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Rizarullah, Aditama R, Giri-Rachman EA, Hertadi R. Designing a Novel Multiepitope Vaccine from the Human Papilloma Virus E1 and E2 Proteins for Indonesia with Immunoinformatics and Molecular Dynamics Approaches. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:16547-16562. [PMID: 38617694 PMCID: PMC11007845 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
One of the deadliest malignant cancer in women globally is cervical cancer. Specifically, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in Indonesia. The main infectious agent of cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV). Although licensed prophylactic vaccines are available, cervical cancer cases are on the rise. Therapy using multiepitope-based vaccines is a very promising therapy for cervical cancer. This study aimed to develop a multiepitope vaccine based on the E1 and E2 proteins of HPV 16, 18, 45, and 52 using in silico. In this study, we develop a novel multiepitope vaccine candidate using an immunoinformatic approach. We predicted the epitopes of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and helper T lymphocyte (HTL) and evaluated their immunogenic properties. Population coverage analysis of qualified epitopes was conducted to determine the successful use of the vaccine worldwide. The epitopes were constructed into a multiepitope vaccine by using AAY linkers between the CTL epitopes and GPGPG linkers between the HTL epitopes. The tertiary structure of the multiepitope vaccine was modeled with AlphaFold and was evaluated by Prosa-web. The results of vaccine construction were analyzed for B-cell epitope prediction, molecular docking with Toll like receptor-4 (TLR4), and molecular dynamics simulation. The results of epitope prediction obtained 4 CTL epitopes and 7 HTL epitopes that are eligible for construction of multiepitope vaccines. Prediction of the physicochemical properties of multiepitope vaccines obtained good results for recombinant protein production. The interaction showed that the interaction of the multiepitope vaccine-TLR4 complex is stable based on the binding free energy value -106.5 kcal/mol. The results of the immune response simulation show that multiepitope vaccine candidates could activate the adaptive and humoral immune systems and generate long-term B-cell memory. According to these results, the development of a multiepitope vaccine with a reverse vaccinology approach is a breakthrough to develop potential cervical cancer therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizarullah
- Biochemistry
and Biomolecular Engineering Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Abulyatama
University, Jl. Blangbintang Lama, Aceh Besar 23372, Indonesia
| | - Reza Aditama
- Biochemistry
and Biomolecular Engineering Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Ernawati Arifin Giri-Rachman
- Genetics
and Molecular Biotechnology Research Division, School of Life Sciences
and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Rukman Hertadi
- Biochemistry
and Biomolecular Engineering Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
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Gardella B, Dominoni M, Pasquali MF, Gotti M, Fraticelli S, Lucioni M, Cesari S, Fiandrino G, De Silvestri A, Zerbi C, Lazic T, Arcaini L, Paulli M, Spinillo A. Retrospective Investigation of Human Papillomavirus Cervical Infection and Lymphoma Incidence: A Clinical and Pathological Evaluation. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2024; 89:95-102. [PMID: 38262378 DOI: 10.1159/000535592] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence is considered the main risk factor for neoplastic progression, and evidence suggests that regulatory T cells play an important role in the failure of viral elimination. Regulatory T cells may be involved in maintaining a microenvironment favourable for viral persistence and neoplasticity, through a deregulation of the local immune response. The association between altered immune function and the development of chronic infections, cancer (solid and haematological), and autoimmune diseases is documented in the literature. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the possible correlation between HPV cervical infection and lymphoma incidence in women attending colposcopy due to an abnormal Pap smear during a period of 15 years. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS We investigated retrospectively the incidence of haematological diseases in women aged 21-84 with an abnormal Pap smear who referred to our centre between 2004 and 2019. SETTING This study was conducted at the university hospital. METHODS In our analysis, we included women with diagnoses of HL and NHL after the detection of abnormal Pap smears and HPV infections. We excluded patients with a diagnosis of lymphoma preceding the date of the abnormal Pap smear and HPV test. RESULTS We divided the patients into two groups in order to analyse the standard incidence ratio (SIR): HL patients (19/7,064, 0.26%) and NHL patients (22/7,064, 0.31%). In our sample, we reported a significant risk of developing lymphoma compared to the general population, both for HL and NHL disease, at age <45 years. Regarding HL, the SIR of disease in women <45 years was 4.886 (95% CI 2.775-9.6029) and in women between 45 and 59 years was 2.612 (95% CI 0.96-7.108804). On the other hand, for NHL in women <45 years, we reported an SIR of about 3.007 (95%, CI 1.273-7.101575), in women aged 45-59 years, the SIR was 4.291 (95% CI 2.444-7.534399), and in women aged 60-74 years, the SIR was 3.283 (95% CI 1.054-10.22303). LIMITATIONS This retrospective analysis was conducted in a single centre in Northern Italy and did not consider all interregional differences existing in the country in terms of HPV genotypes, ethnicity, and population characteristics. Regarding the analysis of SIR for HL and NHL, we did not divide the disease into subtypes because of the small sample of cases. Finally, we considered in our analysis only women with an abnormal Pap smear and not the general population. CONCLUSIONS Women with chronic and persistent HPV infections may have a higher relative risk of developing lymphoma. This possible association may be caused by the deregulation of the immune system response against HPV and the failure of viral clearance, especially in younger women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Gardella
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Paediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mattia Dominoni
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Paediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marianna Francesca Pasquali
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Paediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Manuel Gotti
- Department of Hematology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Fraticelli
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Lucioni
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Cesari
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Fiandrino
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Silvestri
- SSD Biostatistica e Clinical Trial Center, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Caterina Zerbi
- Department of Hematology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Tanja Lazic
- Department of Hematology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Arcaini
- Department of Hematology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Paulli
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Arsenio Spinillo
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Paediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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3
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Daradoumis J, Müller MD, Neckermann P, Asbach B, Schrödel S, Thirion C, Wagner R, thor Straten P, Holst PJ, Boilesen D. Preferential Expansion of HPV16 E1-Specific T Cells from Healthy Donors' PBMCs after Ex Vivo Immunization with an E1E2E6E7 Fusion Antigen. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5863. [PMID: 38136407 PMCID: PMC10741473 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for practically all cervical and a high proportion of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Therapeutic HPV vaccines in clinical development show great promise in improving outcomes for patients who mount an anti-HPV T-cell response; however, far from all patients elicit a sufficient immunological response. This demonstrates a translational gap between animal models and human patients. Here, we investigated the potential of a new assay consisting of co-culturing vaccine-transduced dendritic cells (DCs) with syngeneic, healthy, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to mimic a human in vivo immunization. This new promising human ex vivo PBMC assay was evaluated using an innovative therapeutic adenovirus (Adv)-based HPV vaccine encoding the E1, E2, E6, and E7 HPV16 genes. This new method allowed us to show that vaccine-transduced DCs yielded functional effector T cells and unveiled information on immunohierarchy, showing E1-specific T-cell immunodominance over time. We suggest that this assay can be a valuable translational tool to complement the known animal models, not only for HPV therapeutic vaccines, and supports the use of E1 as an immunotherapeutic target. Nevertheless, the findings reported here need to be validated in a larger number of donors and preferably in patient samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Daradoumis
- InProTher ApS, Bioinnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.D.M.); (P.J.H.)
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Dons Müller
- InProTher ApS, Bioinnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.D.M.); (P.J.H.)
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Per thor Straten
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2730 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- InProTher ApS, Bioinnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.D.M.); (P.J.H.)
