1
|
Abo Qoura L, Morozova E, Ramaa СS, Pokrovsky VS. Smart nanocarriers for enzyme-activated prodrug therapy. J Drug Target 2024:1-23. [PMID: 39045650 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2383688] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Exogenous enzyme-activated prodrug therapy (EPT) is a potential cancer treatment strategy that delivers non-human enzymes into or on the surface of the cell and subsequently converts a non-toxic prodrug into an active cytotoxic substance at a specific location and time. The development of several pharmacological pairs based on EPT has been the focus of anticancer research for more than three decades. Numerous of these pharmacological pairs have progressed to clinical trials, and a few have achieved application in specific cancer therapies. The current review highlights the potential of enzyme-activated prodrug therapy as a promising anticancer treatment. Different microbial, plant, or viral enzymes and their corresponding prodrugs that advanced to clinical trials have been listed. Additionally, we discuss new trends in the field of enzyme-activated prodrug nanocarriers, including nanobubbles combined with ultrasound (NB/US), mesoscopic-sized polyion complex vesicles (PICsomes), nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), with special emphasis on smart stimuli-triggered drug release, hybrid nanocarriers, and the main application of nanotechnology in improving prodrugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louay Abo Qoura
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Morozova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - С S Ramaa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, India
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ismail A, Govindarajan S, Mannervik B. Human GST P1-1 Redesigned for Enhanced Catalytic Activity with the Anticancer Prodrug Telcyta and Improved Thermostability. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:762. [PMID: 38398153 PMCID: PMC10887215 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040762] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein engineering can be used to tailor enzymes for medical purposes, including antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT), which can act as a tumor-targeted alternative to conventional chemotherapy for cancer. In ADEPT, the antibody serves as a vector, delivering a drug-activating enzyme selectively to the tumor site. Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are a family of naturally occurring detoxication enzymes, and the finding that some of them are overexpressed in tumors has been exploited to develop GST-activated prodrugs. The prodrug Telcyta is activated by GST P1-1, which is the GST most commonly elevated in cancer cells, implying that tumors overexpressing GST P1-1 should be particularly vulnerable to Telcyta. Promising antitumor activity has been noted in clinical trials, but the wildtype enzyme has modest activity with Telcyta, and further functional improvement would enhance its usefulness for ADEPT. We utilized protein engineering to construct human GST P1-1 gene variants in the search for enzymes with enhanced activity with Telcyta. The variant Y109H displayed a 2.9-fold higher enzyme activity compared to the wild-type GST P1-1. However, increased catalytic potency was accompanied by decreased thermal stability of the Y109H enzyme, losing 99% of its activity in 8 min at 50 °C. Thermal stability was restored by four additional mutations simultaneously introduced without loss of the enhanced activity with Telcyta. The mutation Q85R was identified as an important contributor to the regained thermostability. These results represent a first step towards a functional ADEPT application for Telcyta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aram Ismail
- Arrhenius Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | | | - Bengt Mannervik
- Arrhenius Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guo W, Li X, Fan J, Li H, Wen Y, Meng C, Chen H, Zhao Z, Zhang Y, Du Y, Wu B. Structural characterization of an isocytosine-specific deaminase VCZ reveals its application potential in the anti-cancer therapy. iScience 2023; 26:107672. [PMID: 37680460 PMCID: PMC10481359 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107672] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-natural nucleobase isocytosine (IC) is the isomer of cytosine; its chemical derivate 5-fluoroisocytosine (5-FIC) together with the isocytosine-specific deaminase (ICD) VCZ was suggested to be potential practical enzyme/prodrug pair for cancer therapy through gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT) method. In this study, we have determined the crystal structures of apo-VCZ and its complex with 5-FU. We identified the critical residues for substrate binding and catalytic reaction. We also captured the substrate-induced conformational changes of VCZ, then proposed the conjectural reaction procedures of VCZ for converting the IC into the uracil. Moreover, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of wildtype or the mutated VCZ protein in the colorectal cancer cell lines. Our studies will shed light on optimizing the ICD/5-FIC pairs by modifying either the enzyme or the prodrug based on the structural observations, thereby improving the possibility of applying the ICD/5-FIC pair in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xiaojia Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jingyu Fan
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular Mechanism and Translation in Major Cardiovascular Disease, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yan Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Chunyan Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Haitao Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular Mechanism and Translation in Major Cardiovascular Disease, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yushen Du
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Baixing Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Choi Y, Lee HK, Ahn D, Nam MW, Go RE, Choi KC. Genetically engineered neural stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase and interferon-beta enhanced T cell-mediated antitumor immunity against gastric cancer in a humanized mouse model. Life Sci 2023; 328:121866. [PMID: 37331506 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Gastric cancer (GC) is an invasive, fatal disease with a poor prognosis. Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy via genetically engineered neural stem cells (GENSTECs) has been widely studied in various malignancies, such as breast, ovarian, and renal cancer. In this study, the human neural stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase and interferon beta (HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β) cells were applied to convert non-toxic 5-fluorocytosine to cytotoxic 5-fluorouracil and secrete IFN-β. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAKs) were generated by stimulating human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by interleukin-2, and we evaluated the cytotoxic activity and migratory ability of LAKs co-cultured with GNESTECs or their conditioned media in vitro. A GC-bearing human immune system (HIS) mouse model was generated by transplanting human PBMCs followed by subcutaneous engraftment of MKN45 cells in NSG-B2m mice to evaluate the involvement of T cell-mediated anti-cancer immune activity of GENSTECs. KEY FINDINGS In vitro studies showed the presence of HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β cells facilitated the migration ability of LAKs to MKN45 cells and activated their cytotoxic potential. In MKN45-xenografted HIS mice, treatment with HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β cells resulted in increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration throughout the tumor, including the central area. Moreover, the group treated to HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β showed increased granzyme B expression in the tumor, eventually enhancing the tumor-killing potential of CTLs and significantly delaying tumor growth. SIGNIFICANCE These results indicate that the HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β cells exert anti-cancer effects on GC by facilitating the T cell-mediated immune response, and GENSTECs are a promising therapeutic strategy for GC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youngdong Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohee Ahn
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Woo Nam
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Ryeo-Eun Go
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Choi Y, Lee HK, Choi KC. Engineered adult stem cells: a promising tool for anti-cancer therapy. BMB Rep 2023; 56:71-77. [PMID: 36330711 PMCID: PMC9978368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers are one of the most dreaded diseases in human history and have been targeted by numerous trials including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anti-cancer drugs. Adult stem cells (ASCs), which can regenerate tissues and repair damage, have emerged as leading therapeutic candidates due to their homing ability toward tumor foci. Stem cells can precisely target malicious tumors, thereby minimizing the toxicity of normal cells and unfavorable side effects. ASCs, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), are powerful tools for delivering therapeutic agents to various primary and metastatic cancers. Engineered ASCs act as a bridge between the tumor sites and tumoricidal reagents, producing therapeutic substances such as exosomes, viruses, and anti-cancer proteins encoded by several suicide genes. This review focuses on various anti-cancer therapies implemented via ASCs and summarizes the recent treatment progress and shortcomings. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(2): 71-77].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youngdong Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Hong Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea,Corresponding author. Tel: +82-43-261-3664; Fax: +82-43-267-3150; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Choi Y, Lee HK, Choi KC. Engineered adult stem cells: a promising tool for anti-cancer therapy. BMB Rep 2023; 56:71-77. [PMID: 36330711 PMCID: PMC9978368 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022-0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers are one of the most dreaded diseases in human history and have been targeted by numerous trials including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anti-cancer drugs. Adult stem cells (ASCs), which can regenerate tissues and repair damage, have emerged as leading therapeutic candidates due to their homing ability toward tumor foci. Stem cells can precisely target malicious tumors, thereby minimizing the toxicity of normal cells and unfavorable side effects. ASCs, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), are powerful tools for delivering therapeutic agents to various primary and metastatic cancers. Engineered ASCs act as a bridge between the tumor sites and tumoricidal reagents, producing therapeutic substances such as exosomes, viruses, and anti-cancer proteins encoded by several suicide genes. This review focuses on various anti-cancer therapies implemented via ASCs and summarizes the recent treatment progress and shortcomings. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(2): 71-77].