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Piao M, Lee SH, Hwang JW, Kim HS, Han YH, Lee KY. The Cell-Penetrating Peptide GV1001 Enhances Bone Formation via Pin1-Mediated Augmentation of Runx2 and Osterix Stability. Biomolecules 2024; 14:812. [PMID: 39062525 PMCID: PMC11274716 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based drug development is a promising direction due to its excellent biological activity, minimal immunogenicity, high in vivo stability, and efficient tissue penetrability. GV1001, an amphiphilic peptide, has proven effective as an anti-cancer vaccine, but its effect on osteoblast differentiation is unknown. To identify proteins interacting with GV1001, biotin-conjugated GV1001 was constructed and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Proteomic analyses were performed to determine GV1001's interaction with osteogenic proteins. GV1001 was highly associated with peptidyl-prolyl isomerase A and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that GV1001 bound to peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase 1 (Pin1). GV1001 significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone nodule formation, and the expression of osteogenic gene markers. GV1001-induced osteogenic activity was enhanced by Pin1 overexpression and abolished by Pin1 knockdown. GV1001 increased the protein stability and transcriptional activity of Runx2 and Osterix. Importantly, GV1001 administration enhanced bone mass density in the OVX mouse model, as verified by µCT analysis. GV1001 demonstrated protective effects against bone loss in OVX mice by upregulating osteogenic differentiation via the Pin1-mediated protein stabilization of Runx2 and Osterix. GV1001 could be a potential candidate with anabolic effects for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyu Piao
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (M.P.); (S.H.L.)
| | - Sung Ho Lee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (M.P.); (S.H.L.)
| | - Jin Wook Hwang
- INSERM UA09, University Paris Saclay, 94800 Villejuif, France;
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea;
| | - Youn Ho Han
- Department of Oral Pharmacology, College of Dentistry, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Youl Lee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (M.P.); (S.H.L.)
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2
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Salimi-Jeda A, Badrzadeh F, Esghaei M, Abdoli A. The role of telomerase and viruses interaction in cancer development, and telomerase-dependent therapeutic approaches. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 27:100323. [PMID: 33530025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is an enzyme that is critically involved in elongating and maintaining telomeres length to control cell life span and replicative potential. Telomerase activity is continuously expressed in human germ-line cells and most cancer cells, whereas it is suppressed in most somatic cells. In normal cells, by reducing telomerase activity and progressively shortening the telomeres, the cells progress to the senescence or apoptosis process. However, in cancer cells, telomere lengths remain constant due to telomerase's reactivation, and cells continue to proliferate and inhibit apoptosis, and ultimately lead to cancer development and human death due to metastasis. Studies demonstrated that several DNA and RNA oncoviruses could interact with telomerase by integrating their genome sequence within the host cell telomeres specifically. Through the activation of the hTERT promoter and lengthening the telomere, these cells contributes to cancer development. Since oncoviruses can activate telomerase and increase hTERT expression, there are several therapeutic strategies based on targeting the telomerase of cancer cells like telomerase-targeted peptide vaccines, hTERT-targeting dendritic cells (DCs), hTERT-targeting gene therapy, and hTERT-targeting CRISPR/Cas9 system that can overcome tumor-mediated toleration mechanisms and specifically apoptosis in cancer cells. This study reviews available data on the molecular structure of telomerase and the role of oncoviruses and telomerase interaction in cancer development and telomerase-dependent therapeutic approaches to conquest the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Salimi-Jeda
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fariba Badrzadeh
- Faculti of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical sciences, Golestan, Iran.
| | - Maryam Esghaei
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Asghar Abdoli
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Mucciolo G, Roux C, Scagliotti A, Brugiapaglia S, Novelli F, Cappello P. The dark side of immunotherapy: pancreatic cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2020; 3:491-520. [PMID: 35582441 PMCID: PMC8992483 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Since the journal Science deemed cancer immunotherapy as the "breakthrough of the year" in 2014, there has been an explosion of clinical trials involving immunotherapeutic approaches that, in the last decade - thanks also to the renaissance of the immunosurveillance theory (renamed the three Es theory) - have been continuously and successfully developed. In the latest update of the development of the immuno-oncology drug pipeline, published last November by Nature Review Drug Discovery, it was clearly reported that the immunoactive drugs under study almost doubled in just two years. Of the different classes of passive and active immunotherapies, "cell therapy" is the fastest growing. The aim of this review is to discuss the preclinical and clinical studies that have focused on different immuno-oncology approaches applied to pancreatic cancer, which we assign to the "dark side" of immunotherapy, in the sense that it represents one of the solid tumors showing less response to this type of therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Mucciolo
- Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
- The two authors contributed equally
| | - Cecilia Roux
- Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
- The two authors contributed equally
| | - Alessandro Scagliotti
- Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Silvia Brugiapaglia
- Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Francesco Novelli
- Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Paola Cappello
- Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
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4
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Wu L, Fidan K, Um JY, Ahn KS. Telomerase: Key regulator of inflammation and cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 155:104726. [PMID: 32109579 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The telomerase holoenzyme, which has a highly conserved role in maintaining telomere length, has long been regarded as a high-profile target in cancer therapy due to the high dependency of the majority of cancer cells on constitutive and elevated telomerase activity for sustained proliferation and immortality. In this review, we present the salient findings in the telomerase field with special focus on the association of telomerase with inflammation and cancer. The elucidation of extra-telomeric roles of telomerase in inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cancer development further complicated the design of anti-telomerase therapy. Of note, the discovery of the unique mechanism that underlies reactivation of the dormant telomerase reverse transcriptase TERT promoter in somatic cells not only enhanced our understanding of the critical role of TERT in carcinogenesis but also opens up new intervention ideas that enable the differential targeting of cancer cells only. Despite significant effort invested in developing telomerase-targeted therapeutics, devising efficacious cancer-specific telomerase/TERT inhibitors remains an uphill task. The latest discoveries of the telomere-independent functionalities of telomerase in inflammation and cancer can help illuminate the path of developing specific anti-telomerase/TERT therapeutics against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Kerem Fidan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Jae-Young Um
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #47, Kyungheedae-gil, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #47, Kyungheedae-gil, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
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Lee SY, Han JJ, Lee SY, Jung G, Min HJ, Song JJ, Koo JW. Outcomes of Peptide Vaccine GV1001 Treatment in a Murine Model of Acute Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9020112. [PMID: 32012778 PMCID: PMC7070461 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9020112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is primarily caused by damage to cochlear hair cells, associated with synaptopathy. The novel cell-penetrating peptide GV1001, an antitumor agent, also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and is otoprotective in a murine model of kanamycin-induced ototoxicity. Here, we explored whether GV1001 attenuated NIHL, and the underlying mechanism at play. We established an NIHL model by exposing 4- to 6-week-old C57/BL6 mice to white noise at 120 dB SPL for 2 h, resulting in a significant permanent threshold shift (PTS). We then subcutaneously injected saline (control), GV1001, or dexamethasone immediately after cessation of PTS-noise exposure and evaluated the threshold shifts, structural damages to outer hair cells (OHCs), and ribbon synapses. We also verified whether GV1001 attenuates oxidative stress at the level of lipid peroxidation or protein nitration in OHCs 1 h after exposure to white noise at 120 dB SPL. GV1001-treated mice exhibited significantly less hearing threshold shifts over 2 weeks and preserved OHCs and ribbon synapses compared with controls. Similarly, dexamethasone-treated mice showed comparable protection against NIHL. Importantly, GV1001 markedly attenuated oxidative stress in OHCs. Our findings suggest that GV1001 may protect against NIHL by lowering oxidative stress and may serve as preventive or adjuvant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Yeon Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 463-707, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (G.J.); (H.J.M.); (J.-J.S.)
