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Guzman G, Pellot K, Reed MR, Rodriguez A. CAR T-cells to treat brain tumors. Brain Res Bull 2023; 196:76-98. [PMID: 36841424 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Tremendous success using CAR T therapy in hematological malignancies has garnered significant interest in developing such treatments for solid tumors, including brain tumors. This success, however, has yet to be mirrored in solid organ neoplasms. CAR T function has shown limited efficacy against brain tumors due to several factors including the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, blood-brain barrier, and tumor-antigen heterogeneity. Despite these considerations, CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to be implemented as a treatment modality for brain tumors. Here, we review adult and pediatric brain tumors, including glioblastoma, diffuse midline gliomas, and medulloblastomas that continue to portend a grim prognosis. We describe insights gained from different preclinical models using CAR T therapy against various brain tumors and results gathered from ongoing clinical trials. Furthermore, we outline the challenges limiting CAR T therapy success against brain tumors and summarize advancements made to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Guzman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | | | - Megan R Reed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.
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2
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Barresi V, Musmeci C, Rinaldi A, Condorelli DF. Transcript-Targeted Therapy Based on RNA Interference and Antisense Oligonucleotides: Current Applications and Novel Molecular Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168875. [PMID: 36012138 PMCID: PMC9408055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of novel target therapies based on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) is growing in an exponential way, challenging the chance for the treatment of the genetic diseases and cancer by hitting selectively targeted RNA in a sequence-dependent manner. Multiple opportunities are taking shape, able to remove defective protein by silencing RNA (e.g., Inclisiran targets mRNA of protein PCSK9, permitting a longer half-life of LDL receptors in heterozygous familial hypercholesteremia), by arresting mRNA translation (i.e., Fomivirsen that binds to UL123-RNA and blocks the translation into IE2 protein in CMV-retinitis), or by reactivating modified functional protein (e.g., Eteplirsen able to restore a functional shorter dystrophin by skipping the exon 51 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy) or a not very functional protein. In this last case, the use of ASOs permits modifying the expression of specific proteins by modulating splicing of specific pre-RNAs (e.g., Nusinersen acts on the splicing of exon 7 in SMN2 mRNA normally not expressed; it is used for spinal muscular atrophy) or by downregulation of transcript levels (e.g., Inotersen acts on the transthryretin mRNA to reduce its expression; it is prescribed for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis) in order to restore the biochemical/physiological condition and ameliorate quality of life. In the era of precision medicine, recently, an experimental splice-modulating antisense oligonucleotide, Milasen, was designed and used to treat an 8-year-old girl affected by a rare, fatal, progressive form of neurodegenerative disease leading to death during adolescence. In this review, we summarize the main transcriptional therapeutic drugs approved to date for the treatment of genetic diseases by principal regulatory government agencies and recent clinical trials aimed at the treatment of cancer. Their mechanism of action, chemical structure, administration, and biomedical performance are predominantly discussed.
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Ghonime MG, Saini U, Kelly MC, Roth JC, Wang PY, Chen CY, Miller K, Hernandez-Aguirre I, Kim Y, Mo X, Stanek JR, Cripe T, Mardis E, Cassady KA. Eliciting an immune-mediated antitumor response through oncolytic herpes simplex virus-based shared antigen expression in tumors resistant to viroimmunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002939. [PMID: 34599026 PMCID: PMC8488720 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) is an immunotherapy that incorporates viral cancer cell lysis with engagement of the recruited immune response against cancer cells. Pediatric solid tumors are challenging targets because they contain both an inert immune environment and a quiet antigenic landscape, making them more resistant to conventional OV approaches. Further complicating this, herpes simplex virus suppresses host gene expression during virotherapy infection. Methods We therefore developed a multimodal oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) that expresses ephrin A2 (EphA2), a shared tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expressed by many tumors to improve immune-mediated antitumor activity. We verified the virus genotypically and phenotypically and then tested it in an oHSV-resistant orthotopic model (including immunophenotypic analysis), in flank and in T cell-deficient mouse models. We then assessed the antigen-expressing virus in an unrelated peripheral tumor model that also expresses the shared tumor antigen and evaluated functional T-cell response from the treated mice. Results Virus-based EphA2 expression induces a robust acquired antitumor immune responses in both an oHSV-resistant murine brain and peripheral tumor model. Our new multimodal oncolytic virus (1) improves survival in viroimmunotherapy resistant tumors, (2) alters both the infiltrating and peripheral T-cell populations capable of suppressing tumor growth on rechallenge, and (3) produces EphA2-specific CD8 effector-like populations. Conclusions Our results suggest that this flexible viral-based platform enables immune recognition of the shared TAA and improves the immune-therapeutic response, thus making it well suited for low-mutational load tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed G Ghonime
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Uksha Saini
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Justin C Roth
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Pin-Yi Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine Miller
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Yeaseul Kim
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Xiaokui Mo
- Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joseph R Stanek
- Biostatistics Resource, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Tim Cripe
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Elaine Mardis
- Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kevin A Cassady
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA .,Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Rosińska S, Gavard J. Tumor Vessels Fuel the Fire in Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6514. [PMID: 34204510 PMCID: PMC8235363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, a subset of aggressive brain tumors, deploy several means to increase blood vessel supply dedicated to the tumor mass. This includes typical program borrowed from embryonic development, such as vasculogenesis and sprouting angiogenesis, as well as unconventional processes, including co-option, vascular mimicry, and transdifferentiation, in which tumor cells are pro-actively engaged. However, these neo-generated vascular networks are morphologically and functionally abnormal, suggesting that the vascularization processes are rather inefficient in the tumor ecosystem. In this review, we reiterate the specificities of each neovascularization modality in glioblastoma, and, how they can be hampered mechanistically in the perspective of anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rosińska