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youngdong Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Hong Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Achón Buil B, Tackenberg C, Rust R. Editing a gateway for cell therapy across the blood-brain barrier. Brain 2022; 146:823-841. [PMID: 36397727 PMCID: PMC9976985 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy has been shown to improve stroke outcomes in animal models and is currently advancing towards clinical practice. However, uncertainty remains regarding the optimal route for cell delivery to the injured brain. Local intracerebral injections are effective in precisely delivering cells into the stroke cavity but carry the risk of damaging adjacent healthy tissue. Systemic endovascular injections, meanwhile, are minimally invasive, but most injected cells do not cross CNS barriers and become mechanically trapped in peripheral organs. Although the blood-brain barrier and the blood-CSF barrier tightly limit the entrance of cells and molecules into the brain parenchyma, immune cells can cross these barriers especially under pathological conditions, such as stroke. Deciphering the cell surface signature and the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathophysiological process holds promise for improving the targeted delivery of systemic injected cells to the injured brain. In this review, we describe experimental approaches that have already been developed in which (i) cells are either engineered to express cell surface proteins mimicking infiltrating immune cells; or (ii) cell grafts are preconditioned with hypoxia or incubated with pharmacological agents or cytokines. Modified cell grafts can be complemented with strategies to temporarily increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Although these approaches could significantly enhance homing of stem cells into the injured brain, cell entrapment in off-target organs remains a non-negligible risk. Recent developments in safety-switch systems, which enable the precise elimination of transplanted cells on the administration of a drug, represent a promising strategy for selectively removing stem cells stuck in untargeted organs. In sum, the techniques described in this review hold great potential to substantially improve efficacy and safety of future cell therapies in stroke and may be relevant to other brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Achón Buil
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Tackenberg
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruslan Rust
- Correspondence to: Ruslan Rust Institute for Regenerative Medicine Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren Zurich, Switzerland E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Singleton DC, Mowday AM, Guise CP, Syddall SP, Bai SY, Li D, Ashoorzadeh A, Smaill JB, Wilson WR, Patterson AV. Bioreductive prodrug PR-104 improves the tumour distribution and titre of the nitroreductase-armed oncolytic adenovirus ONYX-411 NTR leading to therapeutic benefit. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:1021-1032. [PMID: 34837065 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy have stimulated renewed interest in adenoviruses as oncolytic agents. Clinical experience has shown that oncolytic adenoviruses are safe and well tolerated but possess modest single-agent activity. One approach to improve the potency of oncolytic viruses is to utilise their tumour selectivity to deliver genes encoding prodrug-activating enzymes. These enzymes can convert prodrugs into cytotoxic species within the tumour; however, these cytotoxins can interfere with viral replication and limit utility. In this work, we evaluated the activity of a nitroreductase (NTR)-armed oncolytic adenovirus ONYX-411NTR in combination with the clinically tested bioreductive prodrug PR-104. Both NTR-expressing cells in vitro and xenografts containing a minor population of NTR-expressing cells were highly sensitive to PR-104. Pharmacologically relevant prodrug exposures did not interfere with ONYX-411NTR replication in vitro. In vivo, prodrug administration increased virus titre and improved virus distribution within tumour xenografts. Colonisation of tumours with high ONYX-411NTR titre resulted in NTR expression and prodrug activation. The combination of ONYX-411NTR with PR-104 was efficacious against HCT116 xenografts, whilst neither prodrug nor virus were active as single agents. This work highlights the potential for future clinical development of NTR-armed oncolytic viruses in combination with bioreductive prodrugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dean C Singleton
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Alexandra M Mowday
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chris P Guise
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sophie P Syddall
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sally Y Bai
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dan Li
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amir Ashoorzadeh
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jeff B Smaill
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Adam V Patterson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lou Z, Post A, Rodgers CE, Chamankhah M, Hong J, Ahuja CS, Khazaei M, Fehlings MG. Neural Progenitor Cells Expressing Herpes Simplex Virus-Thymidine Kinase for Ablation Have Differential Chemosensitivity to Brivudine and Ganciclovir. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:638021. [PMID: 34938162 PMCID: PMC8685296 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.638021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplants are a promising therapy for treating spinal cord injury (SCI), however, their long-term role after engraftment and the relative contribution to ongoing functional recovery remains a key knowledge gap. Selective human cell ablation techniques, currently being developed to improve the safety of progenitor cell transplant therapies in patients, may also be used as tools to probe the regenerative effects attributable to individual grafted cell populations. The Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase (HSV-TK) and ganciclovir (GCV) system has been extensively studied in the context of SCI and broader CNS disease. However, the efficacy of brivudine (BVDU), another HSV-TK prodrug with potentially reduced bystander cytotoxic effects and in vivo toxicity, has yet to be investigated for NPC ablation. In this study, we demonstrate successful generation and in vitro ablation of HSV-TK-expressing human iPSC-derived NPCs with a >80% reduction in survival over controls. We validated an HSV-TK and GCV/BVDU synergistic system with iPSC-NPCs using an efficient gene-transfer method and in vivo ablation in a translationally relevant model of SCI. Our findings demonstrate enhanced ablation efficiency and reduced bystander effects when targeting all rapidly dividing cells with combinatorial GCV and BVDU treatment. However, for use in loss of function studies, BVDU alone is optimal due to reduced nonselective cell ablation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Lou
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Post
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher E Rodgers
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mahmood Chamankhah
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James Hong
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher S Ahuja
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chis AA, Dobrea CM, Rus LL, Frum A, Morgovan C, Butuca A, Totan M, Juncan AM, Gligor FG, Arseniu AM. Dendrimers as Non-Viral Vectors in Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy. Molecules 2021; 26:5976. [PMID: 34641519 PMCID: PMC8512881 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) has been intensively studied as a promising new strategy of prodrug delivery, with its main advantages being represented by an enhanced efficacy and a reduced off-target toxicity of the active drug. In recent years, numerous therapeutic systems based on GDEPT strategy have entered clinical trials. In order to deliver the desired gene at a specific site of action, this therapeutic approach uses vectors divided in two major categories, viral vectors and non-viral vectors, with the latter being represented by chemical delivery agents. There is considerable interest in the development of non-viral vectors due to their decreased immunogenicity, higher specificity, ease of synthesis and greater flexibility for subsequent modulations. Dendrimers used as delivery vehicles offer many advantages, such as: nanoscale size, precise molecular weight, increased solubility, high load capacity, high bioavailability and low immunogenicity. The aim of the present work was to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances regarding the use of dendrimers as non-viral carriers in the GDEPT therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Adina Frum
- Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania; (A.A.C.); (C.M.D.); (L.-L.R.); (A.B.); (M.T.); (A.M.J.); (F.G.G.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Claudiu Morgovan
- Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania; (A.A.C.); (C.M.D.); (L.-L.R.); (A.B.); (M.T.); (A.M.J.); (F.G.G.); (A.M.A.)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sharrock AV, McManaway SP, Rich MH, Mumm JS, Hermans IF, Tercel M, Pruijn FB, Ackerley DF. Engineering the Escherichia coli Nitroreductase NfsA to Create a Flexible Enzyme-Prodrug Activation System. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:701456. [PMID: 34163368 PMCID: PMC8215503 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.701456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial nitroreductase enzymes that can efficiently convert nitroaromatic prodrugs to a cytotoxic form have numerous applications in targeted cellular ablation. For example, the generation of cytotoxic metabolites that have low bystander potential (i.e., are largely confined to the activating cell) has been exploited for precise ablation of specific cell types in animal and cell-culture models; while enzyme-prodrug combinations that generate high levels of bystander cell killing are useful for anti-cancer strategies such as gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT). Despite receiving substantial attention for such applications, the canonical nitroreductase NfsB from Escherichia coli has flaws that limit its utility, in particular a low efficiency of conversion of most prodrugs. Here, we sought to engineer a superior broad-range nitroreductase, E. coli NfsA, for improved activity with three therapeutically-relevant prodrugs: the duocarmycin analogue nitro-CBI-DEI, the dinitrobenzamide aziridine CB1954 and the 5-nitroimidazole metronidazole. The former two prodrugs have applications in GDEPT, while the latter has been employed for targeted ablation experiments and as a precise 'off-switch' in GDEPT models to eliminate nitroreductase-expressing cells. Our lead engineered NfsA (variant 11_78, with the residue substitutions S41Y, L103M, K222E and R225A) generated reduced metabolites of CB1954 and nitro-CBI-DEI that exhibited high bystander efficiencies in both bacterial and 2D HEK-293 cell culture models, while no cell-to-cell transfer was evident for the reduced metronidazole metabolite. We showed that the high bystander efficiency for CB1954 could be attributed to near-exclusive generation of the 2-hydroxylamine reduction product, which has been shown in 3D cell culture to cause significantly greater bystander killing than the 4-hydroxylamine species that is also produced by NfsB. We similarly observed a high bystander effect for nitro-CBI-DEI in HCT-116 tumor spheroids in which only a small proportion of cells were expressing variant 11_78. Collectively, our data identify variant 11_78 as a broadly improved prodrug-activating nitroreductase that offers advantages for both targeted cellular ablation and suicide gene therapy applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V. Sharrock
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sarah P. McManaway
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michelle H. Rich
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jeff S. Mumm
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ian F. Hermans
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Moana Tercel
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Frederik B. Pruijn
