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Zachhuber L, Filip T, Mozayani B, Löbsch M, Scheiner S, Vician P, Stanek J, Hacker M, Helbich TH, Wanek T, Berger W, Kuntner C. Characterization of a Syngeneic Orthotopic Model of Cholangiocarcinoma by [ 18F]FDG-PET/MRI. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2591. [PMID: 39061229 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142591] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a type of primary liver cancer originating from the biliary tract epithelium, characterized by limited treatment options for advanced cases and low survival rates. This study aimed to establish an orthotopic mouse model for CCA and monitor tumor growth using PET/MR imaging. Murine CCA cells were implanted into the liver lobe of male C57BL/6J mice. The imaging groups included contrast-enhanced (CE) MR, CE-MR with static [18F]FDG-PET, and dynamic [18F]FDG-PET. Tumor volume and FDG uptake were measured weekly over four weeks. Early tumor formation was visible in CE-MR images, with a gradual increase in volume over time. Dynamic FDG-PET revealed an increase in the metabolic glucose rate (MRGlu) over time. Blood analysis showed pathological changes in liver-related parameters. Lung metastases were observed in nearly all animals after four weeks. The study concludes that PET-MR imaging effectively monitors tumor progression in the CCA mouse model, providing insights into CCA development and potential treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Zachhuber
- Preclinical Imaging Lab (PIL), Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Filip
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics & Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Behrang Mozayani
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathilde Löbsch
- Core Facility Laboratory Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Scheiner
- Centre for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Applied and Experimental Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Vician
- Centre for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Applied and Experimental Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Stanek
- Preclinical Imaging Lab (PIL), Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Medical Imaging Cluster (MIC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas H Helbich
- Preclinical Imaging Lab (PIL), Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of General and Pediatric Radiology, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Wanek
- Preclinical Imaging Lab (PIL), Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Berger
- Centre for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Applied and Experimental Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Kuntner
- Preclinical Imaging Lab (PIL), Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Medical Imaging Cluster (MIC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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2
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Lee YR. A multidisciplinary approach with immunotherapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2023; 23:316-329. [PMID: 37743048 PMCID: PMC10565553 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2023.09.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive disease that is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Advanced HCC has limited treatment options and often has a poor prognosis. For the past decade, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been the only treatments approved for advanced HCC that have shown overall survival (OS) benefits; however, but their clinical efficacy has been limited. Recent trials have demonstrated promising advancements in survival outcomes through immunotherapy-based treatments, such as combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with other ICIs, antiangiogenic drugs, and locoregional therapies. The atezolizumab-bevacizumab and durvalumab-tremelimumab (STRIDE) regimen has significantly improved survival rates as a first-line treatment and has become the new standard of care. Therefore, combined treatments for advanced HCC can result in better treatment outcomes owing to their synergistic effects, which requires a multidisciplinary approach. Ongoing studies are examining other therapeutic innovations that can improve disease control and OS rates. Despite improvements in the treatment of advanced HCC, further studies on the optimal treatment selection and sequences, biomarker identification, combination approaches with other therapies, and development of novel immunotherapy agents are required. This review presents the current treatment options and clinical data of the ICI-based combination immunotherapies for advanced HCC from a multidisciplinary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rim Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
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3
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Yang SF, Weng MT, Liang JD, Chiou LL, Hsu YC, Lee YT, Liu SY, Wu MC, Chou HC, Wang LF, Yu SH, Lee HS, Sheu JC. Neoantigen vaccination augments antitumor effects of anti-PD-1 on mouse hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2023; 563:216192. [PMID: 37088327 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are groundbreaking resources for cancer therapy. However, only a few patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have shown positive responses to anti-PD-1 therapy. Neoantigens are sequence-altered proteins resulting from somatic mutations in cancer. This study identified the neoantigens of Hep-55.1C and Dt81 Hepa1-6 HCCs by comparing their whole exome sequences with those of a normal C57BL/6 mouse liver. Immunogenic long peptides were pooled as peptide vaccines. The vaccination elicited tumor-reactive immune responses in C57BL/6 mice, as demonstrated by IFN-γ ELISPOT and an in vitro killing assay of splenocytes. In the treatment of three mouse HCC models, combined neoantigen vaccination and anti-PD-1 resulted in more significant tumor regression than monotherapies. Flow cytometry of the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes showed decreased Treg cells and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, increased CD8+ T cells, enhanced granzyme B expression, and reduced exhaustion-related markers PD-1 and Lag-3 on CD8+ T cells in the combination group. These findings provide a strong rationale for conducting clinical studies of using neoantigen vaccination in combination with anti-PD-1 to treat patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Feng Yang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Meng-Tzu Weng
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ja-Der Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ling-Ling Chiou
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Chen Hsu
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ying-Te Lee
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shin-Yun Liu
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Meng-Chuan Wu
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Huei-Chi Chou
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Fang Wang
- Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shu-Han Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Hsuan-Shu Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Jin-Chuan Sheu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.
