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Sayour EJ, Boczkowski D, Mitchell DA, Nair SK. Cancer mRNA vaccines: clinical advances and future opportunities. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024:10.1038/s41571-024-00902-1. [PMID: 38760500 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00902-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have been revolutionary in terms of their rapid development and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this technology has considerable potential for application to the treatment of cancer. Compared with traditional cancer vaccines based on proteins or peptides, mRNA vaccines reconcile the needs for both personalization and commercialization in a manner that is unique to each patient but not beholden to their HLA haplotype. A further advantage of mRNA vaccines is the availability of engineering strategies to improve their stability while retaining immunogenicity, enabling the induction of complementary innate and adaptive immune responses. Thus far, no mRNA-based cancer vaccines have received regulatory approval, although several phase I-II trials have yielded promising results, including in historically poorly immunogenic tumours. Furthermore, many early phase trials testing a wide range of vaccine designs are currently ongoing. In this Review, we describe the advantages of cancer mRNA vaccines and advances in clinical trials using both cell-based and nanoparticle-based delivery methods, with discussions of future combinations and iterations that might optimize the activity of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias J Sayour
- Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumour Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David Boczkowski
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Duane A Mitchell
- Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumour Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Smita K Nair
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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2
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Song P, Li Y, Zhang M, Lyu B, Cui Y, Gao S. Comprehensive Analysis of a Dendritic Cell Marker Genes Signature to Predict Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response in Lung Adenocarcinoma. J Immunother 2024:00002371-990000000-00101. [PMID: 38679823 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
With the development of immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs), immunotherapy has recently taken center stage in cancer treatment. Dendritic cells exert complicated and important functions in antitumor immunity. This study aims to construct a novel dendritic cell marker gene signature (DCMGS) to predict the prognosis and immunotherapy response of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). DC marker genes in LUAD were identified by analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data. 6 genes (G0S2, KLF4, ALDH2, IER3, TXN, CD69) were screened as the most prognosis-related genes for constructing DCMGS on a training cohort from TCGA data set. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups by DCMGS risk score based on overall survival time. Then, the predictive ability of the risk model was validated in 6 independent cohorts. DCMGS was verified to be an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. Furthermore, we performed pathway enrichment analysis to explore possible biological mechanisms of the powerful predictive ability of DCMGS, and immune cell infiltration landscape and inflammatory activities were exhibited to reflect the immune profile. Notably, we bridged DCMGS with expression of immune checkpoints and TCR/BCR repertoire diversity that can inflect immunotherapy response. Finally, the predictive ability of DCMGS in immunotherapy response was also validated by 2 cohorts that had received immunotherapy. As a result, the patients with lower DCMGS risk scores showed a better prognosis and immunotherapy response. In conclusion, DCMGS was suggested to be a promising prognostic indicator for LUAD and a desirable predictor for immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Moyan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Baihan Lyu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shugeng Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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3
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Sheikhlary S, Lopez DH, Moghimi S, Sun B. Recent Findings on Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines: An Updated Review. Biomolecules 2024; 14:503. [PMID: 38672519 PMCID: PMC11048403 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the global leading causes of death and various vaccines have been developed over the years against it, including cell-based, nucleic acid-based, and viral-based cancer vaccines. Although many vaccines have been effective in in vivo and clinical studies and some have been FDA-approved, there are major limitations to overcome: (1) developing one universal vaccine for a specific cancer is difficult, as tumors with different antigens are different for different individuals, (2) the tumor antigens may be similar to the body's own antigens, and (3) there is the possibility of cancer recurrence. Therefore, developing personalized cancer vaccines with the ability to distinguish between the tumor and the body's antigens is indispensable. This paper provides a comprehensive review of different types of cancer vaccines and highlights important factors necessary for developing efficient cancer vaccines. Moreover, the application of other technologies in cancer therapy is discussed. Finally, several insights and conclusions are presented, such as the possibility of using cold plasma and cancer stem cells in developing future cancer vaccines, to tackle the major limitations in the cancer vaccine developmental process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sheikhlary
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - David Humberto Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (D.H.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Sophia Moghimi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (D.H.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (D.H.L.); (S.M.)
