1
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Nasar RT, Uche IK, Kousoulas KG. Targeting Cancers with oHSV-Based Oncolytic Viral Immunotherapy. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5582-5594. [PMID: 38921005 PMCID: PMC11201976 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060334] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent success of cancer immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), cancer vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapies (ACTs), has revolutionized traditional cancer treatment. However, these immunotherapeutic modalities have variable efficacies, and many of them exhibit adverse effects. Oncolytic viral Immunotherapy (OViT), whereby viruses are used to directly or indirectly induce anti-cancer immune responses, is emerging as a novel immunotherapy for treating patients with different types of cancer. The herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) possesses many characteristics that inform its use as an effective OViT agents and remains a leading candidate. Its recent clinical success resulted in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Talimogene laherparevec (T-VEC or Imlygic) in 2015 for the treatment of advanced melanoma. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of oncolytic HSV-1-based OViTs, their anti-tumor mechanism of action, and efficacy data from recent clinical trials. We envision this knowledge may be used to inform the rational design and application of future oHSV in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakin Tammam Nasar
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Ifeanyi Kingsley Uche
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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2
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Zhang J, Xiao Y, Zhang J, Yang Y, Zhang L, Liang F. Recent advances of engineered oncolytic viruses-based combination therapy for liver cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:3. [PMID: 38167076 PMCID: PMC10763442 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04817-w] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a major malignant tumor, which seriously threatens human health and increases the economic burden on patients. At present, gene therapy has been comprehensively studied as an excellent therapeutic measure in liver cancer treatment. Oncolytic virus (OV) is a kind of virus that can specifically infect and kill tumor cells. After being modified by genetic engineering, the specificity of OV infection to tumor cells is increased, and its influence on normal cells is reduced. To date, OV has shown its effectiveness and safety in experimental and clinical studies on a variety of tumors. Thus, this review primarily introduces the current status of different genetically engineered OVs used in gene therapy for liver cancer, focuses on the application of OVs and different target genes for current liver cancer therapy, and identifies the problems encountered in OVs-based combination therapy and the corresponding solutions, which will provide new insights into the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhe Zhang
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, No. 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, 453100, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Yunxi Xiao
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, No. 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Yun Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Liao Zhang
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, No. 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Fan Liang
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, No. 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China
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3
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Calvillo-Rodríguez KM, Lorenzo-Anota HY, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Martínez-Torres AC, Scott-Algara D. Immunotherapies inducing immunogenic cell death in cancer: insight of the innate immune system. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1294434. [PMID: 38077402 PMCID: PMC10701401 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies include monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, oncolytic viruses, cellular therapies, and other biological and synthetic immunomodulators. These are traditionally studied for their effect on the immune system's role in eliminating cancer cells. However, some of these therapies have the unique ability to directly induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). Unlike general immune stimulation, ICD triggers specific therapy-induced cell death pathways, based on the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying tumour cells. These activate innate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and subsequent adaptive immune responses, offering the promise of sustained anticancer drug efficacy and durable antitumour immune memory. Exploring how onco-immunotherapies can trigger ICD, enhances our understanding of their mechanisms and potential for combination strategies. This review explores the complexities of these immunotherapeutic approaches that induce ICD, highlighting their implications for the innate immune system, addressing challenges in cancer treatment, and emphasising the pivotal role of ICD in contemporary cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Misael Calvillo-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
| | - Helen Yarimet Lorenzo-Anota
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
- The Institute for Obesity Research, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
| | - Ana Carolina Martínez-Torres
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, NL, Mexico
| | - Daniel Scott-Algara
- Département d'Immunologie, Unité de Biologie Cellulaire des Lymphocytes, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
