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Sanz L, Ibáñez-Pérez R, Guerrero-Ochoa P, Lacadena J, Anel A. Antibody-Based Immunotoxins for Colorectal Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1729. [PMID: 34829955 PMCID: PMC8615520 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are included among the treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, while these mAbs effectively target cancer cells, they may have limited clinical activity. A strategy to improve their therapeutic potential is arming them with a toxic payload. Immunotoxins (ITX) combining the cell-killing ability of a toxin with the specificity of a mAb constitute a promising strategy for CRC therapy. However, several important challenges in optimizing ITX remain, including suboptimal pharmacokinetics and especially the immunogenicity of the toxin moiety. Nonetheless, ongoing research is working to solve these limitations and expand CRC patients' therapeutic armory. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of targets and toxins employed in the design of ITX for CRC and highlight a wide selection of ITX tested in CRC patients as well as preclinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Ibáñez-Pérez
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
| | - Patricia Guerrero-Ochoa
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
| | - Javier Lacadena
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Anel
- Apoptosis, Immunity and Cancer Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS-Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (R.I.-P.); (P.G.-O.)
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2
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Xu T, Vorobyeva A, Schulga A, Konovalova E, Vorontsova O, Ding H, Gräslund T, Tashireva LA, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Deyev SM. Imaging-Guided Therapy Simultaneously Targeting HER2 and EpCAM with Trastuzumab and EpCAM-Directed Toxin Provides Additive Effect in Ovarian Cancer Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3939. [PMID: 34439094 PMCID: PMC8393281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient treatment of disseminated ovarian cancer (OC) is challenging due to its heterogeneity and chemoresistance. Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in approx. 30% and 70% of ovarian cancers, respectively, allows for co-targeted treatment. The clinical efficacy of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive breast, gastric and gastroesophageal cancers makes it readily available as the HER2-targeting component. As the EpCAM-targeting component, we investigated the designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) Ec1 fused to a truncated variant of Pseudomonas exotoxin A with reduced immunogenicity and low general toxicity (LoPE). Ec1-LoPE was radiolabeled, evaluated in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and its biodistribution and tumor-targeting properties were studied in vivo. The therapeutic efficacy of Ec1-LoPE alone and in combination with trastuzumab was studied in mice bearing EpCAM- and HER2-expressing SKOV3 xenografts. SPECT/CT imaging enabled visualization of EpCAM and HER2 expression in the tumors. Co-treatment using Ec1-LoPE and trastuzumab was more effective at reducing tumor growth and prolonged the median survival of mice compared with mice in the control and monotherapy groups. Repeated administration of Ec1-LoPE was well tolerated without signs of hepatic or kidney toxicity. Co-treatment with trastuzumab and Ec1-LoPE might be a potential therapeutic strategy for HER2- and EpCAM-positive OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (O.V.)
| | - Anzhelika Vorobyeva
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (O.V.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634 050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Alexey Schulga
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634 050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.); (S.M.D.)
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Elena Konovalova
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Olga Vorontsova
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (O.V.)
| | - Haozhong Ding
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Roslagstullsbacken 21, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden; (H.D.); (T.G.)
| | - Torbjörn Gräslund
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Roslagstullsbacken 21, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden; (H.D.); (T.G.)
| | - Liubov A. Tashireva
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia;
| | - Anna Orlova
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634 050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.); (S.M.D.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (T.X.); (O.V.)
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634 050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Sergey M. Deyev
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634 050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.S.); (A.O.); (S.M.D.)
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Bio-Nanophotonic Lab, Institute of Engineering Physics for Biomedicine (PhysBio), National Research Nuclear University ‘MEPhI’, 115409 Moscow, Russia
- Center of Biomedical Engineering, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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3
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Deng C, Xiong J, Gu X, Chen X, Wu S, Wang Z, Wang D, Tu J, Xie J. Novel recombinant immunotoxin of EGFR specific nanobody fused with cucurmosin, construction and antitumor efficiency in vitro. Oncotarget 2018; 8:38568-38580. [PMID: 28445134 PMCID: PMC5503554 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is related to the increased aggressiveness, metastases, and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we successfully constructed a new EGFR nanobody-based immunotoxin rE/CUS containing cucurmosin (CUS), The immunotoxin was expressed by prokaryotic system and we obtained a yield of 5 mg protein per liter expression medium. The percentage of it's binding ability totumor cell lines A549, HepG2, SW116, which highly expressed EGFR was 55.6%, 79.6% and 97.1%, respectively, but SW620 was only 4.45%. rE/CUS has the ability to bind A549, HepG2, SW116 cells specifically, and the antigen binding capability was not affected because of extra part of CUS component. The rE/CUS significantly inhibited the cell viability against EGFR over expression tumor cell lines in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Moreover, rE/CUS also induced apoptosis of HepG2 and A549 mightily. Our results demonstrate that rE/CUS is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating EGFR-positive solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuimin Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jiani Xiong
- Department of Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaofan Gu
- Department of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Department of Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shuifa Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, The 180th Hospital of PLA, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Duanduan Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jinjin Tu
- Department of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jieming Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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4
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Guo XF, Zhu XF, Cao HY, Zhong GS, Li L, Deng BG, Chen P, Wang PZ, Miao QF, Zhen YS. A bispecific enediyne-energized fusion protein targeting both epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor showing enhanced antitumor efficacy against non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:27286-27299. [PMID: 28460483 PMCID: PMC5432335 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) both overexpressed on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are known cooperatively to promote tumor progression and drug resistance. This study was to construct a novel bispecific fusion protein EGF-IGF-LDP-AE consisting of EGFR and IGF-IR specific ligands (EGF and IGF-1) and lidamycin, an enediyne antibiotic with potent antitumor activity, and investigate its antitumor efficacy against NSCLC. Binding and internalization assays showed that EGF-IGF-LDP protein could bind to NSCLC cells with high affinity and then internalized into cells with higher efficiency than that of monospecific proteins. In vitro, the enediyne-energized analogue of bispecific fusion protein (EGF-IGF-LDP-AE) displayed extremely potent cytotoxicity to NSCLC cell lines with IC50<10−11 mol/L. Moreover, the bispecific protein EGF-IGF-LDP-AE was more cytotoxic than monospecific proteins (EGF-LDP-AE and LDP-IGF-AE) and lidamycin. In vivo, EGF-IGF-LDP-AE markedly inhibited the growth of A549 xenografts, and the efficacy was more potent than that of lidamycin and monospecific counterparts. EGF-IGF-LDP-AE caused significant cell cycle arrest and it also induced cell apoptosis in a dosage-dependent manner. Pretreatment with EGF-IGF-LDP-AE inhibited EGF-, IGF-stimulated EGFR and IGF-1R phosphorylation, and blocked two main downstream signaling molecules AKT and ERK activation. These data suggested that EGF-LDP-IGF-AE protein would be a promising targeted agent for NSCLC patients with EGFR and/or IGF-1R overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fang Guo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhu
