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Ma Y, Shao G, Xie Y, Yang D, Li K, Tan B, Wang C, Sun P, Cao J. Multiomics Analysis of Interleukin-21 as a Potential Immunologic and Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Immunother 2024:00002371-990000000-00106. [PMID: 38832536 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is an important antitumor cytokine that contributes to the proliferation and differentiation of CD8+ T cells. It has been proven to enhance the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in various solid tumors. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been clarified. In this research, we aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of IL-21 in HCC and its effect on ICI treatment. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis and immunohistochemistry validation, we found that patients with high IL-21 expression had a better prognosis. HCCs with high expression of IL-21 had higher infiltration of CD8+ T cells, increased expression of immune checkpoints, and an improved response to ICI treatment. In conclusion, IL-21 can enhance the efficacy of ICI treatment and improve the prognosis of patients by promoting the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and the expression of immune checkpoint-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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2
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Isvoranu G, Chiritoiu-Butnaru M. Therapeutic potential of interleukin-21 in cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369743. [PMID: 38638431 PMCID: PMC11024325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is an immunostimulatory cytokine which belongs to the common gamma-chain family of cytokines. It plays an import role in the development, differentiation, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, in particular T and natural killer (NK) cells. Since its discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been shown to regulate both adaptive and immune responses associates with key role in antiviral and antitumor responses. Recent advances indicate IL-21 as a promising target for cancer treatment and encouraging results were obtained in preclinical studies which investigated the potency of IL-21 alone or in combination with other therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitory molecules, oncolytic virotherapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Furthermore, IL-21 showed antitumor effects in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, with minimal side effects in several clinical trials. In the present review, we will outline the recent progress in IL-21 research, highlighting the potential of IL-21 based therapy as single agent or in combination with other drugs to enhance cancer treatment efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheorghita Isvoranu
- Department of Animal Husbandry,” Victor Babeș” National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marioara Chiritoiu-Butnaru
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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3
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Liao Y, Yan J, Beri NR, Giulino-Roth L, Cesarman E, Gewurz BE. Germinal center cytokine driven epigenetic control of Epstein-Barr virus latency gene expression. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011939. [PMID: 38683861 PMCID: PMC11081508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persistently infects 95% of adults worldwide and is associated with multiple human lymphomas that express characteristic EBV latency programs used by the virus to navigate the B-cell compartment. Upon primary infection, the EBV latency III program, comprised of six Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigens (EBNA) and two Latent Membrane Protein (LMP) antigens, drives infected B-cells into germinal center (GC). By incompletely understood mechanisms, GC microenvironmental cues trigger the EBV genome to switch to the latency II program, comprised of EBNA1, LMP1 and LMP2A and observed in GC-derived Hodgkin lymphoma. To gain insights into pathways and epigenetic mechanisms that control EBV latency reprogramming as EBV-infected B-cells encounter microenvironmental cues, we characterized GC cytokine effects on EBV latency protein expression and on the EBV epigenome. We confirmed and extended prior studies highlighting GC cytokine effects in support of the latency II transition. The T-follicular helper cytokine interleukin 21 (IL-21), which is a major regulator of GC responses, and to a lesser extent IL-4 and IL-10, hyper-induced LMP1 expression, while repressing EBNA expression. However, follicular dendritic cell cytokines including IL-15 and IL-27 downmodulate EBNA but not LMP1 expression. CRISPR editing highlighted that STAT3 and STAT5 were necessary for cytokine mediated EBNA silencing via epigenetic effects at the EBV genomic C promoter. By contrast, STAT3 was instead necessary for LMP1 promoter epigenetic remodeling, including gain of activating histone chromatin marks and loss of repressive polycomb repressive complex silencing marks. Thus, EBV has evolved to coopt STAT signaling to oppositely regulate the epigenetic status of key viral genomic promoters in response to GC cytokine cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Liao
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Integrated Solutions to Infectious Diseases, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jinjie Yan
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Integrated Solutions to Infectious Diseases, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nina R. Beri
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Integrated Solutions to Infectious Diseases, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lisa Giulino-Roth
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ethel Cesarman
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Benjamin E. Gewurz
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Integrated Solutions to Infectious Diseases, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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4
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Ma M, Xie Y, Liu J, Wu L, Liu Y, Qin X. Biological effects of IL-21 on immune cells and its potential for cancer treatment. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111154. [PMID: 37977064 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the IL-2 cytokine family, is one of the most important effector and messenger molecules in the immune system. Produced by various immune cells, IL-21 has pleiotropic effects on innate and adaptive immune responses via regulation of natural killer, T, and B cells. An anti-tumor role of IL-21 has also been reported in the literature, as it may support cell proliferation or on the contrary induce growth arrest or apoptosis of the tumor cell. Anti-tumor effect of IL-21 enhances when combined with other agents that target tumor cells, immune regulatory circuits, or other immune-enhancing molecules. Therefore, understanding the biology of IL-21 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and reducing its systemic toxic and side effects is crucial to ensure the maximum benefits of anti-tumor treatment strategies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the biological functions, roles in tumors, and the recent advances in preclinical and clinical research of IL-21 in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichen Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaosong Qin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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5
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Rahman T, Das A, Abir MH, Nafiz IH, Mahmud AR, Sarker MR, Emran TB, Hassan MM. Cytokines and their role as immunotherapeutics and vaccine Adjuvants: The emerging concepts. Cytokine 2023; 169:156268. [PMID: 37320965 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a protein family comprising interleukins, lymphokines, chemokines, monokines and interferons. They are significant constituents of the immune system, and they act in accordance with specific cytokine inhibiting compounds and receptors for the regulation of immune responses. Cytokine studies have resulted in the establishment of newer therapies which are being utilized for the treatment of several malignant diseases. The advancement of these therapies has occurred from two distinct strategies. The first strategy involves administrating the recombinant and purified cytokines, and the second strategy involves administrating the therapeutics which inhibits harmful effects of endogenous and overexpressed cytokines. Colony stimulating factors and interferons are two exemplary therapeutics of cytokines. An important effect of cytokine receptor antagonist is that they can serve as anti-inflammatory agents by altering the treatments of inflammation disorder, therefore inhibiting the effects of tumour necrosis factor. In this article, we have highlighted the research behind the establishment of cytokines as therapeutics and vaccine adjuvants, their role of immunotolerance, and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjilur Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Ayan Das
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Mehedy Hasan Abir
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Iqbal Hossain Nafiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Aar Rafi Mahmud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh
| | - Md Rifat Sarker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chattogram 4381, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh; Queensland Alliance for One Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4343, Australia.