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David F. Ackerley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Fisher K, Hazini A, Seymour LW. Tackling HLA Deficiencies Head on with Oncolytic Viruses. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:719. [PMID: 33578735 PMCID: PMC7916504 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) function is increasingly recognized as a common escape mechanism for cancers subject to the pressures exerted by immunosurveillance or immunotherapeutic interventions. Oncolytic viruses have the potential to counter this resistance by upregulating HLA expression or encouraging an HLA-independent immunological responses. However, to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes, a prospective understanding of the HLA phenotype of cancer patients is required to match them to the characteristics of different oncolytic strategies. Here, we consider the spectrum of immune competence observed in clinical disease and discuss how it can be best addressed using this novel and powerful treatment approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Fisher
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK;
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Molecular Imaging of Gene Therapy. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00064-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
14
|
Romena G, Nguyen L, Berg K, Madsen SJ, Hirschberg H. Enhanced gene transfection of macrophages by photochemical internalization: Potential for gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy of gliomas. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2020; 33:102098. [PMID: 33188941 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.102098] [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: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drawn by tumor synthesis of chemo-attractive factors, macrophages are frequently found in and around glioblastomas and play an important role both in augmenting as well as inhibiting tumor growth. Patient-derived macrophages have the potential, therefore, to act as targeted delivery vectors for a variety of anti-cancer treatments. Among these is ex vivo gene transfection and re-injection back into the patient of macrophages to target residual tumors. In this study, photochemical internalization (PCI) is investigated as a technique for the non-viral transfection of the cytosine deaminase (CD) prodrug activating gene into macrophages. The CD gene encodes an enzyme that converts the nontoxic antifungal agent, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) - a potent chemotherapeutic agent. MATERIALS PCI (photosensitizer + light treatment) mediated CD gene transfection of rat alveolar Ma cells was carried out in vitro. CD gene transfected NR8383 macrophages were co-cultured with F98 rat glioma cells in the presence or absence of 5-FC. Cell viability was assayed using the MTS colorimetric assay. RESULTS Compared to the glioma cells, NR8383 demonstrated enhanced resistance to the toxic effects of 5-FU. PCI greatly increased the transfection efficiency of the CD gene in NR8383 cells. The viability of F98 cells was significantly inhibited by coculture with CD transfected NR8383 macrophages and 5-FC. CONCLUSION Although gene insertion into macrophages has proven difficult, the results presented here show that non-viral transfection of the CD gene into these immune cells can be enhanced via PCI. CD transfected NR8383 cells could efficiently convert 5-FC to 5-FU and export the drug, producing a pronounced bystander toxic effect on adjacent non-transfected glioma cells. Compared to single treatment, repetitive PCI-induced transfection was more efficient at low CD plasmid concentration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Romena
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| | - Lina Nguyen
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Kristian Berg
- Dept. of Radiation Biology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, N-0310, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steen J Madsen
- Dept. of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Henry Hirschberg
- Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA; Dept. of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Güngör T, Tokay E, Güven Gülhan Ü, Hacıoğlu N, Çelik A, Köçkar F, Ay M. Prodrugs for nitroreductase based cancer therapy-4: Towards prostate cancer targeting: Synthesis of N-heterocyclic nitro prodrugs, Ssap-NtrB enzymatic activation and anticancer evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2020; 105:104450. [PMID: 33189994 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this study, various N-heterocyclic nitro prodrugs (NHN1-16) containing pyrimidine, triazine and piperazine rings were designed and synthesized. The final compounds were identified using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR as well as elemental analyses. Enzymatic activities of compounds were conducted by using HPLC analysis to investigate the interaction of substrates with Ssap-NtrB nitroreductase enzyme. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the toxic effect of compounds against Hep3B and PC3 cancer cell lines and healthy HUVEC cell. It was observed that synthesized compounds NHN1-16 exhibited different cytotoxic profiles. Pyrimidine derivative NHN3 and triazine derivative NHN5 can be good drug candidates for prostate cancer with IC50 values of 54.75 µM and 48.9 µM, respectively. Compounds NHN6, NHN10, NHN12, NHN14 and NHN16 were selected as prodrug candidates because of non-toxic properties against three different cell models. The NHN prodrugs and Ssap-NtrB combinations were applied to SRB assay to reveal the prodrug capabilities of these selected compounds. SRB screening results showed that the metabolites of all selected non-toxic compounds showed remarkable cytotoxicity with IC50 values in the range of 1.71-4.72 nM on prostate cancer. Among the tested compounds, especially piperazine derivatives NHN12 and NHN14 showed significant toxic effect with IC50 values of 1.75 nM and 1.79 nM against PC3 cell compared with standart prodrug CB1954 (IC50: 1.71 nM). Novel compounds NHN12 and NHN14 can be considered as promising prodrug candidates for nitroreductase-prodrug based prostate cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuğba Güngör
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Natural Products and Drug Research Laboratory, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale 17020, Turkey
| | - Esra Tokay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir 10145, Turkey
| | - Ünzile Güven Gülhan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Gebze-Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
| | - Nelin Hacıoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir 10145, Turkey
| | - Ayhan Çelik
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Gebze-Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
| | - Feray Köçkar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir 10145, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Ay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Natural Products and Drug Research Laboratory, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale 17020, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sukumar UK, Rajendran JCB, Gambhir SS, Massoud TF, Paulmurugan R. SP94-Targeted Triblock Copolymer Nanoparticle Delivers Thymidine Kinase-p53-Nitroreductase Triple Therapeutic Gene and Restores Anticancer Function against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Vivo. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:11307-11319. [PMID: 32048820 PMCID: PMC7997290 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b20071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT) is a promising approach for cancer therapy, but it suffers from poor targeted delivery in vivo. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer efficient in delivering negatively charged nucleic acids across cell membranes; however, it is highly toxic in vivo. Hence, we efficiently reduced PEI toxicity without compromising its transfection efficiency by conjugating it with poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as triblock copolymers through a multistep synthetic process. The synthesized nanoparticles showed efficient delivery of loaded nucleic acids to tumor cells in vitro and in vivo in mice. We used this nanoparticle to deliver a rationally engineered thymidine kinase (TK)-p53-nitroreductase (NTR) triple therapeutic gene against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where p53 tumor suppressor gene is mutated in more than 85% of cancers. TK-p53-NTR triple gene therapy restores p53 function and potentiates cancer cell response to delivered prodrugs (ganciclovir (GCV) and CB1954). We used SP94 peptide-functionalized PLGA-PEG-PEI nanoparticles for the optimal delivery of TK-p53-NTR therapeutic gene in vivo. The nanoparticles prepared from the conjugated polymer showed high loading efficiency for the DNA and markedly enhanced TK-NTR-mediated gene therapy upon the simultaneous coexpression of p53 by the concurrent rescue of the endogenous apoptotic pathway in HCC cells of both p53-mutant and wild-type phenotypes in vitro. In vivo delivery of TK-p53-NTR genes by SP94-targeted PLGA-PEG-PEI NP in mice resulted in a strong expression of suicide genes selectively in tumors, and subsequent administration of GCV and CB1954 led to a decline in tumor growth, and established a superior therapeutic outcome against HCC. We demonstrate a highly efficient approach that exogenously supplements p53 to enable synergy with the outcome of TK-NTR suicide gene therapy against HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uday K Sukumar
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University School of Medicine, 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Jagadesh Chandra Bose Rajendran
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University School of Medicine, 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Sanjiv S Gambhir
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University School of Medicine, 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Tarik F Massoud
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University School of Medicine, 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Ramasamy Paulmurugan
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Stanford University School of Medicine, 3155 Porter Drive, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Immunotherapy and for Gene and Drug Delivery. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 16:204-224. [PMID: 32071924 PMCID: PMC7012781 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess several fairly unique properties that, when combined, make them ideally suited for cellular-based immunotherapy and as vehicles for gene and drug delivery for a wide range of diseases and disorders. Key among these are: (1) their relative ease of isolation from a variety of tissues; (2) the ability to be expanded in culture without a loss of functionality, a property that varies to some degree with tissue source; (3) they are relatively immune-inert, perhaps obviating the need for precise donor/recipient matching; (4) they possess potent immunomodulatory functions that can be tailored by so-called licensing in vitro and in vivo; (5) the efficiency with which they can be modified with viral-based vectors; and (6) their almost uncanny ability to selectively home to damaged tissues, tumors, and metastases following systemic administration. In this review, we summarize the latest research in the immunological properties of MSCs, their use as immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory agents, methods for licensing MSCs to customize their immunological profile, and their use as vehicles for transferring both therapeutic genes in genetic disease and drugs and genes designed to destroy tumor cells.
