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Xiao R, Jin H, Huang F, Huang B, Wang H, Wang YG. Oncolytic virotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A potent immunotherapeutic landscape. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2867-2876. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i7.2867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a systemic disease with augmented malignant degree, high mortality and poor prognosis. Since the establishment of the immune mechanism of tumor therapy, people have realized that immunotherapy is an effective means for improvement of HCC patient prognosis. Oncolytic virus is a novel immunotherapy drug, which kills tumor cells and exempts normal cells by directly lysing tumor and inducing anti-tumor immune response, and it has been extensively examined as an HCC therapy. This editorial discusses oncolytic viruses for the treatment of HCC, emphasizing viral immunotherapy strategies and clinical applications related to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Xiao
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hao Jin
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Center, Zhejiang Provincial Peoples’ Hospital, Peoples’ Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Biao Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Gang Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
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2
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Xu L, Sun H, Lemoine NR, Xuan Y, Wang P. Oncolytic vaccinia virus and cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1324744. [PMID: 38283361 PMCID: PMC10811104 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1324744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is a promising form of cancer treatment that uses genetically engineered viruses to replicate within cancer cells and trigger anti-tumor immune response. In addition to killing cancer cells, oncolytic viruses can also remodel the tumor microenvironment and stimulate a long-term anti-tumor immune response. Despite achieving positive results in cellular and organismal studies, there are currently only a few approved oncolytic viruses for clinical use. Vaccinia virus (VACV) has emerged as a potential candidate due to its ability to infect a wide range of cancer cells. This review discusses the mechanisms, benefits, and clinical trials of oncolytic VACVs. The safety and efficacy of different viral backbones are explored, as well as the effects of oncolytic VACVs on the tumor microenvironment. The potential combination of oncolytic VACVs with immunotherapy or traditional therapies is also highlighted. The review concludes by addressing prospects and challenges in the field of oncolytic VACVs, with the aim of promoting further research and application in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Xu
- Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huihui Sun
- Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nicholas R. Lemoine
- Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Centre for Biomarkers & Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yujing Xuan
- Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengju Wang
- Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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3
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Varela ML, Comba A, Faisal SM, Argento A, Franson A, Barissi MN, Sachdev S, Castro MG, Lowenstein PR. Gene Therapy for High Grade Glioma: The Clinical Experience. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:145-161. [PMID: 36510843 PMCID: PMC9998375 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2157718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most common malignant primary brain tumors in adults, with a median survival of ~18 months. The standard of care (SOC) is maximal safe surgical resection, and radiation therapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. This protocol remains unchanged since 2005, even though HGG median survival has marginally improved. AREAS COVERED Gene therapy was developed as a promising approach to treat HGG. Here, we review completed and ongoing clinical trials employing viral and non-viral vectors for adult and pediatric HGG, as well as the key supporting preclinical data. EXPERT OPINION These therapies have proven safe, and pre- and post-treatment tissue analyses demonstrated tumor cell lysis, increased immune cell infiltration, and increased systemic immune function. Although viral therapy in clinical trials has not yet significantly extended the survival of HGG, promising strategies are being tested. Oncolytic HSV vectors have shown promising results for both adult and pediatric HGG. A recently published study demonstrated that HG47Δ improved survival in recurrent HGG. Likewise, PVSRIPO has shown survival improvement compared to historical controls. It is likely that further analysis of these trials will stimulate the development of new administration protocols, and new therapeutic combinations that will improve HGG prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Varela
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrea Comba
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Syed M Faisal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Anna Argento
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrea Franson
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Marcus N Barissi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sean Sachdev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Maria G Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Pedro R Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Li X, Sun X, Wang B, Li Y, Tong J. Oncolytic virus-based hepatocellular carcinoma treatment: Current status, intravenous delivery strategies, and emerging combination therapeutic solutions. Asian J Pharm Sci 2023; 18:100771. [PMID: 36896445 PMCID: PMC9989663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2022.100771] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have limited success in improving patients' quality of life and prolonging life expectancy. The clinical need for more efficient and safe therapies has contributed to the exploration of emerging strategies. Recently, there has been increased interest in oncolytic viruses (OVs) as a therapeutic modality for HCC. OVs undergo selective replication in cancerous tissues and kill tumor cells. Strikingly, pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) was granted an orphan drug status in HCC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013. Meanwhile, dozens of OVs are being tested in HCC-directed clinical and preclinical trials. In this review, the pathogenesis and current therapies of HCC are outlined. Next, we summarize multiple OVs as single therapeutic agents for the treatment of HCC, which have demonstrated certain efficacy and low toxicity. Emerging carrier cell-, bioengineered cell mimetic- or nonbiological vehicle-mediated OV intravenous delivery systems in HCC therapy are described. In addition, we highlight the combination treatments between oncolytic virotherapy and other modalities. Finally, the clinical challenges and prospects of OV-based biotherapy are discussed, with the aim of continuing to develop a fascinating approach in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Li
- The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- The 4th People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang 110031, China
| | - Bingyuan Wang
- The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yiling Li
- The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Jing Tong
- The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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Combined anti-tumor efficacy of somatostatin fusion protein and vaccinia virus on tumor cells with high expression of somatostatin receptors. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16885. [PMID: 36207478 PMCID: PMC9547013 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatostatin, a growth hormone-release inhibiting peptide, exerts antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects on tumor cells. However, the short half-life of somatostatin limits its application in human therapy, and long-acting somatostatin fusion protein is also limited by its severe terminal degradation. Therefore, oncolytic virus delivery system was introduced to express somatostatin fusion protein and the anti-tumor effects of both somatostatin and oncolytic virus were combined to destroy tumor tissues. Here, a vaccinia VG9/(SST-14)2-HSA recombinant was constructed by replacing somatostatin fusion gene into TK locus of attenuated VG9 strain via homologous recombination. Results showed that vaccinia VG9/(SST-14)2-HSA possessed a combined anti-tumor effect on sstr-positive tumor cells in vitro. In the tumor burden models, BALB/c mice with complete immunity are most suitable for evaluating tumor regression and immune activation. Complete tumor regression was observed in 3 out of 10 mice treated with vaccinia VG9/TK− or VG9/(SST-14)2-HSA, and the survival of all mice in both groups was significantly prolonged. Besides, vaccinia VG9/(SST-14)2-HSA is more effective in prolonging survival than VG9/TK−. Vaccinia VG9/(SST-14)2-HSA exerts a combined anti-tumor efficacy including the oncolytic ability provided by the virus and the anti-tumor effect contributed by (SST-14)2-HSA, which is expected to become a potent therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.
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6
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Design Strategies and Precautions for Using Vaccinia Virus in Tumor Virotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091552. [PMID: 36146629 PMCID: PMC9504998 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a novel form of cancer immunotherapy. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can directly infect and lyse the tumor cells, and modulate the beneficial immune microenvironment. Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a promising oncolytic vector because of its high safety, easy gene editing, and tumor intrinsic selectivity. To further improve the safety, tumor-targeting ability, and OV-induced cancer-specific immune activation, various approaches have been used to modify OVs. The recombinant oncolytic VACVs with deleting viral virulence factors and/or arming various therapeutic genes have displayed better therapeutic effects in multiple tumor models. Moreover, the combination of OVs with other cancer immunotherapeutic approaches, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells, has the potential to improve the outcome in cancer patients. This will open up new possibilities for the application of OVs in cancer treatment, especially for personalized cancer therapies.
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7
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Tian Y, Xie D, Yang L. Engineering strategies to enhance oncolytic viruses in cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:117. [PMID: 35387984 PMCID: PMC8987060 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00951-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are emerging as potentially useful platforms in treatment methods for patients with tumors. They preferentially target and kill tumor cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. In addition to direct oncolysis, the essential and attractive aspect of oncolytic virotherapy is based on the intrinsic induction of both innate and adaptive immune responses. To further augment this efficacious response, OVs have been genetically engineered to express immune regulators that enhance or restore antitumor immunity. Recently, combinations of OVs with other immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) and autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), have led to promising progress in cancer treatment. This review summarizes the intrinsic mechanisms of OVs, describes the optimization strategies for using armed OVs to enhance the effects of antitumor immunity and highlights rational combinations of OVs with other immunotherapies in recent preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaomei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, No. 519, Huixing Road, 643000, Zigong, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Daoyuan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Truong CS, Yoo SY. Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus in Lung Cancer Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020240. [PMID: 35214699 PMCID: PMC8875327 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines represent a promising therapeutic modality via the induction of long-term immune response and reduction in adverse effects by specifically targeting tumor-associated antigens. Oncolytic virus, especially vaccinia virus (VV) is a promising cancer treatment option for effective cancer immunotherapy and thus can also be utilized in cancer vaccines. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is likely to respond to immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors or cancer vaccines, since it has a high tumor mutational burden. In this review, we will summarize recent applications of VV in lung cancer treatment and discuss the potential and direction of VV-based therapeutic vaccines.