- Department of Clinical Immunology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hai-Ying Cao
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Gen-Shen Zhong
- Laboratory of Cancer Biotherapy, Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Perking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bao-Guo Deng
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Pei-Zhen Wang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Qing-Fang Miao
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Perking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Su Zhen
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Perking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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5
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Tang J, Li J, Zhu X, Yu Y, Chen D, Yuan L, Gu Z, Zhang X, Qi L, Gong Z, Jiang P, Yu J, Meng H, An G, Zheng H, Yang L. Novel CD7-specific nanobody-based immunotoxins potently enhanced apoptosis of CD7-positive malignant cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:34070-83. [PMID: 27083001 PMCID: PMC5085138 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Various CD7-targeting immunotoxins have been tested for its potential in treating CD7+ malignant patients but none of those immunotoxins was approved clinically because of lacking enough efficacy and safety. Here we successfully constructed the monovalent and bivalent CD7 nanobody-based immunotoxins PG001 and PG002, both conjugated with a truncated derivative of Pseudomonas exotoxin A respectively. The prokaryotic system expressed immunotoxins not only maintained their binding specificity for CD7-positive cells with a Kd of 16.74 nM and 3.6 nM for PG001 and PG002 respectively, but also efficiently promoted antigen-restricted apoptosis of the CD7-positive leukemia cell lines Jurkat and CEM, and primary T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with an in vitro cytotoxic activity (EC50) in the range of 23-30 pM for PG002. In NOD/SCID mice transplanted with CEM cells, PG001 and PG002 prevented engraftment of the cells and markedly prolonged mouse survival. Owing to the efficient antigen-restricted anti-leukemic activity of PG002, this CD7 nanobody-based immunotoxin exhibited a superior anti-CD7 positive malignancies activity than previously reported immunotoxins, and may represent a promising therapeutic strategy in treating CD7-positive leukemia and lymphoma, which still remain a significant clinical challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinle Tang
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jialu Li
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuejun Zhu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuan Yu
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Suzhou Cancer Immunotherapy and Diagnosis Engineering Center, Suzhou, China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Department of Hematology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenyang Gu
- Department of Hematology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xingding Zhang
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Cancer Immunotherapy and Diagnosis Engineering Center, Suzhou, China.,The Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lin Qi
- Suzhou Cancer Immunotherapy and Diagnosis Engineering Center, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhishu Gong
- The Medical Group of Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengjun Jiang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Juhua Yu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Huimin Meng
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Gangli An
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huyong Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Yang
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Cancer Immunotherapy and Diagnosis Engineering Center, Suzhou, China.,The Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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6
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Gao R, Li L, Shang B, Zhao C, Sheng W, Li D. A Gelatinases-targeting scFv-based Fusion Protein Shows Enhanced Antitumour Activity with Endostar against Hepatoma. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2015; 117:105-16. [PMID: 25615234 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gelatinases play important roles in tumour invasion and metastasis and are thus considered promising targets for cancer therapy. In this study, a new single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-based fusion protein Fv-LDP, composed of the anti-gelatinases scFv and lidamycin apoprotein (LDP), was prepared, and its combination with angiogenesis inhibitor Endostar was then investigated. The fusion protein Fv-LDP specifically bound to various tumour cells, and its binding capability to human pulmonary giant cell carcinoma (PG) cells was higher than that of LDP. Fv-LDP inhibited the expression and secretion of gelatinases and could be internalized into tumour cells via endocytosis. Fv-LDP also suppressed the growth of human hepatoma cells and murine hepatoma 22 transplanted in Kunming mice in various degrees. In addition, Endostar could enhance the synergistic or additive inhibition of Fv-LDP on the growth, migration or invasion of human hepatoma cells shown by a colony formation assay and a transwell-based migration or invasion assay, respectively. In vivo, Fv-LDP/Endostar combination showed a significantly synergistic effect on the growth of a human hepatoma xenograft, with an inhibition rate of 80.8% compared with the Fv-LDP (44.1%) or Endostar (8.9%)-treated group. The above-mentioned results indicate that the fusion protein Fv-LDP is effective against transplantable hepatoma in mice and human hepatoma xenografts in athymic mice. Moreover, Endostar can potentiate the inhibition effect of Fv-LDP on the growth of human hepatoma cells and xenografts. These data will provide a new combined strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of treatments for hepatoma or other gelatinase-overexpressing tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Gao
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Boyang Shang
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyan Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weijin Sheng
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Diandong Li
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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7
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Fitting J, Blume T, ten Haaf A, Blau W, Gattenlöhner S, Tur MK, Barth S. Phage display-based generation of novel internalizing antibody fragments for immunotoxin-based treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. MAbs 2015; 7:390-402. [PMID: 25760770 PMCID: PMC4622674 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2015.1007818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The current standard treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is chemotherapy based on cytarabine and daunorubicine (7 + 3), but it discriminates poorly between malignant and benign cells. Dose-limiting off‑target effects and intrinsic drug resistance result in the inefficient eradication of leukemic blast cells and their survival beyond remission. This minimal residual disease is the major cause of relapse and is responsible for a 5-year survival rate of only 24%. More specific and efficient approaches are therefore required to eradicate malignant cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. In this study, we generated scFv antibodies that bind specifically to the surface of AML blast cells and AML bone marrow biopsy specimens. We isolated the antibodies by phage display, using subtractive whole-cell panning with AML M2‑derived Kasumi‑1 cells. By selecting for internalizing scFv antibody fragments, we focused on potentially novel agents for intracellular drug delivery and tumor modulation. Two independent methods showed that 4 binders were internalized by Kasumi-1 cells. Furthermore, we observed the AML‑selective inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis by a recombinant immunotoxin comprising one scFv fused to a truncated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA'). This method may therefore be useful for the selection of novel disease-specific internalizing antibody fragments, providing a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of AML patients.