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Kenoosh HA, Pallathadka H, Hjazi A, Al-Dhalimy AMB, Zearah SA, Ghildiyal P, Al-Mashhadani ZI, Mustafa YF, Hizam MM, Elawady A. Recent advances in mRNA-based vaccine for cancer therapy; bench to bedside. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3954. [PMID: 38403905 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have progressed from a theoretical concept to a clinical reality over the last few decades. Compared to conventional vaccination methods, these vaccines have a number of benefits, such as substantial potency, rapid growth, inexpensive production, and safe administration. Nevertheless, their usefulness was restricted up to now due to worries about the erratic and ineffective circulation of mRNA in vivo. Thankfully, these worries have largely been allayed by recent technological developments, which have led to the creation of multiple mRNA vaccination platforms for cancer and viral infections. The mRNA vaccines have been demonstrated as a powerful alternative to traditional conventional vaccines because of their high potency, safety and efficacy, capacity for rapid clinical development, and potential for rapid, low-cost manufacturing. The paper will examine the present status of mRNA vaccine technology and suggest future paths for the advancement and application of this exciting vaccine platform as a common therapeutic choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeel Ahmed Kenoosh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Maarif University College, AL-Anbar, Iraq
| | | | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Pallavi Ghildiyal
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | | | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Manar Mohammed Hizam
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Elawady
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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5
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Palomares F, Pina A, Dakhaoui H, Leiva-Castro C, Munera-Rodriguez AM, Cejudo-Guillen M, Granados B, Alba G, Santa-Maria C, Sobrino F, Lopez-Enriquez S. Dendritic Cells as a Therapeutic Strategy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:165. [PMID: 38400148 PMCID: PMC10891551 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020165] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) bridging innate and adaptive immunity, playing an essential role in triggering specific cellular and humoral responses against tumor and infectious antigens. Consequently, various DC-based antitumor therapeutic strategies have been developed, particularly vaccines, and have been intensively investigated specifically in the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This hematological malignancy mainly affects the elderly population (those aged over 65), which usually presents a high rate of therapeutic failure and an unfavorable prognosis. In this review, we examine the current state of development and progress of vaccines in AML. The findings evidence the possible administration of DC-based vaccines as an adjuvant treatment in AML following initial therapy. Furthermore, the therapy demonstrates promising outcomes in preventing or delaying tumor relapse and exhibits synergistic effects when combined with other treatments during relapses or disease progression. On the other hand, the remarkable success observed with RNA vaccines for COVID-19, delivered in lipid nanoparticles, has revealed the efficacy and effectiveness of these types of vectors, prompting further exploration and their potential application in AML, as well as other neoplasms, loading them with tumor RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Palomares
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) HUVR/CSIC/University of Seville, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Alejandra Pina
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Hala Dakhaoui
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Camila Leiva-Castro
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Ana M. Munera-Rodriguez
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Marta Cejudo-Guillen
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) HUVR/CSIC/University of Seville, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Seville, Spain;
- Department of Pharmacology, Pediatry, and Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Beatriz Granados
- Distrito Sanitario de Atención Primaria Málaga, Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía, 29004 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Gonzalo Alba
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Consuelo Santa-Maria
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain;
| | - Francisco Sobrino
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Soledad Lopez-Enriquez
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain; (A.P.); (H.D.); (C.L.-C.); (A.M.M.-R.); (G.A.); (F.S.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) HUVR/CSIC/University of Seville, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Seville, Spain;
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Sauerer T, Albrecht L, Sievers NM, Gerer KF, Hoyer S, Dörrie J, Schaft N. Electroporation of mRNA as a Universal Technology Platform to Transfect a Variety of Primary Cells with Antigens and Functional Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2786:219-235. [PMID: 38814397 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3770-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Electroporation (EP) of mRNA into human cells is a broadly applicable method to transiently express proteins of choice in a variety of different cell types. We have spent more than two decades to optimize and adapt this method, first for antigen-loading of dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequently for T cells, B cells, bulk PBMCs, and several cell lines. In this regard, antigens were introduced, processed, and presented in context of MHC class I and II. Next to that, functional proteins like adhesion receptors, T-cell receptors (TCRs), chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), constitutively active signal transducers (i.e. caIKK), and others were successfully expressed. We have also established this protocol under full GMP compliance as part of a manufacturing license to produce mRNA-electroporated DCs and mRNA-electroporated T cells for therapeutic applications in clinical trials. Therefore, we here want to share our universal mRNA electroporation protocol and the experience we have gathered with this method. The advantages of the transfection method presented here are: (1) easy adaptation to different cell types; (2) scalability from 106 to approximately 108 cells per shot; (3) high transfection efficiency (80-99%); (4) homogenous protein expression; (5) GMP compliance if the EP is performed in a class A clean room; and (6) no transgene integration into the genome. The provided protocol involves: OptiMEM® as EP medium, a square-wave pulse with 500 V, and 4 mm cuvettes. To adapt the protocol to differently sized cells, simply the pulse time has to be altered. Thus, we share an overview of proven electroporation settings (including recovery media), which we have established for various cell types. Next to the basic protocol, we also provide an extensive list of hints and tricks, which, in our opinion, are of great value for everyone who intends to use this transfection technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Sauerer
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Leoni Albrecht
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nico M Sievers
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin F Gerer
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hoyer
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- RNA-based Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany.
