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Bergman PJ. Cancer Immunotherapy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2024; 54:441-468. [PMID: 38158304 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The enhanced understanding of immunology experienced over the last 5 decades afforded through the tools of molecular biology has recently translated into cancer immunotherapy becoming one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding fields. Human cancer immunotherapy is now recognized as one of the pillars of treatment alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The field of veterinary cancer immunotherapy has also rapidly advanced in the last decade with a handful of commercially available products and a plethora of investigational cancer immunotherapies, which will hopefully expand our veterinary oncology treatment toolkit over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Bergman
- Clinical Studies, VCA; Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center, Bedford Hills, NY, USA; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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A linear DNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain elicits potent immune response and neutralizing antibodies in domestic cats. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:238-248. [PMID: 36618106 PMCID: PMC9806924 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been shown to infect a wide range of animal species, especially mammals, and besides human-to-human transmission, human-to-animal transmission has also been observed in some wild animals and pets, especially in cats. It has been demonstrated that cats are permissive to COVID-19 and are susceptible to airborne infections. Given the high transmissibility potential of SARS-CoV-2 to different host species and the close contact between humans and animals, it is crucial to find mechanisms to prevent the transmission chain and reduce the risk of spillover to susceptible species. Here, we show results from a clinical trial conducted in domestic cats to assess safety and immunogenicity of a linear DNA (linDNA) vaccine encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) from SARS-CoV-2 (Lin-COVID-eVax). Lin-COVID-eVax proved to be safe, with no significant adverse events, and was able to elicit both RBD-specific antibodies and T cells. Also, the linDNA vaccine induced neutralizing antibody titers against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants. These findings demonstrate the safety and immunogenicity of a genetic vaccine against COVID-19 administered to cats and strongly support the development of vaccines for preventing viral spread in susceptible species, especially those in close contact with humans.
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3
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Camerino M, Giacobino D, Manassero L, Iussich S, Riccardo F, Cavallo F, Tarone L, Olimpo M, Lardone E, Martano M, Del Magno S, Buracco P, Morello E. Prognostic impact of bone invasion in canine oral malignant melanoma treated by surgery and anti-CSPG4 vaccination: A retrospective study on 68 cases (2010-2020). Vet Comp Oncol 2022; 20:189-197. [PMID: 34392602 PMCID: PMC9290081 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prognosis of canine oral malignant melanoma encompasses clinical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of bone invasion in oral canine melanoma. Sixty-eight dogs bearing oral melanoma staged II and III that underwent surgery and anti-CSPG4 electrovaccination, with available histological data and a minimum follow up of minimum 1 year, were retrospectively selected. Bone invasion was detected on imaging and/or histology. Median survival time of dogs with evidence of bone invasion (group 1) was 397 days and significantly shorter compared with dogs with oral melanomas not invading the bone (group 2, 1063 days). Dogs with tumours localised at the level of the cheek, lip, tongue and soft palate (soft tissue - group 3) lived significantly longer compared with dogs having tumours within the gingiva of the maxilla or mandible (hard tissue - group 4) with a median survival time of 1063 and 470 days, respectively. Within group 4, the subgroup of dogs with tumours not invading the bone (group 5) showed a significant prolonged survival time (972 days) in comparison with dogs of group 1 (bone invasion group). Similar results were obtained for the disease-free intervals amongst the different groups. Statistical analysis showed that Ki67 and mitotic count were correlated with shorter survival in patients of group 1 (with bone invasion). Bone invasion should always be assessed since it appears to be a negative prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davide Giacobino
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Luca Manassero
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Selina Iussich
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesMolecular Biotechnology Center, University of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesMolecular Biotechnology Center, University of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health SciencesMolecular Biotechnology Center, University of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Matteo Olimpo
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Elena Lardone
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Marina Martano
- Department of Medical Veterinary ScienceUniversity of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Sara Del Magno
- Department of Veterinary Medical SciencesUniversity of BolognaOzzano dell'EmiliaItaly
| | - Paolo Buracco
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Emanuela Morello
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
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4
