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Goldman MJ, Baskin AM, Sharpe MA, Baskin DS. Advances in gene therapy for high-grade glioma: a review of the clinical evidence. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:879-895. [PMID: 39090786 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2376847] [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] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High-grade glioma (HGG) is one of the most deadly and difficult cancers to treat. Despite intense research efforts, there has not been a significant breakthrough in treatment outcomes since the early 2000's. Anti-glioma gene therapy has demonstrated promise in preclinical studies and is under investigation in numerous clinical trials. AREAS COVERED This manuscript reviews the current landscape of clinical trials exploring gene therapy treatment of HGG. Using information from clinicaltrials.gov, all trials initiated within the past 5 years (2018-2023) as well as other important trials were cataloged and reviewed. This review discusses trial details, innovative methodologies, and concurrent pharmacological interventions. The review also delves into the subtypes of gene therapy used, trends over time, and future directions. EXPERT OPINION Trials are in the early stages (phase I or II), and there are reports of clinical efficacy in published results. Synergistic effects utilizing immunotherapy within or alongside gene therapy are emerging as a promising avenue for future breakthroughs. Considerable heterogeneity exists across trials concerning administration route, vector selection, drug combinations, and intervention timing. Earlier intervention in newly diagnosed HGG and avoidance of corticosteroids may improve efficacy in future trials. The results from ongoing trials demonstrate promising potential for molding the future landscape of HGG care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Goldman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexandra M Baskin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Kenneth R. Peak Center for Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment and Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martyn A Sharpe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Kenneth R. Peak Center for Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment and Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David S Baskin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Kenneth R. Peak Center for Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment and Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Texas A & M Medical School
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2
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Alhobeira HA, Sharma A, Sharma A, Khan M, Lohani M, Khan S, Fahmy EK, Esmaeel SE, Agarwal A. Short-term, nonsurgical periodontal therapy boosts interleukin-12 levels and reduces oral cancer risk. Ir J Med Sci 2024; 193:1949-1955. [PMID: 38698250 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03695-5] [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] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines, including interleukin-12 (IL-12), are proteins that regulate cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and function. IL-12 is a heterodimeric proinflammatory cytokine. It possesses tumoricidal properties and promotes M1 macrophage polarization and IFN-γ production by T helper (Th1) cells, which in turn stimulates the antitumor cytotoxic cluster of eight positive (CD8+) and natural killer cells, therefore activating an effector immune response against tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Herein, the IL-2 levels of 60 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) were assessed. Plaque index, gingival index, pocket probing depth, bleeding on probing percentage (BOP %), and clinical attachment loss were the clinical indicators reported. RESULTS Patients with GCP in the pretreatment group had substantially lower mean IL-12 levels than those in the post-treatment group. Short-term, nonsurgical treatment (NST) considerably improved periodontal indices and increased IL-12 levels, thereby reducing oral cancer risk. CONCLUSION NST is a cost-effective and accessible cancer prevention procedure for general dentists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazza A Alhobeira
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 55473, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anamika Sharma
- Department of Dentistry, LLRM Medical College, CCS University Meerut, Meerut, 250002, UP, India.
| | - Ananya Sharma
- Department of Dentistry, LLRM Medical College, CCS University Meerut, Meerut, 250002, UP, India
| | - Mahvish Khan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 55473, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohtashim Lohani
- Medical Research Centre, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saif Khan
- Department of Basic Dental and Medical Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 55473, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eslam K Fahmy
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Safya E Esmaeel
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anshoo Agarwal
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
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Mehta NK, Rakhra K, Meetze KA, Li B, Momin N, Chang JY, Wittrup KD, Baeuerle PA, Michaelson JS. CLN-617 Retains IL2 and IL12 in Injected Tumors to Drive Robust and Systemic Immune-Mediated Antitumor Activity. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:1022-1038. [PMID: 38842347 PMCID: PMC11292205 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Despite clinical evidence of antitumor activity, the development of cytokine therapies has been hampered by a narrow therapeutic window and limited response rates. Two cytokines of high interest for clinical development are interleukin 2 (IL2) and interleukin 12 (IL12), which potently synergize to promote the activation and proliferation of T cells and NK cells. However, the only approved human IL2 therapy, Proleukin, is rarely used in the clinic due to systemic toxicities, and no IL12 product has been approved to date due to severe dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we describe CLN-617, a first-in-class therapeutic for intratumoral (IT) injection that co-delivers IL2 and IL12 on a single molecule in a safe and effective manner. CLN-617 is a single-chain fusion protein comprised of IL2, leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2), human serum albumin (HSA), and IL12. LAIR2 and HSA function to retain CLN-617 in the treated tumor by binding collagen and increasing molecular weight, respectively. We found that IT administration of a murine surrogate of CLN-617, mCLN-617, eradicated established treated and untreated tumors in syngeneic models, significantly improved response to anti-PD1 checkpoint therapy, and generated a robust abscopal response dependent on cellular immunity and antigen cross-presentation. CLN-617 is being evaluated in a clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT06035744).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kavya Rakhra
- Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | | | - Bochong Li
- Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Noor Momin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | | | - K. Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Patrick A. Baeuerle
- Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig Maximilians University, München, Germany.
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4
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Xin Z, Holgersson K, Zhu P, Tan H, Shi G, Szekely L, Wu T. Silencing UBE2K inhibits the growth of glioma cells by inducing the autophagy-related apoptosis. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23758. [PMID: 38963134 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23758] [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] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Glioma is a central nervous system (CNS) malignant tumor with high heterogeneity and mortality, which severely threatens the health of patients. The overall survival of glioma patients is relatively short and it is critical to identify new molecular targets for developing effective treatment strategies. UBE2K is a ubiquitin conjugating enzyme with oncogenic function in several malignant tumors. However, whether UBE2K participates in gliomas remains unknown. Herein, in glioma cells, UBE2K was found highly expressed in U87 and U251 cells. Subsequently, U87 and U251 cells were transfected with si-UBE2K to silence UBE2K, with the si-NC transfection as the negative control. In both U87 and U251 cells, the cell viability was sharply reduced by transfecting si-UBE2K for 48 and 72 h. Markedly decreased colony number, reduced number of migrated cells and invaded cells, and declined relative wound healing rate were observed in si-UBE2K transfected U87 and U251 cells. Moreover, the Bcl-2 level was markedly reduced, while the Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 levels were sharply increased in U87 and U251 cells after the si-UBE2K transfection. Furthermore, the p62 level was signally declined, while the Beclin-1 and LC-3 II/I levels were greatly increased in U87 and U251 cells by the si-UBE2K transfection. Furthermore, the facilitating effect of si-UBE2K on the apoptosis and autophagy in U87 and U251 cells was abolished by the coculture of 3-MA, an inhibitor of autophagy. Collectively, UBE2K facilitated the in vitro growth of glioma cells, possibly by inhibiting the autophagy-related apoptosis, which might be a promising target for treating glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xin
- Medical Laboratory center, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | | | - Pengcheng Zhu
- Interventional department of Encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongtu Tan
- Interventional department of Encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangyan Shi
- Medical Laboratory center, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Laszlo Szekely
- Department of Pathology/Cytology, Karolinska University Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tao Wu
- Interventional department of Encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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Stergiopoulos GM, Concilio SC, Galanis E. An Update on the Clinical Status, Challenges, and Future Directions of Oncolytic Virotherapy for Malignant Gliomas. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2024; 25:952-991. [PMID: 38896326 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-024-01211-6] [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: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Malignant gliomas are common central nervous system tumors that pose a significant clinical challenge due to the lack of effective treatments. Glioblastoma (GBM), a grade 4 malignant glioma, is the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumor and is associated with poor prognosis. Current clinical trials are exploring various strategies to combat GBM, with oncolytic viruses (OVs) appearing particularly promising. In addition to ongoing and recently completed clinical trials, one OV (Teserpaturev, Delytact®) received provisional approval for GBM treatment in Japan. OVs are designed to selectively target and eliminate cancer cells while promoting changes in the tumor microenvironment that can trigger and support long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. OVs offer the potential to remodel the tumor microenvironment and reverse systemic immune exhaustion. Additionally, an increasing number of OVs are armed with immunomodulatory payloads or combined with immunotherapy approaches in an effort to promote anti-tumor responses in a tumor-targeted manner. Recently completed oncolytic virotherapy trials can guide the way for future treatment individualization through patient preselection, enhancing the likelihood of achieving the highest possible clinical success. These trials also offer valuable insight into the numerous challenges inherent in malignant glioma treatment, some of which OVs can help overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evanthia Galanis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Wang B, Tang M, Chen Q, Ho W, Teng Y, Xiong X, Jia Z, Li X, Xu X, Zhang XQ. Delivery of mRNA Encoding Interleukin-12 and a Stimulator of Interferon Genes Agonist Potentiates Antitumor Efficacy through Reversing T Cell Exhaustion. ACS NANO 2024; 18:15499-15516. [PMID: 38832815 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