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9
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Vithanage GVRK, Wei HC, Jang SRJ. Bistability in a model of tumor-immune system interactions with an oncolytic viral therapy. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2022; 19:1559-1587. [PMID: 35135217 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2022072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A mathematical model of tumor-immune system interactions with an oncolytic virus therapy for which the immune system plays a twofold role against cancer cells is derived. The immune cells can kill cancer cells but can also eliminate viruses from the therapy. In addition, immune cells can either be stimulated to proliferate or be impaired to reduce their growth by tumor cells. It is shown that if the tumor killing rate by immune cells is above a critical value, the tumor can be eradicated for all sizes, where the critical killing rate depends on whether the immune system is immunosuppressive or proliferative. For a reduced tumor killing rate with an immunosuppressive immune system, that bistability exists in a large parameter space follows from our numerical bifurcation study. Depending on the tumor size, the tumor can either be eradicated or be reduced to a size less than its carrying capacity. However, reducing the viral killing rate by immune cells always increases the effectiveness of the viral therapy. This reduction may be achieved by manipulating certain genes of viruses via genetic engineering or by chemical modification of viral coat proteins to avoid detection by the immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G V R K Vithanage
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Texas 79409, USA
| | - Hsiu-Chuan Wei
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Feng Chia University, Taichung 40724, Taiwan
| | - Sophia R-J Jang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Texas 79409, USA
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10
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Richard HB, Minder S, Sidhu A, Juba AN, Jancovich JK, Jacobs BL, Wellensiek BP. Optimization of translation enhancing element use to increase protein expression in a vaccinia virus system. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34382930 PMCID: PMC8513643 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the successful use of vaccinia virus (VACV) in the immunization strategies to eliminate smallpox, research has been focused on the development of recombinant VACV strains expressing proteins from various pathogens. Attempts at decreasing the side effects associated with exposure to recombinant, wild-type viral strains have led to the development of attenuated viruses. Yet while these attenuated VACV's have improved safety profiles compared to unmodified strains, their clinical use has been hindered due to efficacy issues in stimulating a host immune response. This deficiency has largely been attributed to decreased production of the target protein for immunization. Efforts to increase protein production from attenuated VACV strains has largely centered around modulation of viral factors, while manipulation of the translation of viral mRNAs has been largely unexplored. In this study we evaluate the use of translation enhancing element hTEE-658 to increase recombinant protein production in an attenuated VACV system. Optimization of the use of this motif is also attempted by combining it with strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in previous research. We show that extension of the 5' leader sequence containing hTEE-658 does not improve motif function, nor does the combination with other known translation enhancing elements. However, the sole use of hTEE-658 in an attenuated VACV system is shown to increase protein expression levels beyond those of a standard viral promoter when used with a wild-type virus. Taken together these results highlight the potential for hTEE-658 to improve the effectiveness of attenuated VACV vaccine candidates and give insights into the optimal sequence context for its use in vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold B Richard
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Stephanie Minder
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Amandeep Sidhu
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Amber N Juba
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - James K Jancovich
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA
| | - Bertram L Jacobs
- Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Brian P Wellensiek
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
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Malogolovkin A, Gasanov N, Egorov A, Weener M, Ivanov R, Karabelsky A. Combinatorial Approaches for Cancer Treatment Using Oncolytic Viruses: Projecting the Perspectives through Clinical Trials Outcomes. Viruses 2021; 13:1271. [PMID: 34209981 PMCID: PMC8309967 DOI: 10.3390/v13071271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent cancer immunotherapy breakthroughs have fundamentally changed oncology and revived the fading hope for a cancer cure. The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) became an indispensable tool for the treatment of many malignant tumors. Alongside ICI, the application of oncolytic viruses in clinical trials is demonstrating encouraging outcomes. Dozens of combinations of oncolytic viruses with conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy are widely used or studied, but it seems quite complicated to highlight the most effective combinations. Our review summarizes the results of clinical trials evaluating oncolytic viruses with or without genetic alterations in combination with immune checkpoint blockade, cytokines, antigens and other oncolytic viruses as well. This review is focused on the efficacy and safety of virotherapy and the most promising combinations based on the published clinical data, rather than presenting all oncolytic virus variations, which are discussed in comprehensive literature reviews. We briefly revise the research landscape of oncolytic viruses and discuss future perspectives in virus immunotherapy, in order to provide an insight for novel strategies of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Malogolovkin
- Gene Therapy Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Olympic Avenue, 1, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (N.G.); (A.E.); (M.W.); (R.I.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexander Karabelsky
- Gene Therapy Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Olympic Avenue, 1, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (N.G.); (A.E.); (M.W.); (R.I.)
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12
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Lou J, Dong J, Xu R, Zeng H, Fang L, Wu Y, Liu Y, Wang S. Remodeling of the tumor microenvironment using an engineered oncolytic vaccinia virus improves PD-L1 inhibition outcomes. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:BSR20204186. [PMID: 34060602 PMCID: PMC8193643 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20204186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapies have vastly improved therapeutic outcomes for patients with certain cancer types, but these responses only manifest in a small percentage of all cancer patients. The goal of the present study was to improve checkpoint therapy efficacy by utilizing an engineered vaccinia virus to improve the trafficking of lymphocytes to the tumor, given that such lymphocyte trafficking is positively correlated with patient checkpoint inhibitor response rates. We developed an oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) platform expressing manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) for use as both a monotherapy and together with anti-PD-L1. Intratumoral OVV-MnSOD injection in immunocompetent mice resulted in inflammation within poorly immunogenic tumors, thereby facilitating marked tumor regression. OVV-MnSOD administration together with anti-PD-L1 further improved antitumor therapy outcomes in models in which these monotherapy approaches were ineffective. Overall, our results emphasize the value of further studying these therapeutic approaches in patients with minimally or non-inflammatory tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Lou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jialin Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruijun Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ultrasonography, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shibing Wang
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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13
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Varayathu H, Sarathy V, Thomas BE, Mufti SS, Naik R. Combination Strategies to Augment Immune Check Point Inhibitors Efficacy - Implications for Translational Research. Front Oncol 2021; 11:559161. [PMID: 34123767 PMCID: PMC8193928 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.559161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has revolutionized the field of cancer immunotherapy. Even though it has shown a durable response in some solid tumors, several patients do not respond to these agents, irrespective of predictive biomarker (PD-L1, MSI, TMB) status. Multiple preclinical, as well as early-phase clinical studies are ongoing for combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with anti-cancer and/or non-anti-cancer drugs for beneficial therapeutic interactions. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic basis behind the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with other drugs currently being studied in early phase clinical studies including conventional chemotherapy drugs, metronomic chemotherapy, thalidomide and its derivatives, epigenetic therapy, targeted therapy, inhibitors of DNA damage repair, other small molecule inhibitors, anti-tumor antibodies hormonal therapy, multiple checkpoint Inhibitors, microbiome therapeutics, oncolytic viruses, radiotherapy, drugs targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells, drugs targeting Tregs, drugs targeting renin-angiotensin system, drugs targeting the autonomic nervous system, metformin, etc. We also highlight how translational research strategies can help better understand the true therapeutic potential of such combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrishi Varayathu
- Department of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, Bangalore, India
| | - Vinu Sarathy
- Department of Medical Oncology, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, Bangalore, India
| | - Beulah Elsa Thomas
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, Bangalore, India
| | - Suhail Sayeed Mufti
- Department of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, Bangalore, India
| | - Radheshyam Naik
- Department of Medical Oncology, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, Bangalore, India
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14