Collapse
|
18
|
Kojima K, Miyoshi H, Nagoshi N, Kohyama J, Itakura G, Kawabata S, Ozaki M, Iida T, Sugai K, Ito S, Fukuzawa R, Yasutake K, Renault‐Mihara F, Shibata S, Matsumoto M, Nakamura M, Okano H. Selective Ablation of Tumorigenic Cells Following Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:260-270. [PMID: 30485733 PMCID: PMC6392358 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is an important problem that needs to be addressed in the field of human stem/progenitor cell transplantation for the treatment of subacute spinal cord injury (SCI). When certain "tumorigenic" cell lines are transplanted into the spinal cord of SCI mice model, there is initial improvement of motor function, followed by abrupt deterioration secondary to the effect of tumor growth. A significant proportion of the transplanted cells remains undifferentiated after transplantation and is thought to increase the risk of tumorigenesis. In this study, using lentiviral vectors, we introduced the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene into a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cell (hiPSC-NS/PC) line that is known to undergo tumorigenic transformation. Such approach enables selective ablation of the immature proliferating cells and thereby prevents subsequent tumor formation. In vitro, the HSVtk system successfully ablated the immature proliferative neural cells while preserving mature postmitotic neuronal cells. Similar results were observed in vivo following transplantation into the injured spinal cords of immune-deficient (nonobese diabetic-severe combined immune-deficient) mice. Ablation of the proliferating cells exerted a protective effect on the motor function which was regained after transplantation, simultaneously defending the spinal cord from the harmful tumor growth. These results suggest a potentially promising role of suicide genes in opposing tumorigenesis during stem cell therapy. This system allows both preventing and treating tumorigenesis following hiPSC-NS/PC transplantation without sacrificing the improved motor function. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:260&270.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kota Kojima
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Miyoshi
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Jun Kohyama
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Go Itakura
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Soya Kawabata
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Masahiro Ozaki
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Tsuyoshi Iida
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Keiko Sugai
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Shuhei Ito
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Ryuji Fukuzawa
- Department of PathologyInternational University of Health and WelfareChibaJapan
| | - Kaori Yasutake
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | | | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Morio Matsumoto
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Masaya Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
The delivery of anticancer agents via passive approaches such as the enhanced permeability and retention effect is unlikely to achieve sufficient concentrations throughout the tumor volume for effective treatment. Cell-based delivery approaches using tumor tropic cells have the potential to overcome the limitations of passive approaches. Specifically, this review focuses on the use of monocytes/macrophages for the delivery of a variety of anticancer agents, including nanoparticles, chemotherapeutics and gene constructs. The efficacy of this delivery approach, both as monotherapy and in combination with light-based phototherapy modalities, has been demonstrated in numerous in vitro and animal studies, however, its clinical potential remains to be determined.
Collapse
|
20
|
Increased Cytotoxicity of Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Expression in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040810. [PMID: 30769780 PMCID: PMC6413063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold enormous promise for regenerative medicine. The major safety concern is the tumorigenicity of transplanted cells derived from iPSCs. A potential solution would be to introduce a suicide gene into iPSCs as a safety switch. The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene, in combination with ganciclovir, is the most widely used enzyme/prodrug suicide system from basic research to clinical applications. In the present study, we attempted to establish human iPSCs that stably expressed HSV-TK with either lentiviral vectors or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. However, this task was difficult to achieve, because high-level and/or constitutive expression of HSV-TK resulted in the induction of cell death or silencing of HSV-TK expression. A nucleotide metabolism analysis suggested that excessive accumulation of thymidine triphosphate, caused by HSV-TK expression, resulted in an imbalance in the dNTP pools. This unbalanced state led to DNA synthesis inhibition and cell death in a process similar to a “thymidine block”, but more severe. We also demonstrated that the Tet-inducible system was a feasible solution for overcoming the cytotoxicity of HSV-TK expression. Our results provided a warning against using the HSV-TK gene in human iPSCs, particularly in clinical applications.
Collapse
|
21
|
Souza MS, Diniz LF, Alvarez N, da Silva CCP, Ellena J. Supramolecular synthesis and characterization of crystalline solids obtained from the reaction of 5-fluorocytosine with nitro compounds. NEW J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj03329g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this manuscript we introduce a broad solid-state characterization of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) solid forms obtained with picric (PA) and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic (DNSA) nitro acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matheus S. Souza
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- CP 369
- São Carlos
- Brazil
| | - Luan F. Diniz
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- CP 369
- São Carlos
- Brazil
| | - Natalia Alvarez
- Facultad de Química
- Universidad de la República
- General Flores 2124
- Uruguay
| | | | - Javier Ellena
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- CP 369
- São Carlos
- Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Szigetvari NM, Dhawan D, Ramos-Vara JA, Leamon CP, Klein PJ, Ruple AA, Heng HG, Pugh MR, Rao S, Vlahov IR, Deshuillers PL, Low PS, Fourez LM, Cournoyer AM, Knapp DW. Phase I/II clinical trial of the targeted chemotherapeutic drug, folate-tubulysin, in dogs with naturally-occurring invasive urothelial carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:37042-37053. [PMID: 30651934 PMCID: PMC6319348 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose was to determine the safety and antitumor activity of a folate-tubulysin conjugate (EC0531) in a relevant preclinical animal model, dogs with naturally-occurring invasive urothelial carcinoma (iUC). Canine iUC is an aggressive cancer with high folate receptor (FR) expression similar to that in certain forms of human cancer. Experimental Design A 3+3 dose escalation study of EC0531 (starting dose 0.2 mg/kg given intravenously at two-week intervals) was performed in dogs with iUC expressing high levels of FRs (>50% positive tumor cells). Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed, and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined. The dose cohort at the MTD was expanded to determine antitumor activity. Results The MTD of EC0531 was 0.26 mg/kg every two weeks, with grade 3-4 neutropenia and gastrointestinal toxicity observed at higher doses. Treatment at the MTD was well tolerated. Clinical benefit was found in 20 of 28 dogs (71%), including three dogs with partial remission and 17 dogs with stable disease. Plasma EC0531 concentrations in the dogs far exceeded those required to inhibit proliferation of FR-expressing cell in vitro. Unlike human neutrophils, canine neutrophils were found to express FRs, which contributes to the neutropenia at higher doses of EC0531 in dogs. Conclusion EC0531 was well tolerated and had good antitumor activity in dogs with iUC. It is likely that humans will tolerate higher, potentially more effective doses of folate-tubulysin without myelotoxicity because of the absence of FRs on human neutrophils. The results clearly justify the evaluation of folate-tubulysin in human clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Szigetvari
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Deepika Dhawan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - José A Ramos-Vara
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | | | - A Audrey Ruple
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Hock Gan Heng
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Pierre L Deshuillers
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Philip S Low
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Lindsey M Fourez
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Ashleigh M Cournoyer
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Deborah W Knapp
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mishra AP, Chandra S, Tiwari R, Srivastava A, Tiwari G. Therapeutic Potential of Prodrugs Towards Targeted Drug Delivery. THE OPEN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY JOURNAL 2018; 12:111-123. [PMID: 30505359 PMCID: PMC6210501 DOI: 10.2174/1874104501812010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In designing of Prodrugs, targeting can be achieved in two ways: site-specified drug delivery and site-specific drug bioactivation. Prodrugs can be designed to target specific enzymes or carriers by considering enzyme-substrate specificity or carrier-substrate specificity in order to overcome various undesirable drug properties. There are certain techniques which are used for tumor targeting such as Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy [ADEPT] Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy [GDEPT], Virus Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy [VDEPT] and Gene Prodrug Activation Therapy [GPAT]. Our review focuses on the Prodrugs used in site-specific drug delivery system specially on tumor targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav P Mishra
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-Agra-Delhi National Highway (NH-2), Bhauti, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Suresh Chandra
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-Agra-Delhi National Highway (NH-2), Bhauti, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-Agra-Delhi National Highway (NH-2), Bhauti, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashish Srivastava
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-Agra-Delhi National Highway (NH-2), Bhauti, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Gaurav Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacy, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur-Agra-Delhi National Highway (NH-2), Bhauti, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Evaluating the abilities of diverse nitroaromatic prodrug metabolites to exit a model Gram negative vector for bacterial-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 158:192-200. [PMID: 30352235 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT) employs tumour-tropic vectors including viruses and bacteria to deliver a genetically-encoded prodrug-converting enzyme to the tumour environment, thereby sensitising the tumour to the prodrug. Nitroreductases, able to activate a range of promising nitroaromatic prodrugs to genotoxic metabolites, are of great interest for GDEPT. The bystander effect (cell-to-cell transfer of activated prodrug metabolites) has been quantified for some nitroaromatic prodrugs in mixed multilayer human cell cultures, however while these provide a good model for viral DEPT (VDEPT) they do not inform on the ability of these prodrug metabolites to exit bacterial vectors (relevant to bacterial-DEPT (BDEPT)). To investigate this we grew two Escherichia coli strains in co-culture; an activator strain expressing the nitroreductase E. coli NfsA and a recipient strain containing an SOS-GFP DNA damage responsive gene construct. In this system, induction of GFP by reduced prodrug metabolites can only occur following their transfer from the activator to the recipient cells. We used this to investigate five clinically relevant prodrugs: metronidazole, CB1954, nitro-CBI-DEI, and two dinitrobenzamide mustard prodrug analogues, PR-104A and SN27686. Consistent with the bystander efficiencies previously measured in human cell multilayers, reduced metronidazole exhibited little bacterial cell-to-cell transfer, whereas nitro-CBI-DEI was passed very efficiently from activator to recipient cells post-reduction. However, in contrast with observations in human cell multilayers, the nitrogen mustard prodrug metabolites were not effectively passed between the two bacterial strains, whereas reduced CB1954 was transferred efficiently. Using nitroreductase enzymes that exhibit different biases for the 2- versus 4-nitro substituents of CB1954, we further showed that the 2-nitro reduction products exhibit substantially higher levels of bacterial cell-to-cell transfer than the 4-nitro reduction products, consistent with their relative bystander efficiencies in human cell culture. Overall, our data suggest that prodrugs may differ in their suitability for VDEPT versus BDEPT applications and emphasise the importance of evaluating an enzyme-prodrug partnership in an appropriate context for the intended vector.