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MESH Headings
- ADP Ribose Transferases/genetics
- ADP Ribose Transferases/immunology
- ADP Ribose Transferases/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/pharmacology
- Antibody Specificity/genetics
- Bacterial Toxins/genetics
- Bacterial Toxins/immunology
- Bacterial Toxins/pharmacology
- Blast Crisis/drug therapy
- Blast Crisis/immunology
- Blast Crisis/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Exotoxins/genetics
- Exotoxins/immunology
- Exotoxins/pharmacology
- Humans
- Immunotoxins/genetics
- Immunotoxins/immunology
- Immunotoxins/pharmacology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Single-Chain Antibodies/genetics
- Single-Chain Antibodies/immunology
- Single-Chain Antibodies/pharmacology
- Virulence Factors/genetics
- Virulence Factors/immunology
- Virulence Factors/pharmacology
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Fitting
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy; Institute of Applied Medical Engineering; Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering; University Hospital RWTH Aachen; Aachen, Germany
| | - Tobias Blume
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy; Institute of Applied Medical Engineering; Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering; University Hospital RWTH Aachen; Aachen, Germany
| | - Andre ten Haaf
- Institute of Pathology; University Hospital; Justus-Liebig-University Giessen; Giessen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Blau
- Medical Clinic IV (Hematology); University Hospital; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Gattenlöhner
- Institute of Pathology; University Hospital; Justus-Liebig-University Giessen; Giessen, Germany
| | - Mehmet Kemal Tur
- Institute of Pathology; University Hospital; Justus-Liebig-University Giessen; Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Barth
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy; Institute of Applied Medical Engineering; Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering; University Hospital RWTH Aachen; Aachen, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Product Development; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology; Aachen, Germany
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8
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Schubert I, Saul D, Nowecki S, Mackensen A, Fey GH, Oduncu FS. A dual-targeting triplebody mediates preferential redirected lysis of antigen double-positive over single-positive leukemic cells. MAbs 2014; 6:286-96. [PMID: 24135631 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.26768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The single-chain triplebody HLA-ds16-hu19 consists of three single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments connected in a single polypeptide chain. This protein with dual-targeting capacity mediated preferential lysis of antigen double positive(dp) over single-positive (sp) leukemic cells by recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells as effectors. The two distal scFv modules were specific for the histocompatibility protein HLA-DR and the lymphoid antigen CD19, the central one for the Fc gamma receptor CD16. In antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) experiments with a mixture of leukemic target cells comprising both HLA-DR sp HuT-78 or Kasumi-1 cells and (HLA-DR plus CD19) dp SEM cells, the triplebody mediated preferential lysis of the dp cells even when the sp cells were present in ≤ 20-fold numerical excess.The triplebody promoted equal lysis of SEM cells at 2.5-fold and 19.5-fold lower concentrations than the parental antibodies specific for HLA-DR and CD19, respectively. Finally, the triplebody also eliminated primary leukemic cells at lower concentrations than an equimolar mixture of bispecific single-chain Fv fragments (bsscFvs) separately addressing each target antigen (hu19-ds16 and HLA-ds16). The increased selectivity of targeting and the preferential lysis of dp over sp cells achieved by dual-targeting open attractive new perspectives for the use of dual-targeting agents in cancer therapy.
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9
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EpCAM is overexpressed in local and metastatic prostate cancer, suppressed by chemotherapy and modulated by MET-associated miRNA-200c/205. Br J Cancer 2014; 111:955-64. [PMID: 24992580 PMCID: PMC4150273 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is deregulated in epithelial malignancies. Beside its role in cell adhesion, EpCAM acts as signalling molecule with tumour-promoting functions. Thus, EpCAM is part of the molecular network of oncogenic receptors and considered an interesting therapeutic target. Methods: Here, we thoroughly characterised EpCAM expression on mRNA and protein level in comprehensive tissue studies including non-cancerous prostate specimens, primary tumours of different grades and stages, metastatic lesions, and therapy-treated tumour specimens, as well as in prostate cancer cell lines. Results: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule was overexpressed at mRNA and at protein level in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Altered EpCAM expression was an early event in prostate carcinogenesis with an upregulation in low-grade cancers and further induction in high-grade tumours and metastatic lesions. Interestingly, EpCAM was repressed upon induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) following chemotherapeutic treatment with docetaxel. Oppositely, re-induction of the epithelial phenotype through miRNAs miR-200c and miR-205, two inducers of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), led to re-induction of EpCAM in chemoresistant cells. Furthermore, we prove that EpCAM cleavage, the first step of EpCAM signalling takes place in prostate cancer cells but in contrast to other cancer entities, EpCAM has no measurable impact on the proliferative behaviour of prostate cells, in vitro. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data confirm that EpCAM overexpression is an early event during prostate cancer progression. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule displays a dynamic, heterogeneous expression and associates with epithelial cells rather than mesenchymal, chemoresistant cells along with processes of EMT and MET.
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Guo XF, Zhu XF, Yang WC, Zhang SH, Zhen YS. An EGFR/HER2-Bispecific and enediyne-energized fusion protein shows high efficacy against esophageal cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92986. [PMID: 24664246 PMCID: PMC3963964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 10% due to lack of effective therapeutic agents. This study was to evaluate antitumor activity of Ec-LDP-Hr-AE, a recently developed bispecific enediyne-energized fusion protein targeting both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), on esophageal cancer. The fusion protein Ec-LDP-Hr-AE consists of two oligopeptide ligands and an enediyne antibiotic lidamycin (LDM) for receptor binding and cell killing, respectively. The current study demonstrated that Ec-LDP-Hr had high affinity to bind to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, and enediyne-energized fusion protein Ec-LDP-Hr-AE showed potent cytotoxicity to ESCC cells with differential expression of EGFR and HER2. Ec-LDP-Hr-AE could cause significant G2-M arrest in EC9706 and KYSE150 cells, and it also induced apoptosis in ESCC cells in a dosage-dependent manner. Western blot assays showed that Ec-LDP-Hr-AE promoted caspase-3 and caspase-7 activities as well as PARP cleavage. Moreover, Ec-LDP-Hr-AE inhibited cell proliferation via decreasing phosphorylation of EGFR and HER2, and further exerted inhibition of the activation of their downstream signaling molecules. In vivo, at a tolerated dose, Ec-LDP-Hr-AE inhibited tumor growth by 88% when it was administered to nude mice bearing human ESCC cell KYSE150 xenografts. These results indicated that Ec-LDP-Hr-AE exhibited potent anti-caner efficacy on ESCC, suggesting it could be a promising candidate for targeted therapy of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fang Guo
- Department of Microbiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wan-Cai Yang
