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Klein C, Brinkmann U, Reichert JM, Kontermann RE. The present and future of bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:301-319. [PMID: 38448606 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00896-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) enable novel mechanisms of action and/or therapeutic applications that cannot be achieved using conventional IgG-based antibodies. Consequently, development of these molecules has garnered substantial interest in the past decade and, as of the end of 2023, 14 bsAbs have been approved: 11 for the treatment of cancer and 3 for non-oncology indications. bsAbs are available in different formats, address different targets and mediate anticancer function via different molecular mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of bsAbs for cancer therapy. We focus on bsAbs that are approved or in clinical development, including bsAb-mediated dual modulators of signalling pathways, tumour-targeted receptor agonists, bsAb-drug conjugates, bispecific T cell, natural killer cell and innate immune cell engagers, and bispecific checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulators. Finally, we provide an outlook into next-generation bsAbs in earlier stages of development, including trispecifics, bsAb prodrugs, bsAbs that induce degradation of tumour targets and bsAbs acting as cytokine mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Roland E Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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2
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De Groot AS, Khan S, Mattei AE, Lelias S, Martin WD. Does human homology reduce the potential immunogenicity of non-antibody scaffolds? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1215939. [PMID: 38022550 PMCID: PMC10664710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1215939] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biologics developers are moving beyond antibodies for delivery of a wide range of therapeutic interventions. These non-antibody modalities are often based on 'natural' protein scaffolds that are modified to deliver bioactive sequences. Both human-derived and non-human-sourced scaffold proteins have been developed. New types of "non-antibody" scaffolds are still being discovered, as they offer attractive alternatives to monoclonals due to their smaller size, improved stability, and ease of synthesis. They are believed to have low immunogenic potential. However, while several human-sourced protein scaffolds have not been immunogenic in clinical studies, this may not predict their overall performance in other therapeutic applications. A preliminary evaluation of their potential for immunogenicity is warranted. Immunogenicity risk potential has been clearly linked to the presence of T "helper" epitopes in the sequence of biologic therapeutics. In addition, tolerogenic epitopes are present in some human proteins and may decrease their immunogenic potential. While the detailed sequences of many non-antibody scaffold therapeutic candidates remain unpublished, their backbone sequences are available for review and analysis. We assessed 12 example non-antibody scaffold backbone sequences using our epitope-mapping tools (EpiMatrix) for this perspective. Based on EpiMatrix scoring, their HLA DRB1-restricted T cell epitope content appears to be lower than the average protein, and sequences that may act as tolerogenic epitopes are present in selected human-derived scaffolds. Assessing the potential immunogenicity of scaffold proteins regarding self and non-self T cell epitopes may be of use for drug developers and clinicians, as these exciting new non-antibody molecules begin to emerge from the preclinical pipeline into clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S. De Groot
- EpiVax, Providence, RI, United States
- University of Georgia, Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Athens, GA, United States
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Ullah A, Shin G, Lim SI. Human serum albumin binders: A piggyback ride for long-acting therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103738. [PMID: 37591409 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103738] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the blood and has desirable properties as a drug carrier. One of the most promising ways to exploit HSA as a carrier is to append an albumin-binding moiety (ABM) to a drug for in situ HSA binding upon administration. Nature- and library-derived ABMs vary in size, affinity, and epitope, differentially improving the pharmacokinetics of an appended drug. In this review, we evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding various aspects of ABMs and the unique advantages of ABM-mediated drug delivery. Furthermore, we discuss how ABMs can be specifically modulated to maximize potential benefits in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Ullah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Gomal Centre of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Goeun Shin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Nbios Inc, 7, Jukheon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Marine BioResource Co., Ltd., 365, Sinseon-ro, Nam-gu, Busan 48548, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Proteins and their functionalization for finding therapeutic avenues in cancer: Current status and future prospective. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188862. [PMID: 36791920 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the remarkable advancement in the health care sector, cancer remains the second most fatal disease globally. The existing conventional cancer treatments primarily include chemotherapy, which has been associated with little to severe side effects, and radiotherapy, which is usually expensive. To overcome these problems, target-specific nanocarriers have been explored for delivering chemo drugs. However, recent reports on using a few proteins having anticancer activity and further use of them as drug carriers have generated tremendous attention for furthering the research towards cancer therapy. Biomolecules, especially proteins, have emerged as suitable alternatives in cancer treatment due to multiple favourable properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural flexibility for easy surface functionalization. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have reported that various proteins derived from animal, plant, and bacterial species, demonstrated strong cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties against malignant cells in native and their different structural conformations. Moreover, surface tunable properties of these proteins help to bind a range of anticancer drugs and target ligands, thus making them efficient delivery agents in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss various proteins obtained from common exogenous sources and how they transform into effective anticancer agents. We also comprehensively discuss the tumor-killing mechanisms of different dietary proteins such as bovine α-lactalbumin, hen egg-white lysozyme, and their conjugates. We also articulate how protein nanostructures can be used as carriers for delivering cancer drugs and theranostics, and strategies to be adopted for improving their in vivo delivery and targeting. We further discuss the FDA-approved protein-based anticancer formulations along with those in different phases of clinical trials.