Collapse
|
25
|
Düzgüneş N, Cheung J, Konopka K. Non-viral suicide gene therapy in cervical, oral and pharyngeal carcinoma cells with CMV- and EEV-plasmids. J Gene Med 2018; 20:e3054. [PMID: 30172246 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in women. The 5-year survival rate in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas is approximately 50% and this rate has not improved in recent decades. These cancers are accessible to direct intervention. We examined the ability of a highly efficient non-viral vector, TransfeX (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA), to deliver the suicide gene HSV-tk to cervical, oral and pharyngeal cancer cells and to induce cytotoxicity following the administration of the prodrug, ganciclovir. METHODS HeLa cervical carcinoma, HSC-3 and H357 oral squamous cell carcinoma and FaDu pharyngeal carcinoma cells were transfected with cytomegalovirus (CMV)- or enhanced episomal vector (EEV)-driven HSV-tk plasmids and treated with ganciclovir for 24-120 h. Cell viability was assessed by Alamar blue. RESULTS The viability of HeLa cells was reduced to only 30-40%, despite the very high levels of transgene expression. By contrast, the viability of HSC-3 cells was reduced to 10%, although transgene expression was 18-fold lower than that in HeLa cells. An approximately five-fold higher transgene expression was obtained with the EEV-plasmid than from the CMV-plasmid. Nevertheless, HeLa cell viability after suicide gene + ganciclovir treatment was reduced by only 35% compared to 70% with the CMV-plasmid. For HSC-3 cells, the reduction was 40% for the EEV- and 80% for the CMV-plasmid. The lower efficiency of transfection with the EEV-plasmid may explain the lower cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS TransfeX-mediated gene delivery to cervical, pharyngeal and oral cancer cells may be used for suicide gene therapy. The levels of transgene expression, however, do not translate directly to cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nejat Düzgüneş
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Cheung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Krystyna Konopka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hong CR, Dickson BD, Jaiswal JK, Pruijn FB, Hunter FW, Hay MP, Hicks KO, Wilson WR. Cellular pharmacology of evofosfamide (TH-302): A critical re-evaluation of its bystander effects. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 156:265-280. [PMID: 30134191 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Evofosfamide (TH-302) is a clinical-stage hypoxia-activated prodrug with proven efficacy against hypoxic cells in preclinical tumour models. TH-302 is designed to release the DNA crosslinking agent bromo-isophosphoramide mustard (Br-IPM) when reduced in hypoxic tissue. Br-IPM is considered to diffuse locally from hypoxic regions, eliciting additional tumour cell killing, but the latter 'bystander effect' has not been demonstrated directly. Previous studies with multicellular co-cultures that included cells expressing the E. coli nitroreductase NfsA as a model TH-302 reductase have provided clear evidence of a bystander effect (which we confirm in the present study). However, NfsA is an oxygen-insensitive two-electron reductase that is not expected to generate the nitro radical intermediate that has been demonstrated to fragment to release Br-IPM. Here, we use mass spectrometry methods to characterise TH-302 metabolites generated by one-electron reduction (steady-state radiolysis by ionising radiation and cellular metabolism under hypoxia, including HCT116 cells that overexpress P450 oxidoreductase, POR) or by NfsA expressed in HCT116 cells under oxic conditions, and investigate the stability and cytotoxicity of these products. Br-IPM is shown to have very low cytotoxic potency when added to extracellular culture medium and to be rapidly converted to other hydrophilic products including dichloro-isophosphoramide mustard (IPM). Only traces of Br-IPM or IPM were detected in the extracellular medium when generated by cellular metabolism of TH-302. We identify, in NfsA-expressing cells, the hydroxylamine metabolite of TH-302, and downstream products resulting from rearrangement or hydration of the imidazole ring, and demonstrate that formation of these candidate bystander effect mediators is suppressed by hypoxia. This characterisation of the cellular pharmacology of TH-302 implies that bystander effects from hypoxic activation of TH-302 are unlikely to contribute to its anticancer activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cho Rong Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin D Dickson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jagdish K Jaiswal
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Frederik B Pruijn
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Francis W Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael P Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin O Hicks
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Therapeutic journery of nitrogen mustard as alkylating anticancer agents: Historic to future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 151:401-433. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
28
|
Devulapally R, Lee T, Barghava-Shah A, Sekar TV, Foygel K, Bachawal SV, Willmann JK, Paulmurugan R. Ultrasound-guided delivery of thymidine kinase-nitroreductase dual therapeutic genes by PEGylated-PLGA/PIE nanoparticles for enhanced triple negative breast cancer therapy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:1051-1066. [PMID: 29790803 PMCID: PMC6219432 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype. Since no targeted therapy is available, gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) could be an attractive strategy for treating TNBC. MATERIALS & METHODS Polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/polyethyleneimine nanoparticles (PLGA/PEI NPs) were synthesized and complexed with TK-NTR fusion gene. Ultrasound (US) and microbubble (MB) mediated sonoporation was used for efficient delivery of the TK-NTR-DNA-NP complex to TNBC tumor in vivo for cancer therapy. Therapeutic effect was evaluated by treating TNBC cells in vitro and tumor xenograft in vivo by using prodrugs ganciclovir (GCV) and CB1954. RESULTS TNBC cells treated with GCV/CB1954 prodrugs after transfection of TK-NTR-DNA by PEGylated-PLGA/PEI NP resulted in high apoptotic-index. US-MB image-guided delivery of TK-NTR-DNA-NP complex displayed significant expression level of TK-NTR protein and showed tumor reduction when treated with GCV/CB1954 prodrugs in TNBC xenograft in vivo. CONCLUSION US-MB image-guided delivery of TK-NTR gene by PEGylated-PLGA/PEI NPs could be a potential prodrug therapy for TNBC in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Taehwa Lee
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Thillai V Sekar
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kira Foygel
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Regulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mediated Colon Cancer Therapy Assessed by Reporter Gene Based Optical Imaging. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041002. [PMID: 29584688 PMCID: PMC5979455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in both men and women and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Suicide gene-based therapy with suicide gene-transduced mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy. A tetracycline-controlled Tet-On inducible system used to regulate gene expression may be a useful tool for gene-based therapies. The aim of this study was to develop therapeutic MSCs with a suicide gene that is induced by an artificial stimulus, to validate therapeutic gene expression, and to monitor the MSC therapy for colon cancer using optical molecular imaging. For our study, we designed the Tet-On system using a retroviral vector and developed a response plasmid RetroX-TRE (tetracycline response element) expressing a mutant form of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV1-sr39TK) with dual reporters (eGFP-Fluc2). Bone marrow-derived MSCs were transduced using a RetroX-Tet3G (Clontech, CA, USA) regulatory plasmid and RetroX-TRE-HSV1-sr39TK-eGFP-IRES-Fluc2, for a system with a Tet-On (MSC-Tet-TK/Fluc2 or MSC-Tet-TK) or without a Tet-On (MSC-TK/Fluc2 or MSC-TK) function. Suicide gene engineered MSCs were co-cultured with colon cancer cells (CT26/Rluc) in the presence of the prodrug ganciclovir (GCV) after stimulation with or without doxycycline (DOX). Treatment efficiency was monitored by assessing Rluc (CT26/Rluc) and Fluc (MSC-Tet-TK and MSC-TK) activity using optical imaging. The bystander effect of therapeutic MSCs was confirmed in CT26/Rluc cells after GCV treatment. Rluc activity in CT26/Rluc cells decreased significantly with GCV treatment of DOX(+) cells (p < 0.05 and 0.01) whereas no significant changes were observed in DOX(-) cells. In addition, Fluc activity in also decreased significantly with DOX(+) MSC-Tet-TK cells, but no signal was observed in DOX(-) cells. In addition, an MSC-TK bystander effect was also confirmed. We assessed therapy with this system in a colon cancer xenograft model (CT26/Rluc). We successfully transduced cells and developed a Tet-On system with the suicide gene HSV1-sr39TK. Our results confirmed the therapeutic efficiency of a suicide gene with the Tet-On system for colon cancer. In addition, our results provide an innovative therapeutic approach using the Tet-On system to eradicate tumors by administration of MSC-Tet-TK cells with DOX and GCV.