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Wang N, Wang J, Zhang Z, Cao H, Yan W, Chu Y, Chard Dunmall LS, Wang Y. A novel vaccinia virus enhances anti-tumor efficacy and promotes a long-term anti-tumor response in a murine model of colorectal cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 20:71-81. [PMID: 33575472 PMCID: PMC7851495 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world, and there remains an urgent need to develop long-lasting therapies to treat CRC and prevent recurrence in patients. Oncolytic virus therapy (OVT) has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in a number of different cancer models. Here, we report a novel vaccinia virus (VV)-based OVT for treatment of CRC. The novel VV, based on the recently reported novel VVLΔTKΔN1L virus, was armed with the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) to enhance anti-tumor immune responses stimulated after viral infection of tumor cells. Compared with an unarmed virus, VVLΔTKΔN1L-mIL-21 had a superior anti-tumor efficacy in murine CMT93 subcutaneous CRC models in vivo, mediated mainly by CD8+ T cells. Treatment resulted in development of long-term immunity against CMT93 tumor cells, as evidenced by prevention of disease recurrence. These results demonstrate that VVLΔTKΔN1L-mIL-21 is a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jiwei Wang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Hua Cao
- ENT Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Wenli Yan
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yongchao Chu
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Louisa S. Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Biomarkers & Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Yaohe Wang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Centre for Biomarkers & Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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15
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Jin KT, Du WL, Liu YY, Lan HR, Si JX, Mou XZ. Oncolytic Virotherapy in Solid Tumors: The Challenges and Achievements. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040588. [PMID: 33546172 PMCID: PMC7913179 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is a promising approach in cancer immunotherapy. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) could be applied in cancer immunotherapy without in-depth knowledge of tumor antigens. The capability of genetic modification makes OVs exciting therapeutic tools with a high potential for manipulation. Improving efficacy, employing immunostimulatory elements, changing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to inflammatory TME, optimizing their delivery system, and increasing the safety are the main areas of OVs manipulations. Recently, the reciprocal interaction of OVs and TME has become a hot topic for investigators to enhance the efficacy of OVT with less off-target adverse events. Current investigations suggest that the main application of OVT is to provoke the antitumor immune response in the TME, which synergize the effects of other immunotherapies such as immune-checkpoint blockers and adoptive cell therapy. In this review, we focused on the effects of OVs on the TME and antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, OVT challenges, including its moderate efficiency, safety concerns, and delivery strategies, along with recent achievements to overcome challenges, are thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Tao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China; (K.-T.J.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Wen-Lin Du
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China;
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yu-Yao Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China; (K.-T.J.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Huan-Rong Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China;
| | - Jing-Xing Si
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Correspondence: (J.-X.S.); (X.-Z.M.); Tel./Fax: +86-571-85893781 (J.-X.S.); +86-571-85893985 (X.-Z.M.)
| | - Xiao-Zhou Mou
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Correspondence: (J.-X.S.); (X.-Z.M.); Tel./Fax: +86-571-85893781 (J.-X.S.); +86-571-85893985 (X.-Z.M.)
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16
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Xie S, Fan W, Yang C, Lei W, Pan H, Tong X, Wu Y, Wang S. Beclin1‑armed oncolytic Vaccinia virus enhances the therapeutic efficacy of R‑CHOP against lymphoma in vitro and in vivo. Oncol Rep 2021; 45:987-996. [PMID: 33469679 PMCID: PMC7860022 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.7942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a form of lymphoid malignancy, with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) being the most common NHL isoform. Approximately half of patients with DLBCL are successfully cured via first-line Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin, Vindesine, Prednisolone (R-CHOP) treatment. However, 30–40% of patients with DLBCL ultimately suffer from treatment-refractory or relapsed disease. These patients often suffer from high mortality rates owing to a lack of suitable therapeutic options, and all patients are at a high risk of serious treatment-associated dose-dependent toxicity. As such, it is essential to develop novel treatments for NHL that are less toxic and more efficacious. Oncolytic Vaccinia virus (OVV) has shown promise as a means of treating numerous types of cancer. Gene therapy strategies further enhance OVV-based therapy by improving tumor cell recognition and immune evasion. Beclin1 is an autophagy-associated gene that, when upregulated, induces excess autophagy and cell death. The present study aimed to develop an OVV-Beclin1 therapy capable of inducing autophagic tumor cell death. OVV-Beclin1 was able to efficiently kill NHL cells and to increase the sensitivity of these cells to R-CHOP, thereby decreasing the dose-dependent toxic side effects associated with this chemotherapeutic regimen. The combination of OVV-Beclin1 and R-CHOP also significantly improved tumor growth inhibition and survival in a BALB/c murine model system owing to the synergistic induction of autophagic cell death. Together, these findings suggest that OVV-Beclin1 infection can induce significant autophagic cell death in NHL, highlighting this as a novel means of inducing tumor cell death via a mechanism that is distinct from apoptosis and necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufang Xie
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, P.R. China
| | - Weimin Fan
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Wen Lei
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, P.R. China
| | - Hongying Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Xiangmin Tong
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Shibing Wang
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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17
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Torres-Domínguez LE, de Matos AL, Rahman MM, McFadden G. Methods for the Construction of Recombinant Oncolytic Myxoma Viruses. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2225:63-75. [PMID: 33108657 PMCID: PMC8082691 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1012-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Myxoma virus (MYXV) has proven to be an effective candidate for oncolytic virotherapy in many preclinical cancer models. As a nonhuman pathogen, MYXV does not need to overcome any preexisting antiviral immunity, and its DNA cannot integrate into the host genome, making it an extremely safe vector. Moreover, the large dsDNA genome of MYXV allows the insertion of multiple transgenes and the design of engineered recombinant oncolytic viruses (OVs) with enhanced immunostimulatory or other desired properties. In this chapter, we describe detailed protocols for the generation and characterization of transgene-armed recombinant MYXV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lino E Torres-Domínguez
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Ana Lemos de Matos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Masmudur M Rahman
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Grant McFadden
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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18
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Jin KT, Tao XH, Fan YB, Wang SB. Crosstalk between oncolytic viruses and autophagy in cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 134:110932. [PMID: 33370632 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses have attracted attention as a promising strategy in cancer therapy owing to their ability to selectively infect and kill tumor cells, without affecting healthy cells. They also exert their anti-tumor effects by releasing immunostimulatory molecules from dying cancer cells. Several regulatory mechanisms, such as autophagy, contribute to the anti-tumor properties of oncolytic viruses. Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process in responses to various stresses, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and infection that produces energy by lysosomal degradation of intracellular contents. Autophagy can support infectivity and replication of the oncolytic virus and enhance their anti-tumor effects via mediating oncolysis, autophagic cell death, and immunogenic cell death. On the other hand, autophagy can reduce the cytotoxicity of oncolytic viruses by providing survival nutrients for tumor cells. In his review, we summarize various types of oncolytic viruses in clinical trials, their mechanism of action, and autophagy machinery. Furthermore, we precisely discuss the interaction between oncolytic viruses and autophagy in cancer therapy and their combinational effects on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Tao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, 321000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Xiao-Hua Tao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Yi-Bin Fan
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
| | - Shi-Bing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
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19
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Gallardo F, Schmitt D, Brandely R, Brua C, Silvestre N, Findeli A, Foloppe J, Top S, Kappler-Gratias S, Quentin-Froignant C, Morin R, Lagarde JM, Bystricky K, Bertagnoli S, Erbs P. Fluorescent Tagged Vaccinia Virus Genome Allows Rapid and Efficient Measurement of Oncolytic Potential and Discovery of Oncolytic Modulators. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120543. [PMID: 33256205 PMCID: PMC7760631 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As a live biologic agent, oncolytic vaccinia virus has the ability to target and selectively amplify at tumor sites. We have previously reported that deletion of thymidine kinase and ribonucleotide reductase genes in vaccinia virus can increase the safety and efficacy of the virus. Here, to allow direct visualization of the viral genome in living cells, we incorporated the ANCH target sequence and the OR3-Santaka gene in the double-deleted vaccinia virus. Infection of human tumor cells with ANCHOR3-tagged vaccinia virus enables visualization and quantification of viral genome dynamics in living cells. The results show that the ANCHOR technology permits the measurement of the oncolytic potential of the double deleted vaccinia virus. Quantitative analysis of infection kinetics and of viral DNA replication allow rapid and efficient identification of inhibitors and activators of oncolytic activity. Our results highlight the potential application of the ANCHOR technology to track vaccinia virus and virtually any kind of poxvirus in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Gallardo
- NeoVirTech SAS, 31106 Toulouse, France; (S.T.); (S.K.-G.); (C.Q.-F.)