| | - Jae Joon Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul Hospital, Seoul 04401, Korea;
| | - Sang-Youp Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wonkwang University Hospital, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan 15865, Korea;
| | - Gaon Jung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 463-707, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (G.J.); (H.J.M.); (J.-J.S.)
| | - Hyun Jin Min
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 463-707, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (G.J.); (H.J.M.); (J.-J.S.)
| | - Jae-Jin Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 463-707, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (G.J.); (H.J.M.); (J.-J.S.)
| | - Ja-Won Koo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 463-707, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (G.J.); (H.J.M.); (J.-J.S.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Park YH, Jung AR, Kim GE, Kim MY, Sung JW, Shin D, Cho HJ, Ha US, Hong SH, Kim SW, Lee JY. GV1001 inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells through the AKT/NF-κB/VEGF pathway. J Cancer 2019; 10:6269-6277. [PMID: 31772660 PMCID: PMC6856754 DOI: 10.7150/jca.34859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We examined the effect of GV1001 in castration castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell growth and invasion and explored the potential molecular mechanisms of action. Materials and Methods: The in vitro anti-cancer effects of GV1001 in CRPC cells were examined using cell viability assay, TUNEL assay, and flow cytometry analysis. To evaluate the effects of GV1001 on different steps of angiogenesis, wound healing assay, transwell invasion assay, endothelial cell tube formation assay, and western blot analysis were performed. Finally, the anti-cancer effects of GV1001 on tumor growth in vivo were examined in a CRPC xenograft model. Results: GV1001 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in CRPC cells in vitro, accompanied by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and caspase-3. GV1001 also inhibited different steps of angiogenesis, such as migration, invasion, and endothelial tube formation, along with decreased expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and CD31 and increased expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Mechanistically, GV1001 significantly decreased the levels of phosphorylated AKT, phosphorylated p65, and VEGF in CRPC cells in a dose-dependent manner. GV1001 was effective in suppressing tumor growth and inducing apoptosis in a CRPC xenograft mouse model. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that GV1001 inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited angiogenesis in CRPC cells by inhibition of the AKT/NF-κB/VEGF signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hyun Park
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Ae Ryang Jung
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Ga Eun Kim
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Mee Young Kim
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Jae Woo Sung
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Dongho Shin
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Hyuk Jin Cho
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - U-Syn Ha
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoo Hong
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Sae Woong Kim
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Ji Youl Lee
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
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7
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Kim KS, Yang HY, Chang SC, Kim YM, Lee KY, Lee BM, Kim HS. Potential repositioning of GV1001 as a therapeutic agent for testosterone‑induced benign prostatic hyperplasia. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:2260-2268. [PMID: 30015834 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the leading causes of male reproductive disorders. Therapeutic agents currently in use have severe side effects; therefore, alternative drugs that exhibit improved therapeutic activity without side effects are required. The present study investigated the protective effect of GV1001 against testosterone‑induced BPH in rats. BPH in castrated rats was established via daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of testosterone propionate (TP, 3 mg/kg) dissolved in corn oil for 4 weeks. GV1001 (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks, together with TP (3 mg/kg) injection. The rats were sacrificed on the last day of treatment, and their prostates were excised and weighed for biochemical and histological studies. Serum levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were also measured. In rats with TP‑induced BPH, a significant increase in prostate weight (PW) and prostatic index (PI), accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity, was observed. Histological studies revealed clearly enlarged glandular cavities in rats with BPH. GV1001 (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg) treatment significantly decreased PW and PI in rats with TP‑induced BPH. In addition, GV1001 demonstrated a potent inhibitory effect on 5α‑reductase in prostate. The present data suggest that the protective role of GV1001 against testosterone‑induced BPH is closely associated with its antioxidant potential. Additional studies are required to identify the mechanisms by which GV1001 protects against BPH to determine its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong Seok Kim
- Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Yong Yang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Cheol Chang
- Institute of Bio-Physio Sensor Technology, Center for Proteome Biophysics, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mi Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi‑do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Youl Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Mu Lee
- Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16419, Republic of Korea
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8
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Grijalvo S, Alagia A, Jorge AF, Eritja R. Covalent Strategies for Targeting Messenger and Non-Coding RNAs: An Updated Review on siRNA, miRNA and antimiR Conjugates. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E74. [PMID: 29415514 PMCID: PMC5852570 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based therapy has become an alternative to classical approaches in the search of novel therapeutics involving gene-related diseases. Several mechanisms have been described in which demonstrate the pivotal role of oligonucleotide for modulating gene expression. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and more recently siRNAs and miRNAs have made important contributions either in reducing aberrant protein levels by sequence-specific targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) or restoring the anomalous levels of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are involved in a good number of diseases including cancer. In addition to formulation approaches which have contributed to accelerate the presence of ASOs, siRNAs and miRNAs in clinical trials; the covalent linkage between non-viral vectors and nucleic acids has also added value and opened new perspectives to the development of promising nucleic acid-based therapeutics. This review article is mainly focused on the strategies carried out for covalently modifying siRNA and miRNA molecules. Examples involving cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), carbohydrates, polymers, lipids and aptamers are discussed for the synthesis of siRNA conjugates whereas in the case of miRNA-based drugs, this review article makes special emphasis in using antagomiRs, locked nucleic acids (LNAs), peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) as well as nanoparticles. The biomedical applications of siRNA and miRNA conjugates are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Grijalvo
- Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC, CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
- Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Adele Alagia
- Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Andreia F Jorge
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, (CQC), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC, CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
- Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract
It is well known that a decreased expression or inhibited activity of telomerase in cancer cells is accompanied by an increased sensitivity to some drugs (e.g., doxorubicin, cisplatin, or 5-fluorouracil). However, the mechanism of the resistance resulting from telomerase alteration remains elusive. There are theories claiming that it might be associated with telomere shortening, genome instability, hTERT translocation, mitochondria functioning modulation, or even alterations in ABC family gene expression. However, association of those mechanisms, i.e., drug resistance and telomerase alterations, is not fully understood yet. We review the current theories on the aspect of the role of telomerase in cancer cells resistance to therapy. We believe that revealing/unravelling this correlation might significantly contribute to an increased efficiency of cancer cells elimination, especially the most difficult ones, i.e., drug resistant.