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Miliotou AN, Georgiou-Siafis SK, Ntenti C, Pappas IS, Papadopoulou LC. Recruiting In Vitro Transcribed mRNA against Cancer Immunotherapy: A Contemporary Appraisal of the Current Landscape. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9181-9214. [PMID: 37998753 PMCID: PMC10670245 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110576] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 100 innovative in vitro transcribed (IVT)-mRNAs are presently undergoing clinical trials, with a projected substantial impact on the pharmaceutical market in the near future. Τhe idea behind this is that after the successful cellular internalization of IVT-mRNAs, they are subsequently translated into proteins with therapeutic or prophylactic relevance. Simultaneously, cancer immunotherapy employs diverse strategies to mobilize the immune system in the battle against cancer. Therefore, in this review, the fundamental principles of IVT-mRNA to its recruitment in cancer immunotherapy, are discussed and analyzed. More specifically, this review paper focuses on the development of mRNA vaccines, the exploitation of neoantigens, as well as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cells, showcasing their clinical applications and the ongoing trials for the development of next-generation immunotherapeutics. Furthermore, this study investigates the synergistic potential of combining the CAR immunotherapy and the IVT-mRNAs by introducing our research group novel, patented delivery method that utilizes the Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) technology to transduce the IVT-mRNAs encoding the CAR of interest into the Natural Killer (NK)-92 cells, highlighting the potential for enhancing the CAR NK cell potency, efficiency, and bioenergetics. While IVT-mRNA technology brings exciting progress to cancer immunotherapy, several challenges and limitations must be acknowledged, such as safety, toxicity, and delivery issues. This comprehensive exploration of IVT-mRNA technology, in line with its applications in cancer therapeutics, offers valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges in the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy, setting the stage for future advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androulla N. Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
- Department of Health Sciences, KES College, 1055 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sofia K. Georgiou-Siafis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece;
| | - Charikleia Ntenti
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
- 1st Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Ioannis S. Pappas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece;
| | - Lefkothea C. Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece; (A.N.M.); (S.K.G.-S.); (C.N.)
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8
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Schaft N, Dörrie J, Schuler G, Schuler-Thurner B, Sallam H, Klein S, Eisenberg G, Frankenburg S, Lotem M, Khatib A. The future of affordable cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1248867. [PMID: 37736099 PMCID: PMC10509759 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1248867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of cancer was revolutionized within the last two decades by utilizing the mechanism of the immune system against malignant tissue in so-called cancer immunotherapy. Two main developments boosted cancer immunotherapy: 1) the use of checkpoint inhibitors, which are characterized by a relatively high response rate mainly in solid tumors; however, at the cost of serious side effects, and 2) the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, which were shown to be very efficient in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but failed to show high clinical effectiveness in solid tumors until now. In addition, active immunization against individual tumors is emerging, and the first products have reached clinical approval. These new treatment options are very cost-intensive and are not financially compensated by health insurance in many countries. Hence, strategies must be developed to make cancer immunotherapy affordable and to improve the cost-benefit ratio. In this review, we discuss the following strategies: 1) to leverage the antigenicity of "cold tumors" with affordable reagents, 2) to use microbiome-based products as markers or therapeutics, 3) to apply measures that make adoptive cell therapy (ACT) cheaper, e.g., the use of off-the-shelf products, 4) to use immunotherapies that offer cheaper platforms, such as RNA- or peptide-based vaccines and vaccines that use shared or common antigens instead of highly personal antigens, 5) to use a small set of predictive biomarkers instead of the "sequence everything" approach, and 6) to explore affordable immunohistochemistry markers that may direct individual therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Husam Sallam
- Molecular Genetics and Genetic Toxicology, Health Science Department, American Arab University, Ramallah, Palestine
| | - Shiri Klein
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Galit Eisenberg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shoshana Frankenburg
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Lotem
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
- Hadassah Cancer Research Institute, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Areej Khatib