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Nabi R, Musarrat F, Menk P. Lima JC, Langohr IM, Chouljenko VN, Kousoulas KG. The Oncolytic herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) vaccine strain VC2 causes intratumor infiltration of functionally active T cells and inhibition of tumor metastasis and pro-tumor genes VEGF and PDL1 expression in the 4T1/Balb/c mouse model of stage four breast cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1199068. [PMID: 37388243 PMCID: PMC10303929 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1199068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Oncolytic viruses (OVs) provide new modalities for cancer therapy either alone or in combination with synergistic immunotherapies and/or chemotherapeutics. Engineered Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) has shown strong promise for the treatment of various cancers in experimental animal models as well as in human patients, with some virus strains licensed to treat human melanoma and gliomas. In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of mutant HSV-1 (VC2) in a late stage, highly metastatic 4T1 murine syngeneic. Method: VC2 was constructed VC2 using double red recombination technology. For in-vivo efficacy we utilized a late stage 4T1 syngeneic and immunocompetent BALB/cJ mouse model breast cancer model which exhibits efficient metastasis to the lung and other organs. Results: VC2 replicated efficiently in 4T1 cells and in cell culture, achieving titers similar to those in African monkey kidney (Vero) cells. Intra-tumor treatment with VC2 did not appreciably reduce average primary tumor sizes but a significant reduction of lung metastasis was noted in mice treated intratumorally with VC2, but not with ultraviolet-inactivated VC2. This reduction of metastasis was associated with increased T cell infiltration comprised of CD4+ and CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells. Characterization of purified tumor infiltrating T cells revealed a significant improvement in their proliferation ability compared to controls. In addition, significant T cell infiltration was observed in the metastatic nodules associated with reduction of pro-tumor PD-L1 and VEGF gene transcription. Conclusion: These results show that VC2 therapy can improve anti-tumor response associated with a better control of tumor metastasis. improve T cell responses and reduce pro-tumor biomarker gene transcription. VC2 holds promise for further development as an oncolytic and immunotherapeutic approach to treat breast and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafiq Nabi
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Farhana Musarrat
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Jose Cesar Menk P. Lima
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Ingeborg M. Langohr
- Global Discovery Pathology, Translational Models Research Platform, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Vladimir N. Chouljenko
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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5
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Clark CM, Jambunathan N, Collantes TMA, Kousoulas KG. Inactivation of the UL37 Deamidase Enhances Virus Replication and Spread of the HSV-1(VC2) Oncolytic Vaccine Strain and Secretion of GM-CSF. Viruses 2023; 15:367. [PMID: 36851581 PMCID: PMC9961126 DOI: 10.3390/v15020367] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The HSV-1 (VC2) live-attenuated vaccine strain was engineered with specific deletions in the amino termini of glycoprotein K (gK) and membrane protein UL20, rendering the virus unable to enter neurons and establish latency. VC2 replicates efficiently in epithelial cell culture but produces lower viral titers and smaller viral plaques than its parental HSV-1 (F) wild-type virus. VC2 is an effective live-attenuated vaccine against HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections in mice and guinea pigs and an anti-tumor immunotherapeutic and oncolytic virus against melanoma and breast cancer in mouse models. Previously, we reported that the gK/UL20 complex interacts with the UL37 tegument protein, and this interaction is essential for virion intracellular envelopment and egress. To investigate the potential role of the UL37 deamidase functions, the recombinant virus FC819S and VC2C819S were constructed with a C819S substitution to inactivate the UL37 predicted deamidase active site on an HSV-1(F) and HSV-1(VC2) genetic background, respectively. FC819S replicated to similar levels with HSV-1(F) and produced similar size viral plaques. In contrast, VC2C819S replication was enhanced, and viral plaques increased in size, approaching those of the wild-type HSV-1(F) virus. FC819S infection of cell cultures caused enhanced GM-CSF secretion in comparison to HSV-1(F) across several cell lines, including HEp2 cells and cancer cell lines, DU145 (prostate) and Panc 04.03 (pancreas), and primary mouse peritoneal cells. VC2 infection of these cell lines caused GM-CSF secretion at similar levels to FC819S infection. However, the VC2C819S virus did not exhibit any further enhancement of GM-CSF secretion compared to the VC2 virus. These results suggest that the UL37 deamidation functions in conjunction with the gK/UL20 complex to facilitate virus replication and GM-CSF secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M. Clark
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | | | - Therese M. A. Collantes
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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6