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6
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Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
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7
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Wu S, Sun R, Tan B, Chen B, Zhou W, Gao DS, Zhong J, Huang H, Jiang J, Lu B. The Half-Life-Extended IL21 can Be Combined With Multiple Checkpoint Inhibitors for Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:779865. [PMID: 34869384 PMCID: PMC8634682 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.779865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of immune checkpoint blockade cancer therapy, cytokines have become an attractive immune therapeutics to increase response rates. Interleukin 21 (IL21) as a single agent has been evaluated for cancer treatment with good clinical efficacy. However, the clinical application of IL21 is limited by a short half-life and concern about potential immune suppressive effect on dendritic cells. Here, we examined the antitumor function of a half-life extended IL21 alone and in combination with PD-1 blockade using preclinical mouse tumor models. We also determined the immune mechanisms of combination therapy. We found that combination therapy additively inhibited the growth of mouse tumors by increasing the effector function of type 1 lymphocytes. Combination therapy also increased the fraction of type 1 dendritic cells (DC1s) and M1 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, combination therapy also induced immune regulatory mechanisms, including the checkpoint molecules Tim-3, Lag-3, and CD39, as well as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). This study reveals the mechanisms of IL21/PD-1 cooperation and shed light on rational design of novel combination cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxian Wu
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Runzi Sun
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Bo Tan
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Bendong Chen
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Wenyan Zhou
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David Shihong Gao
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joshua Zhong
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Binfeng Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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8
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Abstract
Despite the ability of immune-based interventions to dramatically increase the survival of patients with melanoma, a significant subset fail to benefit from this treatment, underscoring the need for accurate means to identify the patient population likely to respond to immunotherapy. Understanding how melanoma evades natural or manipulated immune responses could provide the information needed to identify such resistant individuals. Efforts to address this challenge are hampered by the vast immune diversity characterizing tumor microenvironments that remain largely understudied. It is thus important to more clearly elucidate the complex interactions that take place between the tumor microenvironment and host immune system.
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9
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Xue D, Hsu E, Fu YX, Peng H. Next-generation cytokines for cancer immunotherapy. Antib Ther 2021; 4:123-133. [PMID: 34263141 PMCID: PMC8271143 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most studies focus on the first and second signals of T cell activation. However, the roles of cytokines in immunotherapy are not fully understood, and cytokines have not been widely used in patient care. Clinical application of cytokines is limited due to their short half-life in vivo, severe toxicity at therapeutic doses, and overall lack of efficacy. Several modifications have been engineered to extend their half-life and increase tumor targeting, including polyethylene glycol conjugation, fusion to tumor-targeting antibodies, and alteration of cytokine/cell receptor-binding affinity. These modifications demonstrate an improvement in either increased antitumor efficacy or reduced toxicity. However, these cytokine engineering strategies may still be improved further, as each strategy poses advantages and disadvantages in the delicate balance of targeting tumor cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and peripheral immune cells. This review focuses on selected cytokines, including interferon-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-15, IL-21, and IL-12, in both preclinical studies and clinical applications. We review next-generation designs of these cytokines that improve half-life, tumor targeting, and antitumor efficacy. We also present our perspectives on the development of new strategies to potentiate cytokine-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diyuan Xue
- Key laboratory of Infection and Immunity Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Da Tun Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Eric Hsu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Hua Peng
- Key laboratory of Infection and Immunity Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Da Tun Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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10
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Marelli G, Chard Dunmall LS, Yuan M, Di Gioia C, Miao J, Cheng Z, Zhang Z, Liu P, Ahmed J, Gangeswaran R, Lemoine N, Wang Y. A systemically deliverable Vaccinia virus with increased capacity for intertumoral and intratumoral spread effectively treats pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001624. [PMID: 33500259 PMCID: PMC7839893 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers and is refractory to immunotherapeutic interventions. Oncolytic viruses are a promising new treatment option, but current platforms demonstrate limited efficacy, especially for inaccessible and metastatic cancers that require systemically deliverable therapies. We recently described an oncolytic vaccinia virus (VV), VVLΔTKΔN1L, which has potent antitumor activity, and a regime to enhance intravenous delivery of VV by pharmacological inhibition of pharmacological inhibition of PI3 Kinase δ (PI3Kδ) to prevent virus uptake by macrophages. While these platforms improve the clinical prospects of VV, antitumor efficacy must be improved. METHODS VVLΔTKΔN1L was modified to improve viral spread within and between tumors via viral B5R protein modification, which enhanced production of the extracellular enveloped virus form of VV. Antitumor immunity evoked by viral treatment was improved by arming the virus with interleukin-21, creating VVL-21. Efficacy, functional activity and synergy with α-programmed cell death protein 1 (α-PD1) were assessed after systemic delivery to murine and Syrian hamster models of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS VVL-21 could reach tumors after systemic delivery and demonstrated antitumor efficacy in subcutaneous, orthotopic and disseminated models of pancreatic cancer. The incorporation of modified B5R improved intratumoural accumulation of VV. VVL-21 treatment increased the numbers of effector CD8+ T cells within the tumor, increased circulating natural killer cells and was able to polarize macrophages to an M1 phenotype in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, treatment with VVL-21 sensitized tumors to the immune checkpoint inhibitor α-PD1. CONCLUSIONS Intravenously administered VVL-21 successfully remodeled the suppressive tumor-microenvironment to promote antitumor immune responses and improve long-term survival in animal models of pancreatic cancer. Importantly, treatment with VVL-21 sensitized tumors to the immune checkpoint inhibitor α-PD1. Combination of PI3Kδ inhibition, VVL-21 and α-PD1 creates an effective platform for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Marelli
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louisa S Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ming Yuan
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Carmela Di Gioia
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jinxin Miao
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Cheng
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhongxian Zhang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jahangir Ahmed
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rathi Gangeswaran
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Lemoine
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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11
