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Gujar S, Pol JG, Kumar V, Lizarralde-Guerrero M, Konda P, Kroemer G, Bell JC. Tutorial: design, production and testing of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-00985-1. [PMID: 38769145 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00985-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a novel class of cancer immunotherapy agents that preferentially infect and kill cancer cells and promote protective antitumor immunity. Furthermore, OVs can be used in combination with established or upcoming immunotherapeutic agents, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, to efficiently target a wide range of malignancies. The development of OV-based therapy involves three major steps before clinical evaluation: design, production and preclinical testing. OVs can be designed as natural or engineered strains and subsequently selected for their ability to kill a broad spectrum of cancer cells rather than normal, healthy cells. OV selection is further influenced by multiple factors, such as the availability of a specific viral platform, cancer cell permissivity, the need for genetic engineering to render the virus non-pathogenic and/or more effective and logistical considerations around the use of OVs within the laboratory or clinical setting. Selected OVs are then produced and tested for their anticancer potential by using syngeneic, xenograft or humanized preclinical models wherein immunocompromised and immunocompetent setups are used to elucidate their direct oncolytic ability as well as indirect immunotherapeutic potential in vivo. Finally, OVs demonstrating the desired anticancer potential progress toward translation in patients with cancer. This tutorial provides guidelines for the design, production and preclinical testing of OVs, emphasizing considerations specific to OV technology that determine their clinical utility as cancer immunotherapy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jonathan G Pol
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Vishnupriyan Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Manuela Lizarralde-Guerrero
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Prathyusha Konda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guido Kroemer
- INSERM, U1138, Paris, France.
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMICCa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
- Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.
| | - John C Bell
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Chowaniec H, Ślubowska A, Mroczek M, Borowczyk M, Braszka M, Dworacki G, Dobosz P, Wichtowski M. New hopes for the breast cancer treatment: perspectives on the oncolytic virus therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375433. [PMID: 38576614 PMCID: PMC10991781 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375433] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy has emerged as a promising frontier in cancer treatment, especially for solid tumours. While immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells have demonstrated impressive results, their limitations in inducing complete tumour regression have spurred researchers to explore new approaches targeting tumours resistant to current immunotherapies. OVs, both natural and genetically engineered, selectively replicate within cancer cells, inducing their lysis while sparing normal tissues. Recent advancements in clinical research and genetic engineering have enabled the development of targeted viruses that modify the tumour microenvironment, triggering anti-tumour immune responses and exhibiting synergistic effects with other cancer therapies. Several OVs have been studied for breast cancer treatment, including adenovirus, protoparvovirus, vaccinia virus, reovirus, and herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1). These viruses have been modified or engineered to enhance their tumour-selective replication, reduce toxicity, and improve oncolytic properties.Newer generations of OVs, such as Oncoviron and Delta-24-RGD adenovirus, exhibit heightened replication selectivity and enhanced anticancer effects, particularly in breast cancer models. Clinical trials have explored the efficacy and safety of various OVs in treating different cancers, including melanoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, head and neck cancer, and gynecologic malignancies. Notably, Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and Oncorine have. been approved for advanced melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, respectively. However, adverse effects have been reported in some cases, including flu-like symptoms and rare instances of severe complications such as fistula formation. Although no OV has been approved specifically for breast cancer treatment, ongoing preclinical clinical trials focus on four groups of viruses. While mild adverse effects like low-grade fever and nausea have been observed, the effectiveness of OV monotherapy in breast cancer remains insufficient. Combination strategies integrating OVs with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, show promise in improving therapeutic outcomes. Oncolytic virus therapy holds substantial potential in breast cancer treatment, demonstrating safety in trials. Multi-approach strategies combining OVs with conventional therapies exhibit more promising therapeutic effects than monotherapy, signalling a hopeful future for OV-based breast cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Chowaniec
- Department of Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Antonina Ślubowska
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Mroczek
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Univeristy of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martyna Borowczyk
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Braszka
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London Medical School, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grzegorz Dworacki
- Department of Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Chair of Patomorphology and Clinical Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Paula Dobosz
- University Centre of Cancer Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wichtowski