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Sheng-Hua Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Perking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Su Zhen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Perking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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11
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Waldron NN, Barsky SH, Dougherty PR, Vallera DA. A bispecific EpCAM/CD133-targeted toxin is effective against carcinoma. Target Oncol 2013; 9:239-49. [PMID: 23900680 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-013-0290-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of chemoresistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) in carcinomas has created the need for therapies that specifically target these subpopulations of cells. Here, we characterized a bispecific targeted toxin that is composed of two antibody fragments and a catalytic protein toxin allowing it to bind two CSC markers on the same cell killing this resistant subpopulation. CD133 is a well-known CSC marker and has been successfully targeted and caused regression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in vivo. To enable it to bind a broader range of CSCs, an anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) scFv was added to create dEpCAMCD133KDEL, a deimmunized bispecific targeted toxin on a single amino acid chain. This bispecific potently inhibited protein translation and proliferation in vitro in three different types of carcinoma. Furthermore, in a CSC spheroid model dEpCAMCD133KDEL eliminated Mary-X spheroids, an inflammatory breast carcinoma. Finally, this bispecific also caused tumor regression in an in vivo model of HNSCC. This represents the first bispecific CSC-targeted toxin and warrants further development as a possible therapy for carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nate N Waldron
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 210 Delaware Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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12
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Targeting CD133 in an in vivo ovarian cancer model reduces ovarian cancer progression. Gynecol Oncol 2013; 130:579-87. [PMID: 23721800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While most women with ovarian cancer will achieve complete remission after treatment, the majority will relapse within two years, highlighting the need for novel therapies. Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been identified in ovarian cancer and most other carcinomas as a small population of cells that can self-renew. CSC are more chemoresistant and radio-resistant than the bulk tumor cells; it is likely that CSC are responsible for relapse, the major problem in cancer treatment. CD133 has emerged as one of the most promising markers for CSC in ovarian cancer. The hypothesis driving this study is that despite their low numbers in ovarian cancer tumors, CSC can be eradicated using CD133 targeted therapy and tumor growth can be inhibited. METHODS Ovarian cancer cell lines were evaluated using flow cytometry for expression of CD133. In vitro viability studies with an anti-CD133 targeted toxin were performed on one of the cell lines, NIH:OVCAR5. The drug was tested in vivo using a stably transfected luciferase-expressing NIH:OVCAR5 subline in nude mice, so that tumor growth could be monitored by digital imaging in real time. RESULTS Ovarian cancer cell lines showed 5.6% to 16.0% CD133 expression. dCD133KDEL inhibited the in vitro growth of NIH:OVCAR5 cells. Despite low numbers of CD133-expressing cells in the tumor population, intraperitoneal drug therapy caused a selective decrease in tumor progression in intraperitoneal NIH:OVCAR5-luc tumors. CONCLUSIONS Directly targeting CSC that are a major cause of drug resistant tumor relapse with an anti-CD133 targeted toxin shows promise for ovarian cancer therapy.
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13
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Vallera DA, Zhang B, Gleason MK, Oh S, Weiner LM, Kaufman DS, McCullar V, Miller JS, Verneris MR. Heterodimeric bispecific single-chain variable-fragment antibodies against EpCAM and CD16 induce effective antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cells. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2013; 28:274-82. [PMID: 23611188 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2012.1329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A heterodimeric bispecific biological recombinant drug was synthesized by splicing DNA fragments from two fully humanized single-chain variable-fragment (scFV) antibody fragments forming a novel drug simultaneously recognizing the CD16 natural killer (NK) cell marker and the cancer marker epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). The drug precipitously enhanced the killing of human carcinomas of the prostate, breast, colon, head, and neck even at very low effector:target ratios. The drug EpCAM16 rendered even nonactivated NK cell-proficient killers and activated them to kill via degranulation and cytokine production. Studies show that bispecific antibodies can be used to induce proficient killing of the carcinoma targets that ordinarily are resistant to NK-mediated killing. Apparently, the innate immune system can be effectively recruited to kill cancer cells using the bispecific antibody platform and EpCAM targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Vallera
- 1 Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center , Minneapolis, Minnesota
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14
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An Old Idea Tackling a New Problem: Targeted Toxins Specific for Cancer Stem Cells. Antibodies (Basel) 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/antib2010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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15
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Antitumor efficacy of the scFv-based fusion protein and its enediyne-energized analogue directed against epidermal growth factor receptor. Anticancer Drugs 2012; 23:406-16. [PMID: 22205154 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e32834f9801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), overexpressed in many epithelial tumors, plays important roles in the formation and the development of tumors, and thus it is regarded as a promising target for cancer therapy. Single-chain variable fragment (scFv), an engineered antibody fragment, is generally used for constructing antibody-targeted drugs, owing to its low immunogenicity and high penetration capability into solid tumors. A fusion protein ER(Fv-LDP), consisting of an anti-EGFR scFv and the apoprotein (LDP) of lidamycin (LDM), was prepared and then assembled with the active chomophore [active enediyne (AE)] of LDM to generate enediyne-energized analogue ER(Fv-LDP-AE). The fusion protein ER(Fv-LDP) bound specifically to EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells and internalized into the cytoplasm through receptor-mediated endocytosis. ER(Fv-LDP) possessed cytotoxicity against carcinoma cell lines, which was hundreds of times more potent than the separate moiety of ER(Fv) and LDP. The enediyne-energized fusion protein ER(Fv-LDP-AE) also showed stronger cytotoxicity to target-relevant cancer cells than LDM in vitro. In human epidermoid carcinoma A431 xenografts, ER(Fv-LDP) presented higher antitumor efficacy than that of ER(Fv), LDP, and their mixture, with tumor growth inhibition rates of 63.6, 46.7, 48.5, and 49.9%, respectively. The enediyne-energized fusion protein ER(Fv-LDP-AE) at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg inhibited tumor growth by 89.2%, while no significant body weight loss was seen in treated animals. The results show that an anti-EGFR scFv-based fusion protein and its enediyne-energized analogue can be prepared by DNA recombination and molecular reconstitution. Both ER(Fv-LDP) and ER(Fv-LDP-AE) are effective against EGFR-overexpressing cancer xenograft in athymic mice. An integrated technical platform for scFv-based enediyne-energized fusion proteins has been established.
