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Lundstrom K. Application of DNA Replicons in Gene Therapy and Vaccine Development. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030947. [PMID: 36986808 PMCID: PMC10054396 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-based gene therapy and vaccine development has received plenty of attention lately. DNA replicons based on self-replicating RNA viruses such as alphaviruses and flaviviruses have been of particular interest due to the amplification of RNA transcripts leading to enhanced transgene expression in transfected host cells. Moreover, significantly reduced doses of DNA replicons compared to conventional DNA plasmids can elicit equivalent immune responses. DNA replicons have been evaluated in preclinical animal models for cancer immunotherapy and for vaccines against infectious diseases and various cancers. Strong immune responses and tumor regression have been obtained in rodent tumor models. Immunization with DNA replicons has provided robust immune responses and protection against challenges with pathogens and tumor cells. DNA replicon-based COVID-19 vaccines have shown positive results in preclinical animal models.
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Roshani M, Jafari A, Loghman A, Sheida AH, Taghavi T, Tamehri Zadeh SS, Hamblin MR, Homayounfal M, Mirzaei H. Applications of resveratrol in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113274. [PMID: 35724505 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural product compounds have lately attracted interest in the scientific community as a possible treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, due to their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. There are many preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies, suggesting that the consumption of polyphenol compounds, which are abundant in vegetables, grains, fruits, and pulses, may help to prevent various illnesses and disorders from developing, including several GI cancers. The development of GI malignancies follows a well-known path, in which normal gastrointestinal cells acquire abnormalities in their genetic composition, causing the cells to continuously proliferate, and metastasize to other sites, especially the brain and liver. Natural compounds with the ability to affect oncogenic pathways might be possible treatments for GI malignancies, and could easily be tested in clinical trials. Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol and a natural stilbene, acting as a phytoestrogen with anti-cancer, cardioprotective, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol has been shown to overcome resistance mechanisms in cancer cells, and when combined with conventional anticancer drugs, could sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. Several new resveratrol analogs and nanostructured delivery vehicles with improved anti-GI cancer efficacy, absorption, and pharmacokinetic profiles have already been developed. This present review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo effects of resveratrol on GI cancers, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Roshani
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Jafari
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Amir Hossein Sheida
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | | | | | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Mina Homayounfal
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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Liu J, Tu X, Liu L, Fang W. Advances in CAR-T cell therapy for malignant solid tumors. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2022; 51:175-184. [PMID: 36161290 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2022-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
T cells modified by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) have the advantage of major histocompatibility complex-independent recognition of tumor-associated antigens, so can achieve efficient response to tumor targets. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown a good therapeutic effect in hematological malignancies; however, its efficacy is generally not satisfactory for solid tumors. The reasons include the lack of tumor specific antigen target on solid tumors, the uncertainty of homing ability of engineered T cells and the inhibitory immune microenvironment of tumors. In clinical trials, the targets of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors are mainly disialoganglioside (GD2), claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2), mesenchymal, B7 homolog 3 (B7H3), glypican (GPC) 3 and epidermal growth factor receptor variant Ш (EGFRvШ)Ⅲ. Combination of CAR-T cells with oncolytic viruses, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and programmed death ligand-1 monoclonal antibodies may increase its efficacy. The CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors can be optimized through gene editing to enhance the activity of CAR-T cells, adding corresponding regulatory components to make the activation of CAR-T cells safer and more controllable, and enhancing the persistence of CAR-T cells. In this article, we review the latest advances of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors to provide new insights for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Liu
- 1. Department of General Medicine, People's Hospital of Changshan County, Quzhou 324200, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Tu
- 2. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Early Warning and Intervention of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Lulu Liu
- 2. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Early Warning and Intervention of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Weijia Fang
- 2. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Early Warning and Intervention of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310003, China
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Natural Killer (CAR NK) Cells in Cancer Treatment; Recent Advances and Future Prospects. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2081-2106. [PMID: 34472037 PMCID: PMC8410173 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate immunity lymphocytes and have a critical role in host defense against malignant cells. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirects the specificity of the immune cell against a target-specific antigen. ACT has recently created an outstanding opportunity for cancer treatment. Unlike CAR-armored T cells which hadnsome shortcomings as the CAR-receiving construct, Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independency, shorter lifespan, the potential to produce an off-the-shelf immune product, and potent anti-tumor properties of the NK cells has introduced NK cells as a potent alternative target for expression of CAR. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview on the current improvements in CAR NK design and immunobiology and describe the potential of CAR-modified NK cells as an alternative “off-the-shelf” carrier of CAR. We also provide lists for the sources of NK cells in the process of CAR NK cell production, different methods for transduction of the CAR genetic sequence to NK cells, the differences between CAR T and CAR NK, and CAR NK-targeted tumor antigens in current studies. Additionally, we provide data on recently published preclinical and clinical studies of CAR NK therapy and a list of finished and ongoing clinical trials. For achieving CAR NK products with higher efficacy and safety, we discuss current challenges in transduction and expansion of CAR NK cells, CAR NK therapy side effects, and challenges that limit the optimal efficacy of CAR NK cells and recommend possible solutions to enhance the persistence, function, safety, and efficacy of CAR NK cells with a special focus on solid tumors.
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Sharifian M, Baharvand P, Moayyedkazemi A. Liver Cancer: New Insights into Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatments. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394717666210219104201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer
that has increased in recent years worldwide. Primary liver cancer or HCC is considered the 5th and
7th most common cancer among men and women, respectively. It is also the second leading cause
of cancer death worldwide. Unfortunately, HCC is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage when
the majority of the patients do not have access to remedial therapies. Furthermore, current systemic
chemotherapy shows low efficacy and minimum survival benefits. Liver cancer therapy is a multidisciplinary,
multiple-choice treatment based on the complex interaction of the tumour stage, the
degree of liver disease, and the patient's general state of health.
Methods:
In this paper, we reviewed new insights into nonsurgical and surgical treatment of liver
cancer in five English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google
Scholar up to December 2019.
Results:
The results demonstrated, in addition to current therapies such as chemotherapy and surgical
resection, new approaches, including immunotherapy, viral therapy, gene therapy, new ablation
therapies, and adjuvant therapy, are widely used for the treatment of HCC. In recent years, biomaterials
such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, and nanofibers are also regarded as reliable
and innovative patents for the treatment and study of liver cancers.
Conclusion:
Multidisciplinary and multi-choice treatments and therapies are available for this liver
cancer, while there are differences in liver cancer management recommendations among specialties
and geographic areas. Current results have shown that treatment strategies have been combined
with the advancement of novel treatment modalities. In addition, the use of new approaches with
greater efficacy, such as combination therapy, biomaterials, ablation therapy, etc. can be considered
the preferred treatment for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Sharifian
- Department of Surgery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Parastoo Baharvand
- Department of Social Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Alireza Moayyedkazemi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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Wendel P, Reindl LM, Bexte T, Künnemeyer L, Särchen V, Albinger N, Mackensen A, Rettinger E, Bopp T, Ullrich E. Arming Immune Cells for Battle: A Brief Journey through the Advancements of T and NK Cell Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061481. [PMID: 33807011 PMCID: PMC8004685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review is intended to provide an overview on the history and recent advances of T cell and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. While the thymus was discovered as the origin of T cells in the 1960s, and NK cells were first described in 1975, the clinical application of adoptive cell therapies (ACT) only began in the early 1980s with the first lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell product for the treatment of cancer patients. Over the past decades, further immunotherapies have been developed, including ACT using cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, products based on the NK cell line NK-92 as well as specific T and NK cell preparations. Recent advances have successfully improved the effectiveness of T, NK, CIK or NK-92 cells towards tumor-targeting antigens generated by genetic engineering of the immune cells. Herein, we summarize the promising development of ACT over the past decades in the fight against cancer. Abstract The promising development of adoptive immunotherapy over the last four decades has revealed numerous therapeutic approaches in which dedicated immune cells are modified and administered to eliminate malignant cells. Starting in the early 1980s, lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells were the first ex vivo generated NK cell-enriched products utilized for adoptive immunotherapy. Over the past decades, various immunotherapies have been developed, including cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, as a peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)-based therapeutic product, the adoptive transfer of specific T and NK cell products, and the NK cell line NK-92. In addition to allogeneic NK cells, NK-92 cell products represent a possible “off-the-shelf” therapeutic concept. Recent approaches have successfully enhanced the specificity and cytotoxicity of T, NK, CIK or NK-92 cells towards tumor-specific or associated target antigens generated by genetic engineering of the immune cells, e.g., to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Here, we will look into the history and recent developments of T and NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wendel
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Reindl
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tobias Bexte
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leander Künnemeyer
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Särchen
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Nawid Albinger
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Medicine 5, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Tobias Bopp
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- University Cancer Center Mainz, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Children’s Hospital, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.W.); (L.M.R.); (T.B.); (L.K.); (N.A.); (E.R.)
- Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Sheikh-Hosseini M, Larijani B, Gholipoor Kakroodi Z, Shokoohi M, Moarefzadeh M, Sayahpour FA, Goodarzi P, Arjmand B. Gene Therapy as an Emerging Therapeutic Approach to Breast Cancer: New Developments and Challenges. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1330-1345. [PMID: 33307949 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, which is the consequence of several genetic and environmental factors. Also, it is one of the most common causes of cancer death and second leading cancer among women all around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel therapeutic approaches useful for the successful treatment of breast cancer. As conventional treatments had limited success, alternative approaches for the treatment of breast cancer have been applied in recent years. Hence, the molecular basis of breast cancer has provided the opportunity of using genetic materials for therapeutic uses. In this regard, gene therapy as one of the potentially efficient and beneficial treatments among various techniques became a popular treatment for different cancers, especially breast cancer. Accordingly, there are plenty of targets available for gene therapy of breast cancer. Gene therapy strategies have the potential to correct molecular defects that contributed to the cancer progression. These techniques should selectively target tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Moreover, data of clinical trials in gene therapy for breast cancer indicated that this approach has little toxicity compared to other therapeutic approaches. In this study, different aspects of breast neoplasm, gene therapy techniques, challenges, and recent developments will be mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Sheikh-Hosseini
- Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Gholipoor Kakroodi
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Shokoohi
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Moarefzadeh
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Azam Sayahpour
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Goodarzi
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Arjmand
- Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yu S, Yi M, Qin S, Wu K. Next generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells: safety strategies to overcome toxicity. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:125. [PMID: 31429760 PMCID: PMC6701025 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is an emerging and effective cancer immunotherapy. Especially in hematological malignancies, CAR-T cells have achieved exciting results. Two Anti-CD19 CAR-T therapies have been approved for the treatment of CD19-positive leukemia or lymphoma. However, the application of CAR-T cells is obviously hampered by the adverse effects, such as cytokines release syndrome and on-target off-tumor toxicity. In some clinical trials, patients quitted the treatment of CAR-T cells due to life-threatening toxicity. Seeking to alleviate these toxicities or prevent the occurrence, researchers have developed a number of safety strategies of CAR-T cells, including suicide genes, synthetic Notch receptor, on-switch CAR, combinatorial target-antigen recognition, bispecific T cell engager and inhibitory CAR. This review summarized the preclinical studies and clinical trials of the safety strategies of CAR-T cells and their respective strengths and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Yu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Qin
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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Xiao J, Wang X, Wu Y, Zhao Q, Liu X, Zhang G, Zhao Z, Ning Y, Wang K, Tan Y, Du B. Synergistic effect of resveratrol and HSV-TK/GCV therapy on murine hepatoma cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2018; 20:183-191. [PMID: 30257140 PMCID: PMC6343688 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1523094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its low transfer efficiency, suicide gene therapy with HSV-TK is known for its bystander killing effect. The connexin-based gap junction is believed to mediate the bystander effect. Recently, we found that resveratrol, a polyphenol compound, increased the expression of Cx26 and Cx43, which are connexins and important constituents of gap junctions, in murine hepatoma cells. Hypothetically, the resveratrol-induced upregulation of gap junctions may improve the bystander effect that HSV-TK/GCV has on hepatoma cells. Our present investigation revealed that resveratrol could enhance intercellular communication at the gap junctions in CBRH7919 hepatoma cells and thereby enhance the bystander killing effect of GCV on CBRH7919TK cells. However, inhibition of gap junction using its long-term inhibitor alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid had a negative influence on the bystander effect of gene therapy with HSV-TK/GCV. In addition, combined resveratrol and GCV treatment in tumor-bearing mice with CBRH7919TK and CBRH7919WT cells at a ratio of 2:3 resulted in a significant decrease in the volume and weight of the tumor in comparison to GCV or only resveratrol. The present results demonstrate that resveratrol can enhance the bystander effect exerted by the HSV-TK/GCV system by enhancing connexin-mediated gap junctional communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Xiao
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China.,b Research Center for Integrative Medicine , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Yingya Wu
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Qing Zhao
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Guangxian Zhang
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Zengqiang Zhao
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Yizhen Ning
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Kun Wang
- c Department of Pathology , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Yuhui Tan
- a Department of Biochemistry , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
| | - Biaoyan Du
- c Department of Pathology , Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou , China
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Li J, Zhou P, Li L, Zhang Y, Shao Y, Tang L, Tian S. Effects of Cationic Microbubble Carrying CD/TK Double Suicide Gene and αVβ3 Integrin Antibody in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158592. [PMID: 27391603 PMCID: PMC4938599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mostly derived from hepatitis or cirrhosisis, is one of the most common types of liver cancer. T-cell mediated immune response elicited by CD/TK double suicide gene has shown a substantial antitumor effect in HCC. Integrin αVβ3 over expresssion has been suggested to regulate the biology behavior of HCC. In this study, we investigated the strategy of incorporating CD/TK double suicide gene and anti-αVβ3 integrin monoclonal antibodies into cationic microbubbles (CMBsαvβ3), and evaluated its killing effect in HCC cells. Methods To improve the transfection efficiency of targeted CD/TK double suicide gene, we adopted cationic microbubbles (CMBs), a cationic delivery agent with enhanced DNA-carrying capacity. The ultrasound and high speed shearing method was used to prepare the non-targeting cationic microbubbles (CMBs). Using the biotin-avidin bridge method, αVβ3 integrin antibody was conjugated to CMBs, and CMBsαvβ3 was generated to specifically target to HepG2 cells. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the CMBsαvβ3 was detected by optical microscope and zeta detector. The conjugation of plasmid and the antibody in CMBsαvβ3 were examined by immunofluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. The binding capacities of CMBsαvβ3 and CMBs to HCC HepG2 and normal L-02 cells were compared using rosette formation assay. To detect EGFP fluorescence and examine the transfection efficiencies of CMBsαvβ3 and CMBs in HCC cells, fluorescence microscope and contrast-enhanced sonography were adopted. mRNA and protein level of CD/TK gene were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. To evaluate the anti-tumor effect of CMBsαvβ3, HCC cells with CMBsαvβ3 were exposed to 5-flurocytosine / ganciclovir (5-FC/GCV). Then, cell cycle distribution after treatment were detected by PI staining and flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells death were detected by optical microscope and assessed by MTT assay and TUNEL-staining assay. Results CMBsαvβ3 had a regular shape and good dispersion. Compared to CMBs, CMBsαvβ3 had more stable concentrations of αVβ3 ligand and pEGFP-KDRP-CD/TK, and CMBsαvβ3 was much sticker to HepG2 HCC cells than normal liver L-02cells. Moreover, after exposed to anti-αVβ3 monoclonal antibody, the adhesion of CMBsαvβ3 to HepG2 cells and L-02 cells were significantly reduced. Also, CMBsαvβ3 demonstrated a substantially higher efficiency in pEGFP-KDRP-CD/TK plasmid transfection in HepG2 cells than CMBs. In addition, CMBsαvβ3 could significantly facilitate 5-FC/GCV-induced cell cycle arrest in S phase. Moreover, treatment of 5-FC/GCV combined with CMBsαvβ3 resulted in a marked apoptotic cell death in HepG2 and SK-Herp-1 HCC cells. In vitro, treatment of 5-FC/GCV combined with CMBsαvβ3 suppresed cell proliferation. In nude mice model, 5-FU + GCV combined with plasmid + CMBsαvβ3were able to significantly suppress tumor volumes. Conclusion Through biotin-avidin mediation system, CMBsαvβ3 were successfully generated to specifically target HCC HepG2 cells. More importantly, CMBsαvβ3 could significantly facilitate 5-FC/GCV-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells. Our study demonstrated a potential strategy that could be translated clinically to improve liver tumor gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Li
- Department of Ultrasound,the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound,the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
- * E-mail:
| | - Lan Li
- Department of Ultrasound,the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound,the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Yang Shao
- Department of Ultrasound,the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Li Tang
- MDFLOW System,Corporate Park of Doral, Doral, Florida, United States of America
| | - Shuangming Tian
- Department of Ultrasound,the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
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Monitoring the Bystander Killing Effect of Human Multipotent Stem Cells for Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumors. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:4095072. [PMID: 26880961 PMCID: PMC4736564 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4095072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor infiltrating stem cells have been suggested as a vehicle for the delivery of a suicide gene towards otherwise difficult to treat tumors like glioma. We have used herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase expressing human multipotent adult progenitor cells in two brain tumor models (hU87 and Hs683) in immune-compromised mice. In order to determine the best time point for the administration of the codrug ganciclovir, the stem cell distribution and viability were monitored in vivo using bioluminescence (BLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment was assessed by in vivo BLI and MRI of the tumors. We were able to show that suicide gene therapy using HSV-tk expressing stem cells can be followed in vivo by MRI and BLI. This has the advantage that (1) outliers can be detected earlier, (2) GCV treatment can be initiated based on stem cell distribution rather than on empirical time points, and (3) a more thorough follow-up can be provided prior to and after treatment of these animals. In contrast to rodent stem cell and tumor models, treatment success was limited in our model using human cell lines. This was most likely due to the lack of immune components in the immune-compromised rodents.
