transferrin or interleukin-13 receptor that are overexpressed in cancer. After internalization, the toxin component kills the cell. These recombinant proteins consist of an antibody or carrier ligand coupled to a modified plant or bacterial toxin such as diphtheria toxin (DT). These fusion proteins are very effective against brain cancer cells that are resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. TT have shown an acceptable profile for toxicity and safety in animal studies and early clinical trials have demonstrated a therapeutic response. This review summarizes the characteristics of DT-based TT, the animal studies in malignant brain tumors and early clinical trial results. Obstacles to the successful treatment of brain tumors include poor penetration into tumor, the immune response to DT and cancer heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Michael Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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Tiwari R, Toppino A, Agarwal HK, Huo T, Byun Y, Gallucci J, Hasabelnaby S, Khalil A, Goudah A, Baiocchi RA, Darby MV, Barth RF, Tjarks W. Synthesis, biological evaluation, and radioiodination of halogenated closo-carboranylthymidine analogues. Inorg Chem 2011; 51:629-39. [PMID: 22175713 DOI: 10.1021/ic202150b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and initial biological evaluation of 3-carboranylthymidine analogues (3CTAs) that are (radio)halogenated at the closo-carborane cluster are described. Radiohalogenated 3CTAs have the potential to be used in the radiotherapy and imaging of cancer because they may be selectively entrapped in tumor cells through monophosphorylation by human thymidine kinase 1 (hTK1). Two strategies for the synthesis of a (127)I-labeled form of a specific 3CTA, previously designated as N5, are described: (1) direct iodination of N5 with iodine monochloride and aluminum chloride to obtain N5-(127)I and (2) initial monoiodination of o-carborane to 9-iodo-o-carborane followed by its functionalization to N5-(127)I. The former strategy produced N5-(127)I in low yields along with di-, tri-, and tetraiodinated N5 as well as decomposition products, whereas the latter method produced only N5-(127)I in high yields. N5-(127)I was subjected to nucleophilic halogen- and isotope-exchange reactions using Na(79/81)Br and Na(125)I, respectively, in the presence of Herrmann's catalyst to obtain N5-(79/81)Br and N5-(125)I, respectively. Two intermediate products formed using the second strategy, 1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-9-iodo-o-carborane and 1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-12-iodo-o-carborane, were subjected to X-ray diffraction studies to confirm that substitution at a single carbon atom of 9-iodo-o-carborane resulted in the formation of two structural isomers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of halogen- and isotope-exchange reactions of B-halocarboranes that have been conjugated to a complex biomolecule. Human TK1 phosphorylation rates of N5, N5-(127)I, and N5-(79/81)Br ranged from 38.0% to 29.6% relative to that of thymidine, the endogenous hTK1 substrate. The in vitro uptake of N5, N5-(127)I, and N5-(79/81)Br in L929 TK1(+) cells was 2.0, 1.8, and 1.4 times greater than that in L929 TK1(-) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Tiwari
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, The Ohio State University, 500 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Challenges in immunotherapy presented by the glioblastoma multiforme microenvironment. Clin Dev Immunol 2011; 2011:732413. [PMID: 22190972 PMCID: PMC3235820 DOI: 10.1155/2011/732413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Despite intensive treatment, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains grim with a median survival of only 14.6 months. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating many cancers and affords the advantages of cellular-level specificity and the potential to generate durable immune surveillance. The complexity of the tumor microenvironment poses a significant challenge to the development of immunotherapy for GBM, as multiple signaling pathways, cytokines, and cell types are intricately coordinated to generate an immunosuppressive milieu. The development of new immunotherapy approaches frequently uncovers new mechanisms of tumor-mediated immunosuppression. In this review, we discuss many of the current approaches to immunotherapy and focus on the challenges presented by the tumor microenvironment.