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Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are widely used for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases and other disorders. Most of the marketed antibodies are monospecific and therefore capable of interacting and interfering with a single target. However, complex diseases are often multifactorial in nature, and involve redundant or synergistic action of disease mediators or upregulation of different receptors, including crosstalk between their signaling networks. Consequently, blockade of multiple, different pathological factors and pathways may result in improved therapeutic efficacy. This result can be achieved by combining different drugs, or use of the dual targeting strategies applying bispecific antibodies that have emerged as an alternative to combination therapy. This review discusses the various dual targeting strategies for which bispecific antibodies have been developed and provides an overview of the established bispecific antibody formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland E Kontermann
- Institut für Zellbiologie und Immunologie; Universität Stuttgart; Stuttgart, Germany
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Tsai AK, Oh S, Chen H, Shu Y, Ohlfest JR, Vallera DA. A novel bispecific ligand-directed toxin designed to simultaneously target EGFR on human glioblastoma cells and uPAR on tumor neovasculature. J Neurooncol 2011; 103:255-66. [PMID: 20830604 PMCID: PMC3098297 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-010-0392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT), called EGFATFKDEL, consisting of human epidermal growth factor, a fragment of urokinase, and truncated pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38) was assembled in order to target human glioblastoma. Immunogenicity was reduced by mutating seven immunodominant B-cell epitopes on the PE38 molecule to create a new agent, EGFATFKDEL 7mut. In vitro, the drug selectively killed several human glioblastoma cell lines. EGFATFKDEL is our first BLT designed to simultaneously target EGFR on solid tumors and uPAR on the tumor neovasculature. In vitro assays revealed that the agent is effective against glioblastoma cell lines as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Additionally, the bispecific drug displayed enhanced binding to overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor and urokinase receptor when compared to similar monospecific drugs, EGFKDEL and ATFKDEL. In vivo, an aggressive human glioblastoma cell line was genetically marked with a firefly luciferase reporter gene and administered to the flanks of nude mice. Treatment with intratumoral injections of EGFATFKDEL 7mut eradicated small tumors in over half of the treated mice, which survived with tumor free status at least 100 days post tumor inoculation. ATFKDEL, which primarily targets the tumor neovasculature, prevented tumor growth but did not result in tumor-free mice in most cases. Specificity was shown by treating with an irrelevant BLT control which did not protect mice. Finally, immunization experiments in immunocompetent mice revealed significantly reduced anti-toxin production in EGFATFKDEL 7mut treated groups. Thus, EGFATFKDEL 7mut is an effective drug for glioblastoma therapy in this murine model and warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander K. Tsai
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Seunguk Oh
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yanqun Shu
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - John R. Ohlfest
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Daniel A. Vallera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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18
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Villa A, Lovato V, Bujak E, Wulhfard S, Pasche N, Neri D. A novel synthetic naïve human antibody library allows the isolation of antibodies against a new epitope of oncofetal fibronectin. MAbs 2011; 3:264-72. [PMID: 21487243 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.3.3.15616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can routinely be isolated from phage display libraries against virtually any protein available in sufficient purity and quantity, but library design can influence epitope coverage on the target antigen. Here we describe the construction of a novel synthetic human antibody phage display library that incorporates hydrophilic or charged residues at position 52 of the CDR2 loop of the variable heavy chain domain, instead of the serine residue found in the corresponding germline gene. The novel library was used to isolate human mAbs to various antigens, including the alternatively-spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of tumor angiogenesis. In particular, the mAb 2H7 was proven to bind to a novel epitope on EDA, which does not overlap with the one recognized by the clinical-stage F8 antibody. F8 and 2H7 were used for the construction of chelating recombinant antibodies (CRAbs), whose tumor-targeting properties were assessed in vivo in biodistribution studies in mice bearing F9 teratocarcinoma, revealing a preferential accumulation at the tumor site.
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Oh S, Tsai AK, Ohlfest JR, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Vallera DA. Evaluation of a bispecific biological drug designed to simultaneously target glioblastoma and its neovasculature in the brain. J Neurosurg 2011; 114:1662-71. [PMID: 21294620 DOI: 10.3171/2010.11.jns101214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT The authors of this study aimed to genetically design a bispecific targeted toxin that would simultaneously target overexpressed markers on glioma as well as the tumor vasculature, to mutate certain amino acids to reduce the immunogenicity of this new drug, and to determine whether the drug was able to effectively reduce aggressive human brain tumors in a rat xenograft model via a novel hollow fiber (HF) catheter delivery system. METHODS A new bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT) was created in which 2 human cytokines-epidermal growth factor ([EGF], targeting overexpressed EGF receptor) and amino acid terminal fragment ([ATF], targeting urokinase plasminogen activator receptor)-were cloned onto the same single-chain molecule with truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin with a terminal lysyl-aspartyl-glutamyl-leucine (KDEL) sequence. Site-specific mutagenesis was used to mutate amino acids in 7 key epitopic toxin regions that dictate the B cell generation of neutralizing antitoxin antibodies to deimmunize the drug, now called "EGFATFKDEL 7mut." Bioassays were used to determine whether mutation reduced the drug's potency, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies were performed to determine whether antitoxin antibodies were decreased. Aggressive brain tumors were intracranially established in nude rats by using human U87 glioma genetically marked with a firefly luciferase reporter gene (U87-luc), and the rats were stereotactically treated with 2 intracranial injections of deimmunized EGFATFKDEL via convection-enhanced delivery (CED). Drug was administered through a novel HF catheter to reduce drug backflow upon delivery. RESULTS In vitro, EGFATFKDEL 7mut selectively killed the human glioblastoma cell line U87-luc as well as cultured human endothelial cells in the form of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Deimmunization did not reduce drug activity. In vivo, when rats with brain tumors were intracranially treated with drug via CED and a novel HF catheter to reduce backflow, there were significant tumor reductions in 2 experiments (p < 0.01). Some rats survived with a tumor-free status until 130 days post-tumor inoculation. An irrelevant BLT control did not protect establishing specificity. The maximal tolerated dose of EGFATFKDEL 7mut was established at 2 μg/injection or 8.0 μg/kg, and data indicated that this dose was nontoxic. Antitoxin antibodies were reduced by at least 90%. CONCLUSIONS First, data indicated that the BLT framework is effective for simultaneously targeting glioma and its neovasculature. Second, in the rodent CED studies, newly developed HF catheters that limit backflow are effective for drug delivery. Third, by mutating critical amino acids, the authors reduced the threat of the interference of neutralizing antibodies that are generated against the drug. The authors' experiments addressed some of the most urgent limitations in the targeted toxin field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunguk Oh
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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A new drug delivery method of bispecific ligand-directed toxins, which reduces toxicity and promotes efficacy in a model of orthotopic pancreatic cancer. Pancreas 2010; 39:913-22. [PMID: 20182395 PMCID: PMC2907476 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0b013e3181cbd908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Biologicals targeting epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin 13 receptors not only react with overexpressed markers on cancer cells but also react with receptors on normal cells. Because we developed novel bispecific ligand-directed toxins synthesized by cloning EGF and interleukin 13 on the same molecule with toxin, our objective was to determine whether we could block normal receptors while still targeting receptors overexpressed on cancer cells, thereby decreasing toxicity while maintaining efficacy. METHODS A method, toxicity blocking (ToxBloc), was developed in which a bolus intraperitoneal dose of recombinant EGF13 (without toxin) was given to mice approximately 15 to 20 minutes before DTEGF13. Experiments were then performed to determine whether the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) was reduced and whether we were still able to eliminate progression of aggressive human, metastatic, pancreatic cancer induced by orthotopic injection (OT) in nude mice. RESULTS ToxBloc permitted us to safely exceed the DTEGF13 maximal tolerated dose by 15-fold. This approach permitted repetitive high dosing with the bispecific ligand-directed toxin resulting in tumor regression (P < 0.01). Tumor effects were documented using a tumor imaging model in which OT tumor growth was monitored noninvasively in real time. ToxBloc was selective because other bispecific peptides did not block. CONCLUSIONS ToxBloc represents a new method of drug delivery and a potential solution to the problem of toxicity.