T cell exhaustion has emerged as a major hurdle that impedes the clinical translation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists. It is crucial to explore innovative strategies to rejuvenate exhausted T cells and potentiate the antitumor efficacy. Here, we propose an approach utilizing MSA-2 as a STING agonist, along with nanoparticle-mediated delivery of mRNA encoding interleukin-12 (IL-12) to restore the function of T cells. We developed a lipid nanoparticle (DMT7-IL12 LNP) that encapsulated IL12 mRNA. Our findings convincingly demonstrated that the combination of MSA-2 and DMT7-IL12 LNP can effectively reverse the exhausted T cell phenotype, as evidenced by the enhanced secretion of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and Granzyme B, coupled with reduced levels of inhibitory molecules such as T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 and programmed cell death protein-1 on CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, this approach led to improved survival and tumor regression without causing any systemic toxicity in melanoma and lung metastasis models. These findings suggest that mRNA encoding IL-12 in conjunction with STING agonists has the potential to confer superior clinical outcomes, representing a promising advancement in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Maoping Tang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qijing Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | | | - Yilong Teng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaojian Xiong
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhitong Jia
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiuling Li
- Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200051, China
| | | | - Xue-Qing Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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7
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Zhang N, Feng D, Wu W, Liu J, Shi H. Influence of higher body mass index on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients following thoracic surgery for lung cancer: a propensity score-matched cohort study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13873. [PMID: 38880825 PMCID: PMC11180656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64686-1] [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] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to quantify the association between body mass index (BMI) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) within the initial 48 h following thoracic surgery for lung cancer. We then explored whether changes in serum inflammatory factor concentrations were related to BMI during the early postoperative period. We conducted a propensity score-matched (PSM), retrospective cohort study at a specialized tertiary medical center. A total of 194 patients aged 18-80 years who underwent thoracic surgery for lung cancer at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between January and June 2021 were enrolled. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV during the first 48 h after surgery. Nausea, vomiting or retching at different time periods, severe pain, and concentrations of perioperative serum inflammatory factors including CRP, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-γ were also assessed. Patients in the high BMI group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) had a lower incidence of PONV than those in the normal BMI group (18.5-25 kg/m2) within the first 48 h after surgery (22 vs. 50%, p = 0.004). The incidence of nausea was lower at 0-12 h (14.5 vs. 37.1%, p = 0.004) and 12-24 h (8.1 vs. 22.6%, p = 0.025) in the high BMI group after surgery, and the incidence of vomiting was lower at 0-12 h (12.9 vs. 30.6%, p = 0.017) in higher BMI after surgery. We found no significant difference in the incidence of severe pain [severe static pain (p = 0.697) and severe dynamic pain (p = 0.158)]. Moreover, higher concentrations of IL-12 (2.24 ± 2.67 pg/ml vs. 1.48 ± 1.14 pg/ml, p = 0.048) and IFN-γ [1.55 (1.00) pg/ml vs. 1.30 (0.89) pg/ml, p = 0.041] were observed in patients with normal BMI on the first day after surgery. Given this finding, patients with a normal BMI should receive more attention for the prevention of PONV than those with a high BMI following thoracic surgery for lung cancer.Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn and ChiCTR2100052380 (24/10/2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Di Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Hong Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Mokhtarpour K, Akbarzadehmoallemkolaei M, Rezaei N. A viral attack on brain tumors: the potential of oncolytic virus therapy. J Neurovirol 2024:10.1007/s13365-024-01209-8. [PMID: 38806994 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-024-01209-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Managing malignant brain tumors remains a significant therapeutic hurdle that necessitates further research to comprehend their treatment potential fully. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) offer many opportunities for predicting and combating tumors through several mechanisms, with both preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating potential. OV therapy has emerged as a potent and effective method with a dual mechanism. Developing innovative and effective strategies for virus transduction, coupled with immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy drugs, strengthens this new technique. Furthermore, the discovery and creation of new OVs that can seamlessly integrate gene therapy strategies, such as cytotoxic, anti-angiogenic, and immunostimulatory, are promising advancements. This review presents an overview of the latest advancements in OVs transduction for brain cancer, focusing on the safety and effectiveness of G207, G47Δ, M032, rQNestin34.5v.2, C134, DNX-2401, Ad-TD-nsIL12, NSC-CRAd-S-p7, TG6002, and PVSRIPO. These are evaluated in both preclinical and clinical models of various brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasra Mokhtarpour
- Animal Model Integrated Network (AMIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, 1419733151, Iran
| | - Milad Akbarzadehmoallemkolaei
- Animal Model Integrated Network (AMIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, 1419733151, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Gharib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 1419733151, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Animal Model Integrated Network (AMIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, 1419733151, Iran.
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Gharib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 1419733151, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1417653761, Iran.
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Moaveni AK, Amiri M, Shademan B, Farhadi A, Behroozi J, Nourazarian A. Advances and challenges in gene therapy strategies for pediatric cancer: a comprehensive update. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1382190. [PMID: 38836106 PMCID: PMC11149429 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1382190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers represent a tragic but also promising area for gene therapy. Although conventional treatments have improved survival rates, there is still a need for targeted and less toxic interventions. This article critically analyzes recent advances in gene therapy for pediatric malignancies and discusses the challenges that remain. We explore the innovative vectors and delivery systems that have emerged, such as adeno-associated viruses and non-viral platforms, which show promise in addressing the unique pathophysiology of pediatric tumors. Specifically, we examine the field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and their adaptation for solid tumors, which historically have been more challenging to treat than hematologic malignancies. We also discuss the genetic and epigenetic complexities inherent to pediatric cancers, such as tumor heterogeneity and the dynamic tumor microenvironment, which pose significant hurdles for gene therapy. Ethical considerations specific to pediatric populations, including consent and long-term follow-up, are also analyzed. Additionally, we scrutinize the translation of research from preclinical models that often fail to mimic pediatric cancer biology to the regulatory landscapes that can either support or hinder innovation. In summary, this article provides an up-to-date overview of gene therapy in pediatric oncology, highlighting both the rapid scientific progress and the substantial obstacles that need to be addressed. Through this lens, we propose a roadmap for future research that prioritizes the safety, efficacy, and complex ethical considerations involved in treating pediatric patients. Our ultimate goal is to move from incremental advancements to transformative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Kian Moaveni
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Amiri
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrouz Shademan
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Arezoo Farhadi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Javad Behroozi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Nourazarian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
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Kim HS, Halabi EA, Enbergs N, Kohler RH, Fei F, Garris CS, Weissleder R. A non-lipid nucleic acid delivery vector with dendritic cell tropism and stimulation. Theranostics 2024; 14:2934-2945. [PMID: 38773971 PMCID: PMC11103498 DOI: 10.7150/thno.95267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Nucleic acid constructs are commonly used for vaccination, immune stimulation, and gene therapy, but their use in cancer still remains limited. One of the reasons is that systemic delivery to tumor-associated antigen-presenting cells (dendritic cells and macrophages) is often inefficient, while off-target nucleic acid-sensing immune pathways can stimulate systemic immune responses. Conversely, certain carbohydrate nanoparticles with small molecule payloads have been shown to target these cells efficiently in the tumor microenvironment. Yet, nucleic acid incorporation into such carbohydrate-based nanoparticles has proven challenging. Methods: We developed a novel approach using cross-linked bis succinyl-cyclodextrin (b-s-CD) nanoparticles to efficiently deliver nucleic acids and small-molecule immune enhancer to phagocytic cells in tumor environments and lymph nodes. Our study involved incorporating these components into the nanoparticles and assessing their efficacy in activating antigen-presenting cells. Results: The multi-modality immune stimulators effectively activated antigen-presenting cells and promoted anti-tumor immunity in vivo. This was evidenced by enhanced delivery to phagocytic cells and subsequent immune response activation in tumor environments and lymph nodes. Conclusion: Here, we describe a new approach to incorporating both nucleic acids and small-molecule immune enhancers into cross-linked bis succinyl-cyclodextrin (b-s-CD) nanoparticles for efficient delivery to phagocytic cells in tumor environments and lymph nodes in vivo. These multi-modality immune stimulators can activate antigen-presenting cells and foster anti-tumor immunity. We argue that this strategy can potentially be used to enhance anti-tumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ralph Weissleder
- ✉ Corresponding author: R. Weissleder, MD, PhD. Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114. 617-726-8226;
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11
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Zhu B, Yin H, Zhang D, Zhang M, Chao X, Scimeca L, Wu MR. Synthetic biology approaches for improving the specificity and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:436-447. [PMID: 38605087 PMCID: PMC11061174 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01153-x] [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] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown robust efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of hematological and solid cancers. Despite the transformative impact of immunotherapy on cancer treatment, several outstanding challenges remain. These challenges include on-target off-tumor toxicity, systemic toxicity, and the complexity of achieving potent and sustainable therapeutic efficacy. Synthetic biology has emerged as a promising approach to overcome these obstacles, offering innovative tools for engineering living cells with customized functions. This review provides an overview of the current landscape and future prospects of cancer immunotherapy, particularly emphasizing the role of synthetic biology in augmenting its specificity, controllability, and efficacy. We delineate and discuss two principal synthetic biology strategies: those targeting tumor surface antigens with engineered immune cells and those detecting intratumoral disease signatures with engineered gene circuits. This review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the enduring challenges in cancer immunotherapy and the potential breakthroughs that synthetic biology may contribute to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Di Zhang
- Drug Safety Research & Evaluation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Company, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaojuan Chao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Luca Scimeca
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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12