Collapse
|
30
|
Souza MS, Diniz LF, Vogt L, Carvalho PS, D’vries RF, Ellena J. Avoiding irreversible 5-fluorocytosine hydration via supramolecular synthesis of pharmaceutical cocrystals. NEW J CHEM 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8nj02647e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular reaction of 5-FC with caffeine, p-aminobenzoic and caprylic acid gave rise to solid forms physically stable in humid environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matheus S. Souza
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- 13.560-970 – São Carlos
- Brazil
| | - Luan F. Diniz
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- 13.560-970 – São Carlos
- Brazil
| | - Lautaro Vogt
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- 13.560-970 – São Carlos
- Brazil
| | - Paulo S. Carvalho
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- 13.560-970 – São Carlos
- Brazil
| | - Richard F. D’vries
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- 13.560-970 – São Carlos
- Brazil
- Facultad de Ciencias Básicas
| | - Javier Ellena
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- 13.560-970 – São Carlos
- Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhang X, Li X, You Q, Zhang X. Prodrug strategy for cancer cell-specific targeting: A recent overview. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 139:542-563. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
|
32
|
Lehouritis P, Hogan G, Tangney M. Designer bacteria as intratumoural enzyme biofactories. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 118:8-23. [PMID: 28916496 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (BDEPT) is an emerging form of treatment for cancer. It is a biphasic variant of gene therapy in which a bacterium, armed with an enzyme that can convert an inert prodrug into a cytotoxic compound, induces tumour cell death following tumour-specific prodrug activation. BDEPT combines the innate ability of bacteria to selectively proliferate in tumours, with the capacity of prodrugs to undergo contained, compartmentalised conversion into active metabolites in vivo. Although BDEPT has undergone clinical testing, it has received limited clinical exposure, and has yet to achieve regulatory approval. In this article, we review BDEPT from the system designer's perspective, and provide detailed commentary on how the designer should strategize its development de novo. We report on contemporary advancements in this field which aim to enhance BDEPT in terms of safety and efficacy. Finally, we discuss clinical and regulatory barriers facing BDEPT, and propose promising approaches through which these hurdles may best be tackled.
Collapse
|
33
|
Mooney R, Abdul Majid A, Batalla J, Annala AJ, Aboody KS. Cell-mediated enzyme prodrug cancer therapies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 118:35-51. [PMID: 28916493 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cell-directed gene therapy is a promising new frontier for the field of targeted cancer therapies. Here we discuss the current pre-clinical and clinical use of cell-mediated enzyme prodrug therapy (EPT) directed against solid tumors and avenues for further development. We also discuss some of the challenges encountered upon translating these therapies to clinical trials. Upon sufficient development, cell-mediated enzyme prodrug therapy has the potential to maximize the distribution of therapeutic enzymes within the tumor environment, localizing conversion of prodrug to active drug at the tumor sites thereby decreasing off-target toxicities. New combinatorial possibilities are also promising. For example, when combined with viral gene-delivery vehicles, this may result in new hybrid vehicles that attain heretofore unmatched levels of therapeutic gene expression within the tumor.
Collapse
|
34
|
Eltoukhy HS, Sinha G, Moore CA, Sandiford OA, Rameshwar P. Immune modulation by a cellular network of mesenchymal stem cells and breast cancer cell subsets: Implication for cancer therapy. Cell Immunol 2017; 326:33-41. [PMID: 28779846 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The immune modulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mostly controlled by the particular microenvironment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which can initiate a clinical tumor, have been the subject of intense research. This review article discusses investigative studies of the roles of MSCs on cancer biology including on CSCs, and the potential as drug delivery to tumors. An understanding of how MSCs behave in the tumor microenvironment to facilitate the survival of tumor cells would be crucial to identify drug targets. More importantly, since CSCs survive for decades in dormancy for later resurgence, studies are presented to show how MSCs could be involved in maintaining dormancy. Although the mechanism by which CSCs survive is complex, this article focus on the cellular involvement of MSCs with regard to immune responses. We discuss the immunomodulatory mechanisms of MSC-CSC interaction in the context of therapeutic outcomes in oncology. We also discuss immunotherapy as a potential to circumventing this immune modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hussam S Eltoukhy
- Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Medicine-Hematology-Oncology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Garima Sinha
- Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Medicine-Hematology-Oncology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Caitlyn A Moore
- Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Medicine-Hematology-Oncology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Oleta A Sandiford
- Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Medicine-Hematology-Oncology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Medicine-Hematology-Oncology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Komissarov A, Demidyuk I, Safina D, Roschina M, Shubin A, Lunina N, Karaseva M, Kostrov S. Cytotoxic effect of co-expression of human hepatitis A virus 3C protease and bifunctional suicide protein FCU1 genes in a bicistronic vector. Mol Biol Rep 2017; 44:323-332. [PMID: 28748410 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-017-4113-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports on various cancer models demonstrate a great potential of cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine suicide system in cancer therapy. However, this approach has limited success and its application to patients has not reached the desirable clinical significance. Accordingly, the improvement of this suicide system is an actively developing trend in gene therapy. The purpose of this study was to explore the cytotoxic effect observed after co-expression of hepatitis A virus 3C protease (3C) and yeast cytosine deaminase/uracil phosphoribosyltransferase fusion protein (FCU1) in a bicistronic vector. A set of mono- and bicistronic plasmid constructs was generated to provide individual or combined expression of 3C and FCU1. The constructs were introduced into HEK293 and HeLa cells, and target protein synthesis as well as the effect of 5-fluorocytosine on cell death and the time course of the cytotoxic effect was studied. The obtained vectors provide for the synthesis of target proteins in human cells. The expression of the genes in a bicistronic construct provide for the cytotoxic effect comparable to that observed after the expression of genes in monocistronic constructs. At the same time, co-expression of FCU1 and 3C recapitulated their cytotoxic effects. The combined effect of the killer and suicide genes was studied for the first time on human cells in vitro. The integration of different gene therapy systems inducing cell death (FCU1 and 3C genes) in a bicistronic construct allowed us to demonstrate that it does not interfere with the cytotoxic effect of each of them. A combination of cytotoxic genes in multicistronic vectors can be used to develop pluripotent gene therapy agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Komissarov
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| | - Ilya Demidyuk
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182.
| | - Dina Safina
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| | - Marina Roschina
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| | - Andrey Shubin
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| | - Nataliya Lunina
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| | - Maria Karaseva
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| | - Sergey Kostrov
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Science, 2 Kurchatova Sq., Moscow, Russia, 123182
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Fail-Safe System against Potential Tumorigenicity after Transplantation of iPSC Derivatives. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 8:673-684. [PMID: 28262544 PMCID: PMC5355810 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are promising in regenerative medicine. However, the risks of teratoma formation and the overgrowth of the transplanted cells continue to be major hurdles that must be overcome. Here, we examined the efficacy of the inducible caspase-9 (iCaspase9) gene as a fail-safe against undesired tumorigenic transformation of iPSC-derived somatic cells. We used a lentiviral vector to transduce iCaspase9 into two iPSC lines and assessed its efficacy in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the iCaspase9 system induced apoptosis in approximately 95% of both iPSCs and iPSC-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (iPSC-NS/PCs). To determine in vivo function, we transplanted iPSC-NS/PCs into the injured spinal cord of NOD/SCID mice. All transplanted cells whose mass effect was hindering motor function recovery were ablated upon transduction of iCaspase9. Our results suggest that the iCaspase9 system may serve as an important countermeasure against post-transplantation adverse events in stem cell transplant therapies.
Collapse
|
37
|
iPS-derived MSCs from an expandable bank to deliver a prodrug-converting enzyme that limits growth and metastases of human breast cancers. Cell Death Discov 2017; 3:16064. [PMID: 28179988 PMCID: PMC5292869 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One attractive strategy to treat cancers is to deliver an exogenous enzyme that will convert a non-toxic compound to a highly toxic derivative. The strategy was tested with viral vectors but was disappointing because the efficiency of transduction into tumor cells was too low. Recent reports demonstrated that the limitation can be addressed by using tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to deliver enzyme/prodrug systems that kill adjacent cancer cells through bystander effects. Here we addressed the limitation that tissue-derived MSCs vary in their properties and are difficult to generate in the large numbers needed for clinical applications. We prepared a Feeder Stock of MSCs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSs) that provided an extensively expandable source of standardized cells. We then transduced the iPS-derived MSCs to express cytosine deaminase and injected them locally into a mouse xenogeneic model of human breast cancer. After administration of the prodrug (5-fluorocytosine), the transduced iPS-MSCs both limited growth of preformed tumors and decreased lung metastases.