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Deng S, Sun Z, Qiao J, Liang Y, Liu L, Dong C, Shen A, Wang Y, Tang H, Fu YX, Peng H. Targeting tumors with IL-21 reshapes the tumor microenvironment by proliferating PD-1intTim-3-CD8+ T cells. JCI Insight 2020; 5:132000. [PMID: 32271164 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.132000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of sufficient functional tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is one of the primary indications for the poor prognosis of patients with cancer. In this study, we developed an Erbitux-based IL-21 tumor-targeting fusion protein (Erb-IL21) to prolong the half-life and improve the antitumor efficacy of IL-21. Compared with Erb-IL2, Erb-IL21 demonstrated much lower toxicity in vivo. Mechanistically, Erb-IL21 selectively expanded functional cytotoxic T lymphocytes but not dysfunctional CD8+ T cells in the TME. We observed that the IL-21-mediated antitumor effect largely depended on the existing intratumoral CD8+ T cells, instead of newly migrated CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, Erb-IL21 overcame checkpoint blockade resistance in mice with advanced tumors. Our study reveals that Erb-IL21 can target IL-21 to tumors and maximize the antitumor potential of checkpoint blockade by expending a subset of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells to achieve effective tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Deng
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of CAS, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhichen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of CAS, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Qiao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yong Liang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of CAS, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Longchao Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Chunbo Dong
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Aijun Shen
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Hong Tang
- Institute Pasteur of Shanghai Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Hua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of CAS, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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12
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Rahimi Kalateh Shah Mohammad G, Ghahremanloo A, Soltani A, Fathi E, Hashemy SI. Cytokines as potential combination agents with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade for cancer treatment. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:5449-5460. [PMID: 31970790 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has caused a paradigm shift in the treatment of several malignancies, particularly the blockade of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its specific receptor/ligand PD-L1 that have revolutionized the treatment of a variety of malignancies, but significant durable responses only occur in a small percentage of patients, and other patients failed to respond to the treatment. Even those who initially respond can ultimately relapse despite maintenance treatment, there is considerable potential for synergistic combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy agents with immune checkpoint inhibitors into conventional cancer treatments. The clinical experience in the use of cytokines in the clinical setting indicated the efficiency of cytokine therapy in cancer immunotherapy. Combinational approaches to enhancing PD-L1/PD-1 pathways blockade efficacy with several cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-15, IL-21, IL-12, IL-10, and interferon-α (IFN-α) may result in additional benefits. In this review, the current state of knowledge about PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, the date in the literature to ascertain the combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies with cytokines is discussed. Finally, it is noteworthy that novel therapeutic approaches based on the efficient combination of recombinant cytokines with the PD-L1/PD-1 blockade therapy can enhance antitumor immune responses against various malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atefeh Ghahremanloo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Arash Soltani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Esmat Fathi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Ajina A, Maher J. Synergistic combination of oncolytic virotherapy with CAR T-cell therapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:217-292. [PMID: 31383406 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
For patients with advanced hematological malignancies the therapeutic landscape has been transformed by the emergence of adoptive cell transfer utilizing autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected T-cells. However, solid tumors have proved far more resistant to this approach. Here, we summarize the numerous challenges faced by CAR T-cells designed to target solid tumors, highlighting, in particular, issues related to impaired trafficking, expansion, and persistence. In parallel, we draw attention to exciting developments in the burgeoning field of oncolytic virotherapy and posit strategies for the synergistic combination of oncolytic viruses with CAR T-cells to improve outcomes for patients with advanced solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ajina
- King's College London, Division of Cancer Studies, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
| | - John Maher
- King's College London, Division of Cancer Studies, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex, United Kingdom
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14
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Berraondo P, Sanmamed MF, Ochoa MC, Etxeberria I, Aznar MA, Pérez-Gracia JL, Rodríguez-Ruiz ME, Ponz-Sarvise M, Castañón E, Melero I. Cytokines in clinical cancer immunotherapy. Br J Cancer 2019; 120:6-15. [PMID: 30413827 PMCID: PMC6325155 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0328-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 630] [Impact Index Per Article: 126.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are soluble proteins that mediate cell-to-cell communication. Based on the discovery of the potent anti-tumour activities of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in animal models, clinical research led to the approval of recombinant interferon-alpha and interleukin-2 for the treatment of several malignancies, even if efficacy was only modest. These early milestones in immunotherapy have been followed by the recent addition to clinical practice of antibodies that inhibit immune checkpoints, as well as chimeric antigen receptor T cells. A renewed interest in the anti-tumour properties of cytokines has led to an exponential increase in the number of clinical trials that explore the safety and efficacy of cytokine-based drugs, not only as single agents, but also in combination with other immunomodulatory drugs. These second-generation drugs under clinical development include known molecules with novel mechanisms of action, new targets, and fusion proteins that increase half-life and target cytokine activity to the tumour microenvironment or to the desired effector immune cells. In addition, the detrimental activity of immunosuppressive cytokines can be blocked by antagonistic antibodies, small molecules, cytokine traps or siRNAs. In this review, we provide an overview of the novel trends in the cytokine immunotherapy field that are yielding therapeutic agents for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Berraondo
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Miguel F Sanmamed
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology and immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María C Ochoa
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Etxeberria
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria A Aznar
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - José Luis Pérez-Gracia
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology and immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María E Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology and immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mariano Ponz-Sarvise
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology and immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Castañón
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology and immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.