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Li YM, Hall WA. Targeted toxins in brain tumor therapy. Toxins (Basel) 2010; 2:2645-62. [PMID: 22069569 PMCID: PMC3153175 DOI: 10.3390/toxins2112645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2010] [Revised: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted toxins, also known as immunotoxins or cytotoxins, are recombinant molecules that specifically bind to cell surface receptors that are overexpressed in cancer and the toxin component kills the cell. These recombinant proteins consist of a specific antibody or ligand coupled to a protein toxin. The targeted toxins bind to a surface antigen or receptor overexpressed in tumors, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor or interleukin-13 receptor. The toxin part of the molecule in all clinically used toxins is modified from bacterial or plant toxins, fused to an antibody or carrier ligand. Targeted toxins are very effective against cancer cells resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. They are far more potent than any known chemotherapy drug. Targeted toxins have shown an acceptable profile of toxicity and safety in early clinical studies and have demonstrated evidence of a tumor response. Currently, clinical trials with some targeted toxins are complete and the final results are pending. This review summarizes the characteristics of targeted toxins and the key findings of the important clinical studies with targeted toxins in malignant brain tumor patients. Obstacles to successful treatment of malignant brain tumors include poor penetration into tumor masses, the immune response to the toxin component and cancer heterogeneity. Strategies to overcome these limitations are being pursued in the current generation of targeted toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Michael Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, NY, USA.
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He H, Xu J, Nelson PS, Marshall FF, Chung LWK, Zhau HE, He D, Wang R. Differential expression of the alpha2 chain of the interleukin-13 receptor in metastatic human prostate cancer ARCaPM cells. Prostate 2010; 70:993-1001. [PMID: 20166133 PMCID: PMC3180892 DOI: 10.1002/pros.21133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The alpha2 chain of the interleukin-13 receptor (IL13Ralpha2) is a high-affinity receptor and a candidate target for cytotoxic killing of cancer cells. Availability of a human prostate cancer cell line with high level of IL13Ralpha2 expression will facilitate the development of therapeutic modalities. METHODS ARCaP(E) and ARCaP(M) human prostate cancer cell lines were subjected to comparative analyses of gene expression. Expression of the IL13Ralpha2 protein was confirmed by Western blotting and immunostaining. IL13Ralpha2 proteins in xenograft tumors and clinical human prostate cancer specimens were detected by specific antibodies. LNCaP prostate cancer cells stably transfected with IL13Ralpha2 were examined for accelerated growth in athymic mice. RESULTS We found that IL13Ralpha2 proteins could be detected in both the ARCaP(E) and ARCaP(M) cells, but the expression level in ARCaP(M) was more than 17-fold higher than in ARCaP(E) cells. Importantly, the ARCaP lineage represented the only human prostate cancer cell line that expresses IL13Ralpha2 proteins at the level detectable by Western blotting. Expression of IL13Ralpha2 was accompanied by resistance to the anti-tumor activity of interleukin-13 (IL-13). ARCaP cells were found to be insensitive to growth inhibition upon IL-13 treatment, while overexpression of IL13Ralpha2 in LNCaP cells promoted intratibial tumor growth in athymic mice. CONCLUSIONS Differential IL13Ralpha2 expression may account for the high tumorigenic and metastatic potential of ARCaP(M) cells. The unique expression of IL13Ralpha2 makes ARCaP lineage an attractive model for evaluating the targeting efficacy of therapeutic agents based on IL13Ralpha2 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui He
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China 710061
- Molecular Urology and Therapeutics, Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Jianchun Xu
- Molecular Urology and Therapeutics, Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Fray F. Marshall
- Molecular Urology and Therapeutics, Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Leland W. K. Chung
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Haiyen E. Zhau
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Dalin He
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China 710061
| | - Ruoxiang Wang
- Molecular Urology and Therapeutics, Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Corresponding to: Dr. Ruoxiang Wang, Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365B Clifton Road, NE, Suite B5103, Atlanta, GA 30322, Tel. (404) 778-5116, FAX. (404) 778-3965,