Collapse
|
38
|
Shelat NY, Parhi S, Ostermeier M. Development of a cancer-marker activated enzymatic switch from the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase. Protein Eng Des Sel 2017; 30:95-103. [PMID: 27986921 PMCID: PMC6080848 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovery of new cancer biomarkers and advances in targeted gene delivery mechanisms have made gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) an attractive method for treating cancer. Recent focus has been placed on increasing target specificity of gene delivery systems and reducing toxicity in non-cancer cells in order to make GDEPT viable. To help address this challenge, we have developed an enzymatic switch that confers higher prodrug toxicity in the presence of a cancer marker. The enzymatic switch was derived from the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) fused to the CH1 domain of the p300 protein. The CH1 domain binds to the C-terminal transactivation domain (C-TAD) of the cancer marker hypoxia inducible factor 1α. The switch was developed using a directed evolution approach that evaluated a large library of HSV-TK/CH1 fusions using a negative selection for azidothymidine (AZT) toxicity and a positive selection for dT phosphorylation. The identified switch, dubbed TICKLE (Trigger-Induced Cell-Killing Lethal-Enzyme), confers a 4-fold increase in AZT toxicity in the presence of C-TAD. The broad substrate specificity exhibited by HSV-TK makes TICKLE an appealing prospect for testing in medical imaging and cancer therapy, while establishing a foundation for further engineering of nucleoside kinase protein switches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirav Y Shelat
- Chemical Biology Interface Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sidhartha Parhi
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Marc Ostermeier
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Teng G, Ju Y, Yang Y, Hua H, Chi J, Mu X. Combined antitumor activity of the nitroreductase/CB1954 suicide gene system and γ-rays in HeLa cells in vitro. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:5164-5170. [PMID: 27840931 PMCID: PMC5355654 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli nitroreductase (NTR) may convert the prodrug CB1954 (5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide) into a bifunctional alkylating agent, which may lead to DNA crosslinks and the apoptosis of cancer cells. NTR/CB1954 has been demonstrated to be an effective gene therapy in cancer cells. The present study examined whether the NTR/CB1954 suicide gene system had cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells and may improve the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells to γ-rays. It was observed that the NTR/CB1954 suicide gene system exerted marked cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells. The combined therapeutic effects of NTR/CB1954 and γ-rays on HeLa cells demonstrated a synergistic effect. CB1954 at concentrations of 12.5 and 25 µmol/l increased the sensitization enhancement ratio of HeLa cells to 1.54 and 1.66, respectively. Therefore, when compared with monotherapy, the combined therapy of NTR/CB1954 and γ-rays may increase the apoptotic rate and enhance the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells. The combined therapy of γ-ray radiation and the NTR/CB1954 suicide gene system may be a novel and potent therapeutic method for the treatment of cervical carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geling Teng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Yuanrong Ju
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Yepeng Yang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
| | - Hu Hua
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Chest Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Jingyu Chi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Chest Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Xiuan Mu
- Foreign Language Department, Shandong Medical College, Jinan, Shandong 250002, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Sherman LS, Shaker M, Mariotti V, Rameshwar P. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in drug therapy: New perspective. Cytotherapy 2016; 19:19-27. [PMID: 27765601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) have emerged as a class of cells suitable for cellular delivery of nanoparticles, drugs and micro-RNA cargo for targeted treatments such as tumor and other protective mechanisms. The special properties of MSC underscore the current use for various clinical applications. Examples of applications include but are not limited to regenerative medicine, immune disorders and anti-cancer therapies. In recent years, there has been intense research in modifying MSC to achieve targeted and efficient clinical outcomes. This review discusses effects of MSC in an inflammatory microenvironment and then explains how these properties could be important to the overall application of MSC in cell therapy. The article also advises caution in the application of these cells because of their role in tumorigenesis. The review stresses the use of MSC as vehicles for drug delivery and discusses the accompanying challenges, based on the influence of the microenvironment on MSC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren S Sherman
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Maran Shaker
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Krassikova LS, Karshieva SS, Cheglakov IB, Belyavsky AV. Combined treatment, based on lysomustine administration with mesenchymal stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase therapy, leads to pronounced murine Lewis lung carcinoma growth inhibition. J Gene Med 2016; 18:220-33. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila S. Krassikova
- Pushchino State Institute of Natural Sciences; Pushchino Russia
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS; Moscow Russia
| | - Saida S. Karshieva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS; Moscow Russia
- N. N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center; Russia
| | - Ivan B. Cheglakov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS; Moscow Russia
- N. N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center; Russia
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Mowday AM, Ashoorzadeh A, Williams EM, Copp JN, Silva S, Bull MR, Abbattista MR, Anderson RF, Flanagan JU, Guise CP, Ackerley DF, Smaill JB, Patterson AV. Rational design of an AKR1C3-resistant analog of PR-104 for enzyme-prodrug therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2016; 116:176-87. [PMID: 27453434 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The clinical stage anti-cancer agent PR-104 has potential utility as a cytotoxic prodrug for exogenous bacterial nitroreductases expressed from replicating vector platforms. However substrate selectivity is compromised due to metabolism by the human one- and two-electron oxidoreductases cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) and aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3). Using rational drug design we developed a novel mono-nitro analog of PR-104A that is essentially free of this off-target activity in vitro and in vivo. Unlike PR-104A, there was no biologically relevant cytotoxicity in cells engineered to express AKR1C3 or POR, under aerobic or anoxic conditions, respectively. We screened this inert prodrug analog, SN34507, against a type I bacterial nitroreductase library and identified E. coli NfsA as an efficient bioactivator using a DNA damage response assay and recombinant enzyme kinetics. Expression of E. coli NfsA in human colorectal cancer cells led to selective cytotoxicity to SN34507 that was associated with cell cycle arrest and generated a robust 'bystander effect' at tissue-like cell densities when only 3% of cells were NfsA positive. Anti-tumor activity of SN35539, the phosphate pre-prodrug of SN34507, was established in 'mixed' tumors harboring a minority of NfsA-positive cells and demonstrated marked tumor control following heterogeneous suicide gene expression. These experiments demonstrate that off-target metabolism of PR-104 can be avoided and identify the suicide gene/prodrug partnership of E. coli NfsA/SN35539 as a promising combination for development in armed vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Mowday
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Amir Ashoorzadeh
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Elsie M Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Janine N Copp
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Shevan Silva
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Matthew R Bull
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Maria R Abbattista
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Robert F Anderson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Jack U Flanagan
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Christopher P Guise
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - David F Ackerley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Jeff B Smaill
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Adam V Patterson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Progress and problems with the use of suicide genes for targeted cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 99:113-128. [PMID: 26004498 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Among various gene therapy methods for cancer, suicide gene therapy attracts a special attention because it allows selective conversion of non-toxic compounds into cytotoxic drugs inside cancer cells. As a result, therapeutic index can be increased significantly by introducing high concentrations of cytotoxic molecules to the tumor environment while minimizing impact on normal tissues. Despite significant success at the preclinical level, no cancer suicide gene therapy protocol has delivered the desirable clinical significance yet. This review gives a critical look at the six main enzyme/prodrug systems that are used in suicide gene therapy of cancer and familiarizes readers with the state-of-the-art research and practices in this field. For each enzyme/prodrug system, the mechanisms of action, protein engineering strategies to enhance enzyme stability/affinity and chemical modification techniques to increase prodrug kinetics and potency are discussed. In each category, major clinical trials that have been performed in the past decade with each enzyme/prodrug system are discussed to highlight the progress to date. Finally, shortcomings are underlined and areas that need improvement in order to produce clinical significance are delineated.