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MacRae CB, Grieco KC, Solomon IH. Diagnostic yield of postmortem brain examination following premortem brain biopsy for neoplastic and nonneoplastic disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024; 83:331-337. [PMID: 38501995 PMCID: PMC11029448 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae025] [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: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Medical autopsies have decreased in frequency due in part to advances in radiological techniques and increased availability of molecular and other ancillary testing. However, premortem diagnosis of CNS disease remains challenging; while ∼90% of brain tumor biopsies are diagnostic, only 20%-70% of biopsies for presumed nonneoplastic disease result in a specific diagnosis. The added benefits of performing an autopsy following surgical brain biopsy are not well defined. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent brain biopsy and autopsy at Brigham and Women's Hospital from 2003 to 2022. A total of 135 cases were identified, including 95 (70%) patients with primary CNS neoplasms, 16 (12%) with metastatic tumors, and 24 (18%) with nonneoplastic neurological disease. Diagnostic concordance between biopsy and autopsy diagnosis was excellent both for primary CNS neoplasms (98%) and metastatic tumors (94%). Conversely, patients with nonneoplastic disease received definitive premortem diagnoses in 7/24 (29%) cases. Five (21%) additional patients received conclusive diagnoses following autopsy; 8 (33%) received a more specific differential diagnosis compared to the biopsy. Overall, autopsy confirmed premortem diagnoses or provided new diagnostic information in 131/135 (97%) cases, highlighting the value in performing postmortem brain examination in patients with both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie B MacRae
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristina C Grieco
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isaac H Solomon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Guo Y, Zhou Q, Wei M, Fan J, Huang H. Association of TNFRSF19 with a TNF family-based prognostic model and subtypes in gliomas using machine learning. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28445. [PMID: 38560169 PMCID: PMC10979244 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28445] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose TNF family members (TFMs) play a crucial role in different types of cancers, with TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 19 (TNFRSF19) standing out as a particularly important member in this category. Further research is necessary to investigate the potential impact of TFMs on prognosis prediction and to elucidate the function and potential therapeutic targets linked to TNFRSF19 expression in gliomas. Methods Three databases provided the data on gene expression and clinical information. Fourteen prognostic members were found through univariate Cox analysis and subsequently utilized to construct TFMs-based model in LASSO and multivariate Cox analyses. TFMs-based subtypes based on the expression profile were identified using an unsupervised clustering method. Machine learning algorithm identified key genes linked to prognostic model and subtype. A sequence of immune infiltrations was evaluated using the ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the patterns of expression and the clinical significance of TNFRSF19. Results Our development of a prognostic model and subtypes based on the TNF family was successful, resulting in accurate predictions of prognosis. The findings indicate that TNFRSF19 exhibited strong performance. Upregulation of TNFRSF19 was correlated with malignant phenotypes and poor prognosis, which was confirmed through immunohistochemistry. TNFRSF19 played a role in reshaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment in gliomas, and multiple drug-targeted TNFRSF19 molecules were identified. Conclusions The TMF-based prognostic model and subtype can facilitate treatment decisions for glioma. TNFRSF19 is an outstanding representative of a predictor of prognosis and immunotherapy effect in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quanwei Zhou
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Min Wei
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jianfeng Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Sousa F. Emerging cytokine delivery with nanomedicine for brain cancer treatment. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:513-516. [PMID: 38652095 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2347320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Sousa
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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15
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Liu M, Hu S, Yan N, Popowski KD, Cheng K. Inhalable extracellular vesicle delivery of IL-12 mRNA to treat lung cancer and promote systemic immunity. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:565-575. [PMID: 38212521 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Lung carcinoma is one of the most common cancers and has one of the lowest survival rates in the world. Cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) have demonstrated considerable potential as robust tumour suppressors. However, their applications are limited due to off-target toxicity. Here we report on a strategy involving the inhalation of IL-12 messenger RNA, encapsulated within extracellular vesicles. Inhalation and preferential uptake by cancer cells results in targeted delivery and fewer systemic side effects. The IL-12 messenger RNA generates interferon-γ production in both innate and adaptive immune-cell populations. This activation consequently incites an intense activation state in the tumour microenvironment and augments its immunogenicity. The increased immune response results in the expansion of tumour cytotoxic immune effector cells, the formation of immune memory, improved antigen presentation and tumour-specific T cell priming. The strategy is demonstrated against primary neoplastic lesions and provides profound protection against subsequent tumour rechallenge. This shows the potential for locally delivered cytokine-based immunotherapies to address orthotopic and metastatic lung tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrui Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shiqi Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Na Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristen D Popowski
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ke Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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16
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Bhatt B, García-Díaz P, Foight GW. Synthetic transcription factor engineering for cell and gene therapy. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:449-463. [PMID: 37865540 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic transcription factors (synTFs) that control beneficial transgene expression are an important method to increase the safety and efficacy of cell and gene therapy. Reliance on synTF components from non-human sources has slowed progress in the field because of concerns about immunogenicity and inducer drug properties. Recent advances in human-derived DNA-binding domains (DBDs) and transcriptional activation domains (TADs) paired with novel control modules responsive to clinically approved small molecules have poised the synTF field to overcome these hurdles. Advances include controllers inducible by autonomous signaling inputs and more complex, multi-input synTF circuits. Demonstrations of advanced control strategies with human-derived transcription factor components in clinically relevant vectors and in vivo models will facilitate progression into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhoomi Bhatt
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pablo García-Díaz
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Glenna Wink Foight
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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17
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Salvato I, Marchini A. Immunotherapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1276. [PMID: 38610954 PMCID: PMC11010873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and the best up-to-date treatments, grade 4 Glioblastoma (GBM) remains uniformly fatal with a patient median overall survival of less than 2 years. Recent advances in immunotherapy have reignited interest in utilizing immunological approaches to fight cancer. However, current immunotherapies have so far not met the anticipated expectations, achieving modest results in their journey from bench to bedside for the treatment of GBM. Understanding the intrinsic features of GBM is of crucial importance for the development of effective antitumoral strategies to improve patient life expectancy and conditions. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the distinctive characteristics of GBM that significantly influence current conventional therapies and immune-based approaches. Moreover, we present an overview of the immunotherapeutic strategies currently undergoing clinical evaluation for GBM treatment, with a specific emphasis on those advancing to phase 3 clinical studies. These encompass immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T cell therapies, vaccination strategies (i.e., RNA-, DNA-, and peptide-based vaccines), and virus-based approaches. Finally, we explore novel innovative strategies and future prospects in the field of immunotherapy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Salvato
- NORLUX Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics (LOVIT), Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM), University of Luxembourg, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Antonio Marchini
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics (LOVIT), Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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18
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Düchs MJ, Kratzer RF, Vieyra-Garcia P, Strobel B, Schönberger T, Groß P, Aljayyoussi G, Gupta A, Lang I, Klein H, Morilla SM, Hopf S, Park J, Kreuz S, Klugmann M, Igney FH. Riboswitch-controlled IL-12 gene therapy reduces hepatocellular cancer in mice. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360063. [PMID: 38558809 PMCID: PMC10979303 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and solid cancers with liver metastases are indications with high unmet medical need. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a proinflammatory cytokine with substantial anti-tumor properties, but its therapeutic potential has not been realized due to severe toxicity. Here, we show that orthotopic liver tumors in mice can be treated by targeting hepatocytes via systemic delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors carrying the murine IL-12 gene. Controlled cytokine production was achieved in vivo by using the tetracycline-inducible K19 riboswitch. AAV-mediated expression of IL-12 led to STAT4 phosphorylation, interferon-γ (IFNγ) production, infiltration of T cells and, ultimately, tumor regression. By detailed analyses of efficacy and tolerability in healthy and tumor-bearing animals, we could define a safe and efficacious vector dose. As a potential clinical candidate, we characterized vectors carrying the human IL-12 (huIL-12) gene. In mice, bioactive human IL-12 was expressed in a vector dose-dependent manner and could be induced by tetracycline, suggesting tissue-specific AAV vectors with riboswitch-controlled expression of highly potent proinflammatory cytokines as an attractive approach for vector-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias J. Düchs
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Ramona F. Kratzer
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Pablo Vieyra-Garcia
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Peter Groß
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Ghaith Aljayyoussi
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Aradhana Gupta
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, CT, United States
| | - Isabel Lang
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Holger Klein
- Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sandra Martinez Morilla
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Ridgefield, CT, United States
| | - Stefan Hopf
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - John Park
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Frederik H. Igney
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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19
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Rayati M, Mansouri V, Ahmadbeigi N. Gene therapy in glioblastoma multiforme: Can it be a role changer? Heliyon 2024; 10:e27087. [PMID: 38439834 PMCID: PMC10909773 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal cancers with a poor prognosis. Over the past century since its initial discovery and medical description, the development of effective treatments for this condition has seen limited progress. Despite numerous efforts, only a handful of drugs have gained approval for its treatment. However, these treatments have not yielded substantial improvements in both overall survival and progression-free survival rates. One reason for this is its unique features such as heterogeneity and difficulty of drug delivery because of two formidable barriers, namely the blood-brain barrier and the tumor-blood barrier. Over the past few years, significant developments in therapeutic approaches have given rise to promising novel and advanced therapies. Target-specific therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and small molecules, stand as two important examples; however, they have not yielded a significant improvement in survival among GBM patients. Gene therapy, a relatively nascent advanced approach, holds promise as a potential treatment for cancer, particularly GBM. It possesses the potential to address the limitations of previous treatments and even newer advanced therapies like mAbs, owing to its distinct properties. This review aims to elucidate the current status and advancements in gene therapy for GBM treatment, while also presenting its future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rayati