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Rasekhian M, Teimoori-Toolabi L, Amini S, Azadmanesh K. An Enterovirus-Like RNA Construct for Colon Cancer Suicide Gene Therapy. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2015; 19:124-32. [PMID: 26025964 PMCID: PMC4571007 DOI: 10.7508/ibj.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: In gene therapy, the use of RNA molecules as therapeutic agents has shown advantages over plasmid DNA, including higher levels of safety. However, transient nature of RNA has been a major obstacle in application of RNA in gene therapy. Methods: Here, we used the internal ribosomal entry site of encephalomyocarditis virus and the 3’ non-translated region of Poliovirus to design an enterovirus-like RNA for the expression of a reporter gene (enhanced green fluorescent protein) and a suicide gene (thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus). The expression of these genes was evaluated by flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assay in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (SW480). We then armed RNA molecules with a target sequence for hsa-miR-143 to regulate their expression by microRNA (miRNA) mimics. Results: The results showed effective expression of both genes by Entrovirus-like RNA constructs. The data also showed that the restoration of hsa-miR-143 expression in SW480 leads to a significant translation repression of the introduced reporter and suicide genes. Conclusion: Collectively, our data suggest the potential use of Entrovirus-like RNA molecules in suicide gene therapy. Additionally, as a consequence of the possible downregulated miRNA expression in cancerous tissues, a decreased expression of gene therapy constructs armed with target sequences for such miRNA in cancer tissue is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Safieh Amini
- Dept. of Hepatitis and HIV, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
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The massive amount of human genetic
information already available
has accelerated the identification of target genes, making gene and
nucleic acid therapy the next generation of medicine. Nanoparticle
(NP)-based anticancer gene therapy treatment has received significant
interest in this evolving field. Recent advances in vector technology
have improved gene transfection efficiencies of nonviral vectors to
a level similar to viruses. This review serves as an introduction
to surface modifications of NPs based on polymeric structural improvements
and target moieties. A discussion regarding the future perspective
of multifunctional NPs in cancer therapy is also included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guimei Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University , Jinan 250012, China
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Wei X, Lv T, Chen D, Guan J. Lentiviral Vector Mediated Delivery of RHBDD1 shRNA down Regulated the Proliferation of Human Glioblastoma Cells. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2014; 13:87-93. [PMID: 23883433 DOI: 10.7785/tcrt.2012.500362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhomboid domain containing 1 (RHBDD1) gene, a new member of rhomboid family of proteins is highly responsible for the regulation of apoptosis by cleaving pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein BIK. Therefore, the higher expression levels of RHBDD1 in cancer tissues may have a direct influence on cancer progression by arresting apoptosis. With this background this study was focused to find out the effect of RHBDD1 silencing on the progression of human brain glioblastoma cells, U251 and U87MG. The results indicated that both cell lines show a higher expression level of RHBDD1 and RNA interference (RNA) mediated gene silencing successfully down regulated the RHBDD1 gene expression. As a result of RHBDD1 silencing the proliferation of both cell types was reduced by over 50%, 5 days after silencing. Moreover the colony formation was completely inhibited and there were no cells present following two week RHBDD1 gene silencing. The cell proliferation was inhibited as a result of cell cycle arrest due to RHBDD1 absence. Therefore, these results clearly indicate that, RHBDD1 is essential for the progression of glioblastoma cells and silencing of it is resulting in significant inhibition of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. Collectively, this study shows that RHBDD1 gene engineering could be used as an effective tool in malignant brain tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtai Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Tao Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Duo Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Junhong Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
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Sahoo AK, Banerjee S, Ghosh SS, Chattopadhyay A. Simultaneous RGB emitting Au nanoclusters in chitosan nanoparticles for anticancer gene theranostics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:712-24. [PMID: 24281656 DOI: 10.1021/am4051266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Advanced theranostic materials hold promise for targeted delivery of drugs, with the ability to follow the transport as well as its consequences. This should, ideally, be possible with minimum invasive surgery and having no or minimum cytotoxicity of the materials. It requires development of newer materials whose physical properties would allow for easy probe, which could carry the therapeutic molecules, which will be stable under physiological conditions, and at the same time would be able to permeate barriers to the target. We report the development of a composite consisting of highly fluorescent Au nanoclusters and the biopolymer chitosan, which could easily be converted into nanoparticles and would form a stable polyplex with suicide gene for induction of apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. The simultaneous red, green, and blue fluorescence from the nanoclusters provided convenient optical imaging and flow cytometry probes, without having to use additional dyes. Moreover, the colloidal nanocluster-polymer composite could be converted into solid film and be stored with the retention of optical properties. The pH tunable optical properties in the medium were also intact in the films that quickly dissolved in water with retention of properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaresh Kumar Sahoo
- Centre for Nanotechnology, ‡Department of Biotechnology, and §Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati , Guwahati - 781 039, India
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Danda R, Krishnan G, Ganapathy K, Krishnan UM, Vikas K, Elchuri S, Chatterjee N, Krishnakumar S. Targeted expression of suicide gene by tissue-specific promoter and microRNA regulation for cancer gene therapy. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83398. [PMID: 24391761 PMCID: PMC3877029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to realise the full potential of cancer suicide gene therapy that allows the precise expression of suicide gene in cancer cells, we used a tissue specific Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) promoter (EGP-2) that directs transgene Herpes simplex virus–thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) expression preferentially in EpCAM over expressing cancer cells. EpCAM levels are considerably higher in retinoblastoma (RB), a childhood eye cancer with limited expression in normal cells. Use of miRNA regulation, adjacent to the use of the tissue-specific promoter, would provide the second layer of control to the transgene expression only in the tumor cells while sparing the normal cells. To test this hypothesis we cloned let-7b miRNA targets in the 3’UTR region of HSV-TK suicide gene driven by EpCAM promoter because let-7 family miRNAs, including let-7b, were found to be down regulated in the RB tumors and cell lines. We used EpCAM over expressing and let-7 down regulated RB cell lines Y79, WERI-Rb1 (EpCAM +ve/let-7bdown-regulated), EpCAM down regulated, let-7 over expressing normal retinal Müller glial cell line MIO-M1(EpCAM −ve/let-7bup-regulated), and EpCAM up regulated, let-7b up-regulated normal thyroid cell line N-Thy-Ori-3.1(EpCAM +ve/let-7bup-regulated) in the study. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, apoptosis was measured by probing cleaved Caspase3, EpCAM and TK expression were quantified by Western blot. Our results showed that the EGP2-promoter HSV-TK (EGP2-TK) construct with 2 or 4 copies of let-7b miRNA targets expressed TK gene only in Y79, WERI-Rb-1, while the TK gene did not express in MIO-M1. In summary, we have developed a tissue-specific, miRNA-regulated dual control vector, which selectively expresses the suicide gene in EpCAM over expressing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravikanth Danda
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials, Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy University, Tanjore, India
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials, Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy University, Tanjore, India
| | - Kalaivani Ganapathy
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials, Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy University, Tanjore, India
| | - Khetan Vikas
- Departments of Ocular Oncology and Vitreoretina, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Sailaja Elchuri
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Nivedita Chatterjee
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Subramanian Krishnakumar
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
- * E-mail:
