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Entezari AA, Snook AE, Waldman SA. Guanylyl cyclase 2C (GUCY2C) in gastrointestinal cancers: recent innovations and therapeutic potential. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:335-346. [PMID: 34056991 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1937124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) is an intestinal signaling system that regulates intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion as well as intestinal homeostasis. In recent years, it has emerged as a promising target for chemoprevention and therapy for GI malignancies. AREAS COVERED The loss of GUCY2C signaling early in colorectal tumorigenesis suggests it could have a significant impact on tumor initiation. Recent studies highlight the importance of GUCY2C signaling in preventing colorectal tumorigenesis using agents such as linaclotide, plecanatide, and sildenafil. Furthermore, GUCY2C is a novel target for immunotherapy and a diagnostic marker for primary and metastatic diseases. EXPERT OPINION There is an unmet need for prevention and therapy in GI cancers. In that context, GUCY2C is a promising target for prevention, although the precise mechanisms by which GUCY2C signaling affects tumorigenesis remain to be defined. Furthermore, clinical trials are exploring its role as an immunotherapeutic target for vaccines to prevent metastatic disease. Indeed, GUCY2C is an emerging target across the disease continuum from chemoprevention, to diagnostic management, through the treatment and prevention of metastatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana A Entezari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam E Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott A Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Abraham TS, Flickinger JC, Waldman SA, Snook AE. TCR Retrogenic Mice as a Model To Map Self-Tolerance Mechanisms to the Cancer Mucosa Antigen GUCY2C. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 202:1301-1310. [PMID: 30642983 PMCID: PMC6363846 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing self-tolerance mechanisms and their failure is critical to understand immune homeostasis, cancer immunity, and autoimmunity. However, examination of self-tolerance mechanisms has relied primarily on transgenic mice expressing TCRs targeting well-characterized, but nonphysiologic, model Ags, such as OVA and hemagglutinin. Identifying TCRs directed against bona fide self-antigens is made difficult by the extraordinary diversity of TCRs and the low prevalence of Ag-specific clones (<10-100 naive cells per organism), limiting dissection of tolerance mechanisms restricting immunity to self-proteins. In this study, we isolated and characterized TCRs recognizing the intestinal epithelial cell receptor and colorectal cancer Ag GUCY2C to establish a model to study self-antigen-specific tolerance mechanisms. GUCY2C-specific CD4+ effector T cells were isolated from immunized, nontolerant Gucy2c -/- mice. Next-generation sequencing identified GUCY2C-specific TCRs, which were engineered into CD4+ T cells in vitro to confirm TCR recognition of GUCY2C. Further, the generation of "retrogenic" mice by reconstitution with TCR-transduced hematopoietic stem cells resulted in normal CD4+ T cell development, responsiveness to immunization, and GUCY2C-induced tolerance in recipient mice, recapitulating observations in conventional models. This retrogenic model can be employed to define self-tolerance mechanisms restricting T and B cell responses to GUCY2C to optimize colorectal cancer immunotherapy without autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara S Abraham
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - John C Flickinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Scott A Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Adam E Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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Nikolaou S, Qiu S, Fiorentino F, Rasheed S, Tekkis P, Kontovounisios C. The prognostic and therapeutic role of hormones in colorectal cancer: a review. Mol Biol Rep 2018; 46:1477-1486. [PMID: 30535551 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4528-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the commonest cancers in Western society with a poor prognosis in patients with advanced disease. Targeted therapy is of increasing interest and already, targeted hormone treatment for breast and prostate cancer has improved survival. The aim of this literature review is to summarise the role of hormones in CRC prognosis and treatment. A literature review of all human and animal in vivo and in vitro studies in the last 20 years, which assessed the role of hormones in CRC treatment or prognosis, was carried out. The hormones described in this review have been subdivided according to their secretion origin. Most of the studies are based on in vitro or animal models. The main findings point to adipokines, insulin and the insulin growth factor axis as key players in the link between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and a subset of CRC. Gut-derived hormones, especially uroguanylin and guanylin are being increasingly investigated as therapeutic targets, with promising results. Using hormones as prognostic and therapeutic markers in CRC is still in the preliminary stages for only a fraction of the hormones affecting the GIT. In light of the increasing interest in tailoring treatment strategies, hormones are an important area of focus in the future of CRC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Nikolaou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK. .,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK. .,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK. .,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road & Chelsea and Westminster Campus, 369 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9NH, UK.