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Conforti A, Marra E, Palombo F, Roscilli G, Ravà M, Fumagalli V, Muzi A, Maffei M, Luberto L, Lione L, Salvatori E, Compagnone M, Pinto E, Pavoni E, Bucci F, Vitagliano G, Stoppoloni D, Pacello ML, Cappelletti M, Ferrara FF, D'Acunto E, Chiarini V, Arriga R, Nyska A, Di Lucia P, Marotta D, Bono E, Giustini L, Sala E, Perucchini C, Paterson J, Ryan KA, Challis AR, Matusali G, Colavita F, Caselli G, Criscuolo E, Clementi N, Mancini N, Groß R, Seidel A, Wettstein L, Münch J, Donnici L, Conti M, De Francesco R, Kuka M, Ciliberto G, Castilletti C, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G, Guidotti LG, Rovati L, Iannacone M, Aurisicchio L. COVID-eVax, an electroporated DNA vaccine candidate encoding the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, elicits protective responses in animal models. Mol Ther 2022; 30:311-326. [PMID: 34547465 PMCID: PMC8483992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has made the development of safe and effective vaccines a critical priority. To date, four vaccines have been approved by European and American authorities for preventing COVID-19, but the development of additional vaccine platforms with improved supply and logistics profiles remains a pressing need. Here we report the preclinical evaluation of a novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on the electroporation of engineered, synthetic cDNA encoding a viral antigen in the skeletal muscle. We constructed a set of prototype DNA vaccines expressing various forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and assessed their immunogenicity in animal models. Among them, COVID-eVax-a DNA plasmid encoding a secreted monomeric form of SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain (RBD)-induced the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody responses (including against the current most common variants of concern) and a robust T cell response. Upon challenge with SARS-CoV-2, immunized K18-hACE2 transgenic mice showed reduced weight loss, improved pulmonary function, and lower viral replication in the lungs and brain. COVID-eVax conferred significant protection to ferrets upon SARS-CoV-2 challenge. In summary, this study identifies COVID-eVax as an ideal COVID-19 vaccine candidate suitable for clinical development. Accordingly, a combined phase I-II trial has recently started.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Conforti
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Palombo
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Neomatrix Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Micol Ravà
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Fumagalli
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Muzi
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Maffei
- Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Luberto
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Lione
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Abraham Nyska
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Haharuv 18, PO Box 184, Timrat 36576, Israel
| | - Pietro Di Lucia
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Marotta
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bono
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Giustini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sala
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Perucchini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Jemma Paterson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Kathryn Ann Ryan
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Amy-Rose Challis
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Giulia Matusali
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicola Clementi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicasio Mancini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Alina Seidel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lorena Donnici
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi," Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Conti
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi," Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi," Milan, Italy; National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Mirela Kuka
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca G Guidotti
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucio Rovati
- Rottapharm Biotech s.r.l., Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Experimental Imaging Centre, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Neomatrix Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy.
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5
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Giacobino D, Camerino M, Riccardo F, Cavallo F, Tarone L, Martano M, Dentini A, Iussich S, Lardone E, Franci P, Valazza A, Manassero L, Del Magno S, De Maria R, Morello E, Buracco P. Difference in outcome between curative intent vs marginal excision as a first treatment in dogs with oral malignant melanoma and the impact of adjuvant CSPG4-DNA electrovaccination: A retrospective study on 155 cases. Vet Comp Oncol 2021; 19:651-660. [PMID: 33751759 PMCID: PMC9290641 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Canine oral malignant melanoma is locally invasive and highly metastatic. At present, the best option for local control is en bloc excision followed by radiation if excision margins are incomplete. Adjuvantly, the role of chemotherapy is dubious while immunotherapy appears encouraging. This retrospective study evaluated 155 dogs with oral malignant melanomas (24 stage I, 54 stage II, 66 stage III and 11 stage IV) managed in a single institution. The aim was to evaluate the differences in median survival time (MST) and disease-free interval (DFI) between dogs which, at presentation, were treated surgically with a curative intent (group 1) vs those marginally excised only (group 2). MST in group 1 was longer than in group 2 (594 vs 458 days), but no significant difference was found (P = .57); a statistical difference was, however, found for DFI (232 vs 183 days, P = .008). In the subpopulation of vaccinated dogs, the impact of adjuvant anti-CSPG4 DNA electrovaccination was then evaluated (curative intent, group 3, vs marginal, group 4); a significant difference for both MST (1333 vs 470 days, respectively, P = .03) and DFI (324 vs 184 days, respectively, P = .008) was found. Progressive disease was significantly more common in dogs undergoing marginal excision than curative intent excision for both the overall population (P = .03) and the vaccinated dogs (P = .02). This study pointed out that, after staging, wide excision together with adjuvant immunotherapy was an effective approach for canine oral malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Giacobino