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Qi Y, Song Y, Cai M, Li J, Yu Z, Li Y, Huang J, Jiang Y, Peng C, Jiang B, Liu S. Vascular endothelial growth factor A is a potential prognostic biomarker and correlates with immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:538-552. [PMID: 36729917 PMCID: PMC9930434 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among cancer patients. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is involved in regulating biological processes, such as angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and is very closely related to the pathogenesis of various tumours, especially vascular-rich, solid tumours. Clinical data of patients with HCC and other tumours were analysed through public databases, such as the TCGA database, Gene Expression Omnibus database, Human Protein Atlas database, STRING, Tumour Immune Estimation Resource and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. The tumour tissues and adjacent normal tissues of patients with HCC from Hunan Provincial People's Hospital were collected to verify the expression of VEGFA by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting and qPCR. VEGFA expression is elevated in multiple tumour types and correlates with the prognosis of tumour patients. VEGFA is involved in regulating the tumour microenvironment and immune cell function in tumour development. Inhibition of VEGFA reduces proliferation, invasion, and migration and promotes apoptosis in HCC cells. VEGFA is a potential predictive biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Qi
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina,Department of CardiologyXiangdong Hospital Affiliated to Hunan Normal UniversityLilingChina,Central Laboratory of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yinghui Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina,Central Laboratory of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Mengting Cai
- Department of Nuclear MedicineHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Jianwen Li
- Department of CardiologyXiangdong Hospital Affiliated to Hunan Normal UniversityLilingChina
| | - Zhangtao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yuhang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Junkai Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yu Jiang
- Institute of Emergency Medicine/Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care MetabonomicsHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chuang Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Sulai Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina,Central Laboratory of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
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Biologic Evaluation of a Heterodimeric HER2-Albumin Targeted Affibody Molecule Produced by Chemo-Enzymatic Peptide Synthesis. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112519. [PMID: 36432709 PMCID: PMC9698269 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted molecular radiation therapy is a promising emerging treatment modality in oncology, and peptide synthesis may shorten the time to reach the clinical stage. In this study, we have explored Chemo-Enzymatic Peptide Synthesis, or CEPS, as a new means of producing a therapeutic HER2 targeted Affibody® molecule, comprising a C-terminal albumin binding domain (ABD) for half-life extension and a total length of 108 amino acids. In addition, a DOTA moiety could be incorporated at N-terminus directly during the synthesis step and subsequently utilized for site-specific radiolabeling with the therapeutic radionuclide 177Lu. Retained thermodynamic stability as well as retained binding to both HER2 and albumin was verified. Furthermore, HER2 binding specificity of the radiolabeled Affibody molecule was confirmed by an in vitro saturation assay showing a significantly higher cell-bound activity of SKOV-3 (high HER2 expression) compared with BxPC3 (low HER2 expression), both in the presence and absence of HSA. In vivo evaluation in mice bearing HER2 expressing xenografts also showed specific tumor targeting as well as extended time in circulation and reduced kidney uptake compared with a HER2 targeted Affibody molecule without the ABD moiety. To conclude, we have demonstrated that CEPS can be used for production of Affibody-fusion molecules with retained in vitro and in vivo functionality.