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Omole RK, Oluwatola O, Akere MT, Eniafe J, Agboluaje EO, Daramola OB, Ayantunji YJ, Omotade TI, Torimiro N, Ayilara MS, Adeyemi OI, Salinsile OS. Comprehensive assessment on the applications of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1082797. [PMID: 36569326 PMCID: PMC9772532 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1082797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide burden of cancers is increasing at a very high rate, including the aggressive and resistant forms of cancers. Certain levels of breakthrough have been achieved with the conventional treatment methods being used to treat different forms of cancers, but with some limitations. These limitations include hazardous side effects, destruction of non-tumor healthy cells that are rapidly dividing and developing, tumor resistance to anti-cancer drugs, damage to tissues and organs, and so on. However, oncolytic viruses have emerged as a worthwhile immunotherapeutic option for the treatment of different types of cancers. In this treatment approach, oncolytic viruses are being modeled to target cancer cells with optimum cytotoxicity and spare normal cells with optimal safety, without the oncolytic viruses themselves being killed by the host immune defense system. Oncolytic viral infection of the cancer cells are also being genetically manipulated (either by removal or addition of certain genes into the oncolytic virus genome) to make the tumor more visible and available for attack by the host immune cells. Hence, different variants of these viruses are being developed to optimize their antitumor effects. In this review, we examined how grave the burden of cancer is on a global level, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, major conventional therapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancer and their individual drawbacks. We discussed the mechanisms of action employed by these oncolytic viruses and different viruses that have found their relevance in the fight against various forms of cancers. Some pre-clinical and clinical trials that involve oncolytic viruses in cancer management were reported. This review also examined the toxicity and safety concerns surrounding the adoption of oncolytic viro-immunotherapy for the treatment of cancers and the likely future directions for researchers and general audience who wants updated information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kolade Omole
- Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria,Microbiology Unit, Department of Applied Sciences, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Nigeria,*Correspondence: Richard Kolade Omole,
| | - Oluwaseyi Oluwatola
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States,Department of Immunology, Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Millicent Tambari Akere
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Joseph Eniafe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | | | | | - Yemisi Juliet Ayantunji
- Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria,Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, Cooperative Information Network, National Space Research and Development Agency, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | | | - Nkem Torimiro
- Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Modupe Stella Ayilara
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Oluwole Isaac Adeyemi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
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7
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Khoury LM, Burcher KM, Ng RT, Song AH, Chang MJ, Gavrila E, Bloomer CH, Robinson MB, Kouri BE, Waltonen JD, Bunch PM, Lauer UM, Porosnicu M. Serendipitous synergism - an exceptional response to treatment with pembrolizumab in the course of a natural immunovirotherapy: a case report and review of the literature. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221122729. [PMID: 36312814 PMCID: PMC9597005 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221122729] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the current guideline recommended treatment for many malignancies considered to be terminal. Despite considerable advances, their utility remains limited, and the field requires synergistic partners to further improve outcomes. Oncolytic viruses (OV) are emerging as contenders for the role of the synergistic agent of choice due to their multi-mechanistic effect on activating the tumor 'cold' immune microenvironment. Herpes simplex virus 1, a naturally selective OV, is the most advanced virotherapeutic compound in clinical applications for use in combination with ICI. We here present the case of a 72 year-old patient with a heavily pre-treated, advanced maxillary sinus squamous cell cancer with distant metastases who developed complete response (CR) with only three administrations of a programmed death 1 inhibitor after treatment interference by a severe herpes zoster infection, based on the related alpha-herpesvirus varicella zoster virus (VZV). This exceptional response has been followed and confirmed with imaging studies over more than 5 years. Although the patient had several favorable predictors for response to immunotherapy, we reason that the exceptional response may in part be secondary to the serendipitous VZV infection. Documented cases of cancer patients that achieved CR after few administrations of treatment with ICI are rare, with most reporting follow up of just over 1 year or less. In this case, it is conceivable that the interference of the infection with VZV, soon after the start of immunotherapy with ICI, led to a lasting antitumor immunity and sustained CR. This hypothesis is supported by the concept of 'oncolytic immunotherapy' which is reviewed in this manuscript. In addition, persistence of a TP53 mutation found in a liquid biopsy, despite clinical and radiologic remission, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M. Khoury
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly M. Burcher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ronald T. Ng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Alexander H. Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on
Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine,
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mark J. Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Elena Gavrila
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine,
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Chance H. Bloomer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mac B. Robinson
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer
Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Brian E. Kouri