| | - Shengyang Qiu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - Shahnawaz Rasheed
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Paris Tekkis
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Christos Kontovounisios
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
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Lin AG, Xiang B, Merlino DJ, Baybutt TR, Sahu J, Fridman A, Snook AE, Miller V. Non-thermal plasma induces immunogenic cell death in vivo in murine CT26 colorectal tumors. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1484978. [PMID: 30228954 PMCID: PMC6140551 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1484978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death is characterized by the emission of danger signals that facilitate activation of an adaptive immune response against dead-cell antigens. In the case of cancer therapy, tumor cells undergoing immunogenic death promote cancer-specific immunity. Identification, characterization, and optimization of stimuli that induce immunogenic cancer cell death has tremendous potential to improve the outcomes of cancer therapy. In this study, we show that non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma can be operated to induce immunogenic cell death in an animal model of colorectal cancer. In vitro, plasma treatment of CT26 colorectal cancer cells induced the release of classic danger signals. Treated cells were used to create a whole-cell vaccine which elicited protective immunity in the CT26 tumor mouse model. Moreover, plasma treatment of subcutaneous tumors elicited emission of danger signals and recruitment of antigen presenting cells into tumors. An increase in T cell responses targeting the colorectal cancer-specific antigen guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) were also observed. This study provides the first evidence that non-thermal plasma is a bone fide inducer of immunogenic cell death and highlights its potential for clinical translation for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham G. Lin
- C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dante J. Merlino
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Trevor R. Baybutt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joya Sahu
- Cutaneous Lymphoma Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Adam E. Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vandana Miller
- C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ, USA
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Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality with a 5-year overall survival rate of 13%. Despite recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, only the minority of CRC patients (<15%) with microsatellite instability can potentially benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors, the only immunotherapy currently approved for mCRC. In that context, there is an unmet need to improve survival in mCRC. Our ever-increasing understanding of the immune system and its interactions with cancer has allowed development of multiple strategies to potentially improve outcomes in the majority of mCRC patients. Various approaches to manipulate patient immunity to recognize and kill colorectal cancer cells are being explored simultaneously, with combination therapies likely being the most effective. Ideally, therapies would target tumor-restricted antigens selectively found in tumors, but shielded from immune attack in normal tissues, to mount an effective cytotoxic T-cell response, while also overcoming cellular and molecular inhibitory pathways, self-tolerance, and T-cell exhaustion. Here, we provide a brief overview of the most promising immunotherapy candidates in mCRC and their strategies to produce a lasting immune response and clinical benefit in patients with mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babar Bashir
- a Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA.,b Department of Medical Oncology , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Adam E Snook
- a Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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Pierini S, Perales-Linares R, Uribe-Herranz M, Pol JG, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Facciabene A, Galluzzi L. Trial watch: DNA-based vaccines for oncological indications. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1398878. [PMID: 29209575 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1398878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA-based vaccination is a promising approach to cancer immunotherapy. DNA-based vaccines specific for tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are indeed relatively simple to produce, cost-efficient and well tolerated. However, the clinical efficacy of DNA-based vaccines for cancer therapy is considerably limited by central and peripheral tolerance. During the past decade, considerable efforts have been devoted to the development and characterization of novel DNA-based vaccines that would circumvent this obstacle. In this setting, particular attention has been dedicated to the route of administration, expression of modified TAAs, co-expression of immunostimulatory molecules, and co-delivery of immune checkpoint blockers. Here, we review preclinical and clinical progress on DNA-based vaccines for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pierini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Renzo Perales-Linares
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mireia Uribe-Herranz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan G Pol
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.,INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,INSERM, Villejuif, France.,Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT), Villejuif, France.,Université Paris Sud/Paris XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris.,Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.,INSERM, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Pôle de Biologie, Hopitâl Européen George Pompidou, AP-HP; Paris, France
| | - Andrea Facciabene
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, France.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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8
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Baybutt TR, Aka AA, Snook AE. The Heat-Stable Enterotoxin Receptor, Guanylyl Cyclase C, as a Pharmacological Target in Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy: A Bench-to-Bedside Current Report. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9090282. [PMID: 28914772 PMCID: PMC5618215 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9090282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is becoming a routine treatment modality in the oncology clinic, in spite of the fact that it is a relatively nascent field. The challenge in developing effective immunotherapeutics is the identification of target molecules that promote anti-tumor efficacy across the patient population while sparing healthy tissue from damaging autoimmunity. The intestinally restricted receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) is a target that has been investigated for the treatment of colorectal cancer and numerous animal, and clinical studies have demonstrated both efficacy and safety. Here, we describe the current state of GUCY2C-directed cancer immunotherapy and the future directions of this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor R Baybutt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Allison A Aka
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Adam E Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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10