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4
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Rimassa L, Finn RS, Sangro B. Combination immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00178-2. [PMID: 36933770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been tested in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showing an objective response rate of 15-20%, mostly without a significant overall survival (OS) benefit. Furthermore, approximately 30% of HCC shows intrinsic resistance to ICIs. In the absence of predictive biomarkers to identify patients likely to benefit most from immunotherapy, research has moved to exploring combinations with potential activity in broader patient populations. Basket trials, including cohorts of patients with HCC, and early phase studies tested the combination of ICIs with antiangiogenic agents as well as the combination of two different ICIs. The achieved promising results provided the rationale for the following phase 3 trials, which tested the combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 with bevacizumab, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), or anti-CTLA-4. Positive results from the IMbrave150 trial led to the practice-changing approval of atezolizumab-bevacizumab, the first regimen to demonstrate improved survival in the front-line setting, since the approval of sorafenib. More recently, the HIMALAYA trial demonstrated the superiority of durvalumab-tremelimumab (STRIDE regimen) over sorafenib, establishing a new first-line option. In contrast, inconsistent results have been achieved with combinations of ICIs and TKIs, with only one phase 3 trial showing an OS benefit. The rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape for patients with advanced HCC has left significant unmet needs to be addressed in future research. These include choice and sequencing of treatments, identification of biomarkers, combinations with locoregional therapies, and development of new immunotherapy agents. This review summarizes the scientific rationale and available clinical data for combination immunotherapy in advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele (Milan), Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (Milan), Italy.
| | - Richard S Finn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit and HPB Oncology Area, Clinica Universidad de Navarra and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
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Thamm M, Rosenhain S, Leonardic K, Höfter A, Kiessling F, Osl F, Pöschinger T, Gremse F. Intrinsic Respiratory Gating for Simultaneous Multi-Mouse μCT Imaging to Assess Liver Tumors. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:878966. [PMID: 35872758 PMCID: PMC9299429 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.878966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Small animal micro computed tomography (μCT) is an important tool in cancer research and is used to quantify liver and lung tumors. A type of cancer that is intensively investigated with μCT is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). μCT scans acquire projections from different angles of the gantry which rotates X-ray source and detector around the animal. Motion of the animal causes inconsistencies between the projections which lead to artifacts in the resulting image. This is problematic in HCC research, where respiratory motion affects the image quality by causing hypodense intensity at the liver edge and smearing out small structures such as tumors. Dealing with respiratory motion is particularly difficult in a high throughput setting when multiple mice are scanned together and projection removal by retrospective respiratory gating may compromise image quality and dose efficiency. In mice, inhalation anesthesia leads to a regular respiration with short gasps and long phases of negligible motion. Using this effect and an iterative reconstruction which can cope with missing angles, we discard the relatively few projections in which the gasping motion occurs. Moreover, since gated acquisition, i.e., acquiring multiple projections from a single gantry angle is not a requirement, this method can be applied to existing scans. We applied our method in a high throughput setting in which four mice with HCC tumors were scanned simultaneously in a multi-mouse bed. To establish a ground truth, we manually selected projections with visible respiratory motion. Our automated intrinsic breathing projection selection achieved an accordance of 97% with manual selection. We reconstructed volumetric images and demonstrated that our intrinsic gating method significantly reduces the hypodense depiction at the cranial liver edge and improves the detectability of small tumors. Furthermore, we show that projection removal in a four mice scan discards only 7.5% more projections than in a single-mouse setting, i.e., four mouse scanning does not substantially compromise dose efficiency or image quality. To the best of our knowledge, no comparable method that combines multi-mouse scans for high throughput, intrinsic respiratory gating, and an available iterative reconstruction has been described for liver tumor imaging before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Thamm
- Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Gremse-IT GmbH, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Fabian Kiessling
- Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Franz Osl
- Discovery Pharmacology, Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Pöschinger
- Discovery Pharmacology, Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Gremse-IT GmbH, Aachen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Felix Gremse