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | | | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology CenterUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology CenterUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology CenterUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Marina Martano
- Department of Medical Veterinary ScienceUniversity of ParmaItaly
| | | | - Selina Iussich
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Elena Lardone
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Paolo Franci
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Alberto Valazza
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Luca Manassero
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Sara Del Magno
- Department of Veterinary Medical ScienceUniversity of BolognaItaly
| | | | - Emanuela Morello
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Paolo Buracco
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
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Abstract
Delivery of genetic material to tissues in vivo is an important technique used in research settings and is the foundation upon which clinical gene therapy is built. The lung is a prime target for gene delivery due to a host of genetic, acquired, and infectious diseases that manifest themselves there, resulting in many pathologies. However, the in vivo delivery of genetic material to the lung remains a practical problem clinically and is considered the major obstacle needed to be overcome for gene therapy. Currently there are four main strategies for in vivo gene delivery to the lung: viral vectors, liposomes, nanoparticles, and electroporation. Viral delivery uses several different genetically modified viruses that enter the cell and express desired genes that have been inserted to the viral genome. Liposomes use combinations of charged and neutral lipids that can encapsulate genetic cargo and enter cells through endogenous mechanisms, thereby delivering their cargoes. Nanoparticles are defined by their size (typically less than 100 nm) and are made up of many different classes of building blocks, including biological and synthetic polymers, cell penetrant and other peptides, and dendrimers, that also enter cells through endogenous mechanisms. Electroporation uses mild to moderate electrical pulses to create pores in the cell membrane through which delivered genetic material can enter a cell. An emerging fifth category, exosomes and extracellular vesicles, may have advantages of both viral and non-viral approaches. These extracellular vesicles bud from cellular membranes containing receptors and ligands that may aid cell targeting and which can be loaded with genetic material for efficient transfer. Each of these vectors can be used for different gene delivery applications based on mechanisms of action, side-effects, and other factors, and their use in the lung and possible clinical considerations is the primary focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday K Baliga
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - David A Dean
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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7
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Rai N, Shihan M, Seeger W, Schermuly RT, Novoyatleva T. Genetic Delivery and Gene Therapy in Pulmonary Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031179. [PMID: 33503992 PMCID: PMC7865388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive complex fatal disease of multiple etiologies. Hyperproliferation and resistance to apoptosis of vascular cells of intimal, medial, and adventitial layers of pulmonary vessels trigger excessive pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction in the course of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a subgroup of PH. Multiple gene mutation/s or dysregulated gene expression contribute to the pathogenesis of PAH by endorsing the proliferation and promoting the resistance to apoptosis of pulmonary vascular cells. Given the vital role of these cells in PAH progression, the development of safe and efficient-gene therapeutic approaches that lead to restoration or down-regulation of gene expression, generally involved in the etiology of the disease is the need of the hour. Currently, none of the FDA-approved drugs provides a cure against PH, hence innovative tools may offer a novel treatment paradigm for this progressive and lethal disorder by silencing pathological genes, expressing therapeutic proteins, or through gene-editing applications. Here, we review the effectiveness and limitations of the presently available gene therapy approaches for PH. We provide a brief survey of commonly existing and currently applicable gene transfer methods for pulmonary vascular cells in vitro and describe some more recent developments for gene delivery existing in the field of PH in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabham Rai
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Mazen Shihan
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Werner Seeger
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralph T. Schermuly
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Tatyana Novoyatleva
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Jansons J, Bayurova E, Skrastina D, Kurlanda A, Fridrihsone I, Kostyushev D, Kostyusheva A, Artyuhov A, Dashinimaev E, Avdoshina D, Kondrashova A, Valuev-Elliston V, Latyshev O, Eliseeva O, Petkov S, Abakumov M, Hippe L, Kholodnyuk I, Starodubova E, Gorodnicheva T, Ivanov A, Gordeychuk I, Isaguliants M. Expression of the Reverse Transcriptase Domain of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Induces Lytic Cellular Response in DNA-Immunized Mice and Limits Tumorigenic and Metastatic Potential of Murine Adenocarcinoma 4T1 Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020318. [PMID: 32570805 PMCID: PMC7350266 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a classic tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in majority of tumors. Several TERT-based cancer vaccines are currently in clinical trials, but immune correlates of their antitumor activity remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized fine specificity and lytic