- Department of Oncology and immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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15
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McMichael EL, Jaime-Ramirez AC, Guenterberg KD, Luedke E, Atwal LS, Campbell AR, Hu Z, Tatum AS, Kondadasula SV, Mo X, Tridandapani S, Bloomston M, Ellison EC, Williams TM, Bekaii-Saab T, Carson WE. IL-21 Enhances Natural Killer Cell Response to Cetuximab-Coated Pancreatic Tumor Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:489-502. [PMID: 27435400 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alternative strategies to EGFR blockage by mAbs is necessary to improve the efficacy of therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. One such strategy includes the use of NK cells to clear cetuximab-coated tumor cells, as need for novel therapeutic approaches to enhance the efficacy of cetuximab is evident. We show that IL-21 enhances NK cell-mediated effector functions against cetuximab-coated pancreatic tumor cells irrespective of KRAS mutation status. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN NK cells from normal donors or donors with pancreatic cancer were used to assess ADCC, IFN-γ release, and T-cell chemotaxis toward human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The in vivo efficacy of IL-21 in combination with cetuximab was evaluated in a subcutaneous and intraperitoneal model of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS NK cell lysis of cetuximab-coated wild-type and mutant kras pancreatic cancer cell lines were significantly higher following NK cell IL-21 treatment. In response to cetuximab-coated pancreatic tumor cells, IL-21-treated NK cells secreted significantly higher levels of IFN-γ and chemokines, increased chemotaxis of T cells, and enhanced NK cell signal transduction via activation of ERK and STAT1. Treatment of mice bearing subcutaneous or intraperitoneal EGFR-positive pancreatic tumor xenografts with mIL-21 and cetuximab led to significant inhibition of tumor growth, a result further enhanced by the addition of gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that cetuximab treatment in combination with IL-21 adjuvant therapy in patients with EGFR-positive pancreatic cancer results in significant NK cell activation, irrespective of KRAS mutation status, and may be a potential therapeutic strategy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(2); 489-502. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L McMichael
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Kristan D Guenterberg
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Eric Luedke
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lakhvir S Atwal
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Amanda R Campbell
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Zhiwei Hu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Armika S Tatum
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Xiaokui Mo
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Susheela Tridandapani
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Mark Bloomston
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - E Christopher Ellison
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Terence M Williams
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Tanios Bekaii-Saab
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - William E Carson
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. .,Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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16
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Bhatt S, Sarosiek KA, Lossos IS. Interleukin 21 - its potential role in the therapy of B-cell lymphomas. Leuk Lymphoma 2016; 58:17-29. [PMID: 27405876 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2016.1201568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of IL-2 cytokine family, has pleotropic biological effects on lymphoid and myeloid cells. During the past 15 years, since the discovery of IL-21, great advances have been made regarding its biological activity and the mechanisms controlling IL-21-mediated cellular responses, especially in hematological malignancies. Preclinical studies have shown that IL-21R is expressed on healthy and neoplastic B-cells and exogenous IL-21 can induce direct apoptosis of IL-21R expressing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), making it a potentially attractive anti-lymphoma therapy. However, in some hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma, IL-21 can induce proliferation of neoplastic B-cells. In NHL, the underlying mechanism of cell death was found to be different between the various subtypes, including activation of different JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways or other factors. Immunomodulatory effects of IL-21 have also been reported to contribute to its anti-tumor effects as described by earlier studies in solid tumors and B-cell associated malignancies. These effects are predominantly mediated by IL-21's ability to activate cytolytic activities by NK-cells and CD4+/CD8+ T-cells. In this review, we provide an overview of IL-21's effects in NHL, results from clinical trials utilizing IL-21, and propose how IL-21 can be therapeutically exploited for treating these lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Bhatt
- a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | | | - Izidore S Lossos
- b Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami , FL , USA.,c Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology , Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami , FL , USA
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17
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Micci L, Ryan ES, Fromentin R, Bosinger SE, Harper JL, He T, Paganini S, Easley KA, Chahroudi A, Benne C, Gumber S, McGary CS, Rogers KA, Deleage C, Lucero C, Byrareddy SN, Apetrei C, Estes JD, Lifson JD, Piatak M, Chomont N, Villinger F, Silvestri G, Brenchley JM, Paiardini M. Interleukin-21 combined with ART reduces inflammation and viral reservoir in SIV-infected macaques. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:4497-513. [PMID: 26551680 PMCID: PMC4665780 DOI: 10.1172/jci81400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite successful control of viremia, many HIV-infected individuals given antiretroviral therapy (ART) exhibit residual inflammation, which is associated with non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and may contribute to virus persistence during ART. Here, we investigated the effects of IL-21 administration on both inflammation and virus persistence in ART-treated, SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs). Compared with SIV-infected animals only given ART, SIV-infected RMs given both ART and IL-21 showed improved restoration of intestinal Th17 and Th22 cells and a more effective reduction of immune activation in blood and intestinal mucosa, with the latter maintained through 8 months after ART interruption. Additionally, IL-21, in combination with ART, was associated with reduced levels of SIV RNA in plasma and decreased CD4(+) T cell levels harboring replication-competent virus during ART. At the latest experimental time points, which were up to 8 months after ART interruption, plasma viremia and cell-associated SIV DNA levels remained substantially lower than those before ART initiation in IL-21-treated animals but not in controls. Together, these data suggest that IL-21 supplementation of ART reduces residual inflammation and virus persistence in a relevant model of lentiviral disease and warrants further investigation as a potential intervention for HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Micci