Collapse
|
44
|
Bonifert G, Folkes L, Gmeiner C, Dachs G, Spadiut O. Recombinant horseradish peroxidase variants for targeted cancer treatment. Cancer Med 2016; 5:1194-203. [PMID: 26990592 PMCID: PMC4924378 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major cause of death. Common chemo‐ and radiation‐therapies damage healthy tissue and cause painful side effects. The enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been shown to activate the plant hormone indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) to a powerful anticancer agent in in vitro studies, but gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) studies showed ambivalent results. Thus, HRP/IAA in antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) was investigated as an alternative. However, this approach has not been intensively studied, since the enzyme preparation from plant describes an undefined mixture of isoenzymes with a heterogenic glycosylation pattern incompatible with the human system. Here, we describe the recombinant production of the two HRP isoenzymes C1A and A2A in a Pichia pastoris benchmark strain and a glyco‐engineered strain with a knockout of the α‐1,6‐mannosyltransferase (OCH1) responsible for hypermannosylation. We biochemically characterized the enzyme variants, tested them with IAA and applied them on cancer cells. In the absence of H2O2, HRP C1A turned out to be highly active with IAA, independent of its surface glycosylation. Subsequent in vitro cytotoxicity studies with human T24 bladder carcinoma and MDA‐MB‐231 breast carcinoma cells underlined the applicability of recombinant HRP C1A with reduced surface glycoslyation for targeted cancer treatment. Summarizing, this is the first study describing the successful use of recombinantly produced HRP for targeted cancer treatment. Our findings might pave the way for an increased use of the powerful isoenzyme HRP C1A in cancer research in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Günther Bonifert
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Folkes
- Department of Oncology Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Northwood, Middlesex, U.K
| | - Christoph Gmeiner
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabi Dachs
- Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Oliver Spadiut
- Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Nitroreductase gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy: insights and advances toward clinical utility. Biochem J 2015; 471:131-53. [PMID: 26431849 DOI: 10.1042/bj20150650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This review examines the vast catalytic and therapeutic potential offered by type I (i.e. oxygen-insensitive) nitroreductase enzymes in partnership with nitroaromatic prodrugs, with particular focus on gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT; a form of cancer gene therapy). Important first indications of this potential were demonstrated over 20 years ago, for the enzyme-prodrug pairing of Escherichia coli NfsB and CB1954 [5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide]. However, it has become apparent that both the enzyme and the prodrug in this prototypical pairing have limitations that have impeded their clinical progression. Recently, substantial advances have been made in the biodiscovery and engineering of superior nitroreductase variants, in particular development of elegant high-throughput screening capabilities to enable optimization of desirable activities via directed evolution. These advances in enzymology have been paralleled by advances in medicinal chemistry, leading to the development of second- and third-generation nitroaromatic prodrugs that offer substantial advantages over CB1954 for nitroreductase GDEPT, including greater dose-potency and enhanced ability of the activated metabolite(s) to exhibit a local bystander effect. In addition to forging substantial progress towards future clinical trials, this research is supporting other fields, most notably the development and improvement of targeted cellular ablation capabilities in small animal models, such as zebrafish, to enable cell-specific physiology or regeneration studies.
Collapse
|
46
|
Krasikova LS, Karshieva SS, Cheglakov IB, Belyavsky AV. Mesenchymal stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase inhibit growth of murine melanoma B16F10 in vivo. Mol Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893315060126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
47
|
Bai J, Yang J, Zhou Y, Yang Q. Structural basis of Escherichia coli nitroreductase NfsB triple mutants engineered for improved activity and regioselectivity toward the prodrug CB1954. Process Biochem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
48
|
Jung JH, Kim AA, Chang DY, Park YR, Suh-Kim H, Kim SS. Three-dimensional assessment of bystander effects of mesenchymal stem cells carrying a cytosine deaminase gene on glioma cells. Am J Cancer Res 2015; 5:2686-2696. [PMID: 26609476 PMCID: PMC4633898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells carrying a suicide gene have emerged as therapeutic candidates for their cytotoxic bystander effects on neighboring cancers, while being non-toxic to other parts of the body. However, traditional cytotoxicity assays are unable to adequately assess the therapeutic effects of bystander cells. Here, we report a method to assess bystander effects of therapeutic stem cells against 3-dimensionally grown glioma cells in real time. U87 glioma cells were stably transduced to express a green fluorescence protein and co-cultivated with mesenchymal stem cells engineered to carry a bacterial cytosine deaminase gene (MSC/CD). Following addition of a 5-fluorocytine (5-FC) prodrug to the co-culture, fluorescence from U87 cells was obtained and analyzed in real time. Notably, the IC50 of 5-FC was higher when U87 cells were grown 3-dimensionally in soft agar medium for 3 weeks, as compared to those grown for one week in two-dimensional monolayer cultures. Additionally, more MSC/CD cells were required to maintain a similar level of efficacy. Since three-dimensional growth of glioma cells under our co-culture condition mimics the long-term expansion of cancer cells in vivo, our method can extend to an in vitro assay system to assess stem cell-mediated anti-cancer effects before advancing into preclinical animal studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hwa Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou Graduate SchoolSuwon, South Korea
| | | | - Da-Young Chang
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of MedicineSuwon Korea
| | | | - Haeyoung Suh-Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou Graduate SchoolSuwon, South Korea
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of MedicineSuwon Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of MedicineSuwon Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Alekseenko IV, Snezhkov EV, Chernov IP, Pleshkan VV, Potapov VK, Sass AV, Monastyrskaya GS, Kopantzev EP, Vinogradova TV, Khramtsov YV, Ulasov AV, Rosenkranz AA, Sobolev AS, Bezborodova OA, Plyutinskaya AD, Nemtsova ER, Yakubovskaya RI, Sverdlov ED. Therapeutic properties of a vector carrying the HSV thymidine kinase and GM-CSF genes and delivered as a complex with a cationic copolymer. J Transl Med 2015; 13:78. [PMID: 25880666 PMCID: PMC4359447 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0433-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) represents a technology to improve drug selectivity for cancer cells. It consists of delivery into tumor cells of a suicide gene responsible for in situ conversion of a prodrug into cytotoxic metabolites. Major limitations of GDEPT that hinder its clinical application include inefficient delivery into cancer cells and poor prodrug activation by suicide enzymes. We tried to overcome these constraints through a combination of suicide gene therapy with immunomodulating therapy. Viral vectors dominate in present-day GDEPT clinical trials due to efficient transfection and production of therapeutic genes. However, safety concerns associated with severe immune and inflammatory responses as well as high cost of the production of therapeutic viruses can limit therapeutic use of virus-based therapeutics. We tried to overcome this problem by using a simple nonviral delivery system. METHODS We studied the antitumor efficacy of a PEI (polyethylenimine)-PEG (polyethylene glycol) copolymer carrying the HSVtk gene combined in one vector with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) cDNA. The system HSVtk-GM-CSF/PEI-PEG was tested in vitro in various mouse and human cell lines, ex vivo and in vivo using mouse models. RESULTS We showed that the HSVtk-GM-CSF/PEI-PEG system effectively inhibited the growth of transplanted human and mouse tumors, suppressed metastasis and increased animal lifespan. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that appreciable tumor shrinkage and metastasis inhibition could be achieved with a simple and low toxic chemical carrier - a PEI-PEG copolymer. Our data indicate that combined suicide and cytokine gene therapy may provide a powerful approach for the treatment of solid tumors and their metastases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina V Alekseenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov Sq. 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia.
| | - Eugene V Snezhkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Igor P Chernov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Victor V Pleshkan
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov Sq. 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia.
| | - Victor K Potapov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexander V Sass
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Galina S Monastyrskaya
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Eugene P Kopantzev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Tatyana V Vinogradova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Yuri V Khramtsov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova, 34/5, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
| | - Alexey V Ulasov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova, 34/5, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
| | - Andrey A Rosenkranz
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova, 34/5, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
- Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, ul. Leninskiye Gory, 1-12, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
| | - Alexander S Sobolev
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova, 34/5, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
- Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, ul. Leninskiye Gory, 1-12, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
| | - Olga A Bezborodova
- Moscow Hertsen Research Institute of Oncology, Russian Ministry of Health Care, 2nd Botkinskiy proezd 3, Moscow, 125284, Russia.
| | - Anna D Plyutinskaya
- Moscow Hertsen Research Institute of Oncology, Russian Ministry of Health Care, 2nd Botkinskiy proezd 3, Moscow, 125284, Russia.
| | - Elena R Nemtsova
- Moscow Hertsen Research Institute of Oncology, Russian Ministry of Health Care, 2nd Botkinskiy proezd 3, Moscow, 125284, Russia.
| | - Raisa I Yakubovskaya
- Moscow Hertsen Research Institute of Oncology, Russian Ministry of Health Care, 2nd Botkinskiy proezd 3, Moscow, 125284, Russia.
| | - Eugene D Sverdlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov Sq. 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
As one targeting strategy of prodrug delivery, gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) promises to realize the targeting through its three key features in cancer therapy-cell-specific gene delivery and expression, controlled conversion of prodrugs to drugs in target cells, and expanded toxicity to the target cells' neighbors through bystander effects. After over 20 years of development, multiple GDEPT systems have advanced into clinical trials. However, no GDEPT product is currently marketed as a drug, suggesting that there are still barriers to overcome before GDEPT becomes a standard therapy. In this review, we first provide a general introduction of this prodrug targeting strategy. Then, we utilize the four most thoroughly studied systems to illustrate components, mechanisms, preclinical and clinical results, and further development directions of GDEPT. These four systems are herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir, cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine, cytochrome P450/oxazaphosphorines, and nitroreductase/CB1954 system. Later, we focus our discussion on bystander effects including local and distant bystander effects. Lastly, we discuss carriers that are used to deliver genes for GDEPT including virus carriers and non-virus carriers. Among these carriers, the stem cell-based gene delivery system represents one of the newest carriers under development, and may brought about a breakthrough to the gene delivery issue of GDEPT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- />The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993 USA
| | - Vijay Kale
- />College of Pharmacy, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10920 S. Riverfront Pkwy, South Jordan, Utah 84095 USA
| | - Mingnan Chen
- />Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 USA
| |
Collapse
|