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Baril P, Touchefeu Y, Cany J, Cherel Y, Thorne SH, Tran L, Conchon S, Vassaux G. Differential biodistribution of oncolytic poxvirus administered systemically in an autochthonous model of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gene Med 2013; 13:692-701. [PMID: 22028274 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical studies have demonstrated that, unlike oncolytic adenoviruses, oncolytic vaccinia viruses can reach implanted tumors upon systemic injection. However, the biodistribution of this oncolytic agent in in situ autochthonous tumor models remains poorly characterized. In the present study, we assessed this biodistribution in a model of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) obtained after injection of the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). METHODS Twelve months after DEN administration, histology, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization and viral titration were used to characterize tumors, as well as to assess the viral load of the livers upon either intravenous or intraperitoineal injection. RESULTS The results obtained showed that the architecture of the liver was lost, with a noticeable absence of sinusoids, as well as the presence of steatosis and α-fetoprotein-positive HCC tumor nodules. Bioluminescence imaging and measures of the infective virus load demonstrated that intravenous injection of 10(8) plaque-forming units of the recombinant vaccinia virus led to a predominant transduction of the liver, whereas intraperitoneal injection resulted in a lower level of liver transduction accompanied by an increased infection of the lungs, spleen, kidneys and bowels. Immunohistochemical analysis of liver sections of animals injected intravenously with the virus revealed a preferential localization of vaccinia-specific immunoreactivity in the tumors. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study emphasize the importance of the route of administration of the vector and highlight the relevance of systemic injection of oncolytic vaccinia virus in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Baril
- INSERM U948, Nantes, France; Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, UPR4301, Univerity of Orléans, France
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Barar J, Omidi Y. Targeted Gene Therapy of Cancer: Second Amendment toward Holistic Therapy. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2013; 3:49-51. [PMID: 23878787 DOI: 10.5681/bi.2013.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
It seems solid tumors are developing smart organs with specialized cells creating specified bio-territory, the so called "tumor microenvironment (TME)", in which there is reciprocal crosstalk among cancer cells, immune system cells and stromal cells. TME as an intricate milieu also consists of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can resist against chemotherapies. In solid tumors, metabolism and vascularization appears to be aberrant and tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) functions as physiologic barrier. Thus, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy often fail to provide cogent clinical outcomes. It looms that it is the time to accept the fact that initiation of cancer could be generation of another form of life that involves a cluster of thousands of genes, while we have failed to observe all aspects of it. Hence, the current treatment modalities need to be re-visited to cover all key aspects of disease using combination therapy based on the condition of patients. Perhaps personalized cluster of genes need to be simultaneously targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaleh Barar
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Translational Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Barar J, Omidi Y. Translational Approaches towards Cancer Gene Therapy: Hurdles and Hopes. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2012; 2:127-43. [PMID: 23678451 DOI: 10.5681/bi.2012.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2012] [Revised: 09/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Of the cancer gene therapy approaches, gene silencing, suicide/apoptosis inducing gene therapy, immunogene therapy and targeted gene therapy are deemed to sub-stantially control the biological consequences of genomic changes in cancerous cells. Thus, a large number of clinical trials have been conducted against various malignancies. In this review, we will discuss recent translational progresses of gene and cell therapy of cancer. METHODS Essential information on gene therapy of cancer were reviewed and discussed towards their clinical translations. RESULTS Gene transfer has been rigorously studied in vitro and in vivo, in which some of these gene therapy endeavours have been carried on towards translational investigations and clinical applications. About 65% of gene therapy trials are related to cancer therapy. Some of these trials have been combined with cell therapy to produce personalized medicines such as Sipuleucel-T (Provenge®, marketed by Dendreon, USA) for the treatment of asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. CONCLUSION Translational approach links two diverse boundaries of basic and clinical researches. For successful translation of geno-medicines into clinical applications, it is essential 1) to have the guidelines and standard operating procedures for development and application of the genomedicines specific to clinically relevant biomarker(s); 2) to conduct necessary animal experimental studies to show the "proof of concept" for the proposed genomedicines; 3) to perform an initial clinical investigation; and 4) to initiate extensive clinical trials to address all necessary requirements. In short, translational researches need to be refined to accelerate the geno-medicine development and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaleh Barar
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Translational Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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20
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Suicide gene therapy in cancer: where do we stand now? Cancer Lett 2012; 324:160-70. [PMID: 22634584 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy is based on the introduction into tumor cells of a viral or a bacterial gene, which allows the conversion of a non-toxic compound into a lethal drug. Although suicide gene therapy has been successfully used in a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies, its application to cancer patients has not reached the desirable clinical significance. However, recent reports on pre-clinical cancer models demonstrate the huge potential of this strategy when used in combination with new therapeutic approaches. In this review, we summarize the different suicide gene systems and gene delivery vectors addressed to cancer, with particular emphasis on recently developed systems and associated bystander effects. In addition, we review the different strategies that have been used in combination with suicide gene therapy and provide some insights into the future directions of this approach, particularly towards cancer stem cell eradication.
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Selective targeting of genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells to tumor stroma microenvironments using tissue-specific suicide gene expression suppresses growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Surg 2012; 254:767-74; discussion 774-5. [PMID: 22042469 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0b013e3182368c4f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as therapeutic vehicles for the treatment of experimental pancreatic and breast cancer has been previously demonstrated. The potential application of MSCs for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been controversial. The general approach uses engineered MSCs to target different aspects of tumor biology, including angiogenesis or the fibroblast-like stromal compartment, through the use of tissue-specific expression of therapeutic transgenes. The aim of the present study was (1) to evaluate the effect of exogenously added MSCs on the growth of HCC and (2) the establishment of an MSC-based suicide gene therapy for experimental HCC. METHODS Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from bone marrow of C57/Bl6 p53(-/-) mice. The cells were injected into mice with HCC xenografts and the effect on tumor proliferation and angiogenesis was evaluated. The cells were then stably transfected with red fluorescent protein (RFP) or Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-Tk) gene under control of the Tie2 promoter/enhancer or the CCL5 promoter. Mesenchymal stem cells were injected intravenously into mice with orthotopically growing xenografts of HCC and treated with ganciclovir (GCV). RESULTS Ex vivo examination of hepatic tumors revealed tumor-specific recruitment, enhanced tumor growth, and increased microvessel density after nontherapeutic MSC injections. After their homing to the hepatic xenografts, engineered MSCs demonstrated activation of the Tie2 or CCL5 promoter as shown by RFP expression. Application of CCL5/HSV-TK transfected MSCs in combination with GCV significantly reduced tumor growth by 56.4% as compared with the control group and by 71.6% as compared with nontherapeutic MSC injections. CCL5/HSV-TK(+) transfected MSCs proved more potent in tumor inhibition as compared with Tie2/HSV-TK(+) MSCs. CONCLUSION Exogenously added MSCs are recruited to growing HCC xenografts with concomitant activation of the CCL5 or Tie2 promoters within the MSCs. Stem cell-mediated introduction of suicide genes into the tumor followed by prodrug administration was effective for treatment of experimental HCC and thus may help fill the existing gap in bridging therapies for patients suffering from advanced HCCs.