- Surgical Oncology Clinic, Institute of Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Quillien L, Buscail L, Cordelier P. Pancreatic Cancer Cell and Gene Biotherapies: Past, Present, and Future. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:150-161. [PMID: 36585858 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid cancers remain a major health challenge in terms of research, not only due to their structure and organization but also in the molecular and genetic variations present between tumors as well as within the same tumor. When adding on the tumor microenvironment with cancer-associated cells, vasculature, and the body's immune response (or lack of), the weapons used to tackle this disease must also be diverse and intricate. Developing gene-based therapies against tumors contributes to the diverse lines of attack already established for cancers and can potentially overcome certain obstacles encountered with these strategies, the lack of tumor selectivity with chemotherapies, for example. Given the high mortality and relapse rate associated with pancreatic cancer, novel treatments, including gene therapy, are actively being investigated. Even though no gene therapy for pancreatic cancer is currently on the market, a significant amount of clinical trials are underway, especially in active and recruiting or recently completed phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Quillien
- Team Therapeutic Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer, CRCT, University of Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Cancer Research Centre of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Louis Buscail
- Team Therapeutic Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer, CRCT, University of Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Cancer Research Centre of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatology, Hôpital Rangueil, CHU de Toulouse, University Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Pierre Cordelier
- Team Therapeutic Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer, CRCT, University of Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Cancer Research Centre of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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4
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Wang EJ, Chen JS, Jain S, Morshed RA, Haddad AF, Gill S, Beniwal AS, Aghi MK. Immunotherapy Resistance in Glioblastoma. Front Genet 2021; 12:750675. [PMID: 34976006 PMCID: PMC8718605 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.750675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite treatment consisting of surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, survival remains poor at a rate of 26.5% at 2 years. Recent successes in using immunotherapies to treat a number of solid and hematologic cancers have led to a growing interest in harnessing the immune system to target glioblastoma. Several studies have examined the efficacy of various immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, adoptive transfer of lymphocytes, and oncolytic virotherapy in both pre-clinical and clinical settings. However, these therapies have yielded mixed results at best when applied to glioblastoma. While the initial failures of immunotherapy were thought to reflect the immunoprivileged environment of the brain, more recent studies have revealed immune escape mechanisms created by the tumor itself and adaptive resistance acquired in response to therapy. Several of these resistance mechanisms hijack key signaling pathways within the immune system to create a protumoral microenvironment. In this review, we discuss immunotherapies that have been trialed in glioblastoma, mechanisms of tumor resistance, and strategies to sensitize these tumors to immunotherapies. Insights gained from the studies summarized here may help pave the way for novel therapies to overcome barriers that have thus far limited the success of immunotherapy in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaina J. Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Jia-Shu Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Saket Jain
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ramin A. Morshed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Alexander F. Haddad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Sabraj Gill
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Angad S. Beniwal
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Manish K. Aghi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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5
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Dai X, Zhang X, Miao Y, Han P, Zhang J. Canine parvovirus induces G1/S cell cycle arrest that involves EGFR Tyr1086 phosphorylation. Virulence 2021; 11:1203-1214. [PMID: 32877289 PMCID: PMC7549965 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1814091] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine parvovirus (CPV) has been used in cancer control as a drug delivery vehicle or anti-tumor reagent due to its multiple natural advantages. However, potential host cell cycle arrest induced by virus infection may impose a big challenge to CPV associated cancer control as it could prevent host cancer cells from undergoing cell lysis and foster them regain viability once the virotherapy was ceased. To explore CPV-induced cell cycle arrest and the underlying mechanism toward improved virotherapeutic design, we focus on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a cellular receptor interacting with TfR that mediates CPV-host interactions, and alterations on its tyrosine phosphorylation sites in response to CPV infection. We found that CPV could trigger host G1/S cell cycle arrest via the EGFR (Y1086)/p27 and EGFR (Y1068)/STAT3/cyclin D1 axes, and EGFR inhibitor could not reverse this process. Our results contribute to our understandings on the mechanism of CPV-induced host cellular response and can be used in the onco-therapeutic design utilizing CPV by preventing host cancer cells from entering cell cycle arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University , Wuxi, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an, China
| | - Xuanhao Zhang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi, China
| | | | - Peiyu Han
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an, China
