1
|
De S, Ehrlich M. Arrest and Attack: Microtubule-Targeting Agents and Oncolytic Viruses Employ Complementary Mechanisms to Enhance Anti-Tumor Therapy Efficacy. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:1193. [PMID: 39336785 PMCID: PMC11431212 DOI: 10.3390/genes15091193] [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: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are promising cancer immunotherapy agents that stimulate anti-tumor immunity through the preferential infection and killing of tumor cells. OVs are currently under limited clinical usage, due in part to their restricted efficacy as monotherapies. Current efforts for enhancement of the therapeutic potency of OVs involve their combination with other therapy modalities, aiming at the concomitant exploitation of complementary tumor weaknesses. In this context, microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) pose as an enticing option, as they perturb microtubule dynamics and function, induce cell-cycle arrest, and cause mitotic cell death. MTAs induce therapeutic benefit through cancer-cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms and are a main component of the standard of care for different malignancies. However, off-target effects and acquired resistance involving distinct cellular and molecular mechanisms may limit the overall efficacy of MTA-based therapy. When combined, OVs and MTAs may enhance therapeutic efficacy through increases in OV infection and immunogenic cell death and a decreased probability of acquired resistance. In this review, we introduce OVs and MTAs, describe molecular features of their activity in cancer cells, and discuss studies and clinical trials in which the combination has been tested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hoshi R, Gorospe KA, Labouta HI, Azad T, Lee WL, Thu KL. Alternative Strategies for Delivering Immunotherapeutics Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint in Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:1181. [PMID: 39339217 PMCID: PMC11434872 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16091181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoint constitutes an inhibitory pathway best known for its regulation of cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8)+ T cell-mediated immune responses. Engagement of PD-L1 with PD-1 expressed on CD8+ T cells activates downstream signaling pathways that culminate in T cell exhaustion and/or apoptosis. Physiologically, these immunosuppressive effects exist to prevent autoimmunity, but cancer cells exploit this pathway by overexpressing PD-L1 to facilitate immune escape. Intravenously (IV) administered immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that block the interaction between PD-1/PD-L1 have achieved great success in reversing T cell exhaustion and promoting tumor regression in various malignancies. However, these ICIs can cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to off-tumor toxicities which limits their therapeutic potential. Therefore, considerable effort has been channeled into exploring alternative delivery strategies that enhance tumor-directed delivery of PD-1/PD-L1 ICIs and reduce irAEs. Here, we briefly describe PD-1/PD-L1-targeted cancer immunotherapy and associated irAEs. We then provide a detailed review of alternative delivery approaches, including locoregional (LDD)-, oncolytic virus (OV)-, nanoparticle (NP)-, and ultrasound and microbubble (USMB)-mediated delivery that are currently under investigation for enhancing tumor-specific delivery to minimize toxic off-tumor effects. We conclude with a commentary on key challenges associated with these delivery methods and potential strategies to mitigate them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryunosuke Hoshi
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (R.H.); (K.A.G.); (W.L.L.)
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
| | - Kristyna A. Gorospe
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (R.H.); (K.A.G.); (W.L.L.)
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
| | - Hagar I. Labouta
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 3E2, Canada
| | - Taha Azad
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Health Campus, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada;
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS), Sherbrooke, QC J1J 3H5, Canada
| | - Warren L. Lee
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (R.H.); (K.A.G.); (W.L.L.)
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
- Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Medicine and the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Kelsie L. Thu
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (R.H.); (K.A.G.); (W.L.L.)