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Li XH, Zhou P, Wang LH, Tian SM, Qian Y, Chen LR, Zhang P. The targeted gene (KDRP-CD/TK) therapy of breast cancer mediated by SonoVue and ultrasound irradiation in vitro. ULTRASONICS 2012; 52:186-191. [PMID: 21906771 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy has become an effective therapy for breast cancer, and ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has become a popular topic in the gene therapy field. In this study, MCF-7 cells with the KDR promoter and LSl74T cells without the KDR promoter were transfected with the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-KDRP-CD/TK using UTMD. The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-KDRP-CD/TK was transfected into MCF-7 and LS174T cells successfully with no significant difference in transfection efficiency (p>0.05). By RT-PCR, the CD/TK fusion gene was shown to be expressed in MCF-7 cells but not expressed in LS174T cells. In a cytotoxicity experiment, transgenic MCF-7 cells were sensitive to the prodrugs 5-FC and GCV. When both 5-FC and GCV were administered, the rate of cellular inhibition was significantly greater than that achieved when only one of the prodrugs was administered (p<0.001). Moreover, the inhibition rates achieved administering 5-FC, GCV and both 5-FC and GCV were all significantly greater than the gene transfection rate of 21.92±3.64% (p<0.001). However, transgenic LS174T cells were not sensitive to any prodrug. These results demonstrated that UTMD is a safe, effective and targeted gene delivery system. Also, the KDR promoter can drive expression of the CD/TK double suicide gene target in MCF-7 cells, and the targeted killing effect of the KDRP-CD/TK gene on MCF-7 cells in vitro has good synergy with expression of the CD/TK fusion gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-hua Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
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Duarte S, Faneca H, Lima MCPD. Folate-associated lipoplexes mediate efficient gene delivery and potent antitumoral activity in vitro and in vivo. Int J Pharm 2011; 423:365-77. [PMID: 22209825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Revised: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The lack of suitable vectors for efficient nucleic acid delivery into target cells represents a major hurdle for the successful application of gene therapy. Cationic liposomes exhibit attractive features for gene delivery, but their efficacy is still unsatisfactory, particularly for in vivo applications, which justifies the drive to further improve their performance by developing novel and efficient formulations. In the present study, we generated a new formulation of lipoplexes through electrostatic association of folate (FA) to 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (EPOPC):cholesterol (Chol) liposomes, prepared at different lipid/DNA charge ratios, and explored their potential to mediate gene delivery. The optimal FA-lipoplex formulation was evaluated for its efficacy to mediate antitumoral activity upon application of HSV-tk suicide gene therapy, both in vitro and in an animal model of oral cancer. Our results demonstrate that FA-EPOPC:Chol/DNA lipoplexes were able to promote a great enhancement of transfection and high in vitro antitumoral activity compared to plain lipoplexes in two different cancer cell lines. Most importantly, a considerable reduction of tumor growth was achieved with the developed FA-lipoplexes as compared to that observed for control FA-lipoplexes or plain lipoplexes. Overall, our study shows that FA-EPOPC:Chol/DNA lipoplexes constitute a promising system for the successful application of suicide gene therapy aiming at treating solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Duarte
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Richard-Fiardo P, Franken PR, Harrington KJ, Vassaux G, Cambien B. The use of molecular imaging of gene expression by radiotracers in gene therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 11:1273-85. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2011.588596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Sangro B, Mazzolini G, Ruiz M, Ruiz J, Quiroga J, Herrero I, Qian C, Benito A, Larrache J, Olagüe C, Boan J, Peñuelas I, Sádaba B, Prieto J. A phase I clinical trial of thymidine kinase-based gene therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2010; 17:837-43. [DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2010.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Hassan M, Zhang D, Salama S, Hamada F, Arafa H, Fouad H, Walker C, Al-Hendy A. Towards fibroid gene therapy: adenovirus-mediated delivery of herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase gene/ganciclovir shrinks uterine leiomyoma in the Eker rat model. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2009; 68:19-32. [PMID: 19325244 DOI: 10.1159/000209675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2007] [Accepted: 11/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The objective of this study was to assess in vivo gene therapy of uterine leiomyomas in the Eker rat model using adenovirus (Ad)-mediated delivery of herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase gene (HSV1TK) followed by ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. METHODS We randomized 27 female Eker rats with MRI-confirmed uterine leiomyomas to a single treatment with direct intra-tumor injection of Ad-HSV1TK/GCV, Ad-LacZ/GCV, or medium alone. Samples were collected from tumors, other body organs, and blood at 10, 20, and 30 days after treatment to assess the safety and efficacy of the treatment. RESULTS Ad-HSV1TK/GCV treatment significantly decreased uterine fibroid volume by 75 +/- 16, 58.7 +/- 6.3, and 67.5 +/- 27.5%, of the pretreatment volume at days 10, 20, and 30, respectively. Ad-HSV1TK/GCV increased caspase-3 activity, Bax expression, and TUNEL apoptosis marker, and it decreased cyclin D1, PCNA, Bcl2, and PARP protein expressions. Ad transfection induced local CD4+ and CD8+ infiltration and serum anti-Ad antibodies. Additionally, Ad transfection was tumor-localized and safe to non-target tissues. CONCLUSION These studies demonstrate a marked efficiency and high safety for the Ad-HSV1TK/GCV therapeutic approach in the context of Eker rat uterine leiomyomas and provide essential preclinical data for the development of Ad-HSV1TK/GCV gene therapy for uterine fibroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Memy Hassan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tex., USA
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Kucerova L, Matuskova M, Pastorakova A, Tyciakova S, Jakubikova J, Bohovic R, Altanerova V, Altaner C. Cytosine deaminase expressing human mesenchymal stem cells mediated tumour regression in melanoma bearing mice. J Gene Med 2008; 10:1071-82. [PMID: 18671316 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, we validated capability of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSC) to serve as cellular vehicles for gene-directed enzyme prodrug molecular chemotherapy. Yeast fusion cytosine deaminase : uracil phosphoribosyltransferase expressing AT-MSC (CD y-AT-MSC) combined with systemic 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) significantly inhibited growth of human colon cancer xenografts. We aimed to determine the cytotoxic efficiency to other tumour cells both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS CD y-AT-MSC/5FC-mediated proliferation inhibition against a panel of human tumour cells lines was evaluated in direct and indirect cocultures in vitro. Antitumour effect was tested on immunodeficient mouse model in vivo. RESULTS Although culture expansion of CD y-AT-MSC sensitized these cells to 5FC mediated suicide effect, expanded CD y-AT-MSC/5FC still exhibited strong bystander cytotoxic effect towards human melanoma, glioblastoma, colon, breast and bladder carcinoma in vitro. Most efficient inhibition (91%) was observed in melanoma A375 cell line when directly cocultured with 2% of therapeutic cells CD y-AT-MSC/5FC. The therapeutic paradigm of the CD y -AT-MSC/5FC system was further evaluated on melanoma A375 xenografts on nude mice in vivo. Complete regression in 89% of tumours was achieved when 20% CD y-AT-MSC/5FC were co-injected along with tumour cells. More importantly, systemic CD y-AT-MSC administration resulted in therapeutic cell homing into subcutaneous melanoma and mediated tumour growth inhibition. CONCLUSIONS CD y-AT-MSC capability of targeting subcutaneous melanoma offers a possibility to selectively produce cytotoxic agent in situ. Our data further demonstrate beneficial biological properties of AT-MSC as a cellular vehicle for enzyme/prodrug therapy approach to molecular chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Kucerova
- Laboratories of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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28
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Aoi A, Watanabe Y, Mori S, Takahashi M, Vassaux G, Kodama T. Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase-mediated suicide gene therapy using nano/microbubbles and ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2008; 34:425-434. [PMID: 18096302 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2007.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2007] [Revised: 06/25/2007] [Accepted: 09/05/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A physical method using ultrasound (US) and nano/microbubbles (NBs) can deliver exogenous molecules noninvasively into a specific target site. In this study, we evaluated the application of this technology to cancer gene therapy using prodrug activation therapy. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (1 MHz; 1.3 W/cm(2)) and NBs were used to transduce the herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene in vitro, leading to gene transfer. The addition of ganciclovir (GCV) to the transduced cells led to HSVtk/GCV-dependent cell death mediated by apoptosis. This technology was then assessed in vivo, using mice bearing subcutaneous tumors (1 MHz; 3.0 W/cm(2)). Gene transfer to the tumor, measured by luciferase activity, was transient, with a peak of expression 24 h after transduction, and decreased at 48 h, demonstrating the transient nature of US/NB-mediated gene transfer. The therapeutic potential of this approach was evaluated through repeated intratumoral gene delivery using US/NB-mediated transfer of the HSVtk gene, followed by recurrent administration of GCV, using two different experimental treatment protocols. In both cases, dramatic reductions of the tumor size by a factor of four were observed. Altogether, these data demonstrate the potential of US/NB as a new physical gene delivery method for cancer gene therapy. (E-mail: kodama@tubero.tohoku.ac.jp).