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Qi X, Wu F, Kim SH, Kaifi JT, Kimchi ET, Snyder H, Illendula A, Fox T, Kester M, Staveley-O'Carroll KF, Li G. Nanoliposome C6-Ceramide in combination with anti-CTLA4 antibody improves anti-tumor immunity in hepatocellular cancer. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22250. [PMID: 35294071 PMCID: PMC9297193 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101707r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Combination therapy represents an effective therapeutic approach to overcome hepatocellular cancer (HCC) resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Based upon previous work demonstrating that nanoliposome C6‐ceramide (LipC6) not only induces HCC apoptosis but also prevents HCC‐induced immune tolerance, we now investigate the potential of LipC6 in combination with ICB in HCC treatment. We generated orthotopic HCC‐bearing mice, which have typical features in common with human patients, and then treated them with LipC6 in combination with the antibodies (Abs) for programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) or cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4). The tumor growth was monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the intrahepatic immune profiles were checked by flow cytometry in response to the treatments. Realtime PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of target genes. The results show that LipC6 in combination with anti‐CTLA4 Ab, but not anti‐PD‐1 Ab, significantly slowed tumor growth, enhanced tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and suppressed tumor‐resident CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs. Further molecular investigation indicates that the combinational treatment suppressed transcriptional factor Krüppel‐like Factor 2 (KLF2), forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), and CTLA4. Our studies suggest that LipC6 in combination with anti‐CTLA4 Ab represents a novel therapeutic approach with significant potential in activating anti‐HCC immune response and suppressing HCC growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Qi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jussuf T Kaifi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Eric T Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Helena Snyder
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Anuradha Illendula
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Todd Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kevin F Staveley-O'Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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7
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Meng Z, Wu J, Liu X, Zhou W, Ni M, Liu S, Guo S, Jia S, Zhang J. Identification of potential hub genes associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma via integrated bioinformatics analysis. J Int Med Res 2021; 48:300060520910019. [PMID: 32722976 PMCID: PMC7391448 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520910019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective was to identify potential hub genes associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Gene expression profile datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and normal samples were identified via an integrated analysis. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed and analyzed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software, and enrichment analyses were carried out through DAVID. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and Kaplan–Meier plotter were used to determine expression and prognostic values of hub genes. Results We identified 11 hub genes (CDK1, CCNB2, CDC20, CCNB1, TOP2A, CCNA2, MELK, PBK, TPX2, KIF20A, and AURKA) that might be closely related to the pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC. Enrichment analyses indicated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolism-associated pathways, and hub genes and module 1 were highly associated with cell cycle pathway. Conclusions In this study, we identified key genes of HCC, which indicated directions for further research into diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that could facilitate targeted molecular therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Meng
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinkui Liu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mengwei Ni
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyu Liu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Siyu Guo
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Jia
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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8
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Preclinical models and technologies to advance nanovaccine development. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 172:148-182. [PMID: 33711401 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable success of targeted immunotherapies is revolutionizing cancer treatment. However, tumor heterogeneity and low immunogenicity, in addition to several tumor-associated immunosuppression mechanisms are among the major factors that have precluded the success of cancer vaccines as targeted cancer immunotherapies. The exciting outcomes obtained in patients upon the injection of tumor-specific antigens and adjuvants intratumorally, reinvigorated interest in the use of nanotechnology to foster the delivery of vaccines to address cancer unmet needs. Thus, bridging nano-based vaccine platform development and predicted clinical outcomes the selection of the proper preclinical model will be fundamental. Preclinical models have revealed promising outcomes for cancer vaccines. However, only few cases were associated with clinical responses. This review addresses the major challenges related to the translation of cancer nano-based vaccines to the clinic, discussing the requirements for ex vivo and in vivo models of cancer to ensure the translation of preclinical success to patients.