- Correspondence: (F.G.); (P.E.)
| | - Doris Schmitt
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
| | - Renée Brandely
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
| | - Catherine Brua
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
| | - Nathalie Silvestre
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
| | - Annie Findeli
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
| | - Johann Foloppe
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
| | - Sokunthea Top
- NeoVirTech SAS, 31106 Toulouse, France; (S.T.); (S.K.-G.); (C.Q.-F.)
| | | | | | - Renaud Morin
- Imactiv-3D SAS, 31106 Toulouse, France; (R.M.); (J.-M.L.)
| | | | - Kerstin Bystricky
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Eucaryote (LBME), University of Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, 31400 Toulouse, France;
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75231 Paris, France
| | | | - Philippe Erbs
- Transgene SA, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; (D.S.); (R.B.); (C.B.); (N.S.); (A.F.); (J.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.G.); (P.E.)
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20
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Hwang JK, Hong J, Yun CO. Oncolytic Viruses and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Preclinical Developments to Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8627. [PMID: 33207653 PMCID: PMC7697902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immuno-oncology (IO) has been an active area of oncology research. Following US FDA approval of the first immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), ipilimumab (human IgG1 k anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody), in 2011, and of the first oncolytic virus, Imlygic (talimogene laherparepvec), in 2015, there has been renewed interest in IO. In the past decade, ICIs have changed the treatment paradigm for many cancers by enabling better therapeutic control, resuming immune surveillance, suppressing tumor immunosuppression, and restoring antitumor immune function. However, ICI therapies are effective only in a small subset of patients and show limited therapeutic potential due to their inability to demonstrate efficacy in 'cold' or unresponsive tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Relatedly, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been shown to induce antitumor immune responses, augment the efficacy of existing cancer treatments, and reform unresponsive TME to turn 'cold' tumors 'hot,' increasing their susceptibility to checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. For this reason, OVs serve as ideal complements to ICIs, and multiple preclinical studies and clinical trials are demonstrating their combined therapeutic efficacy. This review will discuss the merits and limitations of OVs and ICIs as monotherapy then progress onto the preclinical rationale and the results of clinical trials of key combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- June Kyu Hwang
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (J.K.H.); (J.H.)
| | - JinWoo Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (J.K.H.); (J.H.)
- GeneMedicine Co., Ltd., 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (J.K.H.); (J.H.)
- GeneMedicine Co., Ltd., 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
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21
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Howard F, Muthana M. Designer nanocarriers for navigating the systemic delivery of oncolytic viruses. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:93-110. [PMID: 31868115 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2019-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology is paving the way for new carrier systems designed to overcome the greatest challenges of oncolytic virotherapy; systemic administration and subsequent implications of immune responses and specific cell binding and entry. Systemic administration of oncolytic agents is vital for disseminated neoplasms, however transition of nanoparticles (NP) to virotherapy has yielded modest results. Their success relies on how they navigate the merry-go-round of often-contradictory phases of NP delivery: circulatory longevity, tissue permeation and cellular interaction, with many studies postulating design features optimal for each phase. This review discusses the optimal design of NPs for the transport of oncolytic viruses within these phases, to determine whether improved virotherapeutic efficacy lies in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics characteristics of the NP-oncolytic viruses complexes rather than manipulation of the virus and targeting ligands.
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22
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Delaunay T, Nader J, Grard M, Farine I, Hedwig V, Foloppe J, Blondy T, Violland M, Pouliquen D, Grégoire M, Boisgerault N, Erbs P, Fonteneau JF. High Oncolytic Activity of a Double-Deleted Vaccinia Virus Copenhagen Strain against Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 18:573-578. [PMID: 32995481 PMCID: PMC7501423 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer of the pleura that lacks efficient treatment. Oncolytic immunotherapy using oncolytic vaccinia virus (VV) may represent an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of this malignancy. Here, we studied the oncolytic activity of VV thymidine kinase (TK)-ribonucleotide reductase (RR)-/green fluorescent protein (GFP) against MPM. This virus is a VV from the Copenhagen strain that is deleted of two genes encoding the TK (J2R) and the RR (I4L) and that express the GFP. First, we show in vitro that VVTK-RR-/GFP efficiently infects and kills the twenty-two human MPM cell lines used in this study. We also show that the virus replicates in all eight tested MPM cell lines, however, with approximately a 10-fold difference in the amplification level from one cell line to another. Then, we studied the therapeutic efficiency of VVTK-RR-/GFP in non-obese diabetic (NOD) severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice that bear peritoneal human MPM tumors. One intraperitoneal infection of VVTK-RR-/GFP reduces the tumor burden and significantly increases mice survival compared to untreated animals. Thus, VVTK-RR- may be a promising oncolytic virus (OV) for the oncolytic immunotherapy of MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Delaunay
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Joelle Nader
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Marion Grard
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | - Thibaut Blondy
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Mathilde Violland
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Daniel Pouliquen
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Marc Grégoire
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Boisgerault
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
| | | | - Jean-François Fonteneau
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, 44007 Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, 44007 Nantes, France
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23
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Hwang YJ, Myung H. Engineered Bacteriophage T7 as a Potent Anticancer Agent in vivo. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:491001. [PMID: 33072000 PMCID: PMC7541933 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.491001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) induce antitumor effect by both direct lysis of target cells and eliciting immunogenic response to the virus and ultimately to the target cells. These viruses are usually natural human pathogens. Bacteriophages are natural pathogens of bacteria that do not infect human and have greater advantages in safety, manipulation, and production over human viruses. We constructed an engineered bacteriophage T7 displaying a peptide, which targets murine melanoma cells and harbors a mammalian expression cassette of the cytokine granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in viral genomic DNA. The engineered phage was successfully transduced to B16F10 melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. GM-CSF was expressed from the transduced phage DNA. All mice treated with the phage intravenously survived for 25 days until the end of experiment, while only 40% of those not treated survived. During the 16 days of phage treatment, phage T7 displaying homing peptide and expressing GM-CSF inhibited tumor growth by 72% compared to the untreated control. Serum cytokine levels of IL-1α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF were seen to increase during the treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue revealed infiltration by macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), and CD8+ T cells. Migration of murine macrophages to bacteriophages was also observed in in vitro transwell assays in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Taken together, the recombinant bacteriophage T7 efficiently inhibited tumor growth by changing the tumor microenvironment and recruiting anti-tumor immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Jung Hwang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,Bacteriophage Bank of Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Heejoon Myung
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,Bacteriophage Bank of Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,LyseNTech, Yong-In, South Korea
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24
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Béguin J, Foloppe J, Maurey C, Laloy E, Hortelano J, Nourtier V, Pichon C, Cochin S, Cordier P, Huet H, Quemeneur E, Klonjkowski B, Erbs P. Preclinical Evaluation of the Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus TG6002 by Translational Research on Canine Breast Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 19:57-66. [PMID: 33072863 PMCID: PMC7533293 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. TG6002 is a recombinant oncolytic vaccinia virus deleted in the thymidine kinase and ribonucleotide reductase genes and armed with the suicide gene FCU1, which encodes a bifunctional chimeric protein that efficiently catalyzes the direct conversion of the nontoxic 5-fluorocytosine into the toxic metabolite 5-fluorouracil. In translational research, canine tumors and especially mammary cancers are relevant surrogates for human cancers and can be used as preclinical models. Here, we report that TG6002 is able to replicate in canine tumor cell lines and is oncolytic in such cells cultured in 2D or 3D as well as canine mammary tumor explants. Furthermore, intratumoral injections of TG6002 lead to inhibition of the proliferation of canine tumor cells grafted into mice. 5-fluorocytosine treatment of mice significantly improves the anti-tumoral activity of TG6002 infection, a finding that can be correlated with its conversion into 5-fluorouracil within infected fresh canine tumor biopsies. In conclusion, our study suggests that TG6002 associated with 5-fluorocytosine is a promising therapy for human and canine cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Béguin
- UMR Virologie, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
- Service de Médecine Interne, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France
- Corresponding author: Jérémy Béguin, UMR Virologie, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France.
| | - Johann Foloppe
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Christelle Maurey
- Service de Médecine Interne, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France
| | - Eve Laloy
- UMR Virologie, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
- Laboratoire d’Anatomo-cytopathologie, Biopôle Alfort, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
| | - Julie Hortelano
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Virginie Nourtier
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Christelle Pichon
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Sandrine Cochin
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Pascale Cordier
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Hélène Huet
- UMR Virologie, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
- Laboratoire d’Anatomo-cytopathologie, Biopôle Alfort, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
| | - Eric Quemeneur
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
| | - Bernard Klonjkowski
- UMR Virologie, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
| | - Philippe Erbs
- Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France
- Corresponding author: Philippe Erbs, Transgene S.A., 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, Parc d’innovation, CS80166, Illkirch-Graffenstaden Cedex 67405, France.