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GV1001 immunotherapy ameliorates joint inflammation in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis by modifying collagen-specific T-cell responses and downregulating antigen-presenting cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 46:186-193. [PMID: 28314223 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether GV1001 may be useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) experiments showed that therapeutic, but not preventive, GV1001 treatment reduced the severity of joint inflammation in CIA. The third CIA experiment indicated that, compared to vehicle treatment, therapeutic GV1001 treatment was associated with a significantly smaller area under the curve for the overall clinical joint score over the 98day observation period (p<0.05). GV1001 treatment was also associated with lower Day 98 serum IL-6 levels (p<0.01) and histological joint scores (p<0.05). Moreover, splenocytes harvested from the GV1001-treated mice exhibited lower basal and collagen-stimulated production of IFN-γ and IL-6 on Days 49 and 98 than the splenocytes from vehicle-treated mice. The fourth and fifth experiments indicated that earlier treatment resulted in a better response. In addition, human (THP-1) and murine (RAW 264.7) macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients were used for in vitro analyses. GV1001 treatment of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages derived from THP-1 and RAW 264.7 monocytes significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 secretion (THP-1: all p<0.05; RAW 264.7: all p<0.01). However, GV1001 treatment did not affect IL-6 expression in TNFα-stimulated RA FLS. GV1001 reduced the clinical joint scores, serum IL-6 levels, and histological joint scores of mice with CIA. In addition, GV1001 lowered the collagen-stimulated IFN-γ and IL-6 production of murine T-cells and reduced the TNF-α and IL-6 production of macrophages in vitro. Thus, GV1001 may ameliorate joint inflammation by modifying T-cell reactions to the triggering autoantigen and by reducing macrophage cytokine production.
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11
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The Telomerase-Derived Anticancer Peptide Vaccine GV1001 as an Extracellular Heat Shock Protein-Mediated Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17122054. [PMID: 27941629 PMCID: PMC5187854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17122054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which can facilitate the transport of molecular cargo across the plasma membrane, have become important tools in promoting the cellular delivery of macromolecules. GV1001, a peptide derived from a reverse-transcriptase subunit of telomerase (hTERT) and developed as a vaccine against various cancers, reportedly has unexpected CPP properties. Unlike typical CPPs, such as the HIV-1 TAT peptide, GV1001 enabled the cytosolic delivery of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA and siRNA via extracellular heat shock protein 90 (eHSP90) and 70 (eHSP70) complexes. The eHSP-GV1001 interaction may have biological effects in addition to its cytosolic delivery function. GV1001 was originally designed as a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-binding cancer epitope, but its CPP properties may contribute to its strong anti-cancer immune response relative to other telomerase peptide-based vaccines. Cell signaling via eHSP-GV1001 binding may lead to unexpected biological effects, such as direct anticancer or antiviral effects. In this review, we focus on the CPP effects of GV1001 bound to eHSP90 and eHSP70.
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12
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Lokhov PG, Balashova EE. SANTAVAC ™: A Novel Universal Antigen Composition for Developing Cancer Vaccines. Recent Pat Biotechnol 2016; 11:32-41. [PMID: 27903220 PMCID: PMC5396256 DOI: 10.2174/1872208309666161130140535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background: Development of a universal cancer vaccine for the prevention of all cancers has been under development for many years. Antiangiogenic cancer vaccines elicit immune responses with the potential of destroying tumor vasculature endothelial cells without affecting vasculature integrity in normal tissues. The methods used in the development of antigen compositions comprising these vaccines have been recently improved and described in this report in the context of SANTAVAC ™ development - the first cancer vaccine based on endothelial cell heterogeneity. Methods: The present report summarizes data related to SANTAVAC™ development, including technical key points associated with optimal SANTAVAC™ production, a description of the composition required for preparing cancer vaccines with the highest predicted efficacy and safety, and a strategy for SANTAVAC™ large-scale implementation. Patents related to SANTAVAC™ and other universal cancer vaccines are also described. Results: SANTAVAC ™ was shown to be the most promising antigen composition for anti-cancer vaccination, allowing for immune targeting of the tumor vasculature in experimental models with a high predicted efficacy (up to 60), where efficacy represents the fold decrease in the number of endothelial cells with a tumor-induced phenotype and directly related to predicted arrest of tumor growth. Conclusion: The use of SANTAVAC ™ as a universal antigenic composition may spur vaccine development activities resulting in a set of therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines against different types of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr G Lokhov
- Institute of biomedical chemistry, P.O. Box: 119121, Pogodinskaya st., 10, Moscow. Russian Federation
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Lee YK, Nata'atmaja BS, Kim BH, Pak CS, Heo CY. Protective effect of telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine (GV1001) on inferior epigastric island skin flap survivability in ischaemia-reperfusion injury rat model. J Plast Surg Hand Surg 2016; 51:210-216. [PMID: 27670432 DOI: 10.1080/2000656x.2016.1235046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in oxidative damage and a profound inflammatory reaction, leading to cell death. GV 1001 is a telomerase-based 16-mer peptide vaccine developed against cancer. However, it has also been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to determine if GV 1001 can reduce the negative effects caused by IRI in a rat skin flap model owing to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to evaluate the effect of GV 1001, 5 × 5 cm2 inferior epigastric artery based island skin flaps were dissected in 39 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220-270 g. The rats were divided into three groups: (I) non-ischaemic group; (II) IRI with saline; and (III) IRI with 10 mg GV 1001 treatment. Drugs were administered intra-muscularly directly before and after ischaemia. Flap survival area, neutrophil infiltration, cytokine levels (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α), malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Flap survivability was analysed at 7 days after surgery. RESULTS Flap survival area was significantly larger in group III than in group II. Cytokine release level was also significantly lower in group III. Neutrophil infiltration grade, MDA level, and SOD activity slightly decreased in Group III; however, the changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION These results imply that GV 1001 exerts a protective effect against IRI through antioxidant effects, reducing reactive oxygen species, and suppressing the inflammatory cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung Ki Lee
- a Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine , Kyung Hee University , Seoul , Korea
| | - Beta Subakti Nata'atmaja
- b Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Dr. Soetomo General Hospital ? Airlangga University School of Medicine , Surabaya , Indonesia
| | - Byung Hwi Kim