- Women's Health Research Unit, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Pérez-Baños A, Gleisner MA, Flores I, Pereda C, Navarrete M, Araya JP, Navarro G, Quezada-Monrás C, Tittarelli A, Salazar-Onfray F. Whole tumour cell-based vaccines: tuning the instruments to orchestrate an optimal antitumour immune response. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:572-585. [PMID: 37355722 PMCID: PMC10421921 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, particularly those based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has become a useful approach for many neoplastic diseases. Despite the improvements of ICIs in supporting tumour regression and prolonging survival, many patients do not respond or develop resistance to treatment. Thus, therapies that enhance antitumour immunity, such as anticancer vaccines, constitute a feasible and promising therapeutic strategy. Whole tumour cell (WTC) vaccines have been extensively tested in clinical studies as intact or genetically modified cells or tumour lysates, injected directly or loaded on DCs with distinct adjuvants. The essential requirements of WTC vaccines include the optimal delivery of a broad battery of tumour-associated antigens, the presence of tumour cell-derived molecular danger signals, and adequate adjuvants. These factors trigger an early and robust local innate inflammatory response that orchestrates an antigen-specific and proinflammatory adaptive antitumour response capable of controlling tumour growth by several mechanisms. In this review, the strengths and weaknesses of our own and others' experiences in studying WTC vaccines are revised to discuss the essential elements required to increase anticancer vaccine effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarilis Pérez-Baños
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Alejandra Gleisner
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Iván Flores
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristián Pereda
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mariela Navarrete
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Pablo Araya
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Giovanna Navarro
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, 5110566, Chile
| | - Claudia Quezada-Monrás
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, 5110566, Chile
| | - Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PIDi), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), Santiago, Chile.
| | - Flavio Salazar-Onfray
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute and Section for Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden.
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10
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Li J, Xiao Z, Wang D, Jia L, Nie S, Zeng X, Hu W. The screening, identification, design and clinical application of tumor-specific neoantigens for TCR-T cells. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:141. [PMID: 37649123 PMCID: PMC10466891 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development of tumor immunotherapies, including adoptive cell therapies (ACTs), cancer vaccines and antibody-based therapies, particularly for solid tumors. With the development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics technology, the rapid identification and prediction of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) has become possible. Compared with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), highly immunogenic TSAs provide new targets for personalized tumor immunotherapy and can be used as prospective indicators for predicting tumor patient survival, prognosis, and immune checkpoint blockade response. Here, the identification and characterization of neoantigens and the clinical application of neoantigen-based TCR-T immunotherapy strategies are summarized, and the current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translational potential of these strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiwen Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghui Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jia
- International Health Medicine Innovation Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Nie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingda Zeng
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, People's Republic of China
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11
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Chehelgerdi M, Chehelgerdi M. The use of RNA-based treatments in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:106. [PMID: 37420174 PMCID: PMC10401791 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01807-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past several decades, mRNA vaccines have evolved from a theoretical concept to a clinical reality. These vaccines offer several advantages over traditional vaccine techniques, including their high potency, rapid development, low-cost manufacturing, and safe administration. However, until recently, concerns over the instability and inefficient distribution of mRNA in vivo have limited their utility. Fortunately, recent technological advancements have mostly resolved these concerns, resulting in the development of numerous mRNA vaccination platforms for infectious diseases and various types of cancer. These platforms have shown promising outcomes in both animal models and humans. This study highlights the potential of mRNA vaccines as a promising alternative approach to conventional vaccine techniques and cancer treatment. This review article aims to provide a thorough and detailed examination of mRNA vaccines, including their mechanisms of action and potential applications in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, the article will analyze the current state of mRNA vaccine technology and highlight future directions for the development and implementation of this promising vaccine platform as a mainstream therapeutic option. The review will also discuss potential challenges and limitations of mRNA vaccines, such as their stability and in vivo distribution, and suggest ways to overcome these issues. By providing a comprehensive overview and critical analysis of mRNA vaccines, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of this innovative approach to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Chehelgerdi
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran.