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University
School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Joshua D. Waltonen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Paul M. Bunch
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest
University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ulrich M. Lauer
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, Medical
Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany German
Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mercedes Porosnicu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on
Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical
Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-4135, USA
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer
Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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8
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Li Z, Feiyue Z, Gaofeng L, Haifeng L. Lung cancer and oncolytic virotherapy--enemy's enemy. Transl Oncol 2022; 27:101563. [PMID: 36244134 PMCID: PMC9561464 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors that seriously threaten human health worldwide, while the covid-19 virus has become people's nightmare after the coronavirus pandemic. There are too many similarities between cancer cells and viruses, one of the most significant is that both of them are our enemies. The strategy to take the advantage of the virus to beat cancer cells is called Oncolytic virotherapy. When immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors has made remarkable breakthroughs in the clinical practice of lung cancer, the induction of antitumor immunity from immune cells gradually becomes a rapidly developing and promising strategy of cancer therapy. Oncolytic virotherapy is based on the same mechanisms that selectively kill tumor cells and induce systemic anti-tumor immunity, but still has a long way to go before it becomes a standard treatment for lung cancer. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest progress in oncolytic virotherapy for lung cancer, including the specific mechanism of oncolytic virus therapy and the main types of oncolytic viruses, and the combination of oncolytic virotherapy and existing standard treatments. It aims to provide new insights and ideas on oncolytic virotherapy for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Li
- Department of Oncology, Gejiu People's Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, China
| | - Zhang Feiyue
- Department of Oncology, Yuxi People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, China
| | - Li Gaofeng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yunnan Cancer Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, China
| | - Liang Haifeng
- Department of Oncology, Gejiu People's Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, China,Corresponding author.
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9
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Beyond Immunotherapy: Seizing the Momentum of Oncolytic Viruses in the Ideal Platform of Skin Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122873. [PMID: 35740539 PMCID: PMC9221332 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122873] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are the most innovative and promising class of intratumoral immunotherapies. The broad immunogenic landscape of skin cancer, accessible to intralesional infusion and available for direct response assessment, seems to be an ideal platform to expand the role of OVs. The established efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in this field and their hypothetical synergy with OVs have generated expectations for their combined use beyond the current immunotherapy achievements. Despite the recent negative phase III results of the MASTERKEY-265 trial for the combination of T-VEC plus pembrolizumab, such projects, including different ICIs and various natural or genetically modified OVs, continue to attract considerable interest, with numerous clinical trials underway for all the subtypes of skin cancer. To date, the majority of studies confirm the safety of tested OVs in patients with advanced skin cancers but cannot clearly prove whether these viral agents add any therapeutic benefit in the standard ICI-based approach. The aim of this overview is to present the main findings related to the examined OV-containing regimens at pre-clinical and clinical levels, and to discuss the previous failures as well as the future perspectives of oncolytic virotherapy. Abstract Despite the durable remissions induced by ICIs and targeted therapies in advanced melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, both subtypes usually relapse. Many systematic therapies have been tested to increase efficacy and delay relapse in ICIs, but their success has been limited. Due the feasibility of this approach, skin cancers have become the ideal platform for intralesional infusions of many novel agents, including oncolytic viruses (OVs). Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) was the first FDA-approved OV for the treatment of unresectable melanoma and this virus opened up further potential for the use of this class of agents, especially in combination with ICIs, in order to achieve deeper and longer immune-mediated responses. However, the recently announced phase III MASTERKEY-265 trial was not able to confirm that the addition of T-VEC to pembrolizumab treatment improves progression-free or overall survival over the use of pembrolizumab alone. Despite these results, numerous studies are currently active, evaluating T-VEC and several other OVs as monotherapies or in regimens with ICIs in different subtypes of skin cancer. This overview provides a comprehensive update on the evolution status of all available OVs in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers and summarizes the more interesting preclinical findings, the latest clinical evidence, and the future insights in relation to the expected selective incorporation of some of these OVs into oncological practice.