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pampeno C, Opp S, Hurtado A, Meruelo D. Sindbis Virus Vaccine Platform: A Promising Oncolytic Virus-Mediated Approach for Ovarian Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2925. [PMID: 38474178 PMCID: PMC10932354 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052925] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This review article provides a comprehensive overview of a novel Sindbis virus vaccine platform as potential immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies. The majority of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Current treatment options are very aggressive and limited, resulting in tumor recurrences and 50-60% patient mortality within 5 years. The unique properties of armed oncolytic Sindbis virus vectors (SV) in vivo have garnered significant interest in recent years to potently target and treat ovarian cancer. We discuss the molecular biology of Sindbis virus, its mechanisms of action against ovarian cancer cells, preclinical in vivo studies, and future perspectives. The potential of Sindbis virus-based therapies for ovarian cancer treatment holds great promise and warrants further investigation. Investigations using other oncolytic viruses in preclinical studies and clinical trials are also presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Pampeno
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Alicia Hurtado
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Daniel Meruelo
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pampeno C, Hurtado A, Opp S, Meruelo D. Channeling the Natural Properties of Sindbis Alphavirus for Targeted Tumor Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14948. [PMID: 37834397 PMCID: PMC10573789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914948] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sindbis alphavirus vectors offer a promising platform for cancer therapy, serving as valuable models for alphavirus-based treatment. This review emphasizes key studies that support the targeted delivery of Sindbis vectors to tumor cells, highlighting their effectiveness in expressing tumor-associated antigens and immunomodulating proteins. Among the various alphavirus vectors developed for cancer therapy, Sindbis-vector-based imaging studies have been particularly extensive. Imaging modalities that enable the in vivo localization of Sindbis vectors within lymph nodes and tumors are discussed. The correlation between laminin receptor expression, tumorigenesis, and Sindbis virus infection is examined. Additionally, we present alternative entry receptors for Sindbis and related alphaviruses, such as Semliki Forest virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. The review also discusses cancer treatments that are based on the alphavirus vector expression of anti-tumor agents, including tumor-associated antigens, cytokines, checkpoint inhibitors, and costimulatory immune molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Meruelo
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barer L, Schröder SK, Weiskirchen R, Bacharach E, Ehrlich M. Lipocalin-2 regulates the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and the susceptibility of prostate cancer cells to oncolytic virus infection. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151328. [PMID: 37321037 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151328] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) performs pleiotropic and tumor context-dependent functions in cancers of diverse etiologies. In prostate cancer (PCa) cells, LCN2 regulates distinct phenotypic features, including cytoskeleton organization and expression of inflammation mediators. Oncolytic virotherapy uses oncolytic viruses (OVs) to kill cancer cells and induce anti-tumor immunity. A main source of specificity of OVs towards tumor cells stems from cancer-induced defects in interferon (IFN)-based cell autonomous immune responses. However, the molecular underpinnings of such defects in PCa cells are only partially understood. Moreover, LCN2 effects on IFN responses of PCa cells and their susceptibility to OVs are unknown. To examine these issues, we queried gene expression databases for genes coexpressed with LCN2, revealing co-expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) and LCN2. Analysis of human PCa cells revealed correlated expression of LCN2 and subsets of IFNs and ISGs. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated stable knockout of LCN2 in PC3 cells or transient overexpression of LCN2 in LNCaP cells revealed LCN2-mediated regulation of IFNE (and IFNL1) expression, activation of JAK/STAT pathway, and expression of selected ISGs. Accordingly, and dependent on a functional JAK/STAT pathway, LCN2 reduced the susceptibility of PCa cells to infection with the IFN-sensitive OV, EHDV-TAU. In PC3 cells, LCN2 knockout increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α). Inhibition of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) in PC3-LCN2-KO cells reduced p-eIF2α while increasing constitutive IFNE expression, phosphorylation of STAT1, and ISG expression; and decreasing EHDV-TAU infection. Together, these data propose that LCN2 regulates PCa susceptibility to OVs through attenuation of PERK activity and increased IFN and ISG expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilach Barer
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Sarah K Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Eran Bacharach