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Formentini A, Prokopchuk O, Sträter J, Kleeff J, Grochola LF, Leder G, Henne-Bruns D, Korc M, Kornmann M. Interleukin-13 exerts autocrine growth-promoting effects on human pancreatic cancer, and its expression correlates with a propensity for lymph node metastases. Int J Colorectal Dis 2009; 24:57-67. [PMID: 18758789 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-008-0550-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2008] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced in cells of hematopoetic origin. It is not known whether pancreatic cancer cells produce IL-13 or whether IL-13 can modulate pancreatic cancer cell growth and influence the frequency of lymph node metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell growth and signaling were analyzed by cell counting, colorimetric proliferation assays, fluorescent-activated cell sorting, and in vitro kinase activity assays. IL-13 expression and secretion were determined by Northern blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Localization of IL-13 and its transmembrane receptor (IL-4R) in primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was characterized by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS IL-13 enhanced the growth of ASPC-1, CAPAN-1, and COLO-357 cells. This was associated with enhanced p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phoshorylation. In contrast to p44/42 MAPK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity was also induced in IL-13-unresponsive MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1, and T3M4 cells. All cells expressed and secreted IL-13. Neutralizing IL-13 antibodies inhibited the growth of ASPC-1 and CAPAN-1 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of resected primary ductal adenocarcinoma specimens revealed high levels of IL-13 in 30 of 70 cases and its transmembrane receptor (IL-4R) in 28 of 70 cases, respectively. Fifteen of 16 specimens (94%) exhibiting high IL-13 and IL-4R coexpression had lymph node metastases, while only 30 of the remaining 54 samples (56%) had positive lymph nodes (p = 0.0134). CONCLUSION IL-13 can act as an autocrine growth factor in PDAC. Endogenous expression of IL-13 in conjunction with IL-4R in the cancer cells seems to facilitate lymph node metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Formentini
- Clinic of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University of Ulm, Steinhoevelstrasse 9, 89075, Ulm, Germany
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Joshi BH, Leland P, Calvo A, Green JE, Puri RK. Human adrenomedullin up-regulates interleukin-13 receptor alpha2 chain in prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo: a novel approach to sensitize prostate cancer to anticancer therapy. Cancer Res 2008; 68:9311-7. [PMID: 19010904 PMCID: PMC6944210 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-2810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-13 (IL-13) receptor alpha2 (IL-13Ralpha2), a high-affinity IL-13 binding subunit and a tumor antigen, is amplified in a variety of human tumor cell lines and tumors in vivo. By cDNA microarray, we have shown that gene transfer of human and rat adrenomedullin (AM) up-regulates IL-13Ralpha2 in a human prostate tumor cell line. Here, we show that IL-13Ralpha2 mRNA and protein are also up-regulated in PC-3 prostate tumor cells by recombinant AM (rAM) and human synthetic AM peptide in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo in mouse prostate tumor model. The 8- to 10-fold up-regulation of IL-13Ralpha2 by rAM or AM peptide in prostate tumor cells in vitro and in vivo increased their sensitivity to IL-13PE cytotoxin consisting of IL-13 and a truncated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Immunodeficient mice with established prostate tumors transfected with AM or treated with AM peptide showed reduction in tumor size by intratumoral administration of IL-13PE in a dose-dependent manner. At the highest dose (three 100 mug/kg/d every alternate day), >70% reduction of tumor size was observed compared with controls (P
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat H Joshi
- Tumor Vaccines and Biotechnology Branch, Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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13