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Safety studies and viral shedding of intramuscular administration of oncolytic vaccinia virus TG6002 in healthy beagle dogs. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:307. [PMID: 32843040 PMCID: PMC7446062 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02524-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a leading cause of mortality for both humans and dogs. As spontaneous canine cancers appear to be relevant models of human cancers, developing new therapeutic approaches could benefit both species. Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. TG6002 is a recombinant oncolytic vaccinia virus deleted in the thymidine kinase and ribonucleotide reductase genes and armed with the suicide gene FCU1 that encodes a protein which catalyses the conversion of the non-toxic 5-fluorocytosine into the toxic metabolite 5-fluorouracil. Previous studies have shown the ability of TG6002 to infect and replicate in canine tumor cell lines, and demonstrated its oncolytic potency in cell lines, xenograft models and canine mammary adenocarcinoma explants. Moreover, 5-fluorouracil synthesis has been confirmed in fresh canine mammary adenocarcinoma explants infected with TG6002 with 5-fluorocytosine. This study aims at assessing the safety profile and viral shedding after unique or repeated intramuscular injections of TG6002 in seven healthy Beagle dogs. RESULTS Repeated intramuscular administrations of TG6002 at the dose of 5 × 107 PFU/kg resulted in no clinical or biological adverse effects. Residual TG6002 in blood, saliva, urine and feces of treated dogs was not detected by infectious titer assay nor by qPCR, ensuring the safety of the virus in the dogs and their environment. CONCLUSIONS These results establish the good tolerability of TG6002 in healthy dogs with undetectable viral shedding after multiple injections. This study supports the initiation of further studies in canine cancer patients to evaluate the oncolytic potential of TG6002 and provides critical data for clinical development of TG6002 as a human cancer therapy.
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Deng L, Yang X, Fan J, Ding Y, Peng Y, Xu D, Huang B, Hu Z. IL-24-Armed Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Exerts Potent Antitumor Effects via Multiple Pathways in Colorectal Cancer. Oncol Res 2020; 28:579-590. [PMID: 32641200 PMCID: PMC7962938 DOI: 10.3727/096504020x15942028641011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is an aggressive malignancy for which there are limited treatment options. Oncolytic vaccinia virus is being developed as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. Arming vaccinia virus with immunostimulatory cytokines can enhance the tumor cell-specific replication and antitumor efficacy. Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is an important immune mediator, as well as a broad-spectrum tumor suppressor. We constructed a targeted vaccinia virus of Guang9 strain harboring IL-24 (VG9-IL-24) to evaluate its antitumor effects. In vitro, VG9-IL-24 induced an increased number of apoptotic cells and blocked colorectal cancer cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. VG9-IL-24 induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells via multiple apoptotic signaling pathways. In vivo, VG9-IL-24 significantly inhibited the tumor growth and prolonged the survival both in human and murine colorectal cancer models. In addition, VG9-IL-24 stimulated multiple antitumor immune responses and direct bystander antitumor activity. Our results indicate that VG9-IL-24 can inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer tumor by inducing oncolysis and apoptosis as well as stimulating the antitumor immune effects. These findings indicate that VG9-IL-24 may exert a potential therapeutic strategy for combating colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Deng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear MedicineWuxiP.R. China
| | - Xue Yang
- Wuxi Childrens Hospital, Wuxi Peoples Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiP.R. China
| | - Jun Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear MedicineWuxiP.R. China
| | - Yuedi Ding
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear MedicineWuxiP.R. China
| | - Ying Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear MedicineWuxiP.R. China
| | - Dong Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear MedicineWuxiP.R. China
| | - Biao Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear MedicineWuxiP.R. China
| | - Zhigang Hu
- Wuxi Childrens Hospital, Wuxi Peoples Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiP.R. China
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Chiu M, Armstrong EJL, Jennings V, Foo S, Crespo-Rodriguez E, Bozhanova G, Patin EC, McLaughlin M, Mansfield D, Baker G, Grove L, Pedersen M, Kyula J, Roulstone V, Wilkins A, McDonald F, Harrington K, Melcher A. Combination therapy with oncolytic viruses and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:635-652. [PMID: 32067509 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1729351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have dramatically improved the outcome for cancer patients across multiple tumor types. However the response rates to ICI monotherapy remain relatively low, in part due to some tumors cultivating an inherently 'cold' immune microenvironment. Oncolytic viruses (OV) have the capability to promote a 'hotter' immune microenvironment which can improve the efficacy of ICI.Areas covered: In this article we conducted a literature search through Pubmed/Medline to identify relevant articles in both the pre-clinical and clinical settings for combining OVs with ICIs and discuss the impact of this approach on treatment as well as changes within the tumor microenvironment. We also explore the future directions of this novel combination strategy.Expert opinion: The imminent results of the Phase 3 study combining pembrolizumab with or without T-Vec injection are eagerly awaited. OV/ICI combinations remain one of the most promising avenues to explore in the success of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Chiu
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Edward John Lloyd Armstrong
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Vicki Jennings
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Shane Foo
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Eva Crespo-Rodriguez
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Galabina Bozhanova
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Martin McLaughlin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - David Mansfield
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Baker
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Lorna Grove
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Malin Pedersen
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Joan Kyula
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Victoria Roulstone
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Anna Wilkins
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Kevin Harrington
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alan Melcher
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Keshavarz M, Sabbaghi A, Miri SM, Rezaeyan A, Arjeini Y, Ghaemi A. Virotheranostics, a double-barreled viral gun pointed toward cancer; ready to shoot? Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:131. [PMID: 32336951 PMCID: PMC7178751 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01219-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared with conventional cancer treatments, the main advantage of oncolytic virotherapy is its tumor-selective replication followed by the destruction of malignant cells without damaging healthy cells. Accordingly, this kind of biological therapy can potentially be used as a promising approach in the field of cancer management. Given the failure of traditional monitoring strategies (such as immunohistochemical analysis (in providing sufficient safety and efficacy necessary for virotherapy and continual pharmacologic monitoring to track pharmacokinetics in real-time, the development of alternative strategies for ongoing monitoring of oncolytic treatment in a live animal model seems inevitable. Three-dimensional molecular imaging methods have recently been considered as an attractive approach to overcome the limitations of oncolytic therapy. These noninvasive visualization systems provide real-time follow-up of viral progression within the cancer tissue by the ability of engineered oncolytic viruses (OVs) to encode reporter transgenes based on recombinant technology. Human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) is considered as one of the most prevalent nuclear imaging reporter transgenes that provides precise information regarding the kinetics of gene expression, viral biodistribution, toxicity, and therapeutic outcomes using the accumulation of radiotracers at the site of transgene expression. Here, we provide an overview of pre-clinical and clinical applications of hNIS-based molecular imaging to evaluate virotherapy efficacy. Moreover, we describe different types of reporter genes and their potency in the clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Keshavarz
- 1The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Ailar Sabbaghi
- 2Department of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Abolhasan Rezaeyan
- 4Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yaser Arjeini
- 5Virology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ghaemi
- 6Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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O’Connell CM, Jasperse B, Hagen CJ, Titong A, Verardi PH. Replication-inducible vaccinia virus vectors with enhanced safety in vivo. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230711. [PMID: 32240193 PMCID: PMC7117657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia virus (VACV) has been used extensively as the vaccine against smallpox and as a viral vector for the development of recombinant vaccines and cancer therapies. Replication-competent, non-attenuated VACVs induce strong, long-lived humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and can be effective oncolytic vectors. However, complications from uncontrolled VACV replication in vaccinees and their close contacts can be severe, particularly in individuals with predisposing conditions. In an effort to develop replication-competent VACV vectors with improved safety, we placed VACV late genes encoding core or virion morphogenesis proteins under the control of tet operon elements to regulate their expression with tetracycline antibiotics. These replication-inducible VACVs would only express the selected genes in the presence of tetracyclines. VACVs inducibly expressing the A3L or A6L genes replicated indistinguishably from wild-type VACV in the presence of tetracyclines, whereas there was no evidence of replication in the absence of antibiotics. These outcomes were reflected in mice, where the VACV inducibly expressing the A6L gene caused weight loss and mortality equivalent to wild-type VACV in the presence of tetracyclines. In the absence of tetracyclines, mice were protected from weight loss and mortality, and viral replication was not detected. These findings indicate that replication-inducible VACVs based on the conditional expression of the A3L or A6L genes can be used for the development of safer, next-generation live VACV vectors and vaccines. The design allows for administration of replication-inducible VACV in the absence of tetracyclines (as a replication-defective vector) or in the presence of tetracyclines (as a replication-competent vector) with enhanced safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. O’Connell