| | - Ditte Boilesen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Loma Therapeutics ApS, Bioinnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wang Q, Qin W, Gao W, Zhao K, Pan X, Jiang X, Zhao J. Correlation between vaginal flora and cervical immune function of human papilloma virus-infected patients with cervical cancer. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:179-185. [PMID: 38223622 PMCID: PMC10782293 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i2.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To analyse the correlation between vaginal flora and cervical immune function of HPV-infected patients with cervical cancer. Methods Six hundred females with genital tract infections treated in Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2014 to December 2016 were selected and divided into a high-risk HPV group (n=246) and a control group (n=354). The vaginal flora and human T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) were detected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for HPV infection. Results The numbers of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ T cells of the high-risk HPV group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The two groups had similar numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells. In the high-risk HPV group, the positive rates of Lactobacillus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, mycetes, Ureaplasma urealyticum and bacterial vaginosis were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive rates of trichomonads between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum were independent risk factors for high-risk HPV infection (P<0.05). Conclusion High-risk HPV infection in patients with cervical cancer was associated with vaginal flora and immune function. C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum were independent risk factors for high-risk HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Suqian Maternity Hospital, Suqian 223800, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenmin Qin
- Department of Gynecology, Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou 221003, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Suqian Maternity Hospital, Suqian 223800, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou 221003, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaohong Pan
- Department of Gynecology, Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou 221003, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaofei Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou 221003, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou 221003, Jiangsu Province, China
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Peng X, Woodhouse I, Hancock G, Parker R, Marx K, Müller J, Salatino S, Partridge T, Nicastri A, Liao H, Kruppa G, Hellner K, Dorrell L, Ternette N. Novel canonical and non-canonical viral antigens extend current targets for immunotherapy of HPV-driven cervical cancer. iScience 2023; 26:106101. [PMID: 36876126 PMCID: PMC9978627 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Current immunotherapeutic approaches for human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven cervical cancer target the viral oncogenes E6 and E7. We report viral canonical and alternative reading frame (ARF)-derived sequences presented on cervical tumor cells, including antigens encoded by the conserved viral gene E1. We confirm immunogenicity of the identified viral peptides in HPV-positive women, and women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. We observe consistent transcription of the E1, E6, and E7 genes in 10 primary cervical tumor resections from the four most common high-risk HPV subtypes (HPV16, 18, 31, and 45), suggesting the suitability of E1 as therapeutic target. We finally confirm HLA presentation of canonical peptides derived from E6 and E7, and ARF-derived viral peptides from a reverse-strand transcript spanning the HPV E1 and E2 genes in primary human cervical tumor tissue. Our results extend currently known viral immunotherapeutic targets in cervical cancer and highlight E1 as an important cervical cancer antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Peng
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Isaac Woodhouse
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Gemma Hancock
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
| | - Robert Parker
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Kristina Marx
- Bruker Daltonics, Fahrenheitstraße 4, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Julius Müller
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Silvia Salatino
- Wellcome Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, OX3 7BN Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Partridge
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
| | - Annalisa Nicastri
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Hanqing Liao
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Gary Kruppa
- Bruker Daltonics, Fahrenheitstraße 4, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Karin Hellner
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Dorrell
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
- Immunocore Ltd., OX14 4RY Abingdon, UK
| | - Nicola Ternette
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