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso , El Paso, TX, USA
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Hartley A, Kavishwar G, Salvato I, Marchini A. A Roadmap for the Success of Oncolytic Parvovirus-Based Anticancer Therapies. Annu Rev Virol 2020; 7:537-557. [PMID: 32600158 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-012220-023606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autonomous rodent protoparvoviruses (PVs) are promising anticancer agents due to their excellent safety profile, natural oncotropism, and oncosuppressive activities. Viral infection can trigger immunogenic cell death, activating the immune system against the tumor. However, the efficacy of this treatment in recent clinical trials is moderate compared with results seen in preclinical work. Various strategies have been employed to improve the anticancer activities of oncolytic PVs, including development of second-generation parvoviruses with enhanced oncolytic and immunostimulatory activities and rational combination of PVs with other therapies. Understanding the cellular factors involved in the PV life cycle is another important area of investigation. Indeed, these studies may lead to the identification of biomarkers that would allow a more personalized use of PV-based therapies. This review focuses on this work and the challenges that still need to be overcome to move PVs forward into clinical practice as an effective therapeutic option for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hartley
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Gayatri Kavishwar
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Ilaria Salvato
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Antonio Marchini
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; .,Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
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Hemminki O, Dos Santos JM, Hemminki A. Oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:84. [PMID: 32600470 PMCID: PMC7325106 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00922-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the use of oncolytic viruses in cancer immunotherapy treatments in general, with a particular focus on adenoviruses. These serve as a model to elucidate how versatile viruses are, and how they can be used to complement other cancer therapies to gain optimal patient benefits. Historical reports from over a hundred years suggest treatment efficacy and safety with adenovirus and other oncolytic viruses. This is confirmed in more contemporary patient series and multiple clinical trials. Yet, while the first viruses have already been granted approval from several regulatory authorities, room for improvement remains. As good safety and tolerability have been seen, the oncolytic virus field has now moved on to increase efficacy in a wide array of approaches. Adding different immunomodulatory transgenes to the viruses is one strategy gaining momentum. Immunostimulatory molecules can thus be produced at the tumor with reduced systemic side effects. On the other hand, preclinical work suggests additive or synergistic effects with conventional treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, the newly introduced checkpoint inhibitors and other immunomodulatory drugs could make perfect companions to oncolytic viruses. Especially tumors that seem not to be recognized by the immune system can be made immunogenic by oncolytic viruses. Logically, the combination with checkpoint inhibitors is being evaluated in ongoing trials. Another promising avenue is modulating the tumor microenvironment with oncolytic viruses to allow T cell therapies to work in solid tumors. Oncolytic viruses could be the next remarkable wave in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Hemminki
- Division of Urologic Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Urology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - João Manuel Dos Santos
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akseli Hemminki
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland. .,Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.
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Zhang Y, Liu Z. Oncolytic Virotherapy for Malignant Tumor: Current Clinical Status. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4251-4263. [PMID: 31682207 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191104090544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses, as novel biological anti-tumor agents, provide anti-tumor therapeutic effects by different mechanisms including directly selective tumor cell lysis and secondary systemic anti-tumor immune responses. Some wide-type and genetically engineered oncolytic viruses have been applied in clinical trials. Among them, T-Vec has a significant therapeutic effect on melanoma patients and received the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first oncolytic virus to treat cancer in the US. However, the mechanisms of virus interaction with tumor and immune systems have not been clearly elucidated and there are still no "gold standards" for instructions of virotherapy in clinical trials. This Review collected the recent clinical trials data from 2005 to summarize the basic oncolytic viruses biology, describe the application in recent clinical trials, and discuss the challenges in the application of oncolytic viruses in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Renji Hospital, Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Development of oncolytic virotherapy: from genetic modification to combination therapy. Front Med 2020; 14:160-184. [PMID: 32146606 PMCID: PMC7101593 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-020-0750-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is a novel form of immunotherapy using natural or genetically modified viruses to selectively replicate in and kill malignant cells. Many genetically modified oncolytic viruses (OVs) with enhanced tumor targeting, antitumor efficacy, and safety have been generated, and some of which have been assessed in clinical trials. Combining OVT with other immunotherapies can remarkably enhance the antitumor efficacy. In this work, we review the use of wild-type viruses in OVT and the strategies for OV genetic modification. We also review and discuss the combinations of OVT with other immunotherapies.