- c Department of Biomedical Engineering , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Chang Sik Pak
- d Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Seoul National University Bundang Hospital , Seongnam , Korea
| | - Chan Yeong Heo
- c Department of Biomedical Engineering , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.,d Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Seoul National University Bundang Hospital , Seongnam , Korea
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Chen Y, Zhang Y. Functional and mechanistic analysis of telomerase: An antitumor drug target. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 163:24-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Park HH, Yu HJ, Kim S, Kim G, Choi NY, Lee EH, Lee YJ, Yoon MY, Lee KY, Koh SH. Neural stem cells injured by oxidative stress can be rejuvenated by GV1001, a novel peptide, through scavenging free radicals and enhancing survival signals. Neurotoxicology 2016; 55:131-141. [PMID: 27265016 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a well-known pathogenic mechanism of a diverse array of neurological diseases, and thus, numerous studies have attempted to identify antioxidants that prevent neuronal cell death. GV1001 is a 16-amino-acid peptide derived from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Considering that hTERT has a strong antioxidant effect, whether GV1001 also has an antioxidant effect is a question of interest. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of GV1001 against oxidative stress in neural stem cells (NSCs). Primary culture NSCs were treated with different concentrations of GV1001 and/or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for various time durations. The H2O2 decreased the viability of the NSCs in a concentration-dependent manner, with 200μM H2O2 significantly decreasing both proliferation and migration. However, treatment with GV1001 rescued the viability, proliferation and migration of H2O2-injured NSCs. Consistently, free radical levels were increased in rat NSCs treated with H2O2, while co-treatment with GV1001 significantly reduced these levels, especially the intracellular levels. In addition, GV1001 restored the expression of survival-related proteins and reduced the expression of death-associated ones in NSCs treated with H2O2. In conclusion, GV1001 has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in NSCs following treatment with H2O2, which appear to be mediated by scavenging free radicals, increasing survival signals and decreasing death signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Hee Park
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Jung Yu
- Department of Neurology, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Sangjae Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, KAEL-Gemvax Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gabseok Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, KAEL-Gemvax Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Na-Young Choi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Hye Lee
- Department of Translational Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Joo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Moon-Young Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyu-Yong Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Seong-Ho Koh
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Translational Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul, South Korea.
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Abstract
Pancreas adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy. The risk of recurrence remains high even for patients with localized disease undergoing surgical resection. Adjuvant systemic therapy has demonstrated the ability to reduce the risk of recurrence and prolong survival. Determination of optimal adjuvant treatment, systemic therapy, and/or combinations to further improve recurrence rates and overall survival are still needed. Neoadjuvant therapy represents an alternative emerging paradigm of investigation with several theoretic advantages over adjuvant therapy. This article summarizes the major adjuvant and neoadjuvant studies for pancreas adenocarcinoma and highlights key areas of ongoing investigation.
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Lee SA, Kim J, Sim J, Kim SG, Kook YH, Park CG, Kim HR, Kim BJ. A telomerase-derived peptide regulates reactive oxygen species and hepatitis C virus RNA replication in HCV-infected cells via heat shock protein 90. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 471:156-62. [PMID: 26828270 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.01.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
GV1001, a synthetic peptide derived from human telomerase, has a range of diverse biological activities, including an antioxidant function. Here, we investigated the role of GV1001 in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected Huh7.5 (JFH-1) cells. We showed that GV1001 inhibited the production of ROS with decreased MAP kinase signaling. Interestingly, GV1001 lost its antioxidant activity as ROS levels decreased, resulting in a reduction in extracellular heat shock protein 90 (eHSP90) as low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) was blocked or knocked-down. GV1001 binds to eHSP90 and is delivered into the cell by endocytosis via LRP1. Endocytosed GV1001 finally suppressed ROS generation, presumably by hindering the interaction between eHSP90 and NADPH oxidase (NOX). Importantly, GV1001 suppressed HCV RNA replication in JFH-1 cells by inhibiting the binding of HSP90 to FKBP8, a member of the FK506-binding protein family. We also found that HSP90 expression was high in HCV-infected hepatocytes. Therefore, our data suggest that GV1001 may be a good therapeutic agent by controlling HCV RNA replication, as well as by preferentially targeting cells under conditions of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoung-Ae Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Sim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Gyune Kim
- Digestive Disease Center and Research Institute, SoonChunHyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon 14584, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Hoh Kook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Gyu Park
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hang-Rae Kim
- Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bum-Joon Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Lokhov PG, Balashova EE. Design of universal cancer vaccines using natural tumor vessel-specific antigens (SANTAVAC). Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:689-98. [PMID: 25714389 PMCID: PMC4514425 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1011022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against endothelial cells (ECs) lining the tumor vasculature represents one of the most attractive potential cancer immunotherapy options due to its ability to prevent solid tumor growth. Using this approach, target antigens can be derived from ECs and used to develop a universal cancer vaccine. Unfortunately, direct immunization with EC preparations can elicit autoimmune vasculitis in normal tissues. Recently, tumor-induced changes to the human EC surface were described that provided a basis for designing efficient EC-based vaccines capable of eliciting immune responses that targeted the tumor endothelium directly. This review examines these data from the perspective of designing EC-based cancer vaccines for the treatment of all solid tumors, including the antigen composition of vaccine formulations, the selection ECs for antigen derivation, the production and control of antigens, and the method for estimating vaccine efficacy and safety. As the vaccine preparation requires a specifically derived set of natural cell surface antigens, a new vaccine preparation concept was formulated. Antigen compositions prepared according to this concept were named SANTAVAC (Set of All Natural Target Antigens for Vaccination Against Cancer).