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McInnis C, Bhatia S, Vijaykumar B, Tian Q, Sun Y, Leistritz-Edwards D, Quinn CT, Uppaluri R, Egloff AM, Srinivasan L, Pregibon DC, Coyle AJ, Hanna GJ. Identification of HPV16 E1 and E2-specific T cells in the oropharyngeal cancer tumor microenvironment. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2023-006721. [PMID: 36990508 PMCID: PMC10069587 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary cause of an increasing number of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). The viral etiology of these cancers provides the opportunity for antigen-directed therapies that are restricted in scope compared with cancers without viral components. However, specific virally-encoded epitopes and their corresponding immune responses are not fully defined. METHODS To understand the OPSCC immune landscape, we conducted a comprehensive single-cell analysis of HPV16+ and HPV33+ primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes. We used single-cell analysis with encoded peptide-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tetramers to analyze HPV16+ and HPV33+ OPSCC tumors, characterizing the ex vivo cellular responses to HPV-derived antigens presented in major Class I and Class II HLA alleles. RESULTS We identified robust cytotoxic T-cell responses to HPV16 proteins E1 and E2 that were shared across multiple patients, particularly in HLA-A*01:01 and HLA-B*08:01. Responses to E2 were associated with loss of E2 expression in at least one tumor, indicating the functional capacity of these E2-recognizing T cells and many of these interactions validated in a functional assay. Conversely, cellular responses to E6 and E7 were limited in quantity and cytotoxic capacity, and tumor E6 and E7 expression persisted. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight antigenicity beyond HPV16 E6 and E7 and nominate candidates for antigen-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shilpa Bhatia
- Repertoire Immune Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Qiaomu Tian
- Repertoire Immune Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yanbo Sun
- Repertoire Immune Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Charles T Quinn
- Center for Head and Neck Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ravi Uppaluri
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ann Marie Egloff
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Glenn J Hanna
- Center for Head and Neck Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Boilesen DR, Neckermann P, Willert T, Müller MD, Schrödel S, Pertl C, Thirion C, Asbach B, Wagner R, Holst PJ. Efficacy and Synergy with Cisplatin of an Adenovirus Vectored Therapeutic E1E2E6E7 Vaccine against HPV Genome-Positive C3 Cancers in Mice. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:261-275. [PMID: 36534088 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the main cause of cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. As prophylactic vaccines have no curative effect, an efficient therapy would be highly desired. Most therapeutic vaccine candidates target only a small subset of HPV regulatory proteins, namely, E6 and E7, and are therefore restricted in the breadth of their immune response. However, research has suggested E1 and E2 as promising targets to fight HPV+ cancer. Here, we report the design of adenoviral vectors efficiently expressing HPV16 E1 and E2 in addition to transformation-deficient E6 and E7. Vaccination elicited vigorous CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against all encoded HPV16 proteins in outbred mice and against E1 and E7 in C57BL/6 mice. Therapeutic vaccination of C3 tumor-bearing mice led to significantly reduced tumor growth and enhanced survival for both small and established tumors. Tumor biopsies revealed increased numbers of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in treated mice. Cisplatin enhanced the effect of therapeutic vaccination, accompanied by enhanced infiltration of dendritic cells into the tumor. CD8+ T cells were identified as effector cells in T-cell depletion assays, seemingly under regulation by FoxP3+CD4+ regulatory T cells. Finally, therapeutic vaccination with Ad-Ii-E1E2E6E7 exhibited significantly enhanced survival compared with vaccination with two peptides each harboring a known E6/E7 epitope. We hypothesize that this difference could be due to the induction of additional T-cell responses against E1. These results support the use of this novel vaccine candidate targeting an extended set of antigens (Ad-Ii-E1E2E6E7), in combination with cisplatin, as an advanced strategy to combat HPV+ cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ditte Rahbæk Boilesen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,InProTher ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Mikkel Dons Müller
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,InProTher ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,InProTher ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Novel Antigenic Targets of HPV Therapeutic Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111262. [PMID: 34835193 PMCID: PMC8621534 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the cause of the majority of cervical cancers and head and neck cancers worldwide. Although prophylactic vaccines and cervical cancer screening programs have shown efficacy in preventing HPV-associated cervical cancer, cervical cancer is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in third world countries. Furthermore, head and neck cancer cases caused by HPV infection and associated mortality are increasing. The need for better therapy is clear, and therapeutic vaccination generating cytotoxic T cells against HPV proteins is a promising strategy. This review covers the current scene of HPV therapeutic vaccines in clinical development and discusses relevant considerations for the design of future HPV therapeutic vaccines and clinical trials, such as HPV protein expression patterns, immunogenicity, and exhaustion in relation to the different stages and types of HPV-associated lesions and cancers. Ultimately, while the majority of the HPV therapeutic vaccines currently in clinical testing target the two HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7, we suggest that there is a need to include more HPV antigens in future HPV therapeutic vaccines to increase efficacy and find that especially E1 and E2 could be promising novel targets.