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Emily S. Ryan
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rémi Fromentin
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Faculty of Medicine, and Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Steven E. Bosinger
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Yerkes Nonhuman Primate Genomics Core, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Justin L. Harper
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tianyu He
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sara Paganini
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kirk A. Easley
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, and
| | - Ann Chahroudi
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Clarisse Benne
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Colleen S. McGary
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Rogers
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Claire Deleage
- AIDS Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Carissa Lucero
- AIDS Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cristian Apetrei
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacob D. Estes
- AIDS Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Lifson
- AIDS Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Piatak
- AIDS Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicolas Chomont
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Faculty of Medicine, and Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Francois Villinger
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Guido Silvestri
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jason M. Brenchley
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mirko Paiardini
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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18
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Kim N, Nam YS, Im KI, Lim JY, Lee ES, Jeon YW, Cho SG. IL-21-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevent Lethal B-Cell Lymphoma Through Efficient Delivery of IL-21, Which Redirects the Immune System to Target the Tumor. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:2808-21. [PMID: 26415081 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-21, a proinflammatory cytokine, has been developed as an immunotherapeutic approach due to its effects on various lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells and T cells; however, the clinical success in cancer patients has been limited. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as vehicles for cancer gene therapy due to their inherent migratory abilities toward tumors. In the present study, we hypothesized that MSCs, genetically modified to express high levels of IL-21 (IL-21/MSCs), can enhance antitumor responses through localized delivery of IL-21. For tumor induction, BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with syngeneic A20 B-cell lymphoma cells to develop a disseminated B-cell lymphoma model. Then, 6 days following tumor induction, the tumor-bearing mice were treated with IL-21/MSCs weekly, four times. Systemic infusion of A20 cells led to hind-leg paralysis as well as severe liver metastasis in the control group. The IL-21/MSC-treated group showed delayed tumor incidence as well as improved survival, whereas the MSC- and recombinant adenovirus-expressing IL-21 (rAD/IL-21)-treated groups did not show significant differences from the untreated mice. These therapeutic effects were associated with high levels of IL-21 delivered to the liver, which prevented the formation of tumor nodules. Furthermore, the infusion of IL-21/MSCs led to induction of effector T and NK cells, while potently inhibiting immune suppressor cells. Our findings demonstrate that IL-21-expressing MSCs have the therapeutic potential to induce potent antitumor effects against disseminated B-cell lymphoma through localized IL-21 delivery and induction of systemic antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoun Kim
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,2 Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease , Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Sun Nam
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,2 Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease , Seoul, Korea
| | - Keon-Il Im
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,2 Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease , Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Yeon Lim
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,2 Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease , Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Sol Lee
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,2 Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease , Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Woo Jeon
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,3 Department of Hematology, Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok-Goo Cho
- 1 Institute for Translational Research and Molecular Imaging, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.,2 Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease , Seoul, Korea.,3 Department of Hematology, Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
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19
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IL-21: a pleiotropic cytokine with potential applications in oncology. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:696578. [PMID: 25961061 PMCID: PMC4413888 DOI: 10.1155/2015/696578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin- (IL-) 21 is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates the activity of both innate and specific immunity. Indeed, it costimulates T and natural killer (NK) cell proliferation and function and regulates B cell survival and differentiation and the function of dendritic cells. In addition, IL-21 exerts divergent effects on different lymphoid cell leukemia and lymphomas, as it may support cell proliferation or on the contrary induce growth arrest or apoptosis of the neoplastic lymphoid cells. Several preclinical studies showed that IL-21 has antitumor activity in different tumor models, through mechanism involving the activation of NK and T or B cell responses. Moreover, IL-21's antitumor activity can be potentiated by its combination with other immune-enhancing molecules, monoclonal antibodies recognizing tumor antigens, chemotherapy, or molecular targeted agents. Clinical phase I-II studies of IL-21 in cancer patients showed immune stimulatory properties, acceptable toxicity profile, and antitumor effects in a fraction of patients. In view of its tolerability, IL-21 is also suitable for combinational therapeutic regimens with other agents. This review will summarize the biological functions of IL-21, and address its role in lymphoid malignancies and preclinical and clinical studies of cancer immunotherapy.