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr G Lokhov
- a Institute of Biomedical Chemistry ; Moscow , Russia
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Tagliamonte M, Petrizzo A, Napolitano M, Luciano A, Arra C, Maiolino P, Izzo F, Tornesello ML, Aurisicchio L, Ciliberto G, Buonaguro FM, Buonaguro L. Novel metronomic chemotherapy and cancer vaccine combinatorial strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a mouse model. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:1305-14. [PMID: 25944003 PMCID: PMC11028459 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1698-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer and represents the third and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in men and women, respectively. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infections account for pathogenesis of more than 80 % of primary HCC. HCC prognosis greatly varies according to stage at beginning of treatment, but the overall 5-year survival rate is approximately 5-6 %. Given the limited number of effective therapeutic strategies available, immunotherapies and therapeutic cancer vaccines may help in improving the clinical outcome for HCC patients. However, the few clinical trials conducted to date have shown contrasting results, indicating the need for improvements. In the present study, a novel combinatorial strategy, based on metronomic chemotherapy plus vaccine, is evaluated in a mouse model. The chemotherapy is a multi-drug cocktail including taxanes and alkylating agents, which is administered in a metronomic-like fashion. The vaccine is a multi-peptide cocktail including HCV as well as universal tumor antigen TERT epitopes. The combinatorial strategy designed and evaluated in the present study induces an enhanced specific T cell response, when compared to vaccine alone, which correlates to a reduced Treg frequency. Such results are highly promising and may pave way to relevant improvements in immunotherapeutic strategies for HCC and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tagliamonte
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Annacarmen Petrizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Napolitano
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Luciano
- Animal Facility, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- Animal Facility, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Piera Maiolino
- Pharmacy Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Hepato-Biliary Surgery Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Franco M. Buonaguro
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, “Fondazione Pascale” - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
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Protective effect of peptide GV1001 against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Transplant Proc 2015; 46:1117-22. [PMID: 24815142 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common complication after kidney transplantation. Peptide GV1001 is a peptide vaccine representing a 16-amino acid human telomerase reverse transcriptase sequence, which has been reported to possess potential antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of peptide GV1001 on renal IRI. METHODS Peptide GV1001 was subcutaneously administered to C57BL6/J mice 30 minutes before and 12 hours after bilateral IRI. Sham operation and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection were used as controls. Blood and renal tissues were harvested at 1 day after IRI. RESULTS Peptide GV1001 treatment significantly attenuated renal functional deterioration after IRI (peptide GV1001 group vs PBS group; blood urea nitrogen, P < .05; creatinine, P < .05). Peptide GV1001 treatment also attenuated renal tissue injury (tubular injury score; the peptide GV1001 group vs PBS group; P < .001). Renal apoptosis was also lower in the peptide GV1001 group. Immunohistochemical studies showed that IRI increased perirenal infiltration of both neutrophils and macrophages, and that peptide GV1001 significantly attenuated this process. Expression of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 was significantly reduced by peptide GV1001 treatment. CONCLUSIONS Peptide GV1001 ameliorates acute renal IRI by reducing inflammation and apoptosis; therefore, it is promising as a potential therapeutic agent for renal IRI. The mechanisms of protection should be explored in further studies.
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Abstract
The last two decades of research in the adjuvant setting of pancreas adenocarcinoma have established the value of adjuvant systemic therapy as being able to delay recurrence and increase overall survival. International standards of care in the adjuvant setting include either 6 months of gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. The added value of additional agents in the adjuvant setting is being evaluated in several large adjuvant studies. The role of a targeted agent in the adjuvant setting remains investigational. Other major areas of exploration include the integration of adjuvant immunotherapeutic approaches, which provide promise in a setting of micrometastatic disease volumes where such approaches may have greatest value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daneng Li
- Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
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Middleton G, Silcocks P, Cox T, Valle J, Wadsley J, Propper D, Coxon F, Ross P, Madhusudan S, Roques T, Cunningham D, Falk S, Wadd N, Harrison M, Corrie P, Iveson T, Robinson A, McAdam K, Eatock M, Evans J, Archer C, Hickish T, Garcia-Alonso A, Nicolson M, Steward W, Anthoney A, Greenhalf W, Shaw V, Costello E, Naisbitt D, Rawcliffe C, Nanson G, Neoptolemos J. Gemcitabine and capecitabine with or without telomerase peptide vaccine GV1001 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer (TeloVac): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2014; 15:829-40. [PMID: 24954781 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(14)70236-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of sequential or simultaneous telomerase vaccination (GV1001) in combination with chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS TeloVac was a three-group, open-label, randomised phase 3 trial. We recruited patients from 51 UK hospitals. Eligible patients were treatment naive, aged older than 18 years, with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive either chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy with sequential GV1001 (sequential chemoimmunotherapy), or chemotherapy with concurrent GV1001 (concurrent chemoimmunotherapy). Treatments were allocated with equal probability by means of computer-generated random permuted blocks of sizes 3 and 6 in equal proportion. Chemotherapy included six cycles of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2), 30 min intravenous infusion, at days 1, 8, and 15) and capecitabine (830 mg/m(2) orally twice daily for 21 days, repeated every 28 days). Sequential chemoimmunotherapy included two cycles of combination chemotherapy, then an intradermal lower abdominal injection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; 75 μg) and GV1001 (0·56 mg; days 1, 3, and 5, once on weeks 2-4, and six monthly thereafter). Concurrent chemoimmunotherapy included giving GV1001 from the start of chemotherapy with GM-CSF as an adjuvant. The primary endpoint was overall survival; analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN4382138. FINDINGS The first patient was randomly assigned to treatment on March 29, 2007, and the trial was terminated on March 27, 2011. Of 1572 patients screened, 1062 were randomly assigned to treatment (358 patients were allocated to the chemotherapy group, 350 to the sequential chemoimmunotherapy group, and 354 to the concurrent chemoimmunotherapy group). We recorded 772 deaths; the 290 patients still alive were followed up for a median of 6·0 months (IQR 2·4-12·2). Median overall survival was not significantly different in the chemotherapy group than in the sequential chemoimmunotherapy group (7·9 months [95% CI 7·1-8·8] vs 6·9 months [6·4-7·6]; hazard ratio [HR] 1·19, 98·25% CI 0·97-1·48, p=0·05), or in the concurrent chemoimmunotherapy group (8·4 months [95% CI 7·3-9·7], HR 1·05, 98·25% CI 0·85-1·29, p=0·64; overall log-rank of χ(2)2df=4·3; p=0·11). The commonest grade 3-4 toxic effects were neutropenia (68 [19%] patients in the chemotherapy group, 58 [17%] patients in the sequential chemoimmunotherapy group, and 79 [22%] patients in the concurrent chemoimmunotherapy group; fatigue (27 [8%] in the chemotherapy group, 35 [10%] in the sequential chemoimmunotherapy group, and 44 [12%] in the concurrent chemoimmunotherapy group); and pain (34 [9%] patients in the chemotherapy group, 39 [11%] in the sequential chemoimmunotherapy group, and 41 [12%] in the concurrent chemoimmunotherapy group). INTERPRETATION Adding GV1001 vaccination to chemotherapy did not improve overall survival. New strategies to enhance the immune response effect of telomerase vaccination during chemotherapy are required for clinical efficacy. FUNDING Cancer Research UK and KAEL-GemVax.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Silcocks
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Trevor Cox
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Juan Valle
- Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester, Manchester UK
| | - Jonathan Wadsley
- Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - David Propper
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, West Smithfield, London, UK
| | - Fareeda Coxon
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul Ross
- Guy's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Tom Roques
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - David Cunningham
- The Royal Marsden, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stephen Falk
- Bristol Haematology And Oncology Centre, University Hospital Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Nick Wadd
- The James Cook University Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middleborough, UK
| | - Mark Harrison
- Mount Vernon Hospital, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northwood, UK
| | - Pippa Corrie
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tim Iveson
- Southampton General Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Angus Robinson
- Conquest Hospital, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK
| | - Karen McAdam
- Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Edith, Cavell Campus, Peterborough, UK
| | - Martin Eatock
- Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Jeff Evans
- University of Glasgow, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - Caroline Archer
- Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Tamas Hickish
- Royal Bournemouth Hospital, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bournemouth, UK
| | | | | | - William Steward
- Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Alan Anthoney
- St James University Hospital, The Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
| | - William Greenhalf
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Victoria Shaw
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eithne Costello
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Dean Naisbitt
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Charlotte Rawcliffe
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gemma Nanson
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - John Neoptolemos
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Cancer Trials Unit and GCLP Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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Staff C, Mozaffari F, Frödin JE, Mellstedt H, Liljefors M. Telomerase (GV1001) vaccination together with gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer patients. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:1293-303. [PMID: 24919654 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is expressed in 85-90 % of pancreatic adenocarcinomas and might be a target for active cancer immunotherapy. A study was conducted to investigate safety and immunogenicity in non-resectable pancreatic carcinoma patients using a 16-amino acid telomerase peptide (GV1001) for vaccination in combination with GM-CSF and gemcitabine as first line treatment. Three different vaccine treatment schedules were used; [A (n=6), B (n=6) and C (n=5)]. Groups A/B received GV1001, GM-CSF and gemcitabine concurrently. Group C received initially GV1001 and GM-CSF while gemcitabine was added at disease progression. Group D (n=4) was treated with gemcitabine alone. Adverse events (AE) related to vaccination were mild (grades I-II). Grade III AEs were few and transient. An induced GV 1001‑specific immune response was defined as an increase ≥2 above the baseline value in one of the assays (DTH, proliferation, ELISPOT and cytokine secretion assays, respectively). A telomerase‑specific immune response was noted in 4/6 patients in group A, 4/6 patients in group B and 2/5 patients in group C. An induced ras‑specific immune response (antigenic spreading) was seen in 5 of the 17 patients. The cytokine pattern was that of a Th1-like profile. A treatment induced telomerase or ras response was also noted in group D. All responses were weak and transient. A significant decrease in regulatory T-cells over time was noted in patients in groups A and B (p<0.05). Telomerase vaccination (GV1001) in combination with chemotherapy appeared to be safe but the immune responses were weak and transient. Measures have to be taken to optimize immune responses of GV1001 for it to be considered of clinical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Staff
- Department of Oncology-Pathology (Radiumhemmet), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fariba Mozaffari
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan-Erik Frödin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology (Radiumhemmet), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Mellstedt
- Department of Oncology-Pathology (Radiumhemmet), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Liljefors
- Department of Oncology-Pathology (Radiumhemmet), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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Dolcetti R, Giunco S, Dal Col J, Celeghin A, Mastorci K, De Rossi A. Epstein-Barr virus and telomerase: from cell immortalization to therapy. Infect Agent Cancer 2014; 9:8. [PMID: 24572088 PMCID: PMC3943417 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-9-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Overcoming cellular senescence is strictly required for virus-driven tumors, including those associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This critical step is successfully accomplished by EBV through TERT expression and telomerase activation in infected cells. We herein review the complex interplay between EBV and TERT/telomerase in EBV-driven tumorigenesis. Evidence accumulated so far clearly indicates that elucidation of this issue may offer promising opportunities for the design of innovative treatment modalities for EBV-associated malignancies. Indeed, several therapeutic strategies for telomerase inhibition have been developed and are being investigated in clinical trials. In this respect, our recent finding that TERT inhibition sensitizes EBV+ lymphoma cells to antivirals through activation of EBV lytic replication is particularly promising and provides a rationale for the activation of clinical studies aimed at assessing the effects of combination therapies with TERT inhibitors and antivirals for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Dolcetti
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy.
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25
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Park HH, Lee KY, Kim S, Lee JW, Choi NY, Lee EH, Lee YJ, Lee SH, Koh SH. Novel vaccine peptide GV1001 effectively blocks β-amyloid toxicity by mimicking the extra-telomeric functions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 35:1255-74. [PMID: 24439482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
GV1001 is a 16-amino-acid vaccine peptide derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase sequence. We investigated the effects of GV1001 against β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomer-induced neurotoxicity in rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Primary culture NSCs were treated with several concentrations of GV1001 and/or Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ oligomer for 48 hours. GV1001 protected NSCs against the Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ oligomer in a concentration-dependent manner. Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ concentration dependently decreased viability, proliferation, and mobilization of NSCs and GV1001 treatment restored the cells to wild-type levels. Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ increased free radical levels in rat NSCs while combined treatment with GV1001 significantly reduced these levels. In addition, GV1001 treatment of Aβ₂₅₋₃₅-injured NSCs increased the expression level of survival-related proteins, including mitochondria-associated survival proteins, and decreased the levels of death and inflammation-related proteins, including mitochondria-associated death proteins. Together, these results suggest that GV1001 possesses neuroprotective effects against Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ oligomer in NSCs and that these effects are mediated through mimicking the extra-telomeric functions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, including the induction of cellular proliferation, anti-apoptotic effects, mitochondrial stabilization, and anti-aging and anti-oxidant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Hee Park
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Gyeonggi, Korea
| | - Kyu-Yong Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Gyeonggi, Korea
| | - Sangjae Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, KAEL-Gemvax Co, Ltd, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Na-Young Choi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Hye Lee
- Department of Translational Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Joo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Gyeonggi, Korea
| | - Sang-Hun Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong-Ho Koh
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Gyeonggi, Korea; Department of Translational Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul, Korea.