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Bretscher C, Marchini A. H-1 Parvovirus as a Cancer-Killing Agent: Past, Present, and Future. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060562. [PMID: 31216641 PMCID: PMC6630270 DOI: 10.3390/v11060562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat protoparvovirus H-1PV is nonpathogenic in humans, replicates preferentially in cancer cells, and has natural oncolytic and oncosuppressive activities. The virus is able to kill cancer cells by activating several cell death pathways. H-1PV-mediated cancer cell death is often immunogenic and triggers anticancer immune responses. The safety and tolerability of H-1PV treatment has been demonstrated in early clinical studies in glioma and pancreatic carcinoma patients. Virus treatment was associated with surrogate signs of efficacy including immune conversion of tumor microenvironment, effective virus distribution into the tumor bed even after systemic administration, and improved patient overall survival compared with historical control. However, monotherapeutic use of the virus was unable to eradicate tumors. Thus, further studies are needed to improve H-1PV's anticancer profile. In this review, we describe H-1PV's anticancer properties and discuss recent efforts to improve the efficacy of H-1PV and, thereby, the clinical outcome of H-1PV-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Bretscher
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, F011, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Antonio Marchini
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, F011, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 84 Val Fleuri, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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Reale A, Vitiello A, Conciatori V, Parolin C, Calistri A, Palù G. Perspectives on immunotherapy via oncolytic viruses. Infect Agent Cancer 2019; 14:5. [PMID: 30792754 PMCID: PMC6371415 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-018-0218-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With few exceptions, current chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocols only obtain a slightly prolonged survival with severe adverse effects in patients with advanced solid tumors. In particular, most solid malignancies not amenable to radical surgery still carry a dismal prognosis, which unfortunately is also the case for relapsing disease after surgery. Even though targeted therapies obtained good results, clinical experience showed that tumors eventually develop resistance. On the other hand, earlier attempts of cancer immunotherapy failed to show consistent efficacy. More recently, a deeper knowledge of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) allowed the development of effective drugs: in particular, monoclonal antibodies targeting the so-called immune checkpoint molecules yielded striking and lasting effects in some tumors. Unfortunately, these monoclonal antibodies are not effective in a majority of patients and are ineffective in several solid malignancies. Furthermore, due to their mechanism of action, checkpoint inhibitors often elicit autoimmune-like disease. MAIN BODY The use of viruses as oncolytic agents (OVs) was considered in the past, while only recently OVs revealed a connection with immunotherapy. However, their antitumoral potential has remained largely unexplored, due to safety concerns and some limitations in the techniques to manipulate viruses. OV research was recently revived by a better knowledge of viral/cancer biology and advances in the methodologies to delete virulence/immune-escape related genes from even complex viral genomes or "to arm" OVs with appropriate transgenes. Recently, the first oncolytic virus, the HSV-1 based Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC), was approved for the treatment of non-resectable melanoma in USA and Europe. CONCLUSION OVs have the potential to become powerful agents of cancer immune and gene therapy. Indeed, in addition to their selective killing activity, they can act as versatile gene expression platforms for the delivery of therapeutic genes. This is particularly true for viruses with a large DNA genome, that can be manipulated to address the multiple immunosuppressive features of the TME. This review will focus on the open issues, on the most promising lines of research in the OV field and, more in general, on how OVs could be improved to achieve real clinical breakthroughs in cancers that are usually difficult to treat by immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Reale
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Adriana Vitiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Valeria Conciatori
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Parolin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Arianna Calistri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Giorgio Palù
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
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12