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Fischer S, Götze TO, Omlin A, Baird RD, Dawson KM, Zitt C, Arany Z, Tresch G, Fiedler U, Jeger S, Fung S, Legenne P, Leupin N, Schneeweiss A, Fremd C. A Case of Sustained Tumor Regression With MP0274, a Novel DARPin Therapeutic Targeting Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Signaling, in Metastatic Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer After Prior Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 6:e2200006. [PMID: 36331248 PMCID: PMC9666114 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Fischer
- Kantonsspital St Gallen, Klinik für Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thorsten O. Götze
- Krankenhaus Nordwest GmbH, Institut für Klinisch-Onkologische Forschung, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Aurelius Omlin
- Kantonsspital St Gallen, Klinik für Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Zita Arany
- Molecular Partners AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Gaby Tresch
- Molecular Partners AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Fiedler
- Molecular Partners AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
- NBE-Therapeutics AG/Boehringer Ingelheim, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carlo Fremd
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Paul M, Itoo AM, Ghosh B, Biswas S. Current trends in the use of human serum albumin for drug delivery in cancer. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:1449-1470. [PMID: 36253957 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2134341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human serum albumin is the most abundant transport protein in plasma, which has recently been extensively utilized to form nanoparticles for drug delivery in cancer. The primary reason for selecting albumin protein as drug delivery cargo is its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immunogenicity. Moreover, the albumin structure containing three homologous domains constituted of a single polypeptide (585 amino acid) incorporates various hydrophobic drugs by non-covalent interactions. Albumin shows active tumor targeting via their interaction with gp60 and SPARC proteins abundant in the tumor-associated endothelial cells and the tumor microenvironment. AREAS COVERED The review discusses the importance of albumin as a drug-carrier system, general procedures to prepare albumin NPs, and the current trends in using albumin-based nanomedicines to deliver various chemotherapeutic agents. The various applications of albumin in the nanomedicines, such as NPs surface modifier and fabrication of hybrid/active-tumor targeted NPs, are delineated based on current trends. EXPERT OPINION Nanomedicines have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. However, clinical translation is limited majorly due to the lack of suitable nanomaterials offering systemic stability, optimum drug encapsulation, tumor-targeted delivery, sustained drug release, and biocompatibility. The potential of albumin could be explored in nanomedicines fabrication for superior treatment outcomes in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Paul
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad-500078, India
| | - Asif Mohd Itoo
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad-500078, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad-500078, India
| | - Swati Biswas
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad-500078, India
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Walser M, Mayor J, Rothenberger S. Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins: A New Class of Viral Entry Inhibitors. Viruses 2022; 14:2242. [PMID: 36298797 PMCID: PMC9611651 DOI: 10.3390/v14102242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are engineered proteins comprising consensus designed ankyrin repeats as scaffold. Tightly packed repeats form a continuous hydrophobic core and a large groove-like solvent-accessible surface that creates a binding surface. DARPin domains recognizing a target of interest with high specificity and affinity can be generated using a synthetic combinatorial library and in vitro selection methods. They can be linked together in a single molecule to build multispecific and multifunctional proteins without affecting expression or function. The modular architecture of DARPins offers unprecedented possibilities of design and opens avenues for innovative antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Walser
- Molecular Partners AG, Wagistrasse 14, 8952 Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Mayor
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700 Spiez, Switzerland
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Rothenberger
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700 Spiez, Switzerland
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Siegel PM, Przewosnik AS, Wrobel J, Heidt T, Moser M, Peter K, Bode C, Diehl P, Bojti I. An activation specific anti-Mac-1 designed ankyrin repeat protein improves survival in a mouse model of acute lung injury. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6296. [PMID: 35428807 PMCID: PMC9012056 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10090-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening clinical condition. The number of ARDS cases has risen dramatically recently but specific treatment options are limited. ARDS is associated with an overshooting inflammatory response and neutrophils play a central role in its pathogenesis. Neutrophils express the integrin Mac-1 on their surface which adopts a resting and activated conformation depending on leukocyte activation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the unique activation-specific anti-Mac-1 DARPin 'F7' in a mouse model of ARDS. ARDS was induced by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation and the acute (day 1-4) and chronic phase (day 5-10) were studied. After expression and purification, F7, a control DARPin and PBS, were applied daily via the intraperitoneal route. Survival and weight loss were recorded. Histological analysis of lung sections, flow cytometric leukocyte analysis of blood and bronchioalveolar lavage (BALF) were performed. Moreover, protein concentration and cytokine levels were determined in the BALF. Treatment with F7 improved survival and reduced weight loss significantly compared to treatment with the control DARPin or PBS. Neutrophil count in the BALF and peripheral blood were significantly reduced in mice treated with F7. Histology revealed significantly reduced pulmonary inflammation in the F7 treated group. Treatment with DARPin F7 inhibited neutrophil accumulation, reduced signs of local and systemic inflammation and improved survival in a mouse model of ARDS. F7 may be a novel anti-inflammatory drug candidate for the treatment of severe ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Siegel
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anne-Sophie Przewosnik
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wrobel
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Timo Heidt
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Moser
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christoph Bode
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Diehl
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - István Bojti
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
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Emerging Albumin-Binding Anticancer Drugs for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery: Current Understandings and Clinical Translation. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040728. [PMID: 35456562 PMCID: PMC9028280 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Albumin has shown remarkable promise as a natural drug carrier by improving pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of anticancer drugs for tumor-targeted delivery. The exogenous or endogenous albumin enhances the circulatory half-lives of anticancer drugs and passively target the tumors by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Thus, the albumin-based drug delivery leads to a potent antitumor efficacy in various preclinical models, and several candidates have been evaluated clinically. The most successful example is Abraxane, an exogenous human serum albumin (HSA)-bound paclitaxel formulation approved by the FDA and used to treat locally advanced or metastatic tumors. However, additional clinical translation of exogenous albumin formulations has not been approved to date because of their unexpectedly low delivery efficiency, which can increase the risk of systemic toxicity. To overcome these limitations, several prodrugs binding endogenous albumin covalently have been investigated owing to distinct advantages for a safe and more effective drug delivery. In this review, we give account of the different albumin-based drug delivery systems, from laboratory investigations to clinical applications, and their potential challenges, and the outlook for clinical translation is discussed. In addition, recent advances and progress of albumin-binding drugs to move more closely to the clinical settings are outlined.