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26
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Lu Y, Wei B, Zhang T, Chen Z, Ye J. How will telomeric complex be further contributed to our longevity? - the potential novel biomarkers of telomere complex counteracting both aging and cancer. Protein Cell 2013; 4:573-81. [PMID: 23864530 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-013-3002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the smooth move towards the coming expected clinical reports of anticancer pharmaceutical molecules targeting telomeres and telomerase, and also with the exciting success in the extension of lifespan by regulating telomerase activity without increased onset of oncogenesis in laboratory mouse models (Garcia-Cao et al., 2006; Jaskelioff et al., 2011), we are convinced that targeting telomeres based on telomerase will be a potential approach to conquer both aging and cancer and the idea of longevity seems to be no more mysterious. More interestingly, emerging evidences from clinical research reveal that other telomeric factors, like specific telomeric binding proteins and nonspecific telomere associated proteins also show crucial importance in aging and oncogenesis. This stems from their roles in the stability of telomere structure and in the inhibition of DNA damage response at telomeres. Uncapping these proteins from chromosome ends leads to dramatic telomere loss and telomere dysfunction which is more abrupt than those induced by telomerase inactivation. Abnormal expression of these factors results in developmental failure, aging and even oncogenesis evidenced by several experimental models and clinical cases, indicating telomere specific proteins and its associated proteins have complimentary roles to telomerase in telomere protection and controlling cellular fate. Thus, these telomeric factors might be potential clinical biomarkers for early detection or even therapeutic targets of aging and cancer. Future studies to elucidate how these proteins function in telomere protection might benefit patients suffering aging or cancer who are not sensitive to telomerase mediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Lu
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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Yan J, Pankhong P, Shin TH, Obeng-Adjei N, Morrow MP, Walters JN, Khan AS, Sardesai NY, Weiner DB. Highly optimized DNA vaccine targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase stimulates potent antitumor immunity. Cancer Immunol Res 2013; 1:179-189. [PMID: 24777680 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-13-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
High levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) are detected in more than 85% of human cancers. Immunologic analysis supports that hTERT is a widely applicable target recognized by T cells and can be potentially studied as a broad cancer immunotherapeutic, or a unique line of defense against tumor recurrence. There remains an urgent need to develop more potent hTERT vaccines. Here, a synthetic highly optimized full-length hTERT DNA vaccine (phTERT) was designed and the induced immunity was examined in mice and non-human primates (NHP). When delivered by electroporation, phTERT elicited strong, broad hTERT-specific CD8 T-cell responses including induction of T cells expressing CD107a, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in mice. The ability of phTERT to overcome tolerance was evaluated in an NHP model, whose TERT is 96% homologous to that of hTERT. Immunized monkeys exhibited robust [average 1,834 spot forming unit (SFU)/10(6) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)], diverse (multiple immunodominant epitopes) IFN-γ responses and antigen-specific perforin release (average 332 SFU/10(6) PBMCs), suggesting that phTERT breaks tolerance and induces potent cytotoxic responses in this human-relevant model. Moreover, in an HPV16-associated tumor model, vaccination of phTERT slows tumor growth and improves survival rate in both prophylactic and therapeutic studies. Finally, in vivo cytotoxicity assay confirmed that phTERT-induced CD8 T cells exhibited specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, capable of eliminating hTERT-pulsed target cells. These findings support that this synthetic electroporation-delivered DNA phTERT may have a role as a broad therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422
| | - Panyupa Pankhong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas H Shin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nyamekye Obeng-Adjei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew P Morrow
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422
| | - Jewell N Walters
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amir S Khan
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422
| | - Niranjan Y Sardesai
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1787 Sentry Parkway West, Building 18, Suite 400, Blue Bell, PA 19422
| | - David B Weiner
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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28
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O'Reilly EM. Adjuvant therapy for pancreas adenocarcinoma. J Surg Oncol 2012; 107:78-85. [PMID: 22886586 DOI: 10.1002/jso.23230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvant therapy for pancreas adenocarcinoma in 2012 includes consideration of systemic therapy based on high level evidence and combined chemoradiotherapy based on less robust data. Current major adjuvant questions are examining the role of the addition of a second agent, either cytotoxic or targeted agent, to gemcitabine and whether or not the utilization of combined chemoradiotherapy improves overall survival. Progress to date has been modest and incremental in the adjuvant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M O'Reilly
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
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29
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Ruden M, Puri N. Novel anticancer therapeutics targeting telomerase. Cancer Treat Rev 2012; 39:444-56. [PMID: 22841437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of human chromosomes. Telomeres shorten with each successive cell division in normal human cells whereas, in tumors, they are continuously elongated by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Telomerase is overexpressed in 80-95% of cancers and is present in very low levels or is almost undetectable in normal cells. Because telomerase plays a pivotal role in cancer cell growth it may serve as an ideal target for anticancer therapeutics. Inhibition of telomerase may lead to a decrease of telomere length resulting in cell senescence and apoptosis in telomerase positive tumors. Several strategies of telomerase inhibition are reviewed, including small molecule inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides, immunotherapies and gene therapies, targeting the hTERT or the ribonucleoprotein subunit hTER. G-quadruplex stabilizers, tankyrase and HSP90 inhibitors targeting telomere and telomerase assembly, and T-oligo approach are also covered. Based on this review, the most promising current telomerase targeting therapeutics are the antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor GRN163L and immunotherapies that use dendritic cells (GRVAC1), hTERT peptide (GV1001) or cryptic peptides (Vx-001). Most of these agents have entered phase I and II clinical trials in patients with various tumors, and have shown good response rates as evidenced by a reduction in tumor cell growth, increased overall disease survival, disease stabilization in advanced staged tumors and complete/partial responses. Most therapeutics have shown to be more effective when used in combination with standard therapies, resulting in concomitant telomere shortening and tumor mass shrinkage, as well as preventing tumor relapse and resistance to single agent therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ruden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107-1822, USA
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30
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Godet Y, Fabre E, Dosset M, Lamuraglia M, Levionnois E, Ravel P, Benhamouda N, Cazes A, Le Pimpec-Barthes F, Gaugler B, Langlade-Demoyen P, Pivot X, Saas P, Maillère B, Tartour E, Borg C, Adotévi O. Analysis of spontaneous tumor-specific CD4 T-cell immunity in lung cancer using promiscuous HLA-DR telomerase-derived epitopes: potential synergistic effect with chemotherapy response. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:2943-53. [PMID: 22407833 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-3185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the presence and impact of spontaneous telomerase-specific CD4 T-cell responses in cancer patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A multistep approach was used to design novel pan-HLA-DR-restricted peptides from telomerase. T-cell clones isolated from cancer patients were used to characterize the polarization of telomerase-specific CD4 response. The presence of spontaneous CD4 T-cell response against telomerase was monitored in 84 metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients before first-line chemotherapy (CT) using IFN-γ ELISPOT assay. Then we analyzed the impact of the pretherapeutic telomerase-specific CD4 T immunity on clinical outcome in patients according to their respective response to CT. RESULTS We described four novel telomerase-derived CD4 epitopes referred as universal cancer peptides (UCP) that effectively bind to most commonly found human MHC class II alleles. UCP-specific CD4 T-cell repertoire is present in human and UCP-specific CD4 T-cell clones generated from cancer patients exhibited high avidity and are Th1 polarized. Significant frequency (38%) of naturally occurring UCP-specific T-cell responses were detected before CT in advanced NSCLC but not in healthy volunteers. This response was shown to significantly increase overall survival (OS) of patients responding to CT (Median OS: 53 vs. 40 weeks, P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS These results show for the first time a potential synergistic effect of telomerase-specific CD4 T-cell response with CT response in NSCLC and underline the potential role of tumor-specific CD4 T-cell response on the efficiency of conventional anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Godet
- INSERM, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1098, F-25020 Besançon cedex, France.