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Mansouri
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Ahmadbeigi
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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20
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Kann MC, Schneider EM, Almazan AJ, Lane IC, Bouffard AA, Supper VM, Takei HN, Tepper A, Leick MB, Larson RC, Ebert BL, Maus MV, Jan M. Chemical genetic control of cytokine signaling in CAR-T cells using lenalidomide-controlled membrane-bound degradable IL-7. Leukemia 2024; 38:590-600. [PMID: 38123696 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a breakthrough therapy for the treatment of relapsed and refractory hematologic malignancies. However, insufficient CAR-T cell expansion and persistence is a leading cause of treatment failure. Exogenous or transgenic cytokines have great potential to enhance CAR-T cell potency but pose the risk of exacerbating toxicities. Here we present a chemical-genetic system for spatiotemporal control of cytokine function gated by the off-patent anti-cancer molecular glue degrader drug lenalidomide and its analogs. When co-delivered with a CAR, a membrane-bound, lenalidomide-degradable IL-7 fusion protein enforced a clinically favorable T cell phenotype, enhanced antigen-dependent proliferative capacity, and enhanced in vivo tumor control. Furthermore, cyclical pharmacologic combined control of CAR and cytokine abundance enabled the deployment of highly active, IL-7-augmented CAR-T cells in a dual model of antitumor potency and T cell hyperproliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Kann
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily M Schneider
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio J Almazan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabel C Lane
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda A Bouffard
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valentina M Supper
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hana N Takei
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Tepper
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark B Leick
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Max Jan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Chen E, Ling AL, Reardon DA, Chiocca EA. Lessons learned from phase 3 trials of immunotherapy for glioblastoma: Time for longitudinal sampling? Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:211-225. [PMID: 37995317 PMCID: PMC10836778 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad211] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM)'s median overall survival is almost 21 months. Six phase 3 immunotherapy clinical trials have recently been published, yet 5/6 did not meet approval by regulatory bodies. For the sixth, approval is uncertain. Trial failures result from multiple factors, ranging from intrinsic tumor biology to clinical trial design. Understanding the clinical and basic science of these 6 trials is compelled by other immunotherapies reaching the point of advanced phase 3 clinical trial testing. We need to understand more of the science in human GBMs in early trials: the "window of opportunity" design may not be best to understand complex changes brought about by immunotherapeutic perturbations of the GBM microenvironment. The convergence of increased safety of image-guided biopsies with "multi-omics" of small cell numbers now permits longitudinal sampling of tumor and biofluids to dissect the complex temporal changes in the GBM microenvironment as a function of the immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexander L Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David A Reardon
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Sahm K, Weiss T. [Immunotherapy against gliomas]. DER NERVENARZT 2024; 95:111-116. [PMID: 38169045 PMCID: PMC10850214 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01590-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gliomas represent the most frequent malignant primary brain tumors in adults. Despite multimodal treatment concepts involving surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy, the prognosis remains poor and they are incurable. Recent insights into the interactions between the immune system and the central nervous system as well as breakthroughs in the results of other cancer types have led to the fact that various immunotherapeutic approaches against gliomas have also been investigated and in some cases specifically developed. OBJECTIVE This article provides an overview of the current status of different immunotherapeutic concepts against gliomas, highlighting the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. Additionally, it provides an overview of currently ongoing immunotherapeutic clinical trials in Germany and neighboring countries. RESULTS Previous randomized studies on antibodies against programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD1) immune checkpoint inhibition, viral treatment and peptide vaccination targeting the variant III of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) in glioblastomas were negative with respect to survival benefits. Conversely, other immunotherapeutic approaches, such as multivalent or driver mutation-based vaccinations, cytokine-based therapy and cell therapy, demonstrated a robust scientific foundation, with at least early studies showing promising safety and pharmacodynamic effects on the tumors. DISCUSSION Currently, immunotherapies against gliomas should only be applied within the framework of well-designed clinical studies. There are still many knowledge gaps regarding the mechanisms of action and resistance of various immunotherapies. Accompanying translational research is essential to address these gaps and develop more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Sahm
- Neurologische Klinik, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, MCTN, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland
- Klinische Kooperationseinheit Neuroimmunologie und Hirntumorimmunologie, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Klinik für Neurologie und klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich und, Universität Zürich, Frauenklinikstr. 26, 8091, Zürich, Schweiz.
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23
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Sousa F, Lee H, Almeida M, Bazzoni A, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Petri-Fink A. Immunostimulatory nanoparticles delivering cytokines as a novel cancer nanoadjuvant to empower glioblastoma immunotherapy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023:10.1007/s13346-023-01509-2. [PMID: 38161192 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01509-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) stands as a highly aggressive and deadly malignant primary brain tumor with a median survival time of under 15 months upon disease diagnosis. While immunotherapies have shown promising results in solid cancers, brain cancers are still unresponsive to immunotherapy due to immunological dysfunction and the presence of a blood-brain barrier. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) emerges as a potent cytokine in fostering anti-tumor immunity by triggering interferon-gamma production in T and natural killer cells and changing macrophages to a tumoricidal phenotype. However, systemic administration of IL-12 toxicity in clinical trials often leads to significant toxicity, posing a critical hurdle. To overcome this major drawback, we have formulated a novel nanoadjuvant composed of immunostimulatory nanoparticles (ISN) loaded with IL-12 to decrease IL-12 toxicity and enhance the immune response by macrophages and GBM cancer cells. Our in vitro results reveal that ISN substantially increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in GBM cancer cells (e.g. 2.6 × increase in IL-8 expression compared to free IL-12) and macrophages (e.g. 2 × increase in TNF-α expression and 6 × increase in IL-6 expression compared to the free IL-12). These findings suggest a potential modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, our study demonstrates the effective intracellular delivery of IL-12 by ISN, triggering alterations in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines at both transcriptional and protein expression levels. These results highlight the promise of the nanoadjuvant as a prospective platform for resharing the GBM microenvironment and empowering immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Sousa
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Henry Lee
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Almeida
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Amelie Bazzoni
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Alke Petri-Fink
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Chemistry Department, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Silver AB, Tzeng SY, Lager M, Wang J, Ishihara J, Green JJ, Spangler JB. An engineered immunocytokine with collagen affinity improves the tumor bioavailability, tolerability, and therapeutic efficacy of IL-2. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101289. [PMID: 37992685 PMCID: PMC10694763 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101289] [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] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The clinical utility of human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) is limited by its short serum half-life, preferential activation of regulatory T (TReg) over immune effector cells, and dose-limiting toxicities. We previously engineered F10 immunocytokine (IC), an intramolecularly assembled cytokine/antibody fusion protein that linked hIL-2 to an anti-IL-2 antibody (denoted F10) that extended IL-2 half-life and augmented the immune effector to TReg ratio. Here, we leveraged molecular engineering to improve the anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of F10 IC by developing an iteration, denoted F10 IC-CBD (collagen binding domain), designed for intratumoral administration and in situ retention based on collagen affinity. F10 IC-CBD retained IL-2 bioactivity exclusively in the tumor and eliminated IL-2-associated toxicities. Furthermore, F10 IC exhibited potent single-agent therapeutic efficacy and synergy with systemic immune checkpoint blockade and elicited an abscopal response in mouse tumors models. This engineered fusion protein presents a prototype for the design of intratumoral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyah B Silver
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Stephany Y Tzeng
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mallory Lager
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jeremy Wang
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jun Ishihara
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jordan J Green
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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25
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Singh S, Joshi V, Upadhyay A. Amyloids and brain cancer: molecular linkages and crossovers. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230489. [PMID: 37335084 PMCID: PMC10548166 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids are high-order proteinaceous formations deposited in both intra- and extracellular spaces. These aggregates have tendencies to deregulate cellular physiology in multiple ways; for example, altered metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunctions, immune modulation, etc. When amyloids are formed in brain tissues, the endpoint often is death of neurons. However, interesting but least understood is a close connection of amyloids with another set of conditions in which brain cells proliferate at an extraordinary rate and form tumor inside brain. Glioblastoma is one such condition. Increasing number of evidence indicate a possible link between amyloid formation and depositions in brain tumors. Several proteins associated with cell cycle regulation and apoptotic pathways themselves have shown to possess high tendencies to form amyloids. Tumor suppressor protein p53 is one prominent example that mutate, oligomerize and form amyloids leading to loss- or gain-of-functions and cause increased cell proliferation and malignancies. In this review article, we present available examples, genetic links and common pathways that indicate that possibly the two distantly placed pathways: amyloid formation and developing cancers in the brain have similarities and are mechanistically intertwined together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jheepasani, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A