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Correale P, Botta C, Ciliberto D, Pastina P, Ingargiola R, Zappavigna S, Tassone P, Pirtoli L, Caraglia M, Tagliaferri P. Immunotherapy of colorectal cancer: new perspectives after a long path. Immunotherapy 2017; 8:1281-1292. [PMID: 27993089 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2016-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although significant therapeutic improvement has been achieved in the last 10 years, the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients remains in a range of 28 to 30 months. Presently, systemic treatment includes combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan together with a backbone of 5-fluorouracil/levofolinate, alone or in combination with monoclonal antibodies to VEGFA (bevacizumab) or EGF receptor (cetuximab and panitumumab). The recent rise of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the therapeutic scenario has renewed scientific interest in the investigation of immunotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. According to our experience and view, here, we review the immunological strategies investigated for the treatment of this disease, including the use of tumor target-specific cancer vaccines, chemo-immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medicine, Surgery & Neuroscience, Siena University School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Domenico Ciliberto
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Pastina
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medicine, Surgery & Neuroscience, Siena University School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Rossana Ingargiola
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Silvia Zappavigna
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & General Pathology, Second Naples University, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medicine, Surgery & Neuroscience, Siena University School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & General Pathology, Second Naples University, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
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11
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Xiang B, Baybutt TR, Berman-Booty L, Magee MS, Waldman SA, Alexeev VY, Snook AE. Prime-Boost Immunization Eliminates Metastatic Colorectal Cancer by Producing High-Avidity Effector CD8 + T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2017; 198:3507-3514. [PMID: 28341670 PMCID: PMC5435941 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Heterologous prime-boost immunization with plasmid DNA and viral vector vaccines is an emerging approach to elicit CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity targeting pathogens and tumor Ags that is superior to either monotherapy. Yet, the mechanisms underlying the synergy of prime-boost strategies remain incompletely defined. In this study, we examine a DNA and adenovirus (Ad5) combination regimen targeting guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C), a receptor expressed by intestinal mucosa and universally expressed by metastatic colorectal cancer. DNA immunization efficacy was optimized by i.m. delivery via electroporation, yet it remained modest compared with Ad5. Sequential immunization with DNA and Ad5 produced superior antitumor efficacy associated with increased TCR avidity, whereas targeted disruption of TCR avidity enhancement eliminated GUCY2C-specific antitumor efficacy, without affecting responding T cell number or cytokine profile. Indeed, functional TCR avidity of responding GUCY2C-specific CD8+ T cells induced by various prime or prime-boost regimens correlated with antitumor efficacy, whereas T cell number and cytokine profile were not. Importantly, although sequential immunization with DNA and Ad5 maximized antitumor efficacy through TCR avidity enhancement, it produced no autoimmunity, reflecting sequestration of GUCY2C to intestinal apical membranes and segregation of mucosal and systemic immunity. Together, TCR avidity enhancement may be leveraged by prime-boost immunization to improve GUCY2C-targeted colorectal cancer immunotherapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes without concomitant autoimmune toxicity.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoviridae/genetics
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/physiology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Cells, Cultured
- Colorectal Neoplasms/immunology
- Colorectal Neoplasms/therapy
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Immunization, Secondary
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Intestinal Mucosa/physiology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Enterotoxin
- Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, Peptide/genetics
- Receptors, Peptide/metabolism
- Tumor Burden
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Trevor R Baybutt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Lisa Berman-Booty
- Department of Discovery Toxicology, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ 08543
| | - Michael S Magee
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Bluebird Bio, Cambridge, MA 02141; and
| | - Scott A Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Vitali Y Alexeev
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Adam E Snook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107;
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Aka AA, Rappaport JA, Pattison AM, Sato T, Snook AE, Waldman SA. Guanylate cyclase C as a target for prevention, detection, and therapy in colorectal cancer. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2017; 10:549-557. [PMID: 28162021 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2017.1292124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and new strategies to prevent, detect, and treat the disease are needed. The receptor, guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C), a tumor suppressor expressed by the intestinal epithelium, has emerged as a promising target. Areas covered: This review outlines the role of GUCY2C in tumorigenesis, and steps to translate GUCY2C-targeting schemes to the clinic. Endogenous GUCY2C-activating ligands disappear early in tumorigenesis, silencing its signaling axis and enabling transformation. Pre-clinical models support GUCY2C ligand supplementation as a novel disease prevention paradigm. With the recent FDA approval of the GUCY2C ligand, linaclotide, and two more synthetic ligands in the pipeline, this strategy can be tested in human trials. In addition to primary tumor prevention, we also review immunotherapies targeting GUCY2C expressed by metastatic lesions, and platforms using GUCY2C as a biomarker for detection and patient staging. Expert commentary: Results of the first GUCY2C targeting schemes in patients will become available in the coming years. The identification of GUCY2C ligand loss as a requirement for colorectal tumorigenesis has the potential to change the treatment paradigm from an irreversible disease of genetic mutation, to a treatable disease of ligand insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison A Aka
- a Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA.,b Department of Surgery , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Jeff A Rappaport
- a Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Amanda M Pattison
- a Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Takami Sato
- c Department of Medical Oncology , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Adam E Snook
- a Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Scott A Waldman
- a Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics , Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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