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang JY, Chen H, Dai SZ, Huang FY, Lin YY, Wang CC, Li L, Zheng WP, Tan GH. Immunotherapy combining tumor and endothelium cell lysis with immune enforcement by recombinant MIP-3α Newcastle disease virus in a vessel-targeting liposome enhances antitumor immunity. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003950. [PMID: 35256516 PMCID: PMC8905871 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several agents for oncolytic immunotherapy have been approved for clinical use, but monotherapy is modest for most oncolytic agents. The combination of several therapeutic strategies through recombinant and nanotechnology to engineer multifunctional oncolytic viruses for oncolytic immunotherapy is a promising strategy. Methods An endothelium-targeting iRGD-liposome encapsulating a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV), which expresses the dendritic cell (DC) chemokine MIP-3α (iNDV3α-LP), and three control liposomes were constructed. MIP-3α, HMGB1, IgG, and ATP were detected by western blotting or ELISA. The chemotaxis of DCs was examined by Transwell chambers. The phenotypes of the immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The antitumor efficiency was investigated in B16 and 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the localization of liposomes, molecular expression and angiogenesis. Synergistic index was calculated using the data of tumor volume, tumor angiogenesis and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Results Compared with NDV-LP, treatment with iNDV3α-LP and NDV3α-LP induced stronger virus replication and cell lysis in B16 and 4T1 tumor cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with the best response observed following iNDV3α-LP treatment. B16 and 4T1 cells treated with iNDV3α-LP produced more damage-associated molecular pattern molecules, including secreted HMGB1, ATP, and calreticulin. Moreover, iNDV3α-LP specifically bound to αvβ3-expressing 4T1 cells and HUVECs and to tumor neovasculature. Tumor growth was significantly suppressed, and survival was longer in iNDV3α-LP-treated B16-bearing and 4T1-bearing mice. A mechanism study showed that iNDV3α-LP treatment initiated the strongest tumor-specific cellular and humoral immune response. Moreover, iNDV3α-LP treatment could significantly suppress tumor angiogenesis and reverse the tumor immune suppressive microenvironment in both B16-bearing and 4T1-bearing mice. Conclusions In this study, iNDV3α-LP had several functions, such as tumor and vessel lysis, MIP-3α immunotherapy, and binding to αvβ3-expressing tumor and its neovasculature. iNDV3α-LP treatment significantly suppressed tumor angiogenesis and reversed the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. These findings offer a strong rationale for further clinical investigation into a combination strategy for oncolytic immunotherapy, such as the formulation iNDV3α-LP in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yan Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hengyu Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.,Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shu-Zhen Dai
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Feng-Ying Huang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Ying-Ying Lin
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Cai-Chun Wang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wu-Ping Zheng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Guang-Hong Tan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ravirala D, Pei G, Zhao Z, Zhang X. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a strong connection between Gadd45g upregulation and oncolytic HSV infection in tumor tissue. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 23:330-341. [PMID: 34786476 PMCID: PMC8573104 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncolytic effect of virotherapy derives from the intrinsic capability of the applied virus in selectively infecting and killing tumor cells. Although oncolytic viruses of various constructions have been shown to efficiently infect and kill tumor cells in vitro, the efficiency of these viruses to exert the same effect on tumor cells within tumor tissues in vivo has not been extensively investigated. Here we report our studies using single-cell RNA sequencing to comprehensively analyze the gene expression profile of tumor tissues following herpes simplex virus 2-based oncolytic virotherapy. Our data revealed the extent and cell types within the tumor microenvironment that could be infected by the virus. Moreover, we observed changes in the expression of cellular genes, including antiviral genes, in response to viral infection. One notable gene found to be upregulated significantly in oncolytic virus-infected tumor cells was Gadd45g, which is desirable for optimal virus replication. These results not only help reveal the precise infection status of the oncolytic virus in vivo but also provide insight that may lead to the development of new strategies to further enhance the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Ravirala
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Guangsheng Pei
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoliu Zhang
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Marchini A, Ilkow CS, Melcher A. Oncolytic Virus Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153672. [PMID: 34359574 PMCID: PMC8345066 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Marchini
- Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 84 Val Fleuri, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- German Cancer Research Centre, Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +352-26-970-856 or +49-6221-424969
| | - Carolina S. Ilkow
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada;
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Alan Melcher
- Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK;
| |
Collapse
|