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12
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Luo R, Liu H, Cheng Z. Protein scaffolds: Antibody alternative for cancer diagnosis and therapy. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:830-847. [PMID: 35866165 PMCID: PMC9257619 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00094f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost. These issues have led scientists to explore and develop novel antibody alternatives. Protein scaffolds are small monomeric proteins with stable tertiary structures and mutable residues, which emerged in the 1990s. By combining robust gene engineering and phage display techniques, libraries with sufficient diversity could be established for target binding scaffold selection. Given the properties of small size, high affinity, and excellent specificity and stability, protein scaffolds have been applied in basic research, and preclinical and clinical fields over the past two decades. To date, more than 20 types of protein scaffolds have been developed, with the most frequently used being affibody, adnectin, ANTICALIN®, DARPins, and knottin. In this review, we focus on the protein scaffold applications in cancer therapy and diagnosis in the last 5 years, and discuss the pros and cons, and strategies of optimization and design. Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Renli Luo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Hongguang Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Zhen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery Yantai Shandong 264117 China
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13
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Applying Synthetic Biology with Rational Design to Nature’s Greatest Challenges: Bioengineering Immunotherapeutics for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. IMMUNO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno2010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvements in bioengineering methodology and tools have allowed for significant progress in the development of therapeutics and diagnostics in medicine, as well as progress in many other diverse industries, such as materials manufacturing, food and agriculture, and consumer goods. Glioblastomas present significant challenges to adequate treatment, in part due to their immune-evasive and manipulative nature. Rational-design bioengineering using novel scaffolds, biomaterials, and inspiration across disciplines can push the boundaries in treatment development to create effective therapeutics for glioblastomas. In this review, we will discuss bioengineering strategies currently applied across diseases and disciplines to inspire creative development for GBM immunotherapies.
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14
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Xu J, Lin H, Wu G, Zhu M, Li M. IL-6/STAT3 Is a Promising Therapeutic Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:760971. [PMID: 34976809 PMCID: PMC8714735 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.760971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor of which the occurrence and development, the tumorigenicity of HCC is involving in multistep and multifactor interactions. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional inflammatory cytokine, has increased expression in HCC patients and is closely related to the occurrence of HCC and prognosis. IL-6 plays a role by binding to the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and then triggering the Janus kinase (JAK) associated with the receptor, stimulating phosphorylation and activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to initiate downstream signals, participating in the processes of anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer cells. IL-6/STAT3 signal axes elicit an immunosuppressive in tumor microenvironment, it is important to therapy HCC by blocking the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Recent, some inhibitors of IL-6/STAT3 have been development, such as S31-201 or IL-6 neutralizing monoclonal antibody (IL-6 mAb), Madindoline A (Inhibits the dimerization of IL-6/IL-6R/gpl30 trimeric complexes), C188-9 and Curcumin (Inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation), etc. for treatment of cancers. Overall, consideration of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, and its role in the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC will contribute to the development of potential drugs for targeting treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junnv Xu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Haifeng Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Mingyue Zhu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Mengsen Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
- Institution of Tumour, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
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15