| | - Vibhuti Joshi
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jheepasani, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India
| | - Arun Upadhyay
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jheepasani, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A
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26
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Heimberger AB, Tripathi S, Platanias LC. Targeting Cytokines and Their Pathways for the Treatment of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5224. [PMID: 37958397 PMCID: PMC10649760 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue focuses on the evolving role of immune modulatory cytokines, from their initial use as monotherapeutic recombinant proteins to their more contemporaneous use as modifiers for adoptive cellular immunotherapy [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy B. Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Shashwat Tripathi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Leonidas C. Platanias
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Medicine, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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27
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Fredrich I, Halabi EA, Kohler RH, Ge X, Garris CS, Weissleder R. Highly Active Myeloid Therapy for Cancer. ACS NANO 2023; 17:20666-20679. [PMID: 37824733 PMCID: PMC10941024 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c08034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) interact with cancer and stromal cells and are integral to sustaining many cancer-promoting features. Therapeutic manipulation of TAM could therefore improve clinical outcomes and synergize with immunotherapy and other cancer therapies. While different nanocarriers have been used to target TAM, a knowledge gap exists on which TAM pathways to target and what payloads to deliver for optimal antitumor effects. We hypothesized that a multipart combination involving the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK), noncanonical nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways could lead to a highly active myeloid therapy (HAMT). Thus, we devised a screen to determine drug combinations that yield maximum IL-12 production from myeloid cells to treat the otherwise highly immunosuppressive myeloid environments in tumors. Here we show the extraordinary efficacy of a triple small-molecule combination in a TAM-targeted nanoparticle for eradicating murine tumors, jumpstarting a highly efficient antitumor response by adopting a distinctive antitumor TAM phenotype and synergizing with other immunotherapies. The HAMT therapy represents a recently developed approach in immunotherapy and leads to durable responses in murine cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Fredrich
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Elias A. Halabi
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Rainer H. Kohler
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Xinying Ge
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Christopher S. Garris
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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28
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Agosti E, Zeppieri M, De Maria L, Tedeschi C, Fontanella MM, Panciani PP, Ius T. Glioblastoma Immunotherapy: A Systematic Review of the Present Strategies and Prospects for Advancements. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15037. [PMID: 37894718 PMCID: PMC10606063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by aggressive growth and high rates of recurrence. Despite the advancements in conventional therapies, the prognosis for GBM patients remains poor. Immunotherapy has recently emerged as a potential treatment option. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the current strategies and future perspectives of the GBM immunotherapy strategies. A systematic search was conducted across major medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) up to 3 September 2023. The search strategy utilized relevant Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords related to "glioblastomas," "immunotherapies," and "treatment." The studies included in this review consist of randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies reporting on the use of immunotherapies for the treatment of gliomas in human subjects. A total of 1588 papers are initially identified. Eligibility is confirmed for 752 articles, while 655 are excluded for various reasons, including irrelevance to the research topic (627), insufficient method and results details (12), and being case-series or cohort studies (22), systematic literature reviews, or meta-analyses (3). All the studies within the systematic review were clinical trials spanning from 1995 to 2023, involving 6383 patients. Neuro-oncology published the most glioma immunotherapy-related clinical trials (15/97, 16%). Most studies were released between 2018 and 2022, averaging nine publications annually during this period. Adoptive cellular transfer chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells were the primary focus in 11% of the studies, with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), oncolytic viruses (OVs), and cancer vaccines (CVs) comprising 26%, 12%, and 51%, respectively. Phase-I trials constituted the majority at 51%, while phase-III trials were only 7% of the total. Among these trials, 60% were single arm, 39% double arm, and one multi-arm. Immunotherapies were predominantly employed for recurrent GBM (55%). The review also revealed ongoing clinical trials, including 9 on ICIs, 7 on CVs, 10 on OVs, and 8 on CAR T cells, totaling 34 trials, with phase-I trials representing the majority at 53%, and only one in phase III. Overcoming immunotolerance, stimulating robust tumor antigen responses, and countering immunosuppressive microenvironment mechanisms are critical for curative GBM immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, show promise, with the ongoing research aiming to enhance their effectiveness. Personalized cancer vaccines, especially targeting neoantigens, offer substantial potential. Oncolytic viruses exhibited dual mechanisms and a breakthrough status in the clinical trials. CAR T-cell therapy, engineered for specific antigen targeting, yields encouraging results, particularly against IL13 Rα2 and EGFRvIII. The development of second-generation CAR T cells with improved specificity exemplifies their adaptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Agosti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Division of Neurosurgery, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Marco Zeppieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, P.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Lucio De Maria
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Division of Neurosurgery, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Camilla Tedeschi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Division of Neurosurgery, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Marco Maria Fontanella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Division of Neurosurgery, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Pier Paolo Panciani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Division of Neurosurgery, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.A.)
| | - Tamara Ius
- Neurosurgery Unit, Head-Neck and NeuroScience Department, University Hospital of Udine, P.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy
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29
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Faisal SM, Castro MG, Lowenstein PR. Combined cytotoxic and immune-stimulatory gene therapy using Ad-TK and Ad-Flt3L: Translational developments from rodents to glioma patients. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2839-2860. [PMID: 37574780 PMCID: PMC10556227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most prevalent and devastating primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Despite substantial advances in understanding glioma biology, there have been no regulatory drug approvals in the US since bevacizumab in 2009 and tumor treating fields in 2011. Recent phase III clinical trials have failed to meet their prespecified therapeutic primary endpoints, highlighting the need for novel therapies. The poor prognosis of glioma patients, resistance to chemo-radiotherapy, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment underscore the need for the development of novel therapies. Gene therapy-based immunotherapeutic strategies that couple the ability of the host immune system to specifically kill glioma cells and develop immunological memory have shown remarkable progress. Two adenoviral vectors expressing Ad-HSV1-TK/GCV and Ad-Flt3L have shown promising preclinical data, leading to FDA approval of a non-randomized, phase I open-label, first in human trial to test safety, cytotoxicity, and immune-stimulatory efficiency in high-grade glioma patients (NCT01811992). This review provides a thorough overview of immune-stimulatory gene therapy highlighting recent advancements, potential drawbacks, future directions, and recommendations for future implementation of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed M Faisal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Rogel Cancer Centre, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Maria G Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Rogel Cancer Centre, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Pedro R Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Rogel Cancer Centre, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA.
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30
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Leonard WJ, Lin JX. Strategies to therapeutically modulate cytokine action. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:827-854. [PMID: 37542128 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are secreted or membrane-presented molecules that mediate broad cellular functions, including development, differentiation, growth and survival. Accordingly, the regulation of cytokine activity is extraordinarily important both physiologically and pathologically. Cytokine and/or cytokine receptor engineering is being widely investigated to safely and effectively modulate cytokine activity for therapeutic benefit. IL-2 in particular has been extensively engineered, to create IL-2 variants that differentially exhibit activities on regulatory T cells to potentially treat autoimmune disease versus effector T cells to augment antitumour effects. Additionally, engineering approaches are being applied to many other cytokines such as IL-10, interferons and IL-1 family cytokines, given their immunosuppressive and/or antiviral and anticancer effects. In modulating the actions of cytokines, the strategies used have been broad, including altering affinities of cytokines for their receptors, prolonging cytokine half-lives in vivo and fine-tuning cytokine actions. The field is rapidly expanding, with extensive efforts to create improved therapeutics for a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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31
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Hong SO, Kim J, Lee S, Shin J, Choi H, Lee E, Kang H, Lee H, Lee S, Yun N, An J, Choi H, Kim H, Kang W, Yoon Y, Kim S. Transgenic viral expression of PH-20, IL-12, and sPD1-Fc enhances immune cell infiltration and anti-tumor efficacy of an oncolytic virus. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:301-315. [PMID: 37727704 PMCID: PMC10506102 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are of significant clinical interest due to their ability to directly infect and kill tumors and enhance the anti-tumor immune response. Previously, we developed KLS-3010, a novel oncolytic virus derived from the International Health Department-White (IHD-W) strain vaccinia virus, which has robust tumoricidal effects. In the present study, we generated a recombinant oncolytic virus, KLS-3020, by inserting three transgenes (hyaluronidase [PH-20], interleukin-12 [IL-12], and soluble programmed cell death 1 fused to the Fc domain [sPD1-Fc]) into KLS-3010 and investigated its anti-tumor efficacy and ability to induce anti-tumor immune responses in CT26.WT and B16F10 mouse tumor models. A single injection of KLS-3020 significantly decreased tumor growth. The roles of the transgenes were investigated using viruses expressing each single transgene alone and KLS-3020. PH-20 promoted virus spread and tumor immune cell infiltration, IL-12 activated and reprogrammed T cells to inflammatory phenotypes, and sPD1-Fc increased intra-tumoral populations of activated T cells. The tumor-specific systemic immune response and the abscopal tumor control elicited by KLS-3020 were demonstrated in the CT26.WT tumor model. The insertion of transgenes into KLS-3020 increased its anti-tumor efficacy, supporting further clinical investigation of KLS-3020 as a novel oncolytic immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon-Oh Hong