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Aoi
- Biomedical Engineering Research Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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29
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Abstract
Gene therapy is a very attractive strategy in experimental cancer therapy. Ideally, the approach aims to deliver therapeutic genes selectively to cancer cells. However, progress in the improvement of gene therapy formulations has been hampered by difficulties in measuring transgene delivery and in quantifying transgene expression in vivo. In clinical trials, endpoints rely almost exclusively on the analysis of biopsies, which provide limited information. Non-invasive monitoring of gene delivery and expression is a very attractive approach as it can be repeated over time in the same patient to provide spatiotemporal information on gene expression on a whole body scale. Thus, imaging methods can uniquely provide researchers and clinicians the ability to directly and serially assess morphological, functional and metabolic changes consequent to molecular and cellular based therapies. This review highlights the various methods currently being developed in preclinical models.
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30
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Goldsmith ME, Aguila A, Steadman K, Martinez A, Steinberg SM, Alley MC, Waud WR, Bates SE, Fojo T. The histone deacetylase inhibitor FK228 given prior to adenovirus infection can boost infection in melanoma xenograft model systems. Mol Cancer Ther 2007; 6:496-505. [PMID: 17308048 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-06-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A major limitation of adenovirus type 5-mediated cancer gene therapy is the inefficient infection of many cancer cells. Previously, we showed that treatment with low doses of the histone deacetylase inhibitor FK228 (FR901228, depsipeptide) increased coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) levels, histone H3 acetylation, and adenovirus infection efficiencies as measured by viral transgene expression in cancer cell lines but not in cultured normal cells. To evaluate FK228 in vivo, the effects of FK228 therapy in athymic mice bearing LOX IMVI or UACC-62 human melanoma xenografts were examined. Groups of mice were treated with FK228 using several dosing schedules and the differences between treated and control animals were determined. In mice with LOX IMVI xenografts (n = 6), maximum CAR induction was observed 24 h following a single FK228 dose of 3.6 mg/kg with a 13.6 +/- 4.3-fold (mean +/- SD) increase in human CAR mRNA as determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis. By comparison, mouse CAR levels in liver, kidney, and lung from the same animals showed little to no change. Maximum CAR protein induction of 9.2 +/- 4.8-fold was achieved with these treatment conditions and was associated with increased histone H3 acetylation. Adenovirus carrying a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene (2 x 10(9) viral particles) was injected into the xenografts and GFP mRNA levels were determined. A 7.4 +/- 5.2-fold increase in GFP mRNA was found 24 h following adenovirus injection into optimally FK228-treated mice (n = 10). A 4-fold increase in GFP protein-positive cells was found following FK228 treatment. These studies suggest that FK228 treatment prior to adenovirus infection could increase the efficiency of adenovirus gene therapy in xenograft model systems.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylation
- Adenoviridae Infections/drug therapy
- Adenoviridae Infections/metabolism
- Adenoviridae Infections/virology
- Adenoviruses, Human/genetics
- Animals
- Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Blotting, Western
- Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein
- Depsipeptides/pharmacology
- Female
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Melanoma/drug therapy
- Melanoma/metabolism
- Melanoma/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Receptors, Virus/genetics
- Receptors, Virus/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Skin Neoplasms/metabolism
- Skin Neoplasms/virology
- Transgenes/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrill E Goldsmith
- Experimental Therapeutics Section, Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 10 Center Drive, Building 10, Room 13N240, MSC 1903, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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31
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Merron A, Peerlinck I, Martin-Duque P, Burnet J, Quintanilla M, Mather S, Hingorani M, Harrington K, Iggo R, Vassaux G. SPECT/CT imaging of oncolytic adenovirus propagation in tumours in vivo using the Na/I symporter as a reporter gene. Gene Ther 2007; 14:1731-8. [PMID: 17960161 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3303043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic adenoviruses have shown some promise in cancer gene therapy. However, their efficacy in clinical trials is often limited, and additional therapeutic interventions have been proposed to increase their efficacies. In this context, molecular imaging of viral spread in tumours could provide unique information to rationalize the timing of these combinations. Here, we use the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) as a reporter gene in wild-type and replication-selective adenoviruses. By design, hNIS cDNA is positioned in the E3 region in a wild-type adenovirus type 5 (AdIP1) and in an adenovirus in which a promoter from the human telomerase gene (RNA component) drives E1 expression (AdAM6). Viruses show functional hNIS expression and replication in vitro and kinetics of spread of the different viruses in tumour xenografts are visualized in vivo using a small animal nano-SPECT/CT camera. The time required to reach maximal spread is 48 h for AdIP1 and 72 h for AdAM6 suggesting that genetic engineering of adenoviruses can affect their kinetics of spread in tumours. Considering that this methodology is potentially clinically applicable, we conclude that hNIS-mediated imaging of viral spread in tumours may be an important tool for combined anticancer therapies involving replicating adenoviruses
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Affiliation(s)
- A Merron
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Institute of Cancer, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
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32
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Abstract
Cancer is a multigenic disorder involving mutations of both tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. A large body of preclinical data, however, has suggested that cancer growth can be arrested or reversed by treatment with gene transfer vectors that carry a single growth inhibitory or pro-apoptotic gene or a gene that can recruit immune responses against the tumor. Many of these gene transfer vectors are modified viruses. The ability for the delivery of therapeutic genes, made them desirable for engineering virus vector systems. The viral vectors recently in laboratory and clinical use are based on RNA and DNA viruses processing very different genomic structures and host ranges. Particular viruses have been selected as gene delivery vehicles because of their capacities to carry foreign genes and their ability to efficiently deliver these genes associated with efficient gene expression. These are the major reasons why viral vectors derived from retroviruses, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpesvirus and poxvirus are employed in more than 70% of clinical gene therapy trials worldwide. Because these vector systems have unique advantages and limitations, each has applications for which it is best suited. Retroviral vectors can permanently integrate into the genome of the infected cell, but require mitotic cell division for transduction. Adenoviral vectors can efficiently deliver genes to a wide variety of dividing and nondividing cell types, but immune elimination of infected cells often limits gene expression in vivo. Herpes simplex virus can deliver large amounts of exogenous DNA; however, cytotoxicity and maintenance of transgene expression remain as obstacles. AAV also infects many non-dividing and dividing cell types, but has a limited DNA capacity. This review discusses current and emerging virusbased genetic engineering strategies for the delivery of therapeutic molecules or several approaches for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mancheño-Corvo
- Dpto. de Biotecnología, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
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33
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Mathis JM, Williams BJ, Sibley DA, Carroll JL, Li J, Odaka Y, Barlow S, Nathan CAO, Li BDL, DeBenedetti A. Cancer-specific targeting of an adenovirus-delivered herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene using translational control. J Gene Med 2006; 8:1105-20. [PMID: 16802401 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Two technical hurdles, gene delivery and target specificity, have hindered the development of effective cancer gene therapies. In order to circumvent the problem of tumor specificity, the suicide gene, HSV-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-Tk), was modified with a complex 5' upstream-untranslated region (5'-UTR) that limits efficient translation to cells expressing high levels of the translation initiation factor, eIF4E. Since previous studies have shown that most tumor cells express elevated levels of eIF4E, tumor-specific gene delivery was optimized by incorporation of the 5'-UTR-modified suicide gene (HSV-UTk) into an adenovirus vector (Ad-CMV-UTk). The efficacy of this novel approach of targeting suicide gene expression and limiting cytotoxicity by means of translational restriction was tested in vitro with the use of the human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB435, and ZR-75-1). As controls, normal MCF10A, HMEC, and HMSC cell lines that express relatively low levels of eIF4E were used. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify HSV-Tk mRNA for cells infected with Ad-CMV-UTk as well as with Ad-CMV-Tk (a control adenovirus in which HSV-Tk is not regulated at the level of translation). Translation of HSV-Tk in the Ad-infected cells was measured by Western blot analysis. In addition, cytotoxicity was determined following treatment with the pro-drug ganciclovir (GCV) using an MTT viability assay. Finally, microPET imaging was used to assess cancer cell-specific expression of HSV-Tk and expression in normal tissues in vivo after intraperitoneal injection of Ad-CMV-Tk or Ad-CMV-UTk. These data collectively showed enhanced cancer cell-specific gene expression and reduced normal tissue gene expression for the Ad-HSV-UTk compared to the Ad-CMV-Tk, leading to increased cancer cell-enhanced GCV cytotoxicity. These results indicate that translational targeting of suicide gene expression in tumor cells in vitro and in vivo is effective and may provide a platform for enhanced cancer gene therapy specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Mathis