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9
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Lee S, Kim YY, Ahn HJ. Systemic delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to hepatic tumors for cancer treatment using altered tropism of lentiviral vector. Biomaterials 2021; 272:120793. [PMID: 33836291 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic application of CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases remains a challenge due to the lack of efficient in vivo delivery carriers. Here, we examine the ability of lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with hepatitis C virus (HCV)/E1E2 envelope glycoproteins to systemically deliver CRISPR/Cas9 to hepatic tumors in vivo. We demonstrated that systemic administration of E1E2-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors can selectively deliver Cas9 and sgRNA specific for kinesin spindle protein (KSP) to Huh7 tumors in the orthotopic Huh7 mice due to the specific interactions between E1E2 and their cellular receptors. This specific delivery leads to effective KSP gene disruption, potently inhibiting tumor growth. Furthermore, we demonstrated that E1E2-pseudotyping is more suitable for systemic delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 in cancer therapy than vesicular stomatitis virus-pseudotyping, the most widely used pseudotyping, because of stability in human serum, little transduction to DCs, low innate immune response, and cell-specific targeting ability. This study suggests that E1E2-pseudotyped lentivirus carrying CRISPR/Cas9 can substantially benefit the treatment of Huh7 tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Lee
- Department of Viral Immunology, Scripps Korea Antibody Institute, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Young-Youb Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyung Jun Ahn
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
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10
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Woeste MR, Geller AE, Martin RCG, Polk HC. Optimizing the Combination of Immunotherapy and Trans-Arterial Locoregional Therapy for Stages B and C Hepatocellular Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2021; 28:1499-1510. [PMID: 33393028 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-020-09414-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary hepatic malignancy worldwide, is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Underlying liver dysfunction and advanced stage of disease require treatments to be optimally timed and implemented to minimize hepatic parenchymal damage while maximizing disease response and quality of life. Locoregional therapies (LRTs) such as trans-arterial chemo- and radio-embolization remain effective for intermediate liver-only and advanced HCC disease (i.e., Barcelona-Clinic liver cancer stages B and C) not amendable to primary resection or ablation. Additionally, these minimally invasive interventions have been shown to augment the immune system. This and the recent success of immune-oncologic treatments for HCC have generated interest in applying these therapies in combination with such locoregional interventions to improve patient outcomes and response rates. This report reviews the use of trans-arterial LRTs with immunotherapy for stages B and C HCC, potential biomarkers, and imaging methods for assessing the response and safety of such combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Woeste
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Anne E Geller
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Hiram C Polk
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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11
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Allen SD, Liu X, Jiang J, Liao YP, Chang CH, Nel AE, Meng H. Immune checkpoint inhibition in syngeneic mouse cancer models by a silicasome nanocarrier delivering a GSK3 inhibitor. Biomaterials 2020; 269:120635. [PMID: 33422940 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Checkpoint blocking antibodies that interfere in the PD-1/PD-L1 axis provide effective cancer immunotherapy for tumors that are immune inflamed or induced to become "hot". It has also been demonstrated that a small molecule inhibitor of the signaling hub kinase GSK3 can interfere in the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in T-cells by suppressing PD-1 expression. This provides an alternative approach to intervening in the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to provide cancer immunotherapy. In this communication, we demonstrate the remote loading of GSK3 inhibitor AZD1080 into the porous interior of mesoporous silica nanoparticles coated with a lipid bilayer (a.k.a. silicasomes). In a MC38 colon cancer model, intravenous injection (IV) of silicasome-encapsulated AZD1080 significantly improved biodistribution and drug delivery to the tumor site. The improved drug delivery was accompanied by cytotoxic MC38 tumor cell killing by perforin-releasing CD8+ T-cells, exhibiting reduced PD-1 expression. IV injection of encapsulated AZD1080 also resulted in significant tumor shrinkage in other syngeneic mouse tumor models, including another colorectal tumor (CT26), as well as pancreas (KPC) and lung (LLC) cancer models. Not only was the therapeutic efficacy of encapsulated AZD1080 similar or better than anti-PD-1 antibody, but the treatment was devoid of treatment toxicity. These results provide proof-of-principal demonstration of the feasibility of using encapsulated delivery of a GSK3 inhibitor to provide cancer immunotherapy, with the possibility to be used as a monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy or other immunomodulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean D Allen
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiangsheng Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jinhong Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Pei Liao
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chong Hyun Chang
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andre E Nel
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Huan Meng
- Department of Medicine, Division of NanoMedicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Bresnahan E, Lindblad KE, Ruiz de Galarreta M, Lujambio A. Mouse Models of Oncoimmunology in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:5276-5286. [PMID: 32327473 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and incidence is on the rise. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, with a complex etiology and limited treatment options. The standard-of-care treatment for patients with advanced HCC is sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that offers limited survival benefit. In the past years, therapeutic options for the treatment of advanced HCC have increased substantially, including additional multikinase inhibitors as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab were approved in 2017 and 2018, respectively, as second-line treatment in advanced HCC. These drugs, both targeting the programmed death-1 pathway, demonstrate unprecedented results, with objective response rates of approximately 20%. However, the majority of patients do not respond, necessitating the identification of biomarkers of response and resistance to immunotherapy. With the recent success of immunotherapies in oncology, mouse models that better recapitulate the human disease and antitumor immune response are needed. This review lists ongoing clinical trials testing immunotherapy in HCC, briefly discusses the unique immunosuppressive environment of the liver, and then delves into the most applicable current murine model systems to study oncoimmunology within the context of HCC, including syngeneic, genetically engineered, and humanized models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Bresnahan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Katherine E Lindblad
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Marina Ruiz de Galarreta
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York. .,Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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