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9
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Neckermann P, Boilesen DR, Willert T, Pertl C, Schrödel S, Thirion C, Asbach B, Holst PJ, Wagner R. Design and Immunological Validation of Macaca fascicularis Papillomavirus Type 3 Based Vaccine Candidates in Outbred Mice: Basis for Future Testing of a Therapeutic Papillomavirus Vaccine in NHPs. Front Immunol 2021; 12:761214. [PMID: 34777375 PMCID: PMC8581358 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.761214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are causative for cervical neoplasia and carcinomas. Despite the availability of prophylactic vaccines, morbidity and mortality induced by HPV are still too high. Thus, an efficient therapy, such as a therapeutic vaccine, is urgently required. Herein, we describe the development and validation of Macaca fascicularis papillomavirus type 3 (MfPV3) antigens delivered via nucleic-acid and adenoviral vectors in outbred mouse models. Ten artificially fused polypeptides comprising early viral regulatory proteins were designed and optionally linked to the T cell adjuvant MHC-II-associated invariant chain. Transfected HEK293 cells and A549 cells transduced with recombinant adenoviruses expressing the same panel of artificial antigens proved proper and comparable expression, respectively. Immunization of outbred CD1 and OF1 mice led to CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses against MfPV3 antigens after DNA- and adenoviral vector delivery. Moreover, in vivo cytotoxicity of vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells was demonstrated in BALB/c mice by quantifying specific killing of transferred peptide-pulsed syngeneic target cells. The use of the invariant chain as T cell adjuvant enhanced the T cell responses regarding cytotoxicity and in vitro analysis suggested an accelerated turnover of the antigens as causative. Notably, the fusion-polypeptide elicited the same level of T-cell responses as administration of the antigens individually, suggesting no loss of immunogenicity by fusing multiple proteins in one vaccine construct. These data support further development of the vaccine candidates in a follow up efficacy study in persistently infected Macaca fascicularis monkeys to assess their potential to eliminate pre-malignant papillomavirus infections, eventually instructing the design of an analogous therapeutic HPV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ditte Rahbaek Boilesen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, the Panum Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher APS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, the Panum Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher APS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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10
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Lakomy DS, Wu J, Lombe D, Papasavvas E, Msadabwe SC, Geng Y, Montaner LJ, Chiao E, Lin LL. Immune correlates of therapy outcomes in women with cervical cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy: A systematic review. Cancer Med 2021; 10:4206-4220. [PMID: 34117731 PMCID: PMC8267128 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune markers have been correlated with prognosis in a variety of solid tumors, including cervical cancer. Objective To review the literature on hematologic and immune markers and their association with recurrence and survival among patients with cervical cancer treated with chemoradiation. Evidence review This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines via searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and the Cochrane Library using keywords regarding cervical cancer, immune markers, and HIV. Studies involving patients treated with cisplatin‐based chemoradiotherapy were selected and reviewed by at least two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Findings A total of 737 studies were identified, of which 314 assessed immune biomarkers in immunocompetent patients (30 included in the final analysis) and 327 studies in immunosuppressed patients (5 included in the final analysis). The strongest prognostic indicators were lymphopenia and elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio. Other potential markers included HPV‐specific lymphocyte response, cytokine profile, expression of immune‐blocking antigens on cell surfaces, and tumor‐associated lymphocyte, macrophage, and neutrophil infiltration. Studies of immunosuppressed patients described more severe cytopenic changes overall and concluded that viral suppression led to improved outcomes. Conclusions The immunologic interplay at work in cervical cancer development, progression, and treatment is complex. Strong evidence was found in favor of lymphopenia and elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio being prognostic for worse outcomes with other markers showing potential associations as well. Although the interpretation of immune status with regard to treatment approach remains unclear, future studies should aim to tailor treatment that minimizes possible detrimental immune effects. Immune markers have been correlated with prognosis in a variety of solid tumors, including cervical cancer. In this systematic review of immune markers for cervical cancer patients being treated with chemoradiation, we surveyed the literature for immunologic and hematologic prognostic markers and found the strongest negative prognostic indicators were lymphopenia and elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Lakomy
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Juliana Wu
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Emmanouil Papasavvas
- Departments of Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Yimin Geng
- Research Medical Library, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luis J Montaner
- Departments of Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Chiao
- Departments of General Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Departments of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lilie L Lin
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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