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Shapira S, Lisiansky V, Arber N, Kraus S. Targeted immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2010; 19 Suppl 1:S67-77. [PMID: 20374033 DOI: 10.1517/13543781003737668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health concern worldwide. It is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. There currently are a number of treatment options for CRC, however many of them have failed to demonstrate desired therapeutic benefit. Therefore, significant efforts are being directed towards the development of new biological therapies with improved efficacy. Immunotherapy is an emerging treatment modality for a variety of cancers. Several promising treatments have already been approved by the US FDA and are being tested in clinical trials. Antibodies have been proved to be useful in cancer therapy due to their ability to recognize tumor-associated antigens expressed at higher density on malignant cells in comparison with those that are normal. Antibodies can be used as a single therapy or in combination with other therapies. A large variety of monoclonal antibodies have been developed. However, only a very few are able to kill a sufficient number of malignant cells and cause tumor regression. Hence, it is often necessary to arm the antibody with a cytotoxic agent to enhance the efficacy of the anti-tumor activity. This review provides a brief overview of some of the current agents being employed in targeted immunotherapy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiran Shapira
- The Integrated Cancer Prevention Center, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel
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Vallera DA, Oh S, Chen H, Shu Y, Frankel AE. Bioengineering a unique deimmunized bispecific targeted toxin that simultaneously recognizes human CD22 and CD19 receptors in a mouse model of B-cell metastases. Mol Cancer Ther 2010; 9:1872-83. [PMID: 20530709 PMCID: PMC2884080 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A drug of high potency and reduced immunogenicity is needed to develop a targeted biological drug that when injected systemically can penetrate to malignant B cells. Therefore, a novel deimmunized bispecific ligand-directed toxin targeted by dual high-affinity single-chain Fvs (scFv) spliced to PE38 with a KDEL COOH-terminus was genetically engineered. The aims were to reduce toxin immunogenicity using mutagenesis, measure the ability of mutated drug to elicit antitoxin antibody responses, and show that mutated drug was effective against systemic B-cell lymphoma in vivo. Both human anti-CD22 scFv and anti-CD19 scFv were cloned onto the same single-chain molecule with truncated pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38) to create the drug. Site-specific mutagenesis was used to mutate amino acids in seven key epitopic toxin regions that dictate B-cell generation of neutralizing antitoxin antibodies. Bioassays were used to determine whether mutation reduced potency, and ELISAs were done to determine whether antitoxin antibodies were reduced. Finally, a powerful genetically altered luciferase xenograft model was used that could be imaged in real time to determine the effect on systemic malignant human B-cell lymphoma, Raji-luc. Patient B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and B lymphoma were high in CD22 and CD19 expression. 2219KDEL7mut was significantly effective against systemic Raji-luc in mice and prevented metastatic spread. Mutagenesis reduced neutralizing antitoxin antibodies by approximately 80% with no apparent loss in in vitro or in vivo activity. Because 2219KDEL7mut immunogenicity was significantly reduced and the drug was highly effective in vivo, we can now give multiple drug treatments with targeted toxins in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Vallera
- Masonic Cancer Center, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
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Guo XF, Zhu XF, Shang Y, Zhang SH, Zhen YS. A bispecific enediyne-energized fusion protein containing ligand-based and antibody-based oligopeptides against epidermal growth factor receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 shows potent antitumor activity. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:2085-94. [PMID: 20332319 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-2699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The cooverexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) observed in many human tumors and their synergistic interaction in the transformation of cells make these receptors important targets for the development of new targeted therapeutics. Targeting of EGFR and HER2 simultaneously has been pursued as a strategy with which to potentially increase efficiency and selectivity in therapy of certain cancers. This study was set to construct a bispecific energized fusion protein (Ec-LDP-Hr-AE) consisting of two oligopeptides against EGFR and HER2, and lidamycin, and investigate its antitumor efficacy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In vitro experiments measured the binding and internalization of bispecific Ec-LDP-Hr fusion protein. The potency of energized fusion proteins was also done in which the bispecific Ec-LDP-Hr-AE was compared with lidamycin (LDM) and its monospecific counterparts, Ec-LDP-AE and LDP-Hr-AE. In vivo, Ec-LDP-Hr-AE was given i.v. to nude mice bearing human ovarian carcinoma SK-OV-3 xenografts. RESULTS Binding and internalization studies showed that bispecific fusion protein Ec-LDP-Hr bound to carcinoma cells specifically and then were internalized into the cytoplasm. Bispecific Ec-LDP-Hr-AE was more potent and selective in its cytotoxicity against different carcinoma cell lines than corresponding momospecific agents and LDM in vitro. In addition, Ec-LDP-Hr-AE significantly inhibited the growth of SK-OV-3 xenografts in nude mouse model. In vivo imaging study showed that FITC-labeled Ec-LDP-Hr was targeted and accumulated in the tumors. CONCLUSION A ligand-based and an antibody-based oligopeptide fused to the enediyne antibiotic LDM created a new bispecific fusion protein with low molecular weight and more potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity (than momospecific fusion proteins).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fang Guo
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Perking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
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Cao Y, Marks JD, Marks JW, Cheung LH, Kim S, Rosenblum MG. Construction and characterization of novel, recombinant immunotoxins targeting the Her2/neu oncogene product: in vitro and in vivo studies. Cancer Res 2009; 69:8987-95. [PMID: 19934334 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to characterize a series of anti-Her2/neu immunotoxin constructs to identify how different antibodies and linker choices affect the specificity and cytotoxicity of these proteins. We constructed a series of immunotoxins containing either the human single-chain antibody (scFv) C6.5 or the murine scFv e23 fused to the highly toxic recombinant gelonin (rGel) molecule. Based on the flexible GGGGS linker (L), the fusion construct C6.5-L-rGel was compared with e23-L-rGel to evaluate the specific cytotoxic effects against Her2/neu-positive and Her2/neu-negative tumor cells. Both constructs retained the specificity of the original antibody as well as the biological activity of rGel toxin. The two constructs displayed similar cytotoxicity against different carcinoma cells. We additionally introduced the modified linkers TRHRQPRGWEQL (Fpe) and AGNRVRRSVG (Fdt), which contained furin cleavage sites, to determine the effect of these design changes on stability and cell killing efficiency. The introduction of furin cleavage linkers (Fpe or Fdt) into the molecules resulted in dissimilar sensitivity to protease cleavage compared with the constructs containing the L linker, but very similar intracellular rGel release, cytotoxic kinetics, and induction of autophagic cell death in vitro. Xenograft studies with SKOV3 ovarian tumors were done using various C6.5/rGel constructs. C6.5-L-rGel was more efficient in tumor inhibition than constructs containing furin linkers, attributing to a higher stability in vivo of the L version. Therefore, our studies suggest that human C6.5-L-rGel may be an effective novel clinical agent for therapy of patients with Her2/neu-overexpressing malignancies.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Autophagy/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Female
- Furin/pharmacology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/biosynthesis
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/chemistry
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/immunology
- Immunotoxins/chemistry