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonsung Kim
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmin Lee
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeil Shin
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwanjun Choi
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjin Lee
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesoo Kang
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesun Lee
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Soondong Lee
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Naeun Yun
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon An
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Heonsik Choi
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeree Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonseok Kang
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Yeup Yoon
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujeong Kim
- Institute of BioInnovation Research, Kolon Life Science, Seoul 07793, Republic of Korea
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32
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Schupper AJ, Hadjipanayis CG. Novel approaches to targeting gliomas at the leading/cutting edge. J Neurosurg 2023; 139:760-768. [PMID: 36840741 PMCID: PMC11225597 DOI: 10.3171/2023.1.jns221798] [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] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of clinical trials and surgical advances, the most common high-grade glioma, glioblastoma (GBM), remains an incurable disease with a dismal prognosis. Because of its infiltrative nature, GBM almost always recurs at the margin, or leading edge, where tumor cells invade the surrounding brain parenchyma. This region of GBMs is unique, or heterogeneous, with its own microenvironment that is different from the tumor bulk or core. The GBM microenvironment at the margin contains immunosuppressive constituents as well as invasive and therapy-resistant tumor cells that are difficult to treat. In addition, the blood-brain barrier remains essentially intact at the infiltrative margin of tumors; further limiting the effectiveness of therapies. The invasive margin creates the greatest challenge for neurosurgeons when managing these tumors. The current paradigm of resection of GBM tumors mainly focuses on resection of the contrast-enhancing component of tumors, while GBMs extend well beyond the contrast enhancement. The infiltrative margin represents a unique challenge and opportunity for solutions that may overcome current limitations in tumor treatments. In this review of the current literature, the authors discuss the current and developing advances focused on the detection and treatment of GBM at the infiltrative margin and how this could impact patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Schupper
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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33
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Umemura Y, Orringer D, Junck L, Varela ML, West MEJ, Faisal SM, Comba A, Heth J, Sagher O, Leung D, Mammoser A, Hervey-Jumper S, Zamler D, Yadav VN, Dunn P, Al-Holou W, Hollon T, Kim MM, Wahl DR, Camelo-Piragua S, Lieberman AP, Venneti S, McKeever P, Lawrence T, Kurokawa R, Sagher K, Altshuler D, Zhao L, Muraszko K, Castro MG, Lowenstein PR. Combined cytotoxic and immune-stimulatory gene therapy for primary adult high-grade glioma: a phase 1, first-in-human trial. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:1042-1052. [PMID: 37657463 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00347-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-grade gliomas have a poor prognosis and do not respond well to treatment. Effective cancer immune responses depend on functional immune cells, which are typically absent from the brain. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and activity of two adenoviral vectors expressing HSV1-TK (Ad-hCMV-TK) and Flt3L (Ad-hCMV-Flt3L) in patients with high-grade glioma. METHODS In this dose-finding, first-in-human trial, treatment-naive adults aged 18-75 years with newly identified high-grade glioma that was evaluated per immunotherapy response assessment in neuro-oncology criteria, and a Karnofsky Performance Status score of 70 or more, underwent maximal safe resection followed by injections of adenoviral vectors expressing HSV1-TK and Flt3L into the tumour bed. The study was conducted at the University of Michigan Medical School, Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor, MI, USA). The study included six escalating doses of viral particles with starting doses of 1×1010 Ad-hCMV-TK viral particles and 1×109 Ad-hCMV-Flt3L viral particles (cohort A), and then 1×1011 Ad-hCMV-TK viral particles and 1×109 Ad-hCMV-Flt3L viral particles (cohort B), 1×1010 Ad-hCMV-TK viral particles and 1×1010 Ad-hCMV-Flt3L viral particles (cohort C), 1×1011 Ad-hCMV-TK viral particles and 1×1010 Ad-hCMV-Flt3L viral particles (cohort D), 1×1010 Ad-hCMV-TK viral particles and 1×1011 Ad-hCMV-Flt3L viral particles (cohort E), and 1×1011 Ad-hCMV-TK viral particles and 1×1011 Ad-hCMV-Flt3L viral particles (cohort F) following a 3+3 design. Two 1 mL tuberculin syringes were used to deliver freehand a mix of Ad-hCMV-TK and Ad-hCMV-Flt3L vectors into the walls of the resection cavity with a total injection of 2 mL distributed as 0·1 mL per site across 20 locations. Subsequently, patients received two 14-day courses of valacyclovir (2 g orally, three times per day) at 1-3 days and 10-12 weeks after vector administration and standad upfront chemoradiotherapy. The primary endpoint was the maximum tolerated dose of Ad-hCMV-Flt3L and Ad-hCMV-TK. Overall survival was a secondary endpoint. Recruitment is complete and the trial is finished. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01811992. FINDINGS Between April 8, 2014, and March 13, 2019, 21 patients were assessed for eligibility and 18 patients with high-grade glioma were enrolled and included in the analysis (three patients in each of the six dose cohorts); eight patients were female and ten were male. Neuropathological examination identified 14 (78%) patients with glioblastoma, three (17%) with gliosarcoma, and one (6%) with anaplastic ependymoma. The treatment was well-tolerated, and no dose-limiting toxicity was observed. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The most common serious grade 3-4 adverse events across all treatment groups were wound infection (four events in two patients) and thromboembolic events (five events in four patients). One death due to an adverse event (respiratory failure) occurred but was not related to study treatment. No treatment-related deaths occurred during the study. Median overall survival was 21·3 months (95% CI 11·1-26·1). INTERPRETATION The combination of two adenoviral vectors demonstrated safety and feasibility in patients with high-grade glioma and warrants further investigation in a phase 1b/2 clinical trial. FUNDING Funded in part by Phase One Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, The Board of Governors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and The Rogel Cancer Center at The University of Michigan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshie Umemura
- Department of Neurology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel Orringer
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Larry Junck
- Department of Neurology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Maria L Varela
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Molly E J West
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Syed M Faisal
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrea Comba
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jason Heth
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Oren Sagher
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Denise Leung
- Department of Neurology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aaron Mammoser
- Department of Neurology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shawn Hervey-Jumper
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel Zamler
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Viveka N Yadav
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Patrick Dunn
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wajd Al-Holou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Todd Hollon
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michelle M Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel R Wahl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sandra Camelo-Piragua
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew P Lieberman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sriram Venneti
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Paul McKeever
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Theodore Lawrence
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ryo Kurokawa
- Department of Radiology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karen Sagher
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David Altshuler
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Michigan School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karin Muraszko
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Maria G Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Pedro R Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan School of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Bernstock JD, Ling A, Chiocca EA. Combined gene therapies for high-grade glioma. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:949-950. [PMID: 37657467 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00389-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Tang F, Wang Y, Zeng Y, Xiao A, Tong A, Xu J. Tumor-associated macrophage-related strategies for glioma immunotherapy. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:78. [PMID: 37598273 PMCID: PMC10439959 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00431-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade glioma is one of the deadliest primary tumors of the central nervous system. Despite the many novel immunotherapies currently in development, it has been difficult to achieve breakthrough results in clinical studies. The reason may be due to the suppressive tumor microenvironment of gliomas that limits the function of specific immune cells (e.g., T cells) which are currently the primary targets of immunotherapy. However, tumor-associated macrophage, which are enriched in tumors, plays an important role in the development of GBM and is becoming a research hotspot for immunotherapy. This review focuses on current research advances in the use of macrophages as therapeutic targets or therapeutic tools for gliomas, and provides some potential research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fansong Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuelong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Yunhui Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Anqi Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Aiping Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
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Olivet MM, Brown MC, Reitman ZJ, Ashley DM, Grant GA, Yang Y, Markert JM. Clinical Applications of Immunotherapy for Recurrent Glioblastoma in Adults. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3901. [PMID: 37568717 PMCID: PMC10416859 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite standard therapies, including resection and chemoradiation, recurrence is virtually inevitable. Current treatment for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) is rapidly evolving, and emerging therapies aimed at targeting primary GBM are often first tested in rGBM to demonstrate safety and feasibility, which, in recent years, has primarily been in the form of immunotherapy. The purpose of this review is to highlight progress in clinical trials of immunotherapy for rGBM, including immune checkpoint blockade, oncolytic virotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, cancer vaccine and immunotoxins. Three independent reviewers covered literature, published between the years 2000 and 2022, in various online databases. In general, the efficacy of immunotherapy in rGBM remains uncertain, and is limited to subsets/small cohorts of patients, despite demonstrating feasibility in early-stage clinical trials. However, considerable progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms that may preclude rGBM patients from responding to immunotherapy, as well as in developing new approaches/combination strategies that may inspire optimism for the utility of immunotherapy in this devastating disease. Continued trials are necessary to further assess the best therapeutic avenues and ascertain which treatments might benefit each patient individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Mandabach Olivet
- Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Michael C. Brown
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.C.B.); (D.M.A.); (G.A.G.)
| | - Zachary J. Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - David M. Ashley
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.C.B.); (D.M.A.); (G.A.G.)
| | - Gerald A. Grant
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.C.B.); (D.M.A.); (G.A.G.)