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Joshi BH, Puri RA, Leland P, Varricchio F, Gupta G, Kocak M, Gilbertson RJ, Puri RK. Identification of interleukin-13 receptor alpha2 chain overexpression in situ in high-grade diffusely infiltrative pediatric brainstem glioma. Neuro Oncol 2008; 10:265-74. [PMID: 18430795 DOI: 10.1215/15228517-2007-066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human malignant glioma cell lines and adult brain tumors overexpress high levels of interleukin-13 receptor alpha2 chain (IL-13Ralpha2). Because the IL-13Ralpha2 chain is an important target for cancer therapy and prognosis for patients with brainstem glioma (BSG) remains dismal, we investigated the expression of this receptor in specimens of diffusely infiltrative pediatric BSG relative to normal brain tissue. Twenty-eight BSG specimens and 15 normal brain specimens were investigated for IL-13Ralpha2 protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) using two different antibodies in two different laboratories. Highly sensitive Q-dot-based IHC and in situ hybridization (ISH) assays were also developed to identify IL-13Ralpha2 protein and RNA in these specimens. The results were evaluated independently in two laboratories in a blinded fashion. By Q-dot IHC or a standard IHC assay, 17 of 28 (61%) tumor specimens showed modest to strong staining for IL-13Ralpha2, while 15 normal brain tissue samples showed weak expression for IL-13Ralpha2 protein. Significant interrater agreement between the two laboratories was seen in the assessment of IL-13Ralpha2 intensity. High-level IL-13Ralpha2 RNA expression was detected in tumor samples by Q-dot ISH, but only weak RNA expression was observed in normal brain. Significant agreement between ISH and IHC assays was observed (simple kappa [kappa] estimate=0.358, weighted kappa=0.89, p=0.001). IL-13Ralpha2 protein and mRNA are expressed to significantly higher levels in BSG than in normal brain tissue. Both IHC and ISH represent robust methods to detect expression of the IL-13Ralpha2 receptor in BSG that could represent an important new drug target for treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat H Joshi
- Tumor Vaccines and Biotechnology Branch, Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Office of Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Curtin JF, King GD, Candolfi M, Greeno RB, Kroeger KM, Lowenstein PR, Castro MG. Combining cytotoxic and immune-mediated gene therapy to treat brain tumors. Curr Top Med Chem 2005; 5:1151-70. [PMID: 16248789 PMCID: PMC1629031 DOI: 10.2174/156802605774370856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of intracranial brain tumor, for which there is no cure. In spite of advances in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, patients die within a year of diagnosis. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop novel therapeutic approaches for this disease. Gene therapy, which is the use of genes or other nucleic acids as drugs, is a powerful new treatment strategy which can be developed to treat GBM. Several treatment modalities are amenable for gene therapy implementation, e.g. conditional cytotoxic approaches, targeted delivery of toxins into the tumor mass, immune stimulatory strategies, and these will all be the focus of this review. Both conditional cytotoxicity and targeted toxin mediated tumor death, are aimed at eliminating an established tumor mass and preventing further growth. Tumors employ several defensive strategies that suppress and inhibit anti-tumor immune responses. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in eliciting anti-tumor immune responses has identified promising targets for immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is designed to aid the immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells in order to eliminate the tumor burden. Also, immune-therapeutic strategies have the added advantage that an activated immune system has the capability of recognizing tumor cells at distant sites from the primary tumor, therefore targeting metastasis distant from the primary tumor locale. Pre-clinical models and clinical trials have demonstrated that in spite of their location within the central nervous system (CNS), a tissue described as 'immune privileged', brain tumors can be effectively targeted by the activated immune system following various immunotherapeutic strategies. This review will highlight recent advances in brain tumor immunotherapy, with particular emphasis on advances made using gene therapy strategies, as well as reviewing other novel therapies that can be used in combination with immunotherapy. Another important aspect of implementing gene therapy in the clinical arena is to be able to image the targeting of the therapeutics to the tumors, treatment effectiveness and progression of disease. We have therefore reviewed the most exciting non-invasive, in vivo imaging techniques which can be used in combination with gene therapy to monitor therapeutic efficacy over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Curtin