- Immunotoxins/genetics
- Immunotoxins/immunology
- Immunotoxins/pharmacology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Oligopeptides/chemistry
- Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Ovarian Neoplasms/enzymology
- Receptor, ErbB-2/biosynthesis
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology
- Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology
- Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1/chemistry
- Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1/genetics
- Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1/pharmacology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- Immunopharmacology and Targeted Therapy Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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25
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Stish BJ, Oh S, Chen H, Dudek AZ, Kratzke RA, Vallera DA. Design and modification of EGF4KDEL 7Mut, a novel bispecific ligand-directed toxin, with decreased immunogenicity and potent anti-mesothelioma activity. Br J Cancer 2009; 101:1114-23. [PMID: 19755995 PMCID: PMC2768099 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/12/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potency, immunogenicity, and toxicity are three problems that limit the use of targeted toxins in solid tumour therapy. METHODS To address potency, we used genetic engineering to develop a novel bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT) called EGF4KDEL, a novel recombinant anti-mesothelioma agent created by linking human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to truncated pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38) on the same single-chain molecule. Immunogenicity was reduced by mutating seven immunodominant B-cell epitopes on the PE38 molecule to create a new agent, EGF4KDEL 7Mut. RESULTS In vitro, bispecific EGF4KDEL showed superior anti-mesothelioma activity compared with its monospecific counterparts. Toxicity in mice was diminished by having both ligands on the same molecule, allowing administration of a 10-fold greater dose of BLT than a mixture of monomeric IL4KDEL and EGFKDEL. EGF4KDEL 7Mut, retained all of its functional activity and induced about 87% fewer anti-toxin antibodies than mice given the parental, non-mutated form. In vivo, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of the BLT showed significant (P<0.01) and impressive effects against two aggressive, malignant IP mesothelioma models when treatment was begun 14-16 days post tumour innoculation. CONCLUSION These data show that EGF4KDEL 7Mut is a promising new anti-mesothelioma agent that was developed to specifically address the obstacles facing clinical utility of targeted toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Stish
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S Oh
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - H Chen
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A Z Dudek
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - R A Kratzke
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - D A Vallera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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26
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Oh S, Stish BJ, Sachdev D, Chen H, Dudek AZ, Vallera DA. A novel reduced immunogenicity bispecific targeted toxin simultaneously recognizing human epidermal growth factor and interleukin-4 receptors in a mouse model of metastatic breast carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:6137-47. [PMID: 19789305 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-0696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a targeted biological drug that when systemically injected can penetrate to metastatic breast cancer tumors, one needs a drug of high potency and reduced immunogenicity. Thus, we bioengineered a novel bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT) targeted by dual high-affinity cytokines with a PE(38)KDEL COOH terminus. Our purpose was to reduce toxin immunogenicity using mutagenesis, measure the ability of mutated drug to elicit B-cell antitoxin antibody responses, and show that mutated drug was effective against systemic breast cancer in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A new BLT was created in which both human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin 4 cytokines were cloned onto the same single-chain molecule with truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE(38)). Site-specific mutagenesis was used to mutate amino acids in seven key epitopic toxin regions that dictate B-cell generation of neutralizing antitoxin antibodies. Bioassays were used to determine whether mutation reduced potency, and ELISA studies were done to determine whether antitoxin antibodies were reduced. Finally, a genetically altered luciferase xenograft model was used; this model could be imaged in real time to determine the effect on the systemic malignant human breast cancer MDA-MB-231. RESULTS EGF4KDEL 7mut was significantly effective against established systemic human breast cancer and prevented metastatic spread. Mutagenesis reduced immunogenicity by approximately 90% with no apparent loss in in vitro or in vivo activity. CONCLUSIONS Because EGF4KDEL 7mut was highly effective even when we waited 26 days to begin therapy and because immunogenicity was significantly reduced, we can now give multiple drug treatments for chemotherapy-refractory breast cancer in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunguk Oh
- Masonic Cancer Center, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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27
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Oh S, Ohlfest JR, Todhunter DA, Vallera VD, Hall WA, Chen H, Vallera DA. Intracranial elimination of human glioblastoma brain tumors in nude rats using the bispecific ligand-directed toxin, DTEGF13 and convection enhanced delivery. J Neurooncol 2009; 95:331-342. [PMID: 19517064 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-009-9932-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 05/25/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT) consisting of human interleukin-13, epithelial growth factor, and the first 389 amino acids of diphtheria toxin was assembled in order to target human glioblastoma. In vitro, DTEGF13 selectively killed the human glioblastoma cell line U87-luc as well as other human glioblastomas. DTEGF13 fulfilled the requirement of a successful BLT by having greater activity than either of its monospecific counterparts or their mixture proving it necessary to have both ligands on the same single chain molecule. Aggressive brain tumors established intracranially (IC) in nude rats with U87 glioma genetically marked with a firefly luciferase reporter gene were treated with two injections of DTEGF13 using convection enhanced delivery resulting in tumor eradication in 50% of the rats which survived with tumor free status at least 110 days post tumor inoculation. An irrelevant BLT control did not protect establishing specificity. The bispecific DTEGF13 MTD dose was measured at 2 microg/injection or 0.5 microg/kg and toxicity studies indicated safety in this dose. Combination of monospecific DTEGF and DTIL13 did not inhibit tumor growth. ELISA assay indicated that anti-DT antibodies were not generated in normal immunocompetent rats given identical intracranial DTEGF13 therapy. Thus, DTEGF13 is safe and efficacious as an alternative drug for glioblastoma therapy and warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunguk Oh
- Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - John R Ohlfest
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Deborah A Todhunter
- Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Vincent D Vallera
- Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Walter A Hall
- Department of Neurosurgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Hua Chen
- Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Daniel A Vallera
- Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, MMC: 367, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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28
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Bispecific immunotoxins. Leuk Res 2009; 33:1173-4. [PMID: 19406472 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2009.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2009] [Revised: 03/29/2009] [Accepted: 03/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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29
