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Li F, Wu H, Du X, Sun Y, Rausseo BN, Talukder A, Katailiha A, Elzohary L, Wang Y, Wang Z, Lizée G. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted Neoantigen Peptide Vaccination for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Glioblastoma. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1460. [PMID: 37766136 PMCID: PMC10534925 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays crucial roles in several important biological functions such as embryogenesis, epithelial tissue development, and cellular regeneration. However, in multiple solid tumor types overexpression and/or activating mutations of the EGFR gene frequently occur, thus hijacking the EGFR signaling pathway to promote tumorigenesis. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors in particular often contain prevalent and shared EGFR mutations that provide an ideal source for public neoantigens (NeoAg). Studies in both humans and animal models have confirmed the immunogenicity of some of these NeoAg peptides, suggesting that they may constitute viable targets for cancer immunotherapies. Peptide vaccines targeting mutated EGFR have been tested in multiple clinical trials, demonstrating an excellent safety profile and encouraging clinical efficacy. For example, the CDX-110 (rindopepimut) NeoAg peptide vaccine derived from the EGFRvIII deletion mutant in combination with temozolomide and radiotherapy has shown efficacy in treating EGFRvIII-harboring glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients undergone surgery in multiple Phase I and II clinical trials. Furthermore, pilot clinical trials that have administered personalized NeoAg peptides for treating advanced-stage NSCLC patients have shown this approach to be a feasible and safe method to increase antitumor immune responses. Amongst the vaccine peptides administered, EGFR mutation-targeting NeoAgs induced the strongest T cell-mediated immune responses in patients and were also associated with objective clinical responses, implying a promising future for NeoAg peptide vaccines for treating NSCLC patients with selected EGFR mutations. The efficacy of NeoAg-targeting peptide vaccines may be further improved by combining with other modalities such as tyrosine kinase or immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, which are currently being tested in animal models and clinical trials. Herein, we review the most current basic and clinical research progress on EGFR-targeted peptide vaccination for the treatment of NSCLC and other solid tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenge Li
- Core Laboratory, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin 300400, China
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin 300400, China
| | - Huancheng Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin 300400, China
| | - Xueming Du
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin 300400, China
| | - Yimo Sun
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Barbara Nassif Rausseo
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Amjad Talukder
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Arjun Katailiha
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Lama Elzohary
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Yupeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin 300400, China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Gregory Lizée
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
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Saka M, Amano T, Kajiwara K, Yoshikawa K, Ideguchi M, Nomura S, Fujisawa H, Kato S, Fujii M, Ueno K, Hinoda Y, Suzuki M. Vaccine therapy with dendritic cells transfected with Il13ra2 mRNA for glioma in mice. J Neurosurg 2010; 113:270-9. [PMID: 19895199 DOI: 10.3171/2009.9.jns09708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT The Il13ra2 gene is often overexpressed in brain tumors, making Il13ra2 one of the vaccine targets for immunotherapy of glioma. In this study, using a mouse glioma model, the authors tested the hypothesis that vaccination using dendritic cells transfected with Il13ra2 mRNA induces strong immunological antitumor effects. METHODS A plasmid was constructed for transduction of the mRNAs transcribed in vitro into dendritic cells. This was done to transport the intracellular protein efficiently into major histocompatibility complex class II compartments by adding a late endosomal/lysosomal sorting signal to the Il13ra2 gene. The dendritic cells transfected with this Il13ra2 mRNA were injected intraperitoneally into the mouse glioma model at 3 and 10 days after tumor cell implantation. The antitumor effects were estimated based on the survival rate, results of histological analysis, and immunohistochemical findings for immune cells. RESULTS The group treated by vaccination therapy with dendritic cells transfected with Il13ra2 mRNA survived significantly longer than did the control groups. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that greater numbers of T lymphocytes containing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were found in the group vaccinated with dendritic cells transfected with Il13ra2 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of vaccination with dendritic cells transfected with Il13ra2 mRNA for the treatment of malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Saka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Kong LY, Abou-Ghazal MK, Wei J, Chakraborty A, Sun W, Qiao W, Fuller GN, Fokt I, Grimm EA, Schmittling RJ, Archer GE, Sampson JH, Priebe W, Heimberger AB. A novel inhibitor of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 activation is efficacious against established central nervous system melanoma and inhibits regulatory T cells. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:5759-68. [PMID: 18794085 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-0377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been identified as a central mediator of melanoma growth and metastasis. We hypothesized that WP1066, a novel STAT3 blockade agent, has marked antitumor activity, even against the melanoma metastasis to brain, a site typically refractory to therapies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The antitumor activities and related mechanisms of WP1066 were investigated both in vitro on melanoma cell lines and in vivo on mice with subcutaneously syngeneic melanoma or with intracerebral melanoma tumors. RESULTS WP1066 achieved an IC(50) of 1.6, 2.3, and 1.5 mumol/L against melanoma cell line A375, B16, and B16EGFRvIII, respectively. WP1066 suppressed the phosphorylation of Janus-activated kinase 2 and STAT3 (Tyr705) in these cells. Tumor growth in mice with subcutaneously established syngeneic melanoma was markedly inhibited by WP1066 compared with that in controls. Long-term survival (>78 days) was observed in 80% of mice with established intracerebral syngeneic melanoma treated with 40 mg/kg of WP1066 in contrast to control mice who survived for a median of 15 days. Although WP1066 did not induce immunologic memory or enhance humoral responses to EGFRvIII, this compound reduced the production of immunosuppressive cytokines and chemokines (transforming growth factor-beta, RANTES, MCP-1, vascular endothelial growth factor), markedly inhibited natural and inducible Treg proliferation, and significantly increased cytotoxic immune responses of T cells. CONCLUSIONS The antitumor cytotoxic effects of WP1066 and its ability to induce antitumor immune responses suggest that this compound has potential for the effective treatment of melanoma metastatic to brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Yuan Kong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Jiang X, Lu X, Liu R, Zhang F, Zhao H. HLA Tetramer Based Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cells Efficiently Stimulate CTLs Specific for Malignant Glioma. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:7329-34. [PMID: 18094414 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13R alpha 2) is a glioma-restricted cell-surface epitope not otherwise detected within the central nervous system. Here, we report a novel approach for targeting malignant glioma with IL-13R alpha 2-specific CTLs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPC) were made by coating human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2/pIL-13R alpha 2(345-354) tetrameric complexes, anti-CD28 antibody, and CD83 molecules to cell-sized latex beads, and used to stimulate IL-13R alpha 2-specific CTLs from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HLA-A2+ healthy donors. After multiple stimulations, the induced CTLs were analyzed for tetramer staining, IFN-gamma production, and CTL reactivity. RESULTS Tetramer staining assay showed that the induced CTLs specifically bound HLA-A2/pIL-13R alpha 2(345-354) tetramers. The CTLs specifically produced IFN-gamma in response to the HLA-A2/pIL-13R alpha 2(345-354)-aAPCs and exhibited specific lysis against T2 cells pulsed with the peptide pIL-13R alpha 2(345-354) and HLA-A2+ glioma cells expressing IL-13R alpha 2(345-354), whereas HLA-A2(-) glioma cell lines that express IL-13R alpha 2(345-354) could not be recognized by the CTLs. The peptide-specific activity was inhibited by anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibody. CONCLUSION The induced CTLs specific for IL-13R alpha 2(345-354) peptide could be a potential target of specific immunotherapy for HLA-A2+ patients with malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Amano T, Kajiwara K, Yoshikawa K, Morioka J, Nomura S, Fujisawa H, Kato S, Fujii M, Fukui M, Hinoda Y, Suzuki M. Antitumor effects of vaccination with dendritic cells transfected with modified receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility mRNA in a mouse glioma model. J Neurosurg 2007; 106:638-45. [PMID: 17432716 DOI: 10.3171/jns.2007.106.4.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT The receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) is frequently overexpressed in brain tumors and was recently identified as an immunogenic antigen by using serological screening of cDNA expression libraries. In this study, which was conducted using a mouse glioma model, the authors tested the hypothesis that vaccination with dendritic cells transfected with RHAMM mRNA induces strong immunological antitumor effects. METHODS The authors constructed a plasmid for transduction of the mRNAs transcribed in vitro into dendritic cells, which were then used to transport the intracellular protein RHAMM efficiently into major histocompatibility complex class II compartments by adding a late endosomal-lysosomal sorting signal to the RHAMM gene. The dendritic cells transfected with this RHAMM mRNA were injected intraperitoneally into the mouse glioma model 3 and 10 days after tumor cell implantation. The antitumor effects of the vaccine were estimated by the survival rate, histological analysis, and immunohistochemical findings for immune cells. Mice in the group treated by vaccination therapy with dendritic cells transfected with RHAMM mRNA survived significantly longer than those in the control groups. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that greater numbers of T lymphocytes containing T cells activated by CD4+, CD8+, and CD25+ were found in the group vaccinated with dendritic cells transfected with RHAMM mRNA. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of vaccination with dendritic cells transfected with RHAMM mRNA for the treatment of malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Amano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Liau LM, Prins RM, Kiertscher SM, Odesa SK, Kremen TJ, Giovannone AJ, Lin JW, Chute DJ, Mischel PS, Cloughesy TF, Roth MD. Dendritic cell vaccination in glioblastoma patients induces systemic and intracranial T-cell responses modulated by the local central nervous system tumor microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 11:5515-25. [PMID: 16061868 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-0464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 387] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We previously reported that autologous dendritic cells pulsed with acid-eluted tumor peptides can stimulate T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses against brain tumors in animal models. As a next step in vaccine development, a phase I clinical trial was established to evaluate this strategy for its feasibility, safety, and induction of systemic and intracranial T-cell responses in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Twelve patients were enrolled into a multicohort dose-escalation study and treated with 1, 5, or 10 million autologous dendritic cells pulsed with constant amounts (100 mug per injection) of acid-eluted autologous tumor peptides. All patients had histologically proven glioblastoma multiforme. Three biweekly intradermal vaccinations were given; and patients were monitored for adverse events, survival, and immune responses. The follow-up period for this trial was almost 5 years. RESULTS Dendritic cell vaccinations were not associated with any evidence of dose-limiting toxicity or serious adverse effects. One patient had an objective clinical response documented by magnetic resonance imaging. Six patients developed measurable systemic antitumor CTL responses. However, the induction of systemic effector cells did not necessarily translate into objective clinical responses or increased survival, particularly for patients with actively progressing tumors and/or those with tumors expressing high levels of transforming growth factor beta(2) (TGF-beta(2)). Increased intratumoral infiltration by cytotoxic T cells was detected in four of eight patients who underwent reoperation after vaccination. The magnitude of the T-cell infiltration was inversely correlated with TGF-beta(2) expression within the tumors and positively correlated with clinical survival (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS Together, our results suggest that the absence of bulky, actively progressing tumor, coupled with low TGF-beta(2) expression, may identify a subgroup of glioma patients to target as potential responders in future clinical investigations of dendritic cell-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Liau
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
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