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20
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Tangye SG. Advances in IL-21 biology - enhancing our understanding of human disease. Curr Opin Immunol 2015; 34:107-15. [PMID: 25801685 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines play critical roles in regulating the development and function of immune cells. Cytokines function by binding specific multimeric receptor complexes and activating intracellular signaling pathways that often involve JAKs and STATs. In addition to contributing to immunity, when production of cytokines is perturbed, they can contribute to disease. IL-21 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced predominantly by CD4(+) T cells and NKT cells. Gene-targeting studies in mice and in vitro analyses of human and murine lymphocytes have revealed central roles of IL-21 in regulating effector functions of T cells, NK cells and B cells. However, recent discoveries of loss-of function mutations in IL21 or IL21R in humans have unveiled unexpected roles for IL-21 in immune regulation. This review will focus on recent advances in IL-21 biology that have highlighted its critical role in normal immunity and how dysregulated IL-21 production can lead to immunodeficiency and autoimmune conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart G Tangye
- Immunology and Immunodeficiency Group, Immunology Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Australia, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
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21
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Nguyen T, Urban J, Kalinski P. Therapeutic cancer vaccines and combination immunotherapies involving vaccination. Immunotargets Ther 2014; 3:135-50. [PMID: 27471705 PMCID: PMC4918241 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s40264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent US Food and Drug Administration approvals of Provenge(®) (sipuleucel-T) as the first cell-based cancer therapeutic factor and ipilimumab (Yervoy(®)/anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4) as the first "checkpoint blocker" highlight recent advances in cancer immunotherapy. Positive results of the clinical trials evaluating additional checkpoint blocking agents (blockade of programmed death [PD]-1, and its ligands, PD-1 ligand 1 and 2) and of several types of cancer vaccines suggest that cancer immunotherapy may soon enter the center stage of comprehensive cancer care, supplementing surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. This review discusses the current status of the clinical evaluation of different classes of therapeutic cancer vaccines and possible avenues for future development, focusing on enhancing the magnitude and quality of cancer-specific immunity by either the functional reprogramming of patients' endogenous dendritic cells or the use of ex vivo-manipulated dendritic cells as autologous cellular transplants. This review further discusses the available strategies aimed at promoting the entry of vaccination-induced T-cells into tumor tissues and prolonging their local antitumor activity. Finally, the recent improvements to the above three modalities for cancer immunotherapy (inducing tumor-specific T-cells, prolonging their persistence and functionality, and enhancing tumor homing of effector T-cells) and rationale for their combined application in order to achieve clinically effective anticancer responses are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Julie Urban
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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22
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Salzer E, Kansu A, Sic H, Májek P, Ikincioğullari A, Dogu FE, Prengemann NK, Santos-Valente E, Pickl WF, Bilic I, Ban SA, Kuloğlu Z, Demir AM, Ensari A, Colinge J, Rizzi M, Eibel H, Boztug K. Early-onset inflammatory bowel disease and common variable immunodeficiency-like disease caused by IL-21 deficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133:1651-9.e12. [PMID: 24746753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations of immune homeostasis in the gut can result in development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently, Mendelian forms of IBD have been discovered, as exemplified by deficiency of IL-10 or its receptor subunits. In addition, other types of primary immunodeficiency disorders might be associated with intestinal inflammation as one of their leading clinical presentations. OBJECTIVE We investigated a large consanguineous family with 3 children who presented with early-onset IBD within the first year of life, leading to death in infancy in 2 of them. METHODS Homozygosity mapping combined with exome sequencing was performed to identify the molecular cause of the disorder. Functional experiments were performed to assess the effect of IL-21 on the immune system. RESULTS A homozygous mutation in IL21 was discovered that showed perfect segregation with the disease. Deficiency of IL-21 resulted in reduced numbers of circulating CD19(+) B cells, including IgM(+) naive and class-switched IgG memory B cells, with a concomitant increase in transitional B-cell numbers. In vitro assays demonstrated that mutant IL-21(Leu49Pro) did not induce signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation and immunoglobulin class-switch recombination. CONCLUSION Our study uncovers IL-21 deficiency as a novel cause of early-onset IBD in human subjects accompanied by defects in B-cell development similar to those found in patients with common variable immunodeficiency. IBD might mask an underlying primary immunodeficiency, as illustrated here with IL-21 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Salzer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aydan Kansu
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Heiko Sic
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Májek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Figen E Dogu
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nina Kathrin Prengemann
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Winfried F Pickl
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation and Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivan Bilic
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sol A Ban
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zarife Kuloğlu
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Arzu Meltem Demir
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Arzu Ensari
- Department of Pathology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jacques Colinge
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marta Rizzi
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Eibel
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kaan Boztug
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Improved overall survival after implementation of targeted therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Results from the Danish Renal Cancer Group (DARENCA) study-2. Eur J Cancer 2014; 50:553-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Pallikkuth S, Micci L, Ende ZS, Iriele RI, Cervasi B, Lawson B, McGary CS, Rogers KA, Else JG, Silvestri G, Easley K, Estes JD, Villinger F, Pahwa S, Paiardini M. Maintenance of intestinal Th17 cells and reduced microbial translocation in SIV-infected rhesus macaques treated with interleukin (IL)-21. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003471. [PMID: 23853592 PMCID: PMC3701718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In pathogenic HIV and SIV infections of humans and rhesus macaques (RMs), preferential depletion of CD4⁺ Th17 cells correlates with mucosal immune dysfunction and disease progression. Interleukin (IL)-21 promotes differentiation of Th17 cells, long-term maintenance of functional CD8⁺ T cells, and differentiation of memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells. We hypothesized that administration of IL-21 will improve mucosal function in the context of pathogenic HIV/SIV infections. To test this hypothesis, we infected 12 RMs with SIV(mac239) and at day 14 post-infection treated six of them with rhesus rIL-21-IgFc. IL-21-treatment was safe and did not increase plasma viral load or systemic immune activation. Compared to untreated animals, IL-21-treated RMs showed (i) higher expression of perforin and granzyme B in total and SIV-specific CD8⁺ T cells and (ii) higher levels of intestinal Th17 cells. Remarkably, increased levels of Th17 cells were associated with reduced levels of intestinal T cell proliferation, microbial translocation and systemic activation/inflammation in the chronic infection. In conclusion, IL-21-treatment in SIV-infected RMs improved mucosal immune function through enhanced preservation of Th17 cells. Further preclinical studies of IL-21 may be warranted to test its potential use during chronic infection in conjunction with antiretroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Pallikkuth