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Brittany Jasperse
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Caitlin J. Hagen
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Allison Titong
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Paulo H. Verardi
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
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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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31
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Lemos de Matos A, Franco LS, McFadden G. Oncolytic Viruses and the Immune System: The Dynamic Duo. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:349-358. [PMID: 32071927 PMCID: PMC7015832 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) constitute a new and promising immunotherapeutic approach toward cancer treatment. This therapy takes advantage of the natural propensity of most tumor cells to be infected by specific OVs. Besides the direct killing potential (oncolysis), what makes OV administration attractive for the present cancer immunotherapeutic scenario is the capacity to induce two new overlapping, but distinct, immunities: anti-tumoral and anti-viral. OV infection and oncolysis naturally elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses (required for long-term anti-tumoral immunity); at the same time, the viral infection prompts an anti-viral response. In this review, we discuss the dynamic interaction between OVs and the triggered responses of the immune system. The anti-OV immunological events that lead to viral clearance and the strategies to deal with such potential loss of the therapeutic virus are discussed. Additionally, we review the immune stimulatory actions induced by OVs through different inherent strategies, such as modulation of the tumor microenvironment, the role of immunogenic cell death, and the consequences of genetically modifying OVs by arming them with therapeutic transgenes. An understanding of the balance between the OV-induced anti-tumoral versus anti-viral immunities will provide insight when choosing the appropriate virotherapy for any specific cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lemos de Matos
- Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (B-CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Lina S Franco
- Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (B-CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Grant McFadden
- Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (B-CIVV), The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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32
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Jayawardena N, Burga LN, Poirier JT, Bostina M. Virus-Receptor Interactions: Structural Insights For Oncolytic Virus Development. Oncolytic Virother 2019; 8:39-56. [PMID: 31754615 PMCID: PMC6825474 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s218494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in oncolytic virotherapy commend a special attention to developing new strategies for targeting cancer cells with oncolytic viruses (OVs). Modifications of the viral envelope or coat proteins serve as a logical mean of repurposing viruses for cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss how detailed structural knowledge of the interactions between OVs and their natural receptors provide valuable insights into tumor specificity of some viruses and re-targeting of alternate receptors for broad tumor tropism or improved tumor selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadishka Jayawardena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laura N Burga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - John T Poirier
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Otago Micro and Nano Imaging, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as a viable option for clinical therapy of monogenic disorders and other genetically defined diseases, with approved gene therapies available in Europe and newly approved gene therapies in the United States. In the past 10 years, gene therapy has moved from a distant possibility, even in the minds of much of the scientific community, to being widely realized as a valuable therapeutic tool with wide-ranging potential. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved Luxturna (Spark Therapeutics Inc, Philadelphia, PA, USA), a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) 2 gene therapy for one type of Leber congenital amaurosis 2 ( 1 , 2 ). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved 3 recombinant viral vector products: Glybera (UniQure, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), an rAAV vector for lipoprotein lipase deficiency; Strimvelis (Glaxo Smith-Kline, Brentford, United Kingdom), an ex vivo gammaretrovirus-based therapy for patients with adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immune deficiency (ADA-SCID); and Kymriah (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), an ex vivo lentivirus-based therapy to engineer autologous chimeric antigen-receptor T (CAR-T) cells targeting CD19-positive cells in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These examples will be followed by the clinical approval of other gene therapy products as this field matures. In this review we provide an overview of the state of gene therapy by discussing where the field stands with respect to the different gene therapy vector platforms and the types of therapies that are available.-Gruntman, A. M., Flotte, T. R. The rapidly evolving state of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha M Gruntman
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence R Flotte
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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34
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Harrington K, Freeman DJ, Kelly B, Harper J, Soria JC. Optimizing oncolytic virotherapy in cancer treatment. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2019; 18:689-706. [PMID: 31292532 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the wake of the success of modern immunotherapy, oncolytic viruses (OVs) are currently seen as a potential therapeutic option for patients with cancer who do not respond or fail to achieve durable responses following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. OVs offer a multifaceted therapeutic platform because they preferentially replicate in tumour cells, can be engineered to express transgenes that augment their cytotoxic and immunostimulatory activities, and modulate the tumour microenvironment to optimize immune-mediated tumour eradication, both at locoregional and systemic sites of disease. Lysis of tumour cells releases tumour-specific antigens that trigger both the innate and adaptive immune systems. OVs also represent attractive combination partners with other systemically delivered agents by virtue of their highly favourable safety profiles. Rational combinations of OVs with different immune modifiers and/or antitumour agents, based on mechanisms of tumour resistance to immune-mediated attack, may benefit the large, currently underserved, population of patients who respond poorly to immune checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Harrington
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | | | - Beth Kelly
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | - Jean-Charles Soria
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.,Department of Medicine and Medical Oncology, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
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35
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By Binding CD80 and CD86, the Vaccinia Virus M2 Protein Blocks Their Interactions with both CD28 and CTLA4 and Potentiates CD80 Binding to PD-L1. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00207-19. [PMID: 30918073 PMCID: PMC6532080 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00207-19] [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: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The vaccinia virus harbors in its genome several genes dedicated to the inhibition of the host immune response. Among them, M2L was reported to inhibit the intracellular NF-κB pathway. We report here several new putative immunosuppressive activities of M2 protein. M2 protein is secreted and binds cornerstone costimulatory molecules (CD80/CD86). M2 binding to CD80/CD86 blocks their interaction with soluble CD28/CTLA4 but also favors the soluble PD-L1-CD80 association. These findings open the way for new investigations deciphering the immune system effects of soluble M2 protein. Moreover, a vaccinia virus with a deletion of its M2L has been generated and characterized as a new oncolytic platform. The replication and oncolytic activities of the M2L-deleted vaccinia virus are indistinguishable from those of the parental virus. More investigations are needed to characterize in detail the immune response triggered against both the tumor and the virus by this M2-defective vaccinia virus. In this article we report that the M2 protein encoded by the vaccinia virus is secreted as a homo-oligomer by infected cells and binds two central costimulation molecules, CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2). These interactions block the ligation of the two B7 proteins to both soluble CD28 and soluble cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) but favor the binding of soluble PD-L1 to soluble CD80. M2L gene orthologues are found in several other poxviruses, and the B7-CD28/CTLA4 blocking activity has been identified for several culture supernatants of orthopoxvirus-infected cells and for a recombinant myxoma virus M2 protein homolog (i.e., Gp120-like protein, or Gp120LP). Overall, these data indicate that the M2 poxvirus family of proteins may be involved in immunosuppressive activities broader than the NF-κB inhibition already reported (R. Gedey, X. L. Jin, O. Hinthong, and J. L. Shisler, J Virol 80:8676–8685, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00935-06). A Copenhagen vaccinia virus with a deletion of the nonessential M2L locus was generated and compared with its parental virus. This M2L-deleted vaccinia virus, unlike the parental virus, does not generate interference with the B7-CD28/CTLA4/PD-L1 interactions. Moreover, this deletion did not affect any key features of the virus (in vitro replication, oncolytic activities in vitro and in vivo, and intratumoral expression of a transgene in an immunocompetent murine model). Altogether, these first results suggest that the M2 protein has the potential to be used as a new immunosuppressive biotherapeutic and that the M2L-deleted vaccinia virus represents an attractive new oncolytic platform with an improved immunological profile. IMPORTANCE The vaccinia virus harbors in its genome several genes dedicated to the inhibition of the host immune response. Among them, M2L was reported to inhibit the intracellular NF-κB pathway. We report here several new putative immunosuppressive activities of M2 protein. M2 protein is secreted and binds cornerstone costimulatory molecules (CD80/CD86). M2 binding to CD80/CD86 blocks their interaction with soluble CD28/CTLA4 but also favors the soluble PD-L1-CD80 association. These findings open the way for new investigations deciphering the immune system effects of soluble M2 protein. Moreover, a vaccinia virus with a deletion of its M2L has been generated and characterized as a new oncolytic platform. The replication and oncolytic activities of the M2L-deleted vaccinia virus are indistinguishable from those of the parental virus. More investigations are needed to characterize in detail the immune response triggered against both the tumor and the virus by this M2-defective vaccinia virus.