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10
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Indini A, Massi D, Pirro M, Roila F, Grossi F, Sahebkar A, Glodde N, Bald T, Mandalà M. Targeting inflamed and non-inflamed melanomas: biological background and clinical challenges. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:477-490. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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11
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Rider PJF, Kamil M, Yilmaz I, Atmaca HN, Kalkan-Yazici M, Ziya Doymaz M, Kousoulas KG, Aly ASI. An Attenuated HSV-1-Derived Malaria Vaccine Expressing Liver-Stage Exported Proteins Induces Sterilizing Protection against Infectious Sporozoite Challenge. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020300. [PMID: 35214758 PMCID: PMC8875294 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present the construction of an attenuated herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1)-vectored vaccine, expressing three liver-stage (LS) malaria parasite exported proteins (EXP1, UIS3 and TMP21) as fusion proteins with the VP26 viral capsid protein. Intramuscular and subcutaneous immunizations of mice with a pooled vaccine, composed of the three attenuated virus strains expressing each LS antigen, induced sterile protection against the intravenous challenge of Plasmodium yoelii 17X-NL salivary gland sporozoites. Our data suggest that this malaria vaccine may be effective in preventing malaria parasite infection using practical routes of immunization in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. F. Rider
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (P.J.F.R.); (K.G.K.)
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Mohd Kamil
- Aly Lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey; (M.K.); (I.Y.); (H.N.A.)
| | - Ilknur Yilmaz
- Aly Lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey; (M.K.); (I.Y.); (H.N.A.)
| | - Habibe N. Atmaca
- Aly Lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey; (M.K.); (I.Y.); (H.N.A.)
| | - Merve Kalkan-Yazici
- Microbiology Lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey; (M.K.-Y.); (M.Z.D.)
| | - Mehmet Ziya Doymaz
- Microbiology Lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey; (M.K.-Y.); (M.Z.D.)
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (P.J.F.R.); (K.G.K.)
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Ahmed S. I. Aly
- Aly Lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey; (M.K.); (I.Y.); (H.N.A.)
- Correspondence:
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Uche IK, Stanfield BA, Rudd JS, Kousoulas KG, Rider PJF. Utility of a Recombinant HSV-1 Vaccine Vector for Personalized Cancer Vaccines. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:832393. [PMID: 35155582 PMCID: PMC8826227 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.832393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Current approaches to cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapy. These therapies have produced significant clinical success for specific cancers, but their efficacy has been limited. Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) has emerged as a promising immunotherapy for a variety of cancers. Furthermore, the unique characteristics of OVs make them a good choice for delivering tumor peptides/antigens to induce enhanced tumor-specific immune responses. The first oncolytic virus (OV) approved for human use is the attenuated herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) which has been FDA approved for the treatment of melanoma in humans. In this study, we engineered the recombinant oncolytic HSV-1 (oHSV) VC2-OVA expressing a fragment of ovalbumin (OVA) as a fusion protein with VP26 virion capsid protein. We tested the ability of VC2-OVA to act as a vector capable of stimulating strong, specific antitumor immunity in a syngeneic murine melanoma model. Therapeutic vaccination with VC2-OVA led to a significant reduction in colonization of tumor cells in the lungs of mice intravenously challenged B16cOVA cells. In addition, VC2-OVA induced a potent prophylactic antitumor response and extended survival of mice that were intradermally engrafted with B16cOVA tumors compared with mice immunized with control virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeanyi Kingsley Uche
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Untied States
| | - Brent A. Stanfield
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Untied States
| | - Jared S. Rudd
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Untied States
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Untied States
- *Correspondence: Konstantin G. Kousoulas, ; Paul J. F. Rider,
| | - Paul J. F. Rider
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Untied States
- *Correspondence: Konstantin G. Kousoulas, ; Paul J. F. Rider,
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The Effect of Herpes Simplex Virus-Type-1 (HSV-1) Oncolytic Immunotherapy on the Tumor Microenvironment. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071200. [PMID: 34206677 PMCID: PMC8310320 DOI: 10.3390/v13071200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer causes disruption of anti-tumor immunity required for surveillance and elimination of tumor cells. Immunotherapeutic strategies aim for the restoration or establishment of these anti-tumor immune responses. Cancer immunotherapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cellular therapy (ACT), cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virotherapy (OVT). The clinical success of some of these immunotherapeutic modalities, including herpes simplex virus type-1 derived OVT, resulted in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in treatment of human cancers. However, a significant proportion of patients do not respond or benefit equally from these immunotherapies. The creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) represents an important barrier preventing success of many immunotherapeutic approaches. Mechanisms of immunosuppression in the TME are a major area of current research. In this review, we discuss how oncolytic HSV affects the tumor microenvironment to promote anti-tumor immune responses. Where possible we focus on oncolytic HSV strains for which clinical data is available, and discuss how these viruses alter the vasculature, extracellular matrix and immune responses in the tumor microenvironment.
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