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
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34
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Abstract
The application of gene transfer technologies to the treatment of cancer has led to the development of new experimental approaches like gene directed enzyme/pro-drug therapy (GDEPT), inhibition of oncogenes and restoration of tumor-suppressor genes. In addition, gene therapy has a big impact on other fields like cancer immunotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy and virotherapy. These strategies are being evaluated for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancer and some of them have reached clinical phases. We present a review on the basis and the actual status of gene therapy approaches applied to liver cancer.
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35
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Salama SA, Kamel M, Christman G, Wang HQ, Fouad HM, Al-Hendy A. Gene therapy of uterine leiomyoma: adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir treatment inhibits growth of human and rat leiomyoma cells in vitro and in a nude mouse model. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2006; 63:61-70. [PMID: 16954695 DOI: 10.1159/000095627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2006] [Accepted: 06/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (LM) affect a high percentage of reproductive-age women. They develop as discrete, well-defined tumors that are easily accessible with imaging techniques--making this disease ideal for localized gene therapy approaches. In this study, we determined the efficacy of adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene transfer in combination with ganciclovir (Ad-TK/GCV) as a potential therapy for LM. Rat ELT-3 LM cells and human LM cells were transfected with different multiplicity of infections (10-100 plaque forming units [PFU]/cell) of Ad-TK and treated with GCV (5, 10, or 20 microg/ml) for 5 days. To test the bystander effect, Ad-TK-transfected ELT-3 cells (100 PFU/cell) or LM cells (10 PFU/cell) were cocultured with corresponding nontransfected cells at increasing percentages and treated with GCV followed by cell counting. In ELT-3 cells transfected with Ad-TK/GCV (10, 20, 50, or 100 PFU/cell), the cell count was reduced by 24, 42, 77, and 87%, respectively, compared with the control cells (transfected with Ad-Lac Z/GCV). Similarly, in LM cells transfected with Ad-TK/GCV (10, 50, or 100 PFU/cell), the cell count was reduced by 31, 62, and 82%, respectively, compared with the control. A strong bystander effect was noted in both ELT-3 and LM cells with significant killing (p = 0.001) at a ratio of infected:uninfected cells of only 1:99 and maximal killing at 1:4. This study demonstrates the potential efficacy of the Ad-TK/GCV gene therapy approach as a viable nonsurgical alternative treatment for uterine LM.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Salama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0587, USA
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36
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Kimchi-Sarfaty C, Vieira WD, Dodds D, Sherman A, Kreitman RJ, Shinar S, Gottesman MM. SV40 Pseudovirion gene delivery of a toxin to treat human adenocarcinomas in mice. Cancer Gene Ther 2006; 13:648-57. [PMID: 16498428 PMCID: PMC1482740 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2005] [Revised: 12/10/2005] [Accepted: 12/13/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
SV40 vectors packaged in vitro (pseudovirions) are an efficient delivery system for plasmids up to 17.7 kb, with or without SV40 sequences. A truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin gene (PE38) was delivered into various human cells (HeLa, KB-3-1, human lymphoblastoids, and erythroleukemia cells), in vitro using pseudovirions. The number of viable cells was reduced significantly in the PE38-transduced cells. Human KB adenocarcinomas growing in mice were treated with intratumoral injection of PE38 packaged in vitro, and tumor size decreased significantly. Intraperitoneal treatments were as effective in reducing tumor size as intratumoral treatments. To check the viability of mock- or PE38-treated mice, every 4 days they were weighed, their blood was tested, and various tissues were screened for pathology. All parameters showed that the in vitro-packaged vectors, injected into tumors or intraperitoneally, caused no abnormalities in mice. The combined treatment of doxorubicin with in vitro-packaged PE38 reduced tumor size slightly more than each of the treatments separately. However, the combined treatment did not cause the weight loss seen with doxorubicin alone. These results indicate that SV40 in vitro packaging is an effective system for cancer gene delivery using two different routes of injection and in combination with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chava Kimchi-Sarfaty
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- Current address: Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Wilfred D. Vieira
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Danika Dodds
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Andrew Sherman
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Robert J. Kreitman
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Shiri Shinar
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Michael M. Gottesman
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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37
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Caldas H, Jaynes FO, Boyer MW, Hammond S, Altura RA. Survivin and Granzyme B-induced apoptosis, a novel anticancer therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2006; 5:693-703. [PMID: 16546984 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-05-0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Survivin is an antiapoptotic protein highly expressed in malignant cells that confers resistance to cytotoxic therapy. Granzyme B is a potent cytotoxic protein that is released from mammalian natural killer cells and CTLs following noxious stimuli, including foreign invaders. Here, we took advantage of the properties of these two functionally divergent molecules to create a molecular agent that specifically activates Granzyme B within tumor cells. We designed Survivin and Granzyme B-induced apoptosis (SAGA), which consists of a fusion of the Survivin gene promoter to the coding sequence of active Granzyme B. In cultured human tumor cells transfected with SAGA DNA, Granzyme B is rapidly expressed and results in significant tumor cell death. In vivo, mice harboring human ovarian tumors had statistically significant clinical responses to SAGA treatment that were magnified following combination therapy with SAGA and paclitaxel. At the completion of a 3-week therapeutic trial, 3 of 15 animals were free of disease in the SAGA-treated group, and an additional eight animals had tumors that were nonpalpable and only detected on surgical resection. In contrast, 15 of 15 animals in the control and paclitaxel-only-treated groups had tumors at end of therapy. Treatment with SAGA with or without paclitaxel also prevented disease dissemination in 19 of 20 animals. These results strongly suggest that SAGA has the potential to be a potent agent for the treatment of primary and recurrent human ovarian carcinoma. Moreover, we predict that SAGA will be useful therapeutically in any human cancer that expresses Survivin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Caldas
- Center for Childhood Cancer, Columbus Children's Research Institute, Room WA5021, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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38
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Buhl AM, Jurlander J, Jørgensen FS, Ottesen AM, Cowland JB, Gjerdrum LM, Hansen BV, Leffers H. Identification of a gene on chromosome 12q22 uniquely overexpressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2006; 107:2904-11. [PMID: 16339396 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-07-2615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is unknown but may involve aberrant activation of signaling pathways. Somatic hypermutations in rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgVH) genes allow a division of CLL patients into 2 categories: mutated IgVH genes are associated with an indolent disease, whereas unmutated IgVH genes define an aggressive form. Using differential display to compare gene expression in CLL cells with and without IgVH hypermutations, we identified a novel gene, CLL up-regulated gene 1 (CLLU1), that was highly up-regulated in CLL cells without IgVH hypermutations. CLLU1 mapped to chromosome 12q22, within a cluster of genes that are active in germinal center B cells. However, appreciable levels of CLLU1 were detectable only in CLL cells and not in a panel of normal tissue extracts or in any other tested hematologic malignancy. High expression of CLLU1 in CLL samples occurred irrespective of trisomy 12 or large chromosomal rearrangements. CLLU1 encodes 6 mRNAs with no sequence homology to any known gene, and most transcripts appear to be noncoding. Two transcripts, however, potentially encode a peptide with remarkable structural similarity to human interleukin 4. These data, in particular the unique and restricted expression pattern, suggest that CLLU1 is the first disease-specific gene identified in CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Chromosome Mapping
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mette Buhl
- Department of Hematology, 4041, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, DK.