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Sivanandam V, LaRocca CJ, Chen NG, Fong Y, Warner SG. Oncolytic Viruses and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition: The Best of Both Worlds. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2019; 13:93-106. [PMID: 31080879 PMCID: PMC6503136 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy and the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors have markedly changed the treatment paradigm for many cancers. They function to disrupt cancer cell evasion of the immune response and activate sustained anti-tumor immunity. Oncolytic viruses have also emerged as an additional therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. These viruses are designed to target and kill tumor cells while leaving the normal cells unharmed. As part of this process, oncolytic virus infection stimulates anti-cancer immune responses that augment the efficacy of checkpoint inhibition. These viruses have the capability of transforming a “cold” tumor microenvironment with few immune effector cells into a “hot” environment with increased immune cell and cytokine infiltration. For this reason, there are multiple ongoing clinical trials that combine oncolytic virotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review will detail the key oncolytic viruses in preclinical and clinical studies and highlight the results of their testing with checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Sivanandam
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | | | - Nanhai G Chen
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yuman Fong
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Susanne G Warner
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Longo V, Brunetti O, Azzariti A, Galetta D, Nardulli P, Leonetti F, Silvestris N. Strategies to Improve Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Efficacy, Other Than Abscopal Effect: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040539. [PMID: 30991686 PMCID: PMC6521062 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite that the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on malignancies treatment is unprecedented, a lack of response to these molecules is observed in several cases. Differently from melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, where the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors results in a high efficacy, the response rate in other tumors, such as gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, sarcomas, and part of genitourinary cancers remains low. The first strategy evaluated to improve the response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors is the use of predictive factors for the response such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and clinical features. In addition to the identification of the patients with a higher expression of immune checkpoint molecules, another approach currently under intensive investigation is the use of therapeutics in a combinatory manner with immune checkpoint inhibitors in order to obtain an enhancement of efficacy through the modification of the tumor immune microenvironment. In addition to the abscopal effect induced by radiotherapy, a lot of studies are evaluating several drugs able to improve the response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors, including microbiota modifiers, drugs targeting co-inhibitory receptors, anti-angiogenic therapeutics, small molecules, and oncolytic viruses. In view of the rapid and extensive development of this research field, we conducted a systematic review of the literature identifying which of these drugs are closer to achieving validation in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Longo
- Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital of Barletta, Viale Ippocrate, 15, 70051 Barletta, Italy.
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Domenico Galetta
- Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Leonetti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, University of Bari, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Scientific Guidance, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the last decade, advances in biological therapies have resulted in remarkable clinical responses for the treatment of some previously incurable cancers. Oncolytic virotherapy is one of these promising novel strategies for cancer therapy. A successful oncolytic virus promotes tumor cell oncolysis and elicits a robust long-term anti-tumor immunity. AREAS COVERED Oncolytic poxviruses (Vaccinia virus and Myxoma virus) demonstrated encouraging results in multiple pre-clinical tumor models and some clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers. This review summarizes the advances made on poxvirus oncolytic virotherapy in the last five years. EXPERT OPINION Many challenges remain in poxvirus oncolytic virotherapy. Two key goals to achieve are enhancing the efficiency of viral delivery to tumor sites and overcoming local tumor immune-evasion. Additional efforts are necessary to explore the best combination of virotherapy with standard available treatments, particularly immunotherapies. By addressing these issues, this new modality will continue to improve as an adjunct biotherapy to treat malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lino E Torres-Domínguez
- a Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy , Arizona State University , Tempe , AZ , USA
| | - Grant McFadden
- a Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy , Arizona State University , Tempe , AZ , USA
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Foloppe J, Kempf J, Futin N, Kintz J, Cordier P, Pichon C, Findeli A, Vorburger F, Quemeneur E, Erbs P. The Enhanced Tumor Specificity of TG6002, an Armed Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Deleted in Two Genes Involved in Nucleotide Metabolism. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2019; 14:1-14. [PMID: 31011628 PMCID: PMC6461584 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic vaccinia viruses are currently in clinical development. However, the safety and the tumor selectivity of these oncolytic viruses must be improved. We previously constructed a first-generation oncolytic vaccinia virus by expressing the suicide gene FCU1 inserted in the J2R locus that encodes thymidine kinase. We demonstrated that the combination of this thymidine-kinase-deleted vaccinia virus and the FCU1/5-fluocytosine system is a potent vector for cancer therapy. Here, we developed a second generation of vaccinia virus, named TG6002, expressing FCU1 and with targeted deletions of the J2R gene and the I4L gene, which encodes the large subunit of the ribonucleotide reductase. Compared to the previously used single thymidine-kinase-deleted vaccinia virus, TG6002 is highly attenuated in normal cells, yet it displays tumor-selective replication and tumor cell killing. TG6002 replication is highly dependent on cellular ribonucleotide reductase levels and is less pathogenic than the single-deleted vaccinia virus. Tumor-selective viral replication, prolonged therapeutic levels of 5-fluorouracil in tumors, and significant antitumor effects were observed in multiple human xenograft tumor models after systemic injection of TG6002 and 5-fluorocytosine. TG6002 displays a convincing safety profile and is a promising candidate for treatment of cancer in humans.
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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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Perdiguero B, Gómez CE, Esteban M. Bioluminescence Imaging as a Tool for Poxvirus Biology. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2023:269-285. [PMID: 31240684 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9593-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging, with luciferase as a reporter-encoding gene, has been successfully and widely used for studies to follow viral infection in an organism and to measure therapeutic efficacy of antiviral agents in small animal models. Bioluminescence is produced by the reaction of a luciferase enzyme stably inserted into the viral genome with a defined substrate systemically delivered into the animal. The light emitted is captured allowing the detection of viral infection sites and the quantification of viral replication in the context of tissues of a living animal. The goal of this chapter is to provide a technical background for the evaluation of poxvirus infection in cells and animals through bioluminescence imaging technology using luciferase-expressing recombinant poxviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Perdiguero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Elena Gómez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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LaRocca CJ, Warner SG. Oncolytic viruses and checkpoint inhibitors: combination therapy in clinical trials. Clin Transl Med 2018; 7:35. [PMID: 30426287 PMCID: PMC6234197 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-018-0214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of cancer immunotherapy and the development of multiple checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically changed the current landscape of cancer treatment. Recent large-scale phase III trials (e.g. PHOCUS, OPTiM) are establishing use of oncolytic viruses as another tool in the cancer therapeutics armamentarium. These viruses do not simply lyse cells to achieve their cancer-killing effects, but also cause dramatic changes in the tumor immune microenvironment. This review will highlight the major vector platforms that are currently in development (including adenoviruses, reoviruses, vaccinia viruses, herpesviruses, and coxsackieviruses) and how they are combined with checkpoint inhibitors. These vectors employ a variety of engineered capsid modifications to enhance infectivity, genome deletions or promoter elements to confer selective replication, and encode a variety of transgenes to enhance anti-tumor or immunogenic effects. Pre-clinical and clinical data have shown that oncolytic vectors can induce anti-tumor immunity and markedly increase immune cell infiltration (including cytotoxic CD8+ T cells) into the local tumor microenvironment. This "priming" by the viral infection can change a 'cold' tumor microenvironment into a 'hot' one with the influx of a multitude of immune cells and cytokines. This alteration sets the stage for subsequent checkpoint inhibitor delivery, as they are most effective in an environment with a large lymphocytic infiltrate. There are multiple ongoing clinical trials that are currently combining oncolytic viruses with checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. CAPTIVE, CAPRA, and Masterkey-265), and the initial results are encouraging. It is clear that oncolytic viruses and checkpoint inhibitors will continue to evolve together as a combination therapy for multiple types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J LaRocca
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Susanne G Warner