potential of immune response against rat TERT in mice. BALB/c mice were primed with plasmids encoding expression-optimized hemagglutinin-tagged or nontagged TERT or empty vector and boosted with same DNA mixed with plasmid encoding firefly luciferase (Luc DNA). Injections were followed by electroporation. Photon emission from booster sites was assessed by in vivo bioluminescent imaging. Two weeks post boost, mice were sacrificed and assessed for IFN-γ, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by T-cells upon their stimulation with TERT peptides and for anti-TERT antibodies. All TERT DNA-immunized mice developed cellular and antibody response against epitopes at the N-terminus and reverse transcriptase domain (rtTERT) of TERT. Photon emission from mice boosted with TERT/TERT-HA+Luc DNA was 100 times lower than from vector+Luc DNA-boosted controls. Bioluminescence loss correlated with percent of IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α producing CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells specific to rtTERT, indicating immune clearance of TERT/Luc-coexpressing cells. We made murine adenocarcinoma 4T1luc2 cells to express rtTERT by lentiviral transduction. Expression of rtTERT significantly reduced the capacity of 4T1luc2 to form tumors and metastasize in mice, while not affecting in vitro growth. Mice which rejected the tumors developed T-cell response against rtTERT and low/no response to the autoepitope of TERT. This advances rtTERT as key component of TERT-based therapeutic vaccines against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juris Jansons
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Alisa Kurlanda
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Ilze Fridrihsone
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Anastasia Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexander Artyuhov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia; (A.A.); (E.D.)
| | - Erdem Dashinimaev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia; (A.A.); (E.D.)
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Darya Avdoshina
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Alla Kondrashova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Vladimir Valuev-Elliston
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | - Oleg Latyshev
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
| | - Olesja Eliseeva
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Maxim Abakumov
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow 127994, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Laura Hippe
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Irina Kholodnyuk
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Elizaveta Starodubova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | | | - Alexander Ivanov
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Maria Isaguliants
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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9
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Zhu Q, Hamilton M, Vasquez B, He M. 3D-printing enabled micro-assembly of a microfluidic electroporation system for 3D tissue engineering. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:2362-2372. [PMID: 31214669 PMCID: PMC6636854 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00046a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Electro-transfection is an essential workhorse tool for regulating cellular responses and engineering cellular materials in tissue engineering. However, most of the existing approaches are only focused on cell suspensions in vitro, which fails to mimic an in vivo tissue microenvironment regarding the 3D electric field distribution and mass transport in a biological matrix. However, building a 3D electro-transfection system that is compatible with 3D cell culture for mimicking the in vivo tissue microenvironment is challenging, due to the substantial difficulties in control of the 3D electric field distribution as well as the cellular growth. To address such challenges, we introduce a novel 3D micro-assembly strategy assisted by 3D printing, which enables the molding of 3D microstructures as LEGO® parts from 3D-printed molds. The molded PDMS LEGO® bricks are then assembled into a 3D-cell culture chamber interconnected with vertical and horizontal perfusion microchannels as a 3D channel network. Such a 3D perfusion microchannel network is unattainable by direct 3D printing or other microfabrication approaches, which can facilitate the highly-efficient exchange of nutrition and waste for 3D cell growth. Four flat electrodes are mounted into the 3D culture chamber via a 3D-printed holder and controlled by a programmable power sequencer for multi-directional electric frequency scanning (3D μ-electro-transfection). This multi-directional scanning not only can create transient pores all over the cell membrane, but also can generate local oscillation for enhancing mass transport and improving cell transfection efficiency. As a proof-of-concept, we electro-delivered the pAcGFP1-C1 vector to 3D cultured HeLa cells within peptide hydrogel scaffolding. The expressed GFP level from transfected HeLa cells reflects the transfection efficiency. We found two key parameters including electric field strength and plasmid concentration playing more important roles than the pulse duration and duty cycles. The results showed an effective transfection efficiency of ∼15% with ∼85% cell viability, which is 3-fold higher compared to that of the conventional benchtop 3D cell electro-transfection. This 3D μ-electrotransfection system was further used for genetically editing 3D-cultured Hek-293 cells via direct delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid which showed successful transfection with GFP expressed in the cytoplasm as the reporter. The 3D-printing enabled micro-assembly allows facile creation of a novel 3D culture system for electro-transfection, which can be employed for versatile gene delivery and cellular engineering, as well as building in vivo like tissue models for fundamentally studying cellular regulation mechanisms at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfu Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Bioengineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA.