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Julie Gavard
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France;
- Integrated Center for Oncology, ICO, 44800 St. Herblain, France
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Maggs L, Cattaneo G, Dal AE, Moghaddam AS, Ferrone S. CAR T Cell-Based Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:662064. [PMID: 34113233 PMCID: PMC8185049 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.662064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Current treatment options typically consist of surgery followed by chemotherapy or more frequently radiotherapy, however, median patient survival remains at just over 1 year. Therefore, the need for novel curative therapies for GBM is vital. Characterization of GBM cells has contributed to identify several molecules as targets for immunotherapy-based treatments such as EGFR/EGFRvIII, IL13Rα2, B7-H3, and CSPG4. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes collected from a patient can be genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for an identified tumor antigen (TA). These CAR T cells can then be re-administered to the patient to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The impressive clinical responses to TA-specific CAR T cell-based therapies in patients with hematological malignancies have generated a lot of interest in the application of this strategy with solid tumors including GBM. Several clinical trials are evaluating TA-specific CAR T cells to treat GBM. Unfortunately, the efficacy of CAR T cells against solid tumors has been limited due to several factors. These include the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, inadequate trafficking and infiltration of CAR T cells and their lack of persistence and activity. In particular, GBM has specific limitations to overcome including acquired resistance to therapy, limited diffusion across the blood brain barrier and risks of central nervous system toxicity. Here we review current CAR T cell-based approaches for the treatment of GBM and summarize the mechanisms being explored in pre-clinical, as well as clinical studies to improve their anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Maggs
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Interactions between Ligand-Bound EGFR and VEGFR2. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167006. [PMID: 33891904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we put forward the provocative hypothesis that the active, ligand-bound RTK dimers from unrelated subfamilies can associate into heterooligomers with novel signaling properties. This hypothesis is based on a quantitative FRET study that monitors the interactions between EGFR and VEGFR2 in the plasma membrane of live cells in the absence of ligand, in the presence of either EGF or VEGF, and in the presence of both ligands. We show that direct interactions occur between EGFR and VEGFR2 in the absence of ligand and in the presence of the two cognate ligands. However, there are not significant heterointeractions between EGFR and VEGFR2 when only one of the ligands is present. Since RTK dimers and RTK oligomers are believed to signal differently, this finding suggests a novel mechanism for signal diversification.
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Paul MD, Grubb HN, Hristova K. Quantifying the strength of heterointeractions among receptor tyrosine kinases from different subfamilies: Implications for cell signaling. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9917-9933. [PMID: 32467228 PMCID: PMC7380177 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are single-pass membrane proteins that control vital cell processes such as cell growth, survival, and differentiation. There is a growing body of evidence that RTKs from different subfamilies can interact and that these diverse interactions can have important biological consequences. However, these heterointeractions are often ignored, and their strengths are unknown. In this work, we studied the heterointeractions of nine RTK pairs, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-EPH receptor A2 (EPHA2), EGFR-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), EPHA2-VEGFR2, EPHA2-fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), EPHA2-FGFR2, EPHA2-FGFR3, VEGFR2-FGFR1, VEGFR2-FGFR2, and VEGFR2-FGFR3, using a FRET-based method. Surprisingly, we found that RTK heterodimerization and homodimerization strengths can be similar, underscoring the significance of RTK heterointeractions in signaling. We discuss how these heterointeractions can contribute to the complexity of RTK signal transduction, and we highlight the utility of quantitative FRET for probing multiple interactions in the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Paul
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hana N Grubb
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Nery de Albuquerque Rego G, da Hora Alves A, Penteado Nucci M, Bustamante Mamani J, Anselmo de Oliveira F, Gamarra LF. Antiangiogenic Targets for Glioblastoma Therapy from a Pre-Clinical Approach, Using Nanoformulations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124490. [PMID: 32599834 PMCID: PMC7349965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive tumor type whose resistance to conventional treatment is mediated, in part, by the angiogenic process. New treatments involving the application of nanoformulations composed of encapsulated drugs coupled to peptide motifs that direct drugs to specific targets triggered in angiogenesis have been developed to reach and modulate different phases of this process. We performed a systematic review with the search criterion (Glioblastoma OR Glioma) AND (Therapy OR Therapeutic) AND (Nanoparticle) AND (Antiangiogenic OR Angiogenesis OR Anti-angiogenic) in Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, in which 312 articles were identified; of these, only 27 articles were included after selection and analysis of eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of the articles were analyzed in five contexts: the characteristics of the tumor cells; the animal models used to induce GBM for antiangiogenic treatment; the composition of nanoformulations and their physical and chemical characteristics; the therapeutic anti-angiogenic process; and methods for assessing the effects on antiangiogenic markers caused by therapies. The articles included in the review were heterogeneous and varied in practically all aspects related to nanoformulations and models. However, there was slight variance in the antiangiogenic effect analysis. CD31 was extensively used as a marker, which does not provide a view of the effects on the most diverse aspects involved in angiogenesis. Therefore, the present review highlighted the need for standardization between the different approaches of antiangiogenic therapy for the GBM model that allows a more effective meta-analysis and that helps in future translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arielly da Hora Alves
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, Brazil; (G.N.d.A.R.); (A.d.H.A.); (J.B.M.); (F.A.d.O.)
| | - Mariana Penteado Nucci
- LIM44-Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil;
| | - Javier Bustamante Mamani
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, Brazil; (G.N.d.A.R.); (A.d.H.A.); (J.B.M.); (F.A.d.O.)
| | | | - Lionel Fernel Gamarra
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, Brazil; (G.N.d.A.R.); (A.d.H.A.); (J.B.M.); (F.A.d.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-2151-0243
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