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Passaro C, Somma SD, Malfitano AM, Portella G. Oncolytic virotherapy for anaplastic and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer: a promise or a clinical reality? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINE ONCOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2217/ije-2017-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) selectively infect and lyse cancer cells. A direct lytic effect of OVs has been theorized in the initial studies; however, the antineoplastic effect of OVs is also due to the induction of an immune response against cancer cells. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is one of the most aggressive human malignancies with a short survival time of about 6–12 months from the diagnosis. The lack of effective therapies has prompted to investigate the efficacy of OVs in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Different OVs have been tested in preclinical studies, either as single agents or in combinatorial treatments. In this review, the results of these studies are summarized and future perspective discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Passaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Di Somma
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italia
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italia
| | - Giuseppe Portella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italia
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Peng J, Wang S, Fan W, Li S, Wu Y, Mou X, Wang J, Tong X. Synergistic suppression effect on tumor growth of acute myeloid leukemia by combining cytarabine with an engineered oncolytic vaccinia virus. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:6887-6900. [PMID: 30410347 PMCID: PMC6199215 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s172037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In consideration of the drug resistance and side effects associated with cytarabine, one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there is a need for safer and effective strategies. METHODS In the present investigation, we fabricated a new oncolytic vaccinia virus (oVV-ING4), which expresses the inhibitor of growth family member 4 (ING4) and explored its antitumor activity individually and in combination with cytarabine in AML cells. RESULTS The experiments confirmed that oVV can efficiently and specifically infect leukemia cells, and augment the ING4 gene expression. Flow cytometry and western blot demonstrated that oVV-ING4 enhances apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in AML cells, and causes remarkable cancer cell death. In addition, the synergistic efficiency of oVV-ING4 and cytarabine was investigated in vitro and in vivo; the combination significantly inhibited the survival of leukemia cells in vitro and xenografted KG-1 AML tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION In brief, oVV-ING4 can increase the sensitivity of leukemia cells to cytarabine and induce cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Thus, oVV-ING4 may be a promising therapeutic candidate for leukemia and in combination with cytarabine represents a potential antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Peng
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China,
| | - Shibing Wang
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China,
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310014, China,
| | - Weimin Fan
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China,
| | - Shuangshuang Li
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China,
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310014, China,
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Xiaozhou Mou
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China,
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310014, China,
| | - Jianchao Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China,
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Xiangmin Tong
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China,
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China,
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310014, China,
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Ajina A, Maher J. Prospects for combined use of oncolytic viruses and CAR T-cells. J Immunother Cancer 2017; 5:90. [PMID: 29157300 PMCID: PMC5696728 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0294-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
With the approval of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) for inoperable locally advanced or metastatic malignant melanoma in the USA and Europe, oncolytic virotherapy is now emerging as a viable therapeutic option for cancer patients. In parallel, following the favourable results of several clinical trials, adoptive cell transfer using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected T-cells is anticipated to enter routine clinical practice for the management of chemotherapy-refractory B-cell malignancies. However, CAR T-cell therapy for patients with advanced solid tumours has proved far less successful. This Review draws upon recent advances in the design of novel oncolytic viruses and CAR T-cells and provides a comprehensive overview of the synergistic potential of combination oncolytic virotherapy with CAR T-cell adoptive cell transfer for the management of solid tumours, drawing particular attention to the methods by which recombinant oncolytic viruses may augment CAR T-cell trafficking into the tumour microenvironment, mitigate or reverse local immunosuppression and enhance CAR T-cell effector function and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ajina
- Department of Oncology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - John Maher
- King’s College London, CAR Mechanics Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy’s Hospital Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT UK
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex, UK
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