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10
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Abstract
The enhanced understanding of immunology experienced over the last 4 decades afforded through the tools of molecular biology has recently translated into cancer immunotherapy becoming one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding fields. Human cancer immunotherapy is now recognized as one of the pillars of treatment alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The field of veterinary cancer immunotherapy has also rapidly advanced in the last decade with a handful of commercially available products and a plethora of investigational cancer immunotherapies that will hopefully expand the veterinary oncology treatment toolkit over time.
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Cronjé TF, Gaynor PT. Electroporation of Ishikawa cells: analysis by flow cytometry. IET Nanobiotechnol 2019; 13:58-65. [PMID: 30964039 PMCID: PMC8676626 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2018.5194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation facilitates loading of cells with molecules and substances that are normally membrane impermeable. Flow cytometry is used in this study to examine the effects of the application of electroporation-level monopolar electric field pulses of varying electrical field strength on Ishikawa endometrial adenocarcinoma cells. Analysis of the fluorescence versus forward scatter plots corroborates the well-recognised threshold and cell size dependence characteristics of electroporation, but also shows the progression of cell lysis and generation of particulate material. Two 500 µs monopolar rectangular pulses ranging from 1.0 × 105 to 2.5 × 105 V/m were used to electroporate the cells. Electroporation yields (fraction of viable cells exhibiting significant propidium iodide uptake) ranged from 0 to 97%, with viability ranging between 78 and 34% over the electric field strength range tested. The higher electric field strength pulses not only reduced cell viability, but also generated a substantial amount of sub-cellular sized particulate material indicating cells have been physically disrupted enough to create these particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Cronjé
- Department of Engineering and Architectural Studies, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Paul T Gaynor
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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12
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Tel-eVax: a genetic vaccine targeting telomerase for treatment of canine lymphoma. J Transl Med 2018; 16:349. [PMID: 30537967 PMCID: PMC6290499 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1738-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND we have recently shown that Tel-eVax, a genetic vaccine targeting dog telomerase (dTERT) and based on Adenovirus (Ad)/DNA Electro-Gene-Transfer (DNA-EGT) technology can induce strong immune response and increase overall survival (OS) of dogs affected by multicentric Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) when combined to COP therapy in a double-arm study. Here, we have utilized a clinically validated device for veterinary electroporation called Vet-ePorator™, based on Cliniporator™ technology currently utilized and approved in Europe for electrochemotherapy applications and adapted to electrogenetransfer (EGT). METHODS 17 dogs affected by DLBCL were vaccinated using two Ad vector injections (Prime phase) followed by DNA-EGT (Boost phase) by means of a Vet-ePorator™ device and treated in the same time with a 27-week Madison Wisconsin CHOP protocol. The immune response was measured by ELISA assays using pool of peptides. RESULTS No significant adverse effects were observed. The OS of vaccine/CHOP animals was 64.5 weeks, in line with the previous study. Dogs developed antibodies against the immunizing antigen. CONCLUSIONS Tel-eVax in combination with CHOP is safe and immunogenic in lymphoma canine patients. These data confirm the therapeutic efficacy of dTERT vaccine and hold promise for the treatment of dogs affected by other cancer types. More importantly, our findings may translate to human clinical trials and represent new strategies for cancer treatment.
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13
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Zhu Q, Heon M, Zhao Z, He M. Microfluidic engineering of exosomes: editing cellular messages for precision therapeutics. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:1690-1703. [PMID: 29780982 PMCID: PMC5997967 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00246k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Study of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, holds significant promise; however, it is technically challenging to define these small and molecularly diverse nanovesicles. With intrinsic molecular payload and biodegradability, molecular engineering of exosomes opens new avenues for mediating cellular responses and developing novel nano-delivery systems in precision therapeutics. Microfluidic lab-on-chip technology is playing pivotal roles in this emerging field. In this review, we have examined scientific advancements of microfluidic technology for engineering exosomes and assessed future applications and perspectives in developing precision therapeutics; this can serve the community via identification of potential new research areas or technologies that are urgently needed in precision therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfu Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA.