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Luca Micci
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zachary S. Ende
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robin I. Iriele
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Barbara Cervasi
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Benton Lawson
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Colleen S. McGary
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kenneth A. Rogers
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - James G. Else
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Guido Silvestri
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kirk Easley
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jacob D. Estes
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, SAIC-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Francois Villinger
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Savita Pahwa
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mirko Paiardini
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Pan XC, Li L, Mao JJ, Yao W, Zheng JN, Liu M, Fu JJ. Synergistic effects of soluble PD-1 and IL-21 on antitumor immunity against H22 murine hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2012; 5:90-96. [PMID: 23255900 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2012.966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies are designed to elicit T-cell responses that inhibit tumor growth. Previous studies have demonstrated that interleukin 21 (IL-21) is a promising cytokine for cancer immunotherapy due to its ability to induce the immunity of T cells and natural killer cells, whereas blockade of the interaction of programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) with its ligand (PD-L1) reduces peripheral tolerance. In the current study, we investigated IL-21 alone and in combination with soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) for the treatment of experimental H22 murine hepatocarcinoma. The naked plasmids pmIL-21 and/or psPD-1 were used for local gene transfer by injection. In these assays, sPD-1 combined with IL-21 was found to significantly inhibit the growth of the tumors in mice. Combined treatment with IL-21 and sPD-1 enhanced the antitumor immune response compared with that induced by IL-21 alone. Combined treatment was found to increase CTL cytotoxicity, increase the number of CTLs and NK cells in splenocytes, upregulate the cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2 and downregulate IL-10. Thus, immunotherapy with IL-21 in combination with sPD-1 was found to induce a more efficacious antitumor immune response, which may have potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Cheng Pan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College
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Petrella TM, Tozer R, Belanger K, Savage KJ, Wong R, Smylie M, Kamel-Reid S, Tron V, Chen BE, Hunder NN, Hagerman L, Walsh W, Eisenhauer EA. Interleukin-21 has activity in patients with metastatic melanoma: a phase II study. J Clin Oncol 2012; 30:3396-401. [PMID: 22915661 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.40.0655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We report a multicenter phase II study of patients with metastatic melanoma (MM), evaluating the efficacy, toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS), immunogenicity, and biomarker profile of interleukin-21 (IL-21). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with no prior systemic therapy and with limited-disease MM were treated with IL-21 by using three different dosing regimens. Cohort 1 received 50 μg/kg per day by outpatient intravenous bolus injection for 5 days of each week during weeks 1, 3, and 5 of an 8-week cycle. Cohort 2 received 30 μg/kg per day on the same schedule, and cohort 3 received 50 μg/kg per day for 5 days of each week during weeks 1 and 3 of a 6-week cycle. RESULTS Forty patients were enrolled: three in cohort 1, 30 in cohort 2, and seven in cohort 3. Two patients in cohort 1 and four in cohort 3 had dose-limiting toxicities; all other patients were treated with a dose of 30 μg/kg per day. Common adverse events were fatigue, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and myalgia. Overall response rate (ORR) was 22.5%, with nine confirmed partial responses (median response duration, 5.3 months); 16 had stable disease (median response duration, 5.3 months). ORR did not appear to depended on IL-21 receptor expression or BRAF mutation status. The median PFS was 4.3 months and median overall survival (OS) was 12.4 months (95% CI, 10.09 to 17.81 months). CONCLUSION The ORR to IL-21 is 22.5% for first-line MM and warrants further investigation. The favorable PFS and OS suggest that this is an active agent in comparison to both historical NCIC Clinical Trials Group data and data from meta-analysis of Cooperative Group phase II trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M Petrella
- Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5.
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Tietze JK, Sckisel GD, Hsiao HH, Murphy WJ. Antigen-specific versus antigen-nonspecific immunotherapeutic approaches for human melanoma: the need for integration for optimal efficacy? Int Rev Immunol 2012; 30:238-93. [PMID: 22053969 DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2011.598977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Due to its immunogenecity and evidence of immune responses resulting in tumor regression, metastatic melanoma has been the target for numerous immunotherapeutic approaches. Unfortunately, based on the clinical outcomes, even the successful induction of tumor-specific responses does not correlate with efficacy. Immunotherapies can be divided into antigen-specific approaches, which seek to induce T cells specific to one or several known tumor associated antigens (TAA), or with antigen-nonspecific approaches, which generally activate T cells to become nonspecifically lytic effectors. Here the authors critically review the different immunotherapeutic approaches in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Tietze
- Departments of Dermatology and Internal Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-21 is a member of a family of cytokines that includes IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15, all of which utilize a common γ chain in their individual receptor complexes for delivering intracellular signals in their target cells. IL-21 is produced by CD4+ T-cells, in particular follicular T-helper cells, and is critically important in the regulation and maintenance of T cells and B cells in innate and adaptive immunity. The effects of IL-21 are pleiotropic because of the broad cellular distribution of the IL-21 receptor, and it plays a critical role in T cell-dependent and -independent human B cell differentiation for generating humoral immune responses. This article reviews the current knowledge about the importance of IL-21 and IL-21 receptor interaction in human B cell responses, immune defects of B cells and IL-21 in HIV infection, and the potential applicability of IL-21 in vaccines/immunotherapeutic approaches to augment relevant immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Pallikkuth
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL- 33136
| | - Anita Parmigiani
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL- 33136
| | - Savita Pahwa
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL- 33136
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Stolfi C, Rizzo A, Franzè E, Rotondi A, Fantini MC, Sarra M, Caruso R, Monteleone I, Sileri P, Franceschilli L, Caprioli F, Ferrero S, MacDonald TT, Pallone F, Monteleone G. Involvement of interleukin-21 in the regulation of colitis-associated colon cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 208:2279-90. [PMID: 21987656 PMCID: PMC3201207 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20111106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