| | - Yuanfan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - James M. Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
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Sooreshjani M, Tripathi S, Dussold C, Najem H, de Groot J, Lukas RV, Heimberger AB. The Use of Targeted Cytokines as Cancer Therapeutics in Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3739. [PMID: 37509400 PMCID: PMC10378451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines play an important role in regulating the immune response. Although there is great interest in exploiting cytokines for cancer immunotherapy, their clinical potential is limited by their pleiotropic properties and instability. A variety of cancer cell-intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics pose a barrier to effective treatments including cytokines. Recent studies using gene and cell therapy offer new opportunities for targeting cytokines or their receptors, demonstrating that they are actionable targets. Current efforts such as virotherapy, systemic cytokine therapy, and cellular and gene therapy have provided novel strategies that incorporate cytokines as potential therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma. Ongoing research on characterizing the tumor microenvironment will be informative for prioritization and combinatorial strategies of cytokines for future clinical trials. Unique therapeutic opportunities exist at the convergence of cytokines that play a dual role in tumorigenesis and immune modulation. Here, we discuss the underlying strategies in pre- and clinical trials aiming to enhance treatment outcomes in glioblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moloud Sooreshjani
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shashwat Tripathi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Corey Dussold
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hinda Najem
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John de Groot
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rimas V. Lukas
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Amy B. Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center, 303 E. Superior Street, 6-516, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Pu Y, Zhou G, Zhao K, Chen Y, Shen S. Immunotherapy for Recurrent Glioma-From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3421. [PMID: 37444531 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most aggressive malignant tumor of the central nervous system, and most patients suffer from a recurrence. Unfortunately, recurrent glioma often becomes resistant to established chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Immunotherapy, a rapidly developing anti-tumor therapy, has shown a potential value in treating recurrent glioma. Multiple immune strategies have been explored. The most-used ones are immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies, which are barely effective in monotherapy. However, when combined with other immunotherapy, especially with anti-angiogenesis antibodies, ICB has shown encouraging efficacy and enhanced anti-tumor immune response. Oncolytic viruses and CAR-T therapies have shown promising results in recurrent glioma through multiple mechanisms. Vaccination strategies and immune-cell-based immunotherapies are promising in some subgroups of patients, and multiple new tumor antigenic targets have been discovered. In this review, we discuss current applicable immunotherapies and related mechanisms for recurrent glioma, focusing on multiple preclinical models and clinical trials in the last 5 years. Through reviewing the current combination of immune strategies, we would like to provide substantive thoughts for further novel therapeutic regimes treating recurrent glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Pu
- Laboratory of Mitochondria and Metabolism, Department of Burn and Reconstructive Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guanyu Zhou
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kejia Zhao
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yaohui Chen
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shensi Shen
- Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Webb MJ, Sener U, Vile RG. Current Status and Challenges of Oncolytic Virotherapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:793. [PMID: 37375742 PMCID: PMC10301268 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and numerous clinical trials, the prognosis of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) remains dire with median observed survival at 8 months. There is a critical need for novel treatments for GBM, which is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Major advances in cancer therapeutics such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have not yet led to improved outcomes for GBM. Conventional therapy of surgery followed by chemoradiation with or without tumor treating fields remains the standard of care. One of the many approaches to GBM therapy currently being explored is viral therapies. These typically work by selectively lysing target neoplastic cells, called oncolysis, or by the targeted delivery of a therapeutic transgene via a viral vector. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of action and describe both recent and current human clinical trials using these viruses with an emphasis on promising viral therapeutics that may ultimately break the field's current stagnant paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason J. Webb
- Department of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Ugur Sener
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Richard G. Vile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
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Wang M, Wang X, Jin X, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Liu Y, Zhang J. Cell-based and cell-free immunotherapies for glioblastoma: current status and future directions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1175118. [PMID: 37304305 PMCID: PMC10248152 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1175118] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the most fatal and recurring malignant solid tumors. It arises from the GBM stem cell population. Conventional neurosurgical resection, temozolomide (TMZ)-dependent chemotherapy and radiotherapy have rendered the prognosis of patients unsatisfactory. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can frequently induce non-specific damage to healthy brain and other tissues, which can be extremely hazardous. There is therefore a pressing need for a more effective treatment strategy for GBM to complement or replace existing treatment options. Cell-based and cell-free immunotherapies are currently being investigated to develop new treatment modalities against cancer. These treatments have the potential to be both selective and successful in minimizing off-target collateral harm in the normal brain. In this review, several aspects of cell-based and cell-free immunotherapies related to GBM will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Basic Medical School, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jin
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yufu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiyuan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yusi Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
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Look T, Puca E, Bühler M, Kirschenbaum D, De Luca R, Stucchi R, Ravazza D, Di Nitto C, Roth P, Katzenelenbogen Y, Weiner A, Rindlisbacher L, Becher B, Amit I, Weller M, Neri D, Hemmerle T, Weiss T. Targeted delivery of tumor necrosis factor in combination with CCNU induces a T cell-dependent regression of glioblastoma. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadf2281. [PMID: 37224228 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adf2281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor with an unmet need for more effective therapies. Here, we investigated combination therapies based on L19TNF, an antibody-cytokine fusion protein based on tumor necrosis factor that selectively localizes to cancer neovasculature. Using immunocompetent orthotopic glioma mouse models, we identified strong anti-glioma activity of L19TNF in combination with the alkylating agent CCNU, which cured the majority of tumor-bearing mice, whereas monotherapies only had limited efficacy. In situ and ex vivo immunophenotypic and molecular profiling in the mouse models revealed that L19TNF and CCNU induced tumor DNA damage and treatment-associated tumor necrosis. In addition, this combination also up-regulated tumor endothelial cell adhesion molecules, promoted the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor, induced immunostimulatory pathways, and decreased immunosuppression pathways. MHC immunopeptidomics demonstrated that L19TNF and CCNU increased antigen presentation on MHC class I molecules. The antitumor activity was T cell dependent and completely abrogated in immunodeficient mouse models. On the basis of these encouraging results, we translated this treatment combination to patients with glioblastoma. The clinical translation is ongoing but already shows objective responses in three of five patients in the first recurrent glioblastoma patient cohort treated with L19TNF in combination with CCNU (NCT04573192).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Look
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcel Bühler
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Kirschenbaum
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Roth
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
| | | | - Assaf Weiner
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Lukas Rindlisbacher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Tobias Weiss
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
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Abdulal RH, Malki JS, Ghazal E, Alsaieedi AA, Almahboub SA, Khan MY, Alsulaiman RM, Ghaith MM, Abujamel TS, Ganash M, Mahmoud AB, Alkayyal AA, Hashem AM. Construction of VSVΔ51M oncolytic virus expressing human interleukin-12. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1190669. [PMID: 37255540 PMCID: PMC10225647 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1190669] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in combination with cytokines, such as IL-12, is a promising approach for cancer treatment that addresses the limitations of current standard treatments and traditional cancer immunotherapies. IL-12, a proinflammatory cytokine, triggers intracellular signaling pathways that lead to increased apoptosis of tumor cells and enhanced antitumor activity of immune cells via IFN-γ induction, making this cytokine a promising candidate for cancer therapy. Targeted expression of IL-12 within tumors has been shown to play a crucial role in tumor eradication. The recent development of oncolytic viruses enables targeted delivery and expression of IL-12 at the tumor site, thereby addressing the systemic toxicities associated with traditional cancer therapy. In this study, we constructed an oncolytic virus, VSVΔ51M, based on the commercially available VSV wild-type backbone and further modified it to express human IL-12. Our preclinical data confirmed the safety and limited toxicity of the modified virus, VSV-Δ51M-hIL-12, supporting its potential use for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rwaa H. Abdulal
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jana S. Malki
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ezdehar Ghazal
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahdab A. Alsaieedi
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah A. Almahboub
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Yasir Khan
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem M. Alsulaiman
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazen M. Ghaith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki S. Abujamel
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdah Ganash
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Bakur Mahmoud
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- Strategic Research and Innovation Laboratories, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Almohanad A. Alkayyal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar M. Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Kopper TJ, Yu X, Graner MW. Immunopathology of Extracellular Vesicles in Macrophage and Glioma Cross-Talk. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12103430. [PMID: 37240536 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12103430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBM) are a devastating disease with extremely poor clinical outcomes. Resident (microglia) and infiltrating macrophages are a substantial component of the tumor environment. In GBM and other cancers, tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) suppress macrophage inflammatory responses, impairing their ability to identify and phagocytose cancerous tissues. Furthermore, these macrophages then begin to produce EVs that support tumor growth and migration. This cross-talk between macrophages/microglia and gliomas is a significant contributor to GBM pathophysiology. Here, we review the mechanisms through which GBM-derived EVs impair macrophage function, how subsequent macrophage-derived EVs support tumor growth, and the current therapeutic approaches to target GBM/macrophage EV crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Kopper
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Xiaoli Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael W Graner
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Yang Y, Yang H, Alcaina Y, Puc J, Birt A, Vedvyas Y, Gallagher M, Alla S, Riascos MC, McCloskey JE, Du K, Gonzalez-Valdivieso J, Min IM, de Stanchina E, Britz M, von Hofe E, Jin MM. Inducible expression of interleukin-12 augments the efficacy of affinity-tuned chimeric antigen receptors in murine solid tumor models. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2068. [PMID: 37045815 PMCID: PMC10097865 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37646-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The limited number of targetable tumor-specific antigens and the immunosuppressive nature of the microenvironment within solid malignancies represent major barriers to the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies. Here, using epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) as a model antigen, we used alanine scanning of the complementarity-determining region to fine-tune CAR affinity. This allowed us to identify CARs that could spare primary epithelial cells while still effectively targeting EpCAMhigh tumors. Although affinity-tuned CARs showed suboptimal antitumor activity in vivo, we found that inducible secretion of interleukin-12 (IL-12), under the control of the NFAT promoter, can restore CAR activity to levels close to that of the parental CAR. This strategy was further validated with another affinity-tuned CAR specific for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Only in affinity-tuned CAR-T cells was NFAT activity stringently controlled and restricted to tumors expressing the antigen of interest at high levels. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of specifically gearing CAR-T cells towards recognition of solid tumors by combining inducible IL-12 expression and affinity-tuned CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Yang