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15
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Piras LA, Riccardo F, Iussich S, Maniscalco L, Gattino F, Martano M, Morello E, Lorda Mayayo S, Rolih V, Garavaglia F, De Maria R, Lardone E, Collivignarelli F, Mignacca D, Giacobino D, Ferrone S, Cavallo F, Buracco P. Prolongation of survival of dogs with oral malignant melanoma treated by en bloc surgical resection and adjuvant CSPG4-antigen electrovaccination. Vet Comp Oncol 2016; 15:996-1013. [PMID: 27146852 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Reported post-surgery 1-year survival rate for oral canine malignant melanoma (cMM) is around 30%; novel treatments are needed as the role of adjuvant chemotherapy is unclear. This prospective study regards adjuvant electrovaccination with human chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 (hCSPG4)-encoded plasmid in 23 dogs with resected II/III-staged CSPG4-positive oral cMM compared with 19 dogs with resected only II/III-staged CSPG4-positive oral cMM. Vaccination resulted in 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month survival rate of 95.6, 73.9, 47.8 and 30.4%, respectively [median survival time (MST) 684 days, range 78-1694, 8 of 23 dogs alive] and 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month disease-free interval (DFI) rate of 82.6, 47.8, 26.1 and 17.4%, respectively (DFI 477 days, range 50-1694). Non-vaccinated dogs showed 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month survival rate of 63.2, 26.3, 15.8 and 5.3%, respectively (MST 200 days, range 75-1507, 1 of 19 dogs alive) and 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month DFI rate of 52.6, 26.3, 10.5 and 5.3%, respectively (DFI 180 days, range 38-1250). Overall survival and DFI of vaccinated dogs was longer in those <20 kg. In vaccinated and non-vaccinated dogs local recurrence rate was 34.8 and 42%, respectively while lung metastatic rate was 39 and 79%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Piras
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - F Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - S Iussich
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - L Maniscalco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - F Gattino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - M Martano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - E Morello
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - S Lorda Mayayo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - V Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - F Garavaglia
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - R De Maria
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - E Lardone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - D Mignacca
- Clinica Veterinaria Roma Sud, Roma, Italy
| | - D Giacobino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - S Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - P Buracco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Abstract
Tumor immunology and immunotherapy is one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding fields. The immune system is divided into 2 primary components: the innate immune response and the highly specific, but more slowly developing, adaptive or acquired immune response. Immune responses are separated by whether they are induced by exposure to a foreign antigen (active response) or transferred through serum or lymphocytes from an immunized individual (passive response). The ideal cancer immunotherapy agent should discriminate between cancer and normal cells (specificity), be potent enough to kill small or large numbers of tumor cells (sensitivity), and prevent recurrence of a tumor (durability).
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Bergman
- Clinical Studies, VCA, 546 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, New York, NY 10507, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Chemistry, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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17
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Aurisicchio L, Peruzzi D, Koo G, Wei WZ, La Monica N, Ciliberto G. Immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy of a dual-component genetic cancer vaccine cotargeting carcinoembryonic antigen and HER2/neu in preclinical models. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 25:121-31. [PMID: 24195644 PMCID: PMC3922413 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2013.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several cancer vaccine efforts have been directed to simultaneously cotarget multiple tumor antigens, with the intent to achieve broader immune responses and more effective control of cancer growth. Genetic cancer vaccines based on in vivo muscle electro-gene-transfer of plasmid DNA (DNA-EGT) and adenoviral vectors represent promising modalities to elicit powerful immune responses against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)/neu. Combinations of these modalities of immunization (heterologous prime-boost) can induce superior immune reactions as compared with single-modality vaccines. We have generated a dual component-dual target genetic cancer vaccine consisting of a DNA moiety containing equal amounts of two plasmids, one encoding the extracellular and transmembrane domains of HER2 (ECD.TM) and the other encoding CEA fused to the B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin (LTB), and of an adenoviral subtype 6 dicistronic vector carrying the same two tumor antigens gene constructs. The CEA/HER2 vaccine was tested in two different CEA/HER2 double-transgenic mouse models and in NOD/scid-DR1 mice engrafted with the human immune system. The immune response was measured by enzyme-linked immunospot assay, flow cytometry, and ELISA. The CEA/HER2 vaccine was able to break immune tolerance against both antigens. Induction of a T cell and antibody immune response was detected in immune-tolerant mice. Most importantly, the vaccine was able to slow the growth of HER2/neu⁺ and CEA⁺ tumors. A significant T cell response was measured in NOD/scid-DR1 mice engrafted with human cord blood cells. In conclusion, the CEA/HER2 genetic vaccine was immunogenic and able to confer significant therapeutic effects. These data warrant the evaluation of this vaccination strategy in human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Aurisicchio
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare (IRBM), 00040 Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Peruzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare (IRBM), 00040 Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Gloria Koo
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021
| | - Wei-Zen Wei
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Nicola La Monica
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare (IRBM), 00040 Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), National Cancer Institute G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
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