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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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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Prow NA, Jimenez Martinez R, Hayball JD, Howley PM, Suhrbier A. Poxvirus-based vector systems and the potential for multi-valent and multi-pathogen vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2018; 17:925-934. [PMID: 30300041 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1522255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the increasing number of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases, the pressure to generate multi-valent and multi-pathogen vaccines grows. Combining individual established vaccines to generate single-shot formulations represents an established path, with significant ensuing public health and cost benefits. Poxvirus-based vector systems have the capacity for large recombinant payloads and have been widely used as platforms for the development of recombinant vaccines encoding multiple antigens, with considerable clinical trials activity and a number of registered and licensed products. AREAS COVERED Herein we discuss design strategies, production processes, safety issues, regulatory hurdles and clinical trial activities, as well as pertinent new technologies such as systems vaccinology and needle-free delivery. Literature searches used PubMed, Google Scholar and clinical trials registries, with a focus on the recombinant vaccinia-based systems, Modified Vaccinia Ankara and the recently developed Sementis Copenhagen Vector. EXPERT COMMENTARY Vaccinia-based platforms show considerable promise for the development of multi-valent and multi-pathogen vaccines, especially with recent developments in vector technologies and manufacturing processes. New methodologies for defining immune correlates and human challenge models may also facilitate bringing such vaccines to market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Prow
- a Inflammation Biology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia.,b Inflammation Biology , Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Rocio Jimenez Martinez
- a Inflammation Biology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia
| | - John D Hayball
- c Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences , University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute , Adelaide , Australia
| | - Paul M Howley
- d Inflammation Biology , Sementis Ltd , Berwick , Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- a Inflammation Biology , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane , Australia.,b Inflammation Biology , Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre , Brisbane , Australia
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Chen CY, Hutzen B, Wedekind MF, Cripe TP. Oncolytic virus and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade combination therapy. Oncolytic Virother 2018; 7:65-77. [PMID: 30105219 PMCID: PMC6074764 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s145532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are lytic for many types of cancers but are attenuated or replication-defective in normal tissues. Aside from tumor lysis, oncolytic viruses can induce host immune responses against cancer cells and may thus be viewed as a form of immunotherapy. Although recent successes with checkpoint inhibitors have shown that enhancing antitumor immunity can be effective, the dynamic nature of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment presents significant hurdles to the broader application of these therapies. Targeting one immune-suppressive pathway may not be sufficient to eliminate tumors. Here we focus on the development of the combination of oncolytic virotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors designed to target the programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 signaling axis. We also discuss future directions for the clinical application of this novel combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital,
| | - Brian Hutzen
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital,
| | - Mary F Wedekind
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, .,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,
| | - Timothy P Cripe
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, .,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,
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Vaccinia Virus Shuffling: deVV5, a Novel Chimeric Poxvirus with Improved Oncolytic Potency. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10070231. [PMID: 29996551 PMCID: PMC6070928 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10070231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment with the potential to be less toxic and more efficient than classic cancer therapies. Various types of OVs in clinical development, including Vaccinia virus (VACV)-derived OVs, have shown good safety profiles, but limited therapeutic efficacy as monotherapy in some cancer models. Many different methods have been employed to improve the oncolytic potency of OVs. In this study, we used a directed evolution process, pooling different strains of VACV, including Copenhagen, Western Reserve and Wyeth strains and the attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), to generate a new recombinant poxvirus with increased oncolytic properties. Through selective pressure, a chimeric VACV, deVV5, with increased cancer cell killing capacity and tumor selectivity in vitro was derived. The chimeric viral genome contains sequences of all parental strains. To further improve the tumor selectivity and anti-tumor activity of deVV5, we generated a thymidine kinase (TK)-deleted chimeric virus armed with the suicide gene FCU1. This TK-deleted virus, deVV5-fcu1 replicated efficiently in human tumor cells, and was notably attenuated in normal primary cells. These studies demonstrate the potential of directed evolution as an efficient way to generate recombinant poxviruses with increased oncolytic potency, and with high therapeutic index to improve cancer therapy.
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Calton CM, Kelly KR, Anwer F, Carew JS, Nawrocki ST. Oncolytic Viruses for Multiple Myeloma Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E198. [PMID: 29903988 PMCID: PMC6025383 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10060198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although recent treatment advances have improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), the disease frequently becomes refractory to current therapies. MM thus remains incurable for most patients and new therapies are urgently needed. Oncolytic viruses are a promising new class of therapeutics that provide tumor-targeted therapy by specifically infecting and replicating within cancerous cells. Oncolytic therapy yields results from both direct killing of malignant cells and induction of an anti-tumor immune response. In this review, we will describe oncolytic viruses that are being tested for MM therapy with a focus on those agents that have advanced into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Calton
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine and The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
| | - Kevin R Kelly
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Faiz Anwer
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
| | - Jennifer S Carew
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine and The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
| | - Steffan T Nawrocki
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine and The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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Nagata LP, Irwin CR, Hu WG, Evans DH. Vaccinia-based vaccines to biothreat and emerging viruses. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2018; 34:107-121. [PMID: 29779454 PMCID: PMC9491131 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1471643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past few years have seen a rash of emerging viral diseases, including the Ebola crisis in West Africa, the pandemic spread of chikungunya, and the recent explosion of Zika in South America. Vaccination is the most reliable and cost-effective method of control of infectious diseases, however, there is often a long delay in production and approval in getting new vaccines to market. Vaccinia was the first vaccine developed for the successful eradication of smallpox and has properties that make it attractive as a universal vaccine vector. Vaccinia can cause severe complications, particularly in immune suppressed recipients that would limit its utility, but nonreplicating and attenuated strains have been developed. Modified vaccinia Ankara is nonreplicating in human cells and can be safely given to immune suppressed individuals. Vaccinia has recently been modified for use as an oncolytic treatment for cancer therapy. These new vaccinia vectors are replicating; but have been attenuated and could prove useful as a universal vaccine carrier as many of these are in clinical trials for cancer therapy. This article reviews the development of a universal vaccinia vaccine platform for emerging diseases or biothreat agents, based on nonreplicating or live attenuated vaccinia viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Les P Nagata
- a Biothreat Defence Section, Defence R&D Canada , Suffield Research Centre , Ralston , Canada.,b Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada
| | - Chad R Irwin
- b Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada
| | - Wei-Gang Hu
- a Biothreat Defence Section, Defence R&D Canada , Suffield Research Centre , Ralston , Canada
| | - David H Evans
- b Medical Microbiology and Immunology , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada
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The Host Factor Early Growth Response Gene (EGR-1) Regulates Vaccinia virus Infectivity during Infection of Starved Mouse Cells. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040140. [PMID: 29561772 PMCID: PMC5923434 DOI: 10.3390/v10040140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution has equipped poxvirus genomes with the coding capacity for several virus-host interaction products which interfere with host cell gene expression and protein function, creating an adequate intracellular environment for a productive infection. We show here that Vaccinia virus (VACV) induces the expression of the cellular transcription factor EGR-1 (early growth response-1) in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) through the MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK)/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinases) pathway, from 3 to 12 h post infection (h.p.i.). By using starved egr-1 knockout (egr-1−/−) MEFs, we demonstrate that VACV replication is reduced by ~1 log in this cell line. Although western blotting and electron microscopy analyses revealed no difference in VACV gene expression or morphogenesis, the specific infectivity of VACV propagated in egr-1−/− MEFs was lower than virus propagated in wild type (WT) cells. This lower infectivity was due to decreased VACV DNA replication during the next cycle of infection. Taken together, these results revealed that EGR-1 appears to facilitate VACV replication in starved fibroblasts by affecting viral particles infectivity.
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Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal malignancy of plasma cells that is newly diagnosed in ~30,000 patients in the US each year. While recently developed therapies have improved the prognosis for MM patients, relapse rates remain unacceptably high. To overcome this challenge, researchers have begun to investigate the therapeutic potential of oncolytic viruses as a novel treatment option for MM. Preclinical work with these viruses has demonstrated that their infection can be highly specific for MM cells and results in impressive therapeutic efficacy in a variety of preclinical models. This has led to the recent initiation of several human trials. This review summarizes the current state of oncolytic therapy as a therapeutic option for MM and highlights a variety of areas that need to be addressed as the field moves forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Bartee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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