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39
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Peng W, Chen J, Huang YH, Sawicki JA. Tightly-regulated suicide gene expression kills PSA-expressing prostate tumor cells. Gene Ther 2006; 12:1573-80. [PMID: 16034457 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that a dual system for controlling gene expression that relies both on transcriptional regulation and DNA recombination mediated by the site-directed recombinase, Flp, effectively controls the expression of a gene encoding diphtheria toxin (DT-A). In this study, we investigated the use of a chimeric modified enhancer/promoter sequence of the human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene to regulate DT-A expression in human prostate cancer cells in culture, in xenografts derived from these cells, and in autochthonous tumors in TRAMP mice. Following adenoviral delivery of DNA encoding PSA promoter-driven Flp recombinase and DT-A, we demonstrate that this transcriptional/DNA recombination control strategy effectively activates DT-A expression in a manner that correlates with the amount of PSA and androgen in cells. Significantly, the size of xenografts was reduced by 50%, and tumor cells in TRAMP mice died following intratumoral injection of DT-A viruses. Direct injection of virally-delivered DT-A into normal mouse prostates resulted in a dramatic reduction in the size of the gland. Our results suggest that the PSA promoter-driven Flp recombinase regulatory system will allow for targeted death of PSA-expressing cells. When combined with newly developed strategies for targeted gene delivery, this approach holds promise as an effective systemically-administered therapy for metastatic prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Peng
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA
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40
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Krewet JA, Ren W, Huang XF, Chen SY, Shah MR. Anti-tumor immune responses following neoadjuvant immunotherapy with a recombinant adenovirus expressing HSP72 to rodent tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2005; 54:988-98. [PMID: 15889253 PMCID: PMC11034332 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-005-0683-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2004] [Accepted: 01/28/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Gene modification of tumor cells is commonly utilized in various strategies of immunotherapy preventive both as treatment and a means to modify tumor growth. Gene transfer prior to surgery as neoadjuvant therapy has not been studied systematically. We addressed, whether direct intra-tumoral injection of a recombinant adenovirus expressing the immunomodulatory molecule, heat shock protein 72 (ADHSP72), administered prior to surgery could result in sustainable anti-tumor immune responses capable of affecting tumor progression and survival in a number of different murine and rat tumor models. Using intra-dermal murine models of melanoma (B16), colorectal carcinoma (CT26), prostate cancer (TrampC2) and a rat model of glioblastoma (9L), tumors were treated with vehicle or GFP expressing adenovirus (ADGFP) or ADHSP72. Tumors were surgically excised after 72 h. Approximately 25-50% of animals in the ADHSP72 treatment group but not in control groups showed sustained resistance to subsequent tumor challenge. Tumor resistance was associated with development of anti-tumor cellular immune responses. Efficacy of ADHSP72 as neoadjuvant therapy was dependent on the size of the initial tumor with greater likelihood of immune response generation and tumor resistance associated with smaller tumor size at initial treatment. ADHSP72 neoadjuvant therapy resulted in prolonged survival of animals upon re-challenge with autologous tumor cells compared to ADGFP or vehicle control groups. To study the effects on tumor progression of distant metastases, a single tumor focus of animals with multifocal intra-dermal tumors was treated. ADHSP72 diminished progression of the secondary tumor focus and prolonged survival, but only when the secondary tumor focus was <50 mm3 . Our results indicate that gene modification of tumors prior to surgical intervention may be beneficial to prevent recurrence in specific circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Krewet
- Center for Anatomic Studies, Saint Louis University, USA
- Saint Louis University Cancer Center, West Pavilion; Room 361, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Wenhong Ren
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Xue F. Huang
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Si-Yi Chen
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Maulik R. Shah
- Center for Anatomic Studies, Saint Louis University, USA
- Saint Louis University Cancer Center, West Pavilion; Room 361, Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University, USA
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41
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Abstract
Gene therapy is a potentially useful approach in the treatment of human brain tumors, which are notoriously refractory to conventional approaches. Most human clinical trials to date have been unsuccessful in terms of improving patient outcome. Recent improvements in viral vectors, the development of stem cell technology, and increased understanding of the mechanism of action of therapeutic transgenes provide hope that the next generation of gene therapeutics may show increased efficacy in treatment of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Lawler
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Dardinger Family Laboratory for Neuro-oncology and Neurosciences, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, USA
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Hillemann A, Brandenburg B, Schmidt U, Roos M, Smirnow I, Lemken ML, Lauer UM, Hildt E. Protein transduction with bacterial cytosine deaminase fused to the TLM intercellular transport motif induces profound chemosensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine in human hepatoma cells. J Hepatol 2005; 43:442-50. [PMID: 15922474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2005.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2004] [Revised: 02/12/2005] [Accepted: 02/16/2005] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS This study investigates the application of protein based therapeutic suicide enzyme/prodrug approaches providing novel means for both safe and effective local therapeutic regimes in solid tumors. METHODS Employing a novel cell permeable peptide, known as the translocation motif (TLM) of hepatitis B virus, E. coli cytosine deaminase (BCDase) suicide fusion proteins were generated. RESULTS TLM fusion proteins formed hexamers (as do parental wtBCDase proteins) and retained the specific enzymatic activity of cytosine conversion to uracil also being comparable to parental wtBCDase proteins. However, only BCDase-TLM fusion proteins, but not TLM-BCDase fusion nor parental wtBCDase proteins were found to be taken up to the cytoplasm of target cells as demonstrated both by confocal laser scanning microscopy and cell fractionation. Uptake of BCDase-TLM worked both efficiently and rapidly and was found to be independent from the endosomal pathway. Since BCDase-TLM fusion proteins completely retained their suicide enzymatic activity in the course of translocation across the plasma membrane their usage as profound inducers of chemo-sensitivity to 5-FC strongly is suggested. CONCLUSIONS Future therapeutic local application of cell-permeable BCDase-TLM fusion proteins together with a systemic 5-FC prodrug application could result in profound antitumor activities without apparent side effects.
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