- Gene Therapeutics Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Research Pavilion, Suite 5090, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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Steiner GE, Stix U, Handisurya A, Willheim M, Haitel A, Reithmayr F, Paikl D, Ecker RC, Hrachowitz K, Kramer G, Lee C, Marberger M. Cytokine expression pattern in benign prostatic hyperplasia infiltrating T cells and impact of lymphocytic infiltration on cytokine mRNA profile in prostatic tissue. J Transl Med 2003; 83:1131-46. [PMID: 12920242 DOI: 10.1097/01.lab.0000081388.40145.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study is to characterize the type of immune response in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue. BPH tissue-derived T cells (n = 10) were isolated, activated (PMA + ionomycin), and analyzed for intracellular reactivity with anti-IFN-gamma and IL-2, -4, -5, -6, -10, and -13, as well as TNF-alpha and -beta by four-color flow cytometry. Lymphokine release was tested using Th1/Th2 cytokine bead arrays. The amount of IFN-gamma and IL-2, -4, -13, and TGF-beta mRNA expressed in normal prostate (n = 5) was compared with that in BPH tissue separated into segments with normal histology (n = 5), BPH histology with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) lymphocytic infiltration, and BPH nodules (n = 10). Expression of lymphokine receptors was analyzed by immunohistology, flow cytometry, and RT-PCR. We found that 28 +/- 18% of BPH T helper cells were IFN-gamma(+)/IL-4(-) Th1 cells, 10 +/- 2% were IFN-gamma(-)/IL-4(+) Th2, and 12 +/- 6% were IFN-gamma(+)/IL-4(+) Th0 cells. In relation, cytotoxic and double-negative BPH T lymphocytes showed a slight decrease in Th1 and Th0 in favor of Th2. In double-positive BPH T lymphocytes, the trend toward Th2 (35 +/- 15%) was significant (Th1: 12 +/- 7%; Th0: 5 +/- 4%). Lymphokine release upon stimulation was found in the case of IL-2, IL-5, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha > 4 microg; of IL-4 > 2 microg; and of IL-10 > 1 microg/ml. Expression of lymphokine mRNA in tissue was increased (2- to 10-fold) in infiltrated BPH specimens with and without BPH histology. The infiltrated BPH specimens with normal histology differed from those with BPH histology, most evident by the significant decrease in IFN-gamma and the increase in TGF-beta mRNA expression. Infiltrated BPH specimens with BPH histology expressed significantly more IFN-gamma (5-fold), IL-2 (10-fold), and IL-13 (2.8-fold) when compared with noninfiltrated BPH specimens. BPH nodules, however, showed the highest level of expression of IL-4 and IL-13, with only intermediate levels of IFN-gamma and very low levels of IL-2 mRNA. Immune response in histologically less transformed BPH specimens is primarily of type 1, whereas in chronically infiltrated nodular BPH and especially within BPH nodules, it is predominantly of type 0 or type 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg E Steiner
- Department of Urology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria.
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Kawakami K, Joshi BH, Puri RK. Sensitization of cancer cells to interleukin 13-pseudomonas exotoxin-induced cell death by gene transfer of interleukin 13 receptor alpha chain. Hum Gene Ther 2000; 11:1829-35. [PMID: 10986556 DOI: 10.1089/10430340050129459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have demonstrated that primary interleukin 13 (IL-13) binding protein IL-13 receptor (IL-13R) alpha chain plays an important role in IL-13 binding and internalization in the IL-13R system. Although IL-13R alpha chain is expressed on many cancer cell lines, some cancer types do not express or express low levels of this receptor chain. Consequently, these cells show no or low sensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of a recombinant chimeric protein composed of IL-13 and a mutated form of a Pseudomonas exotoxin, IL13-PE38QQR. Here we demonstrate that pancreatic cancer, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, and glioblastoma cell lines that were genetically altered to express high levels of IL-13R alpha chain increase their binding affinity for IL-13, and increase their sensitivity to IL13-PE38QQR by at least 6-fold to 1000-fold compared with mock-transfected control cells. This observation was made by protein synthesis inhibition assay and confirmed by clonogenic assay. Our studies provide a proof of principle for a novel strategy for cancer therapy that combines gene transfer and targeted cytotoxin therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kawakami
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Biology, Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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