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Vallera DA, Chen H, Sicheneder AR, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Taras EP. Genetic alteration of a bispecific ligand-directed toxin targeting human CD19 and CD22 receptors resulting in improved efficacy against systemic B cell malignancy. Leuk Res 2009; 33:1233-42. [PMID: 19327829 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2009.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2008] [Revised: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 02/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT) called DT2219ARL consisting of two scFv ligands recognizing CD19 and CD22 and catalytic DT390 was genetically enhanced for superior in vivo anti-leukemia activity. Genetic alterations included reverse orienting VH-VL domains and adding aggregation reducing/stabilizing linkers. In vivo, these improvements resulted in previously unseen long-term tumor-free survivors measured in a bioluminescent xenograft imaging model in which the progression of human Raji Burkitt's lymphoma could be tracked in real time and in a Daudi model as well. Studies showed DT2219ARL was potent (IC50s 0.06-0.2 nM range) and selectively blockable. Imaging studies indicated the highly invasive nature of this B cell malignancy model and showed it likely induced pre-terminal hind limb paralysis because of metastasis to spinal regions prevented by DT2219ARL. DT2219ARL represents a new class of bispecific biological that can be continually improved by genetic mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Vallera
- University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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30
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Nübel T, Preobraschenski J, Tuncay H, Weiss T, Kuhn S, Ladwein M, Langbein L, Zöller M. Claudin-7 regulates EpCAM-mediated functions in tumor progression. Mol Cancer Res 2009; 7:285-99. [PMID: 19276185 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-08-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
EpCAM has been described as a therapeutically relevant tumor marker. We noted an interaction between EpCAM and the tight junction protein claudin-7 and here explored the nature of this interaction and its effect on EpCAM-mediated functions. The interaction between EpCAM and claudin-7 was defined in HEK293 cells transfected with rat claudin-7 and EpCAM cDNA. Deletions of the epidermal growth factor-like and the thyroglobin repeat domains of EpCAM or the cytoplasmic domain of EpCAM or claudin-7 did not prevent the EpCAM-claudin-7 association. A chimeric EpCAM molecule with an exchange of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains and an EpCAM molecule with point mutations in an AxxxG motif in the transmembrane region do not associate with claudin-7. HEK cells and the rat pancreatic tumor line BSp73AS, transfected with (mutated) EpCAM and claudin-7 cDNA, revealed that the association of both molecules severely alters the functional activity of EpCAM. Claudin-7-associated EpCAM is recruited into tetraspanin-enriched membrane microdomains (TEM). The TEM-located claudin-7-EpCAM complex supports proliferation accompanied by sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 phosphorylation, up-regulation of antiapoptotic proteins, and drug resistance, but not EpCAM-mediated cell-cell adhesion. Enhanced motility may be supported by colocalization of claudin-7 with actin bundles, which is only seen in EpCAM-claudin-7-expressing cells. The EpCAM-claudin-7 complex strongly promotes tumorigenicity, accelerates tumor growth, and supports ascites production and thymic metastasis formation. High expression of the tumor marker EpCAM is frequently associated with poor prognosis, which could well rely on the EpCAM-claudin-7 association that prohibits EpCAM-mediated cell-cell adhesion but promotes migration, proliferation, apoptosis resistance, and tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Nübel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, University Hospital of Surgery, Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Zhang L, Gao H, Chen L, Wu B, Zheng Y, Liao R, Jiang Y, He F. Tumor targeting of vincristine by mBAFF-modified PEG liposomes in B lymphoma cells. Cancer Lett 2008; 269:26-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2008] [Revised: 04/09/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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32
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Potala S, Sahoo SK, Verma RS. Targeted therapy of cancer using diphtheria toxin-derived immunotoxins. Drug Discov Today 2008; 13:807-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2008.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2008] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Accepted: 06/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Stish BJ, Chen H, Shu Y, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Vallera DA. A bispecific recombinant cytotoxin (DTEGF13) targeting human interleukin-13 and epidermal growth factor receptors in a mouse xenograft model of prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 13:6486-93. [PMID: 17975161 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-0938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Overexpressed cytokine receptors are considered valid targets for new biologicals targeting prostate cancer. However, current reagents are limited in efficacy. Our goal was to determine the advantages of simultaneously targeting two established targets, epidermal growth factor receptor and interleukin-13 (IL-13) receptor, with a new bispecific cytotoxin in which both EGF and IL-13 cytokines were cloned onto the same single-chain molecule with truncated diphtheria toxin (DT(390)). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In vitro experiments measured the potency of bispecific DTEGF13 and compared its activity to its monospecific counterparts, DTEGF and DTIL13. We determined whether the presence of both cytokine ligands on the same molecule was responsible for its superior activity. In vivo, DTEGF13 was given i.t. to athymic nude mice with established PC-3 human prostate cancer tumor xenografts on their flanks. RESULTS In vitro, DTEGF13 was more potent than the monospecific cytotoxins against human prostate cancer lines. Enhanced activity was related to the presence of both cytokines on the same single-chain molecule and was not attributed to enhanced binding capacity. Killing was receptor specific. Cytotoxicity could be blocked with anti-EGF and anti-IL-13 antibodies. In vivo, DTEGF13, but not monospecific DTEGF or DTIL13, significantly inhibited the growth of established PC-3 tumors in nude mice (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These data show for the first time that simultaneous targeting of cytokine receptors with two ligands on the same molecule has pronounced anticancer advantages. In an animal model in which human DTEGF13 is cross-reactive with mouse, DTEGF13 was highly effective in checking aggressive prostate tumor progression and was reasonably tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad J Stish
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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Anti-glioblastoma effect of a recombinant bispecific cytotoxin cotargeting human IL-13 and EGF receptors in a mouse xenograft model. J Neurooncol 2007; 87:51-61. [PMID: 18084721 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-007-9499-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 11/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To improve activity of a recombinant IL-13 cytotoxin (CT) comprised of IL-13 spliced to truncated diphtheria toxin (DT(390)), epidermal growth factor (EGF) was added to the same single chain protein. This new recombinant bispecific CT, called DTEGF13, enhanced the killing potency against the human glioblastoma lines, U87MG (0.015 nM) and U118MG (0.02 nM). A similar enhancement was observed against the lung carcinoma cell line, Calu-3 (0.0018 nM). Enhanced activity could not be explained by an increased number of cytokines available for binding since a combination of monospecific DTEGF and DTIL13 did not cause the same enhanced activity. Enhanced activity was dependent on the presence of both cytokines on the same single chain molecule and killing was receptor specific since target receptor negative leukemia cells were unaffected by the highly selective DTEGF13 and cytotoxicity could be blocked with anti-EGFR and anti-IL-13 antibodies. In a xenograft flank tumor model, intratumoral injection of DTEGF13, but not monospecific DTEGF or DTIL13, significantly inhibited the growth of established U87 tumors in nude mice (P < 0.04). In this model, the human EGF and IL-13 components of DTEGF13 are reactive with mouse EGFR and IL-13R, respectively. These studies show that a new co-targeting agent that simultaneously recognizes EGFR and IL-13R is more effective than its monospecific counterparts and that DTEGF13 has therapeutic advantages for glioblastoma.
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