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31
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Brunsvig PF, Kyte JA, Kersten C, Sundstrøm S, Møller M, Nyakas M, Hansen GL, Gaudernack G, Aamdal S. Telomerase peptide vaccination in NSCLC: a phase II trial in stage III patients vaccinated after chemoradiotherapy and an 8-year update on a phase I/II trial. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:6847-57. [PMID: 21918169 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-1385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We report two clinical trials in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients evaluating immune response, toxicity, and clinical outcome after vaccination with the telomerase peptide GV1001: a phase II trial (CTN-2006) in patients vaccinated after chemoradiotherapy and an 8-year update on a previously reported phase I/II trial (CTN-2000). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN CTN-2006: 23 inoperable stage III patients received radiotherapy (2 Gy × 30) and weekly docetaxel (20 mg/m(2)), followed by GV1001 vaccination. CTN-2000: 26 patients were vaccinated with two telomerase peptides (GV1001 and I540). The immune responses were evaluated by T-cell proliferation and cytokine assays. RESULTS CTN-2006 trial: a GV1001-specific immune response developed in 16/20 evaluable patients. Long-term immunomonitoring showed persisting responses in 13 subjects. Serious adverse events were not observed. Immune responders recorded a median PFS of 371 days, compared with 182 days for nonresponders (P = 0.20). CTN-2000 trial update: 13/24 evaluable subjects developed a GV1001 response. The immune responders achieved increased survival compared with nonresponders (median 19 months vs. 3.5 months; P < 0.001). Follow-up of four long-time survivors showed that they all harbored durable GV1001-specific T-cell memory responses and IFNγ(high)/IL-10(low)/IL-4(low) cytokine profiles. Two patients are free of disease after 108 and 93 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Vaccination with GV1001 is well tolerated, immunizes the majority of NSCLC patients and establishes durable T-cell memory. The considerable immune response rate and low toxicity in the phase II trial support the concept of combining chemoradiotherapy with vaccination. The survival advantage observed for immune responders warrants a randomized trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paal Fr Brunsvig
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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Kyte JA, Gaudernack G, Dueland S, Trachsel S, Julsrud L, Aamdal S. Telomerase peptide vaccination combined with temozolomide: a clinical trial in stage IV melanoma patients. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:4568-80. [PMID: 21586625 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study is a proof-of-principle trial evaluating toxicity, immune response, and clinical response in melanoma patients after combined therapy with temozolomide and the telomerase peptide vaccine GV1001. Our previous GV1001 trials showed immune responses in approximately 60% of lung or pancreatic cancer patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Twenty-five subjects with advanced stage IV melanoma (M1B or M1C) received concomitant temozolomide and GV1001. Temozolomide was administered 200 mg/m² orally for 5 days every fourth week, and GV1001 as eight injections over 11 weeks. Immune response was evaluated by delayed type hypersensitivity, T-cell proliferation, and cytokine assays. The immunologic responders continued monthly vaccination. RESULTS The treatment was well tolerated. A GV1001-specific immune response was shown in 18 of 23 evaluated subjects (78%). Patients developing long-term T-cell memory survived more than those rapidly losing their responses. The immune response exhibited several characteristics of possible clinical significance including high IFNγ/IL-10 ratios, polyfunctional cytokine profiles, and recognition of naturally processed antigens. Survival compared favorably with matched controls from a benchmark meta-analysis (1 year: 44% vs. 24%, 2 years: 16% vs. 6.6%). The clinical responses developed gradually over years, contrary to what is expected from chemotherapy. Five patients developed partial tumor regression and six more recorded stable disease. One patient has no remaining disease on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS The immunologic response rate is considerable compared with previous GV1001 trials without concomitant chemotherapy, although low toxicity is retained. The results warrant further studies of GV1001/temozolomide treatment and support the general concept of combining cancer vaccination with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Amund Kyte
- Section for Clinical Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Schlapbach C, Yerly D, Daubner B, Yawalkar N, Hunger RE. Telomerase-specific GV1001 peptide vaccination fails to induce objective tumor response in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma. J Dermatol Sci 2011; 62:75-83. [PMID: 21377838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is currently no curative therapy for cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). New therapies are therefore needed. Telomerase, the enzyme that allows for unrestricted cell divisions of cancer cells, is a promising target for cancer therapy. The telomerase-specific peptide vaccination GV1001 has shown promising results in previous studies. Since telomerase is expressed in malignant cells of CTCL, GV1001 vaccination in CTCL is a promising new therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the efficacy of GV1001 vaccination in CTCL patients and characterize the induced immune response. METHODS Six CTCL patients were vaccinated with the GV-peptide using granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor as adjuvant. Objective clinical response and the T cell response were assessed. RESULTS None of the patients demonstrated objective clinical response to the vaccination whereas one patient showed disease progression. 1/6 patients acquired a GV1001-specifc T cell response with a Th1 cytokine profile and expression of skin-homing receptors. This hTERT-specific T cell response was not associated with beneficial modulation of the tumor-infiltrating leukocytes. Furthermore, removal of regulatory T cells did not enhance responsiveness to GV1001 in vitro in any of the patients analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the GV1001 vaccination is not effective in CTCL patients and disease progression in 1/6 patients raises concerns about its safety. By analyzing skin-homing properties of GV1001-specific T cells and the involvement of regulatory T cells we nevertheless provide insight into vaccine-induced immune responses which may help to improve vaccine strategies in CTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schlapbach
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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