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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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Ali AM, Raza A. scRNAseq and High-Throughput Spatial Analysis of Tumor and Normal Microenvironment in Solid Tumors Reveal a Possible Origin of Circulating Tumor Hybrid Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1444. [PMID: 38611120 PMCID: PMC11010995 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071444] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastatic cancer is a leading cause of death in cancer patients worldwide. While circulating hybrid cells (CHCs) are implicated in metastatic spread, studies documenting their tissue origin remain sparse, with limited candidate approaches using one-two markers. Utilizing high-throughput single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, we identified tumor hybrid cells (THCs) co-expressing epithelial and macrophage markers and expressing a distinct transcriptome. Rarely, normal tissue showed these cells (NHCs), but their transcriptome was easily distinguishable from THCs. THCs with unique transcriptomes were observed in breast and colon cancers, suggesting this to be a generalizable phenomenon across cancer types. This study establishes a framework for HC identification in large datasets, providing compelling evidence for their tissue residence and offering comprehensive transcriptomic characterization. Furthermore, it sheds light on their differential function and identifies pathways that could explain their newly acquired invasive capabilities. THCs should be considered as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Mahmood Ali
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Edward P Evans MDS Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Azra Raza
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Edward P Evans MDS Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Lv YF, Zhang H, Cui Z, Ma CJ, Li YL, Lu H, Wu HY, Yang JL, Cao CY, Sun WZ, Huang XF. Gene delivery to breast cancer by incorporated EpCAM targeted DARPins into AAV2. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1220. [PMID: 38082377 PMCID: PMC10712102 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11705-5] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate an AAV vector that can selectively target breast cancer cells and to investigate its specificity and anti-tumor effects on breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, offering a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of EpCAM-positive breast cancer. METHODS In this study, a modified AAV2 viral vector was used, in which EpCAM-specific DARPin EC1 was fused to the VP2 protein of AAV2, creating a viral vector that can target breast cancer cells. The targeting ability and anti-tumor effects of this viral vector were evaluated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS The experimental results showed that the AAV2MEC1 virus could specifically infect EpCAM-positive breast cancer cells and accurately deliver the suicide gene HSV-TK to tumor tissue in mice, significantly inhibiting tumor growth. Compared to the traditional AAV2 viral vector, the AAV2MEC1 virus exhibited reduced accumulation in liver tissue and had no impact on tumor growth. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that AAV2MEC1 is a gene delivery vector capable of targeting breast cancer cells and achieving selective targeting in mice. The findings offer a potential gene delivery system and strategies for gene therapy targeting EpCAM-positive breast cancer and other tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Feng Lv
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhi Cui
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Cui-Jiao Ma
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yu-Ling Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hua Lu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hong-Yan Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jian-Lin Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chun-Yu Cao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Wen-Zheng Sun
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiao-Fei Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, No. 8 Da Xue Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China.
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Ning H, Liu G, Li L, Liu Q, Huang H, Xie Z. Rational design of microRNA-responsive switch for programmable translational control in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7193. [PMID: 37938567 PMCID: PMC10632459 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43065-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial RNA translation modulation usually relies on multiple components, such as RNA binding proteins (RBPs) or microRNAs (miRNAs) for off-switches and double-inverter cascades for on-switches. Recently, translational circular RNAs (circRNAs) were developed as promising alternatives for linear messenger RNAs (mRNAs). However, circRNAs still lack straightforward and programmable translation control strategies. Here, we rationally design a programmable miRNA-responsive internal ribosome entry site (IRES) translation activation and repression (PROMITAR) platform capable of implementing miRNA-based translation upregulation and downregulation in a single RNA construct. Based on the PROMITAR platform, we construct logic gates and cell-type classifier circRNAs and successfully identify desired mammalian cell types. We also demonstrate the potential therapeutic application of our platform for targeted cancer cell killing by encoding a cytotoxic protein in our engineered circRNAs. We expect our platform to expand the toolbox for RNA synthetic biology and provide an approach for potential biomedical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ning
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Automation, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Gan Liu
- Syngentech Inc., Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Lei Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Automation, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Syngentech Inc., Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Huiya Huang
- Syngentech Inc., Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Zhen Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Automation, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Improved anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect by enhanced Co-delivery of Tim-3 siRNA and sorafenib via multiple pH triggered drug-eluting nanoparticles. Mater Today Bio 2022; 16:100350. [PMID: 35856043 PMCID: PMC9287642 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains urgently needed. Sorafenib is the first FDA-approved systemic treatment for HCC. However, individual HCC patents’ response to sorafenib varies greatly. How to enhance the anti-HCC effect of sorafenib is still a significant challenge. T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) is a newly identified immune checkpoint molecule and a promising target for HCC treatment. Herein, we developed a novel pH-triggered drug-eluting nanoparticle (CC@SR&SF@PP) for simultaneously delivery of Tim-3 siRNA and sorafenib to HCC in situ. By a single emulsification method, a representative HCC targeted-therapeutic drug sorafenib (SF) was encapsulated into the pH-triggered positive-charged mPEG5K-PAE10K (PP) nanoparticles, followed by condensing of negative-charged Tim-3 siRNA. Then, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), an amphoteric polysaccharide with negative charge in the physiological pH and positive charge in the acidic environment of the tumor, was eventually adsorbed onto the surface of nanoparticles. This co-delivery nanoparticle rapidly and specifically accumulated in the tumor site of the liver and enhanced the targeted, specific and multiple release of siRNA and sorafenib. Enhanced Tim-3 siRNA transfected into tumor cells can not only directly inhibit the growth of tumor cells by knock down the expression Tim-3, but also induce the immune response and enhance the recruitment of cytotoxic T cells to kill tumor cells. The following pH-triggered sorafenib release from SF@PP NPs greatly inhibited the tumor proliferation and angiogenesis, resulting in remarkable tumor growth inhibition in a mouse hepatoma 22 (H22) orthotopic tumor model. Thus, co-delivery of Tim-3 siRNA and sorafenib via this novel pH triggered drug-eluting nanoparticle enhances their anti-tumor efficacy. We expect that such combination treatment strategy will have great potential in future clinical applications.
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