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Huan Yang
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Yago Alcaina
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Janusz Puc
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Alyssa Birt
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Yogindra Vedvyas
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | - Srinija Alla
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Riascos
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jaclyn E McCloskey
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Karrie Du
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Juan Gonzalez-Valdivieso
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Irene M Min
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Matt Britz
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Eric von Hofe
- AffyImmune Therapeutics, Inc., Natick, MA, 01760, USA
| | - Moonsoo M Jin
- Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Vrabel MR, Schulman JA, Gillam FB, Mantooth SM, Nguyen KG, Zaharoff DA. Focal Cryo-Immunotherapy with Intratumoral IL-12 Prevents Recurrence of Large Murine Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082210. [PMID: 37190138 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal ablation technologies are routinely used in the clinical management of inoperable solid tumors but they often result in incomplete ablations leading to high recurrence rates. Adjuvant therapies, capable of safely eliminating residual tumor cells, are therefore of great clinical interest. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent antitumor cytokine that can be localized intratumorally through coformulation with viscous biopolymers, including chitosan (CS) solutions. The objective of this research was to determine if localized immunotherapy with a CS/IL-12 formulation could prevent tumor recurrence after cryoablation (CA). Tumor recurrence and overall survival rates were assessed. Systemic immunity was evaluated in spontaneously metastatic and bilateral tumor models. Temporal bulk RNA sequencing was performed on tumor and draining lymph node (dLN) samples. In multiple murine tumor models, the addition of CS/IL-12 to CA reduced recurrence rates by 30-55%. Altogether, this cryo-immunotherapy induced complete durable regression of large tumors in 80-100% of treated animals. Additionally, CS/IL-12 prevented lung metastases when delivered as a neoadjuvant to CA. However, CA plus CS/IL-12 had minimal antitumor activity against established, untreated abscopal tumors. Adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy delayed the growth of abscopal tumors. Transcriptome analyses revealed early immunological changes in the dLN, followed by a significant increase in gene expression associated with immune suppression and regulation. Cryo-immunotherapy with localized CS/IL-12 reduces recurrences and enhances the elimination of large primary tumors. This focal combination therapy also induces significant but limited systemic antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura R Vrabel
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jacob A Schulman
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Francis B Gillam
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Siena M Mantooth
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Khue G Nguyen
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - David A Zaharoff
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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46
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Gutierrez E, Bigelow M, LaCroix C, Beech J, Kirby P, Markowitz L, Shifrin M, Naill M, Braun A, O'Neil S, Cuillerot JM, Cheung A, Grinberg A, Wagtmann N. An optimized IL-12-Fc expands its therapeutic window, achieving strong activity against mouse tumors at tolerable drug doses. MED 2023; 4:326-340.e5. [PMID: 37059099 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has emerged as one of the most potent cytokines for tumor immunotherapy due to its ability to induce interferon γ (IFNγ) and polarize Th1 responses. Clinical use of IL-12 has been limited by a short half-life and narrow therapeutic index. METHODS We generated a monovalent, half-life-extended IL-12-Fc fusion protein, mDF6006, engineered to retain the high potency of native IL-12 while significantly expanding its therapeutic window. In vitro and in vivo activity of mDF6006 was tested against murine tumors. To translate our findings, we developed a fully human version of IL-12-Fc, designated DF6002, which we characterized in vitro on human cells and in vivo in cynomolgus monkeys in preparation for clinical trials. FINDINGS The extended half-life of mDF6006 modified the pharmacodynamic profile of IL-12 to one that was better tolerated systemically while vastly amplifying its efficacy. Mechanistically, mDF6006 led to greater and more sustained IFNγ production than recombinant IL-12 without inducing high, toxic peak serum concentrations of IFNγ. We showed that mDF6006's expanded therapeutic window allowed for potent anti-tumor activity as single agent against large immune checkpoint blockade-resistant tumors. Furthermore, the favorable benefit-risk profile of mDF6006 enabled effective combination with PD-1 blockade. Fully human DF6002, similarly, demonstrated an extended half-life and a protracted IFNγ profile in non-human primates. CONCLUSION An optimized IL-12-Fc fusion protein increased the therapeutic window of IL-12, enhancing anti-tumor activity without concomitantly increasing toxicity. FUNDING This research was funded by Dragonfly Therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ann Cheung
- Dragonfly Therapeutics, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
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47
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Gene-based delivery of immune-activating cytokines for cancer treatment. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:329-342. [PMID: 36828711 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Tumors evolve together with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and reshape it towards immunosuppression. Immunostimulating cytokines can be used to revert this state leading to effective antitumor immune responses, but their exploitation as anticancer drugs has been hampered by severe toxicity associated with systemic administration. Local, TME-targeted delivery of immune activating cytokines can deploy their antitumoral function more effectively than systemic administration while, at the same time, avoiding exposure of healthy organs and limiting toxicity. Here, we review different gene and cell therapy platforms developed for tumor-directed cytokine delivery highlighting their potential for clinical translation.
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48
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Walentynowicz KA, Engelhardt D, Cristea S, Yadav S, Onubogu U, Salatino R, Maerken M, Vincentelli C, Jhaveri A, Geisberg J, McDonald TO, Michor F, Janiszewska M. Single-cell heterogeneity of EGFR and CDK4 co-amplification is linked to immune infiltration in glioblastoma. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112235. [PMID: 36920905 PMCID: PMC10114292 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor, with a median survival of ∼15 months. Targeted approaches have not been successful in this tumor type due to the large extent of intratumor heterogeneity. Mosaic amplification of oncogenes suggests that multiple genetically distinct clones are present in each tumor. To uncover the relationships between genetically diverse subpopulations of GBM cells and their native tumor microenvironment, we employ highly multiplexed spatial protein profiling coupled with single-cell spatial mapping of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for EGFR, CDK4, and PDGFRA. Single-cell FISH analysis of a total of 35,843 single nuclei reveals that tumors in which amplifications of EGFR and CDK4 more frequently co-occur in the same cell exhibit higher infiltration of CD163+ immunosuppressive macrophages. Our results suggest that high-throughput assessment of genomic alterations at the single-cell level could provide a measure for predicting the immune state of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper A Walentynowicz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technologies, Jupiter, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Dalit Engelhardt
- Center for Cancer Evolution, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Simona Cristea
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shreya Yadav
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technologies, Jupiter, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Ugoma Onubogu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technologies, Jupiter, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA; The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roberto Salatino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technologies, Jupiter, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA; The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Melanie Maerken
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technologies, Jupiter, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | | | - Aashna Jhaveri
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacob Geisberg
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas O McDonald
- Center for Cancer Evolution, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Franziska Michor
- Center for Cancer Evolution, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; The Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Michalina Janiszewska
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technologies, Jupiter, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA; The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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49
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Fukuhara H, Sato YT, Hou J, Iwai M, Todo T. Fusion peptide is superior to co-expressing subunits for arming oncolytic herpes virus with interleukin 12. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:40. [PMID: 36966232 PMCID: PMC10039936 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00270-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND G47∆ is a triple-mutated oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) recently approved as a new drug for malignant glioma in Japan. As the next-generation, we develop armed oncolytic HSV-1 using G47∆ as the backbone. Because oncolytic HSV-1 elicits specific antitumor immunity, interleukin 12 (IL-12) can function as an effective payload to enhance the efficacy. METHODS We evaluate the optimal methods for expressing IL-12 as a payload for G47∆-based oncolytic HSV-1. Two new armed viruses are generated for evaluation by employing different methods to express IL-12: T-mfIL12 expresses murine IL-12 as a fusion peptide, with the genes of two subunits (p35 and p40) linked by bovine elastin motifs, and T-mIL12-IRES co-expresses the subunits, with the two genes separated by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence. RESULTS T-mfIL12 is significantly more efficient in producing IL-12 than T-mIL12-IRES in all cell lines tested, whereas the expression methods do not affect the replication capabilities and cytopathic effects. In two syngeneic mouse subcutaneous tumor models of Neuro2a and TRAMP-C2, T-mfIL12 exhibits a significantly higher efficacy than T-mIL12-IRES when inoculated intratumorally. Furthermore, T-mfIL12 shows a significantly higher intratumoral expression of functional IL-12, causing stronger stimulation of specific antitumor immune responses than T-mIL12-IRES. CONCLUSIONS The results implicate that a fusion-type expression of IL-12 is a method superior to co-expression of separate subunits, due to higher production of functional IL-12 molecules. This study led to the creation of triple-mutated oncolytic HSV-1 armed with human IL-12 currently used in phase 1/2 trial for malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Fukuhara
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Department of Urology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
| | - Yuzuri Tsurumaki Sato
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Jiangang Hou
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Miwako Iwai
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Tomoki Todo
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
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50
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Choudhary N, Osorio RC, Oh JY, Aghi MK. Metabolic Barriers to Glioblastoma Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1519. [PMID: 36900311 PMCID: PMC10000693 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis with the current standard of care treatment. To address the need for novel therapeutic options in GBM, immunotherapies which target cancer cells through stimulating an anti-tumoral immune response have been investigated in GBM. However, immunotherapies in GBM have not met with anywhere near the level of success they have encountered in other cancers. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in GBM is thought to contribute significantly to resistance to immunotherapy. Metabolic alterations employed by cancer cells to promote their own growth and proliferation have been shown to impact the distribution and function of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. More recently, the diminished function of anti-tumoral effector immune cells and promotion of immunosuppressive populations resulting from metabolic alterations have been investigated as contributory to therapeutic resistance. The GBM tumor cell metabolism of four nutrients (glucose, glutamine, tryptophan, and lipids) has recently been described as contributory to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy resistance. Understanding metabolic mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in GBM can provide insight into future directions targeting the anti-tumor immune response in combination with tumor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Manish K. Aghi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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