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Uribe KB, Guisasola E, Aires A, López-Martínez E, Guedes G, Sasselli IR, Cortajarena AL. Engineered Repeat Protein Hybrids: The New Horizon for Biologic Medicines and Diagnostic Tools. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:4166-4177. [PMID: 34730945 PMCID: PMC8600599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusThe last decades have witnessed unprecedented scientific breakthroughs in all the fields of knowledge, from basic sciences to translational research, resulting in the drastic improvement of the lifespan and overall quality of life. However, despite these great advances, the treatment and diagnosis of some diseases remain a challenge. Inspired by nature, scientists have been exploring biomolecules and their derivatives as novel therapeutic/diagnostic agents. Among biomolecules, proteins raise much interest due to their high versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.Protein binders (binders) are proteins that bind other proteins, in certain cases, inhibiting or modulating their action. Given their therapeutic potential, binders are emerging as the next generation of biopharmaceuticals. The most well-known example of binders are antibodies, and inspired by them researchers have developed alternative binders using protein design approaches. Protein design can be based on naturally occurring proteins in which, by means of rational design or combinatorial approaches, new binding interfaces can be engineered to obtain specific functions or based on de novo proteins emerging from state-of-the-art computational methodologies.Among the novel designed proteins, a class of engineered repeat proteins, the consensus tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) proteins, stand out due to their stability and robustness. The CTPR unit is a helix-turn-helix motif constituted of 34 amino acids, of which only 8 are essential to ensure correct folding of the structure. The small number of conserved residues of CTPR proteins leaves plenty of freedom for functional mutations, making them a base scaffold that can be easily and reproducibly tailored to endow desired functions to the protein. For example, the introduction of metal-binding residues (e.g., histidines, cysteines) drives the coordination of metal ions and the subsequent formation of nanomaterials. Additionally, the CTPR unit can be conjugated with other peptides/proteins or repeated in tandem to encode larger CTPR proteins with superhelical structures. These properties allow for the design of both binder and nanomaterial-coordination modules as well as their combination within the same molecule, making the CTPR proteins, as we have demonstrated in several recent examples, the ideal platform to develop protein-nanomaterial hybrids. Generally, the fusion of two distinct materials exploits the best properties of each; however, in protein-nanomaterial hybrids, the fusion takes on a new dimension as new properties arise.These hybrids have ushered the use of protein-based nanomaterials as biopharmaceuticals beyond their original therapeutic scope and paved the way for their use as theranostic agents. Despite several reports of protein-stabilized nanomaterials found in the literature, these systems offer limited control in the synthesis and properties of the grown nanomaterials, as the protein acts just as a stabilizing agent with no significant functional contribution. Therefore, the rational design of protein-based nanomaterials as true theranostic agents is still incipient. In this context, CTPR proteins have emerged as promising scaffolds to hold simultaneously therapeutic and diagnostic functions through protein engineering, as it has been recently demonstrated in pioneering in vitro and in vivo examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kepa B. Uribe
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Eduardo Guisasola
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Antonio Aires
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Elena López-Martínez
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Gabriela Guedes
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ivan R. Sasselli
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Aitziber L. Cortajarena
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza de Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
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Zhong X, D’Antona AM. Recent Advances in the Molecular Design and Applications of Multispecific Biotherapeutics. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:13. [PMID: 33808165 PMCID: PMC8103270 DOI: 10.3390/antib10020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant protein-based biotherapeutics drugs have transformed clinical pipelines of the biopharmaceutical industry since the launch of recombinant insulin nearly four decades ago. These biologic drugs are structurally more complex than small molecules, and yet share a similar principle for rational drug discovery and development: That is to start with a pre-defined target and follow with the functional modulation with a therapeutic agent. Despite these tremendous successes, this "one target one drug" paradigm has been challenged by complex disease mechanisms that involve multiple pathways and demand new therapeutic routes. A rapidly evolving wave of multispecific biotherapeutics is coming into focus. These new therapeutic drugs are able to engage two or more protein targets via distinct binding interfaces with or without the chemical conjugation to large or small molecules. They possess the potential to not only address disease intricacy but also exploit new therapeutic mechanisms and assess undruggable targets for conventional monospecific biologics. This review focuses on the recent advances in molecular design and applications of major classes of multispecific biotherapeutics drugs, which include immune cells engagers, antibody-drug conjugates, multispecific tetherbodies, biologic matchmakers, and small-scaffold multispecific modalities. Challenges posed by the multispecific biotherapeutics drugs and their future outlooks are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Zhong
- Department of BioMedicine Design, Medicinal Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
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