IL-21 expression is increased in the gut of patients with colitis-associated colon cancer, and genetic ablation or antibody neutralization of IL-21 reduces tumor size and inflammation in mice treated with dextran sulfate sodium and azoxymethane. Chronic inflammation is a major driving force in the development of cancer in many tissues, but the array of factors involved in this neoplastic transformation are not well understood. We have investigated the role of interleukin (IL)-21 in colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), as this cytokine is overexpressed in the gut mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory disease associated with colon cancer. IL-21 was increased in the gut of patients with UC-associated colon cancer, and in mice with CAC induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). After AOM+DSS treatment, IL-21 KO mice showed reduced mucosal damage, reduced infiltration of T cells, and diminished production of IL-6 and IL-17A. IL-21–deficient mice also developed fewer and smaller tumors compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Absence of IL-21 reduced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation in tumor and stromal cells. Administration of a neutralizing IL-21 antibody to WT mice after the last DSS cycle decreased the colonic T cell infiltrate and the production of IL-6 and IL-17A and reduced the number of tumors. These observations indicate that IL-21 amplifies an inflammatory milieu that promotes CAC, and suggest that IL-21 blockade may be useful in reducing the risk of UC-associated colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Stolfi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Elishmereni M, Kheifetz Y, Søndergaard H, Overgaard RV, Agur Z. An integrated disease/pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model suggests improved interleukin-21 regimens validated prospectively for mouse solid cancers. PLoS Comput Biol 2011; 7:e1002206. [PMID: 22022259 PMCID: PMC3182868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-21 is an attractive antitumor agent with potent immunomodulatory functions. Yet thus far, the cytokine has yielded only partial responses in solid cancer patients, and conditions for beneficial IL-21 immunotherapy remain elusive. The current work aims to identify clinically-relevant IL-21 regimens with enhanced efficacy, based on mathematical modeling of long-term antitumor responses. For this purpose, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data were acquired from a preclinical study applying systemic IL-21 therapy in murine solid cancers. We developed an integrated disease/PK/PD model for the IL-21 anticancer response, and calibrated it using selected “training” data. The accuracy of the model was verified retrospectively under diverse IL-21 treatment settings, by comparing its predictions to independent “validation” data in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma-challenged mice (R2>0.90). Simulations of the verified model surfaced important therapeutic insights: (1) Fractionating the standard daily regimen (50 µg/dose) into a twice daily schedule (25 µg/dose) is advantageous, yielding a significantly lower tumor mass (45% decrease); (2) A low-dose (12 µg/day) regimen exerts a response similar to that obtained under the 50 µg/day treatment, suggestive of an equally efficacious dose with potentially reduced toxicity. Subsequent experiments in melanoma-bearing mice corroborated both of these predictions with high precision (R2>0.89), thus validating the model also prospectively in vivo. Thus, the confirmed PK/PD model rationalizes IL-21 therapy, and pinpoints improved clinically-feasible treatment schedules. Our analysis demonstrates the value of employing mathematical modeling and in silico-guided design of solid tumor immunotherapy in the clinic. Among the many potential drugs explored within the scope of cancer immunotherapy are selected cytokines which possess promising immune-boosting properties. Yet, the natural involvement of these proteins in multiple, often contradicting biological processes can complicate their use in the clinic. The cytokine interleukin (IL)-21 is no exception: while its strength as an anticancer agent has been established in several animal studies, response rates in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma patients remain low. To help guide the design of effective IL-21 therapy, we have developed a mathematical model that bridges between the complex biology of IL-21 and its optimal clinical use. Our model integrates data from preclinical studies under diverse IL-21 treatment settings, and was validated by extensive experiments in tumor-bearing mice. Model simulations predicted that beneficial, clinically practical IL-21 therapy should be composed of low-dose schedules, and/or schedules in which several partial doses are administered rather than a single complete dose. These findings were subsequently confirmed in mice with melanoma. Thus, future testing of these strategies in solid cancer patients can be a promising starting point for improving IL-21 therapy. Our model can thus provide a computational platform for rationalizing IL-21 regimens and streamlining its clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuri Kheifetz
- Institute for Medical Biomathematics (IMBM), Bene-Ataroth, Israel
| | | | | | - Zvia Agur
- Institute for Medical Biomathematics (IMBM), Bene-Ataroth, Israel
- Optimata Ltd., Ramat-Gan, Israel
- * E-mail:
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31
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2011; 5:297-305. [DOI: 10.1097/spc.0b013e32834a76ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Role of common-gamma chain cytokines in NK cell development and function: perspectives for immunotherapy. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011; 2011:861920. [PMID: 21716670 PMCID: PMC3118299 DOI: 10.1155/2011/861920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2011] [Accepted: 03/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are components of the innate immunity system and play an important role as a first-line defense mechanism against viral infections and in tumor immune surveillance. Their development and their functional activities are controlled by several factors among which cytokines sharing the usage of the common cytokine-receptor gamma chain play a pivotal role. In particular, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 are the members of this family predominantly involved in NK cell biology. In this paper, we will address their role in NK cell ontogeny, regulation of functional activities, development of specialized cell subsets, and acquisition of memory-like functions. Finally, the potential application of these cytokines as recombinant molecules to NK cell-based immunotherapy approaches will be discussed.
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Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer whose worldwide incidence is rising faster than any other cancer. Few treatment options are available to patients with metastatic disease, and standard chemotherapeutic agents are generally ineffective. Cytokines such as IFN-α or IL-2 can promote immune recognition of melanoma, occasionally inducing dramatic and durable clinical responses. Here, we discuss several immunomodulatory agents, the safety of which are being evaluated in clinical trials. Challenges include an incomplete understanding of signaling pathways, appropriate clinical dose and route, and systemic immunosuppression in advanced melanoma patients. We consider how targeted cytokine therapy will integrate into the clinical arena, as well as the low likelihood of success of single cytokine therapies. Evidence supports a synergy between cytokine immunotherapy and other therapeutic approaches in melanoma, and strengthening this area of research will improve our understanding of how to use cytokine therapy better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Nicholas
- The Ohio State University, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- The Ohio State University, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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