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
| | - Matin Chehelgerdi
- Novin Genome (NG) Lab, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Shahrekord, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
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12
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Puccetti M, Schoubben A, Giovagnoli S, Ricci M. Biodrug Delivery Systems: Do mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles Come of Age? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032218. [PMID: 36768539 PMCID: PMC9917085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
As an appealing alternative to treat and prevent diseases ranging from cancer to COVID-19, mRNA has demonstrated significant clinical effects. Nanotechnology facilitates the successful implementation of the systemic delivery of mRNA for safe human consumption. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of current mRNA therapeutic applications and discuss key biological barriers to delivery and recent advances in the development of nonviral systems. The relevant challenges that LNPs face in achieving cost-effective and widespread clinical implementation when delivering mRNA are likewise discussed.
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13
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Neoantigens: promising targets for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:9. [PMID: 36604431 PMCID: PMC9816309 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 145.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development and regulatory approval of tumor immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and antibody-based therapies, especially for solid tumors. Neoantigens are newly formed antigens generated by tumor cells as a result of various tumor-specific alterations, such as genomic mutation, dysregulated RNA splicing, disordered post-translational modification, and integrated viral open reading frames. Neoantigens are recognized as non-self and trigger an immune response that is not subject to central and peripheral tolerance. The quick identification and prediction of tumor-specific neoantigens have been made possible by the advanced development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic technologies. Compared to tumor-associated antigens, the highly immunogenic and tumor-specific neoantigens provide emerging targets for personalized cancer immunotherapies, and serve as prospective predictors for tumor survival prognosis and immune checkpoint blockade responses. The development of cancer therapies will be aided by understanding the mechanism underlying neoantigen-induced anti-tumor immune response and by streamlining the process of neoantigen-based immunotherapies. This review provides an overview on the identification and characterization of neoantigens and outlines the clinical applications of prospective immunotherapeutic strategies based on neoantigens. We also explore their current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translation potential.
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14
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Vishweshwaraiah YL, Dokholyan NV. mRNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1029069. [PMID: 36591226 PMCID: PMC9794995 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1029069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a breakthrough strategy in cancer treatment. mRNA vaccines are an attractive and powerful immunotherapeutic platform against cancer because of their high potency, specificity, versatility, rapid and large-scale development capability, low-cost manufacturing potential, and safety. Recent technological advances in mRNA vaccine design and delivery have accelerated mRNA cancer vaccines' development and clinical application. In this review, we present various cancer vaccine platforms with a focus on nucleic acid vaccines. We discuss rational design and optimization strategies for mRNA cancer vaccine development. We highlight the platforms available for delivery of the mRNA vaccines with a focus on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) based delivery systems. Finally, we discuss the limitations of mRNA cancer vaccines and future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolay V. Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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15
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Sheriff A, Guri I, Zebrowska P, Llopis-Hernandez V, Brooks IR, Tekkela S, Subramaniam K, Gebrezgabher R, Naso G, Petrova A, Balon K, Onoufriadis A, Kujawa D, Kotulska M, Newby G, Łaczmański Ł, Liu DR, McGrath JA, Jacków J. ABE8e adenine base editor precisely and efficiently corrects a recurrent COL7A1 nonsense mutation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19643. [PMID: 36385635 PMCID: PMC9666996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Base editing introduces precise single-nucleotide edits in genomic DNA and has the potential to treat genetic diseases such as the blistering skin disease recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), which is characterized by mutations in the COL7A1 gene and type VII collagen (C7) deficiency. Adenine base editors (ABEs) convert A-T base pairs to G-C base pairs without requiring double-stranded DNA breaks or donor DNA templates. Here, we use ABE8e, a recently evolved ABE, to correct primary RDEB patient fibroblasts harboring the recurrent RDEB nonsense mutation c.5047 C > T (p.Arg1683Ter) in exon 54 of COL7A1 and use a next generation sequencing workflow to interrogate post-treatment outcomes. Electroporation of ABE8e mRNA into a bulk population of RDEB patient fibroblasts resulted in remarkably efficient (94.6%) correction of the pathogenic allele, restoring COL7A1 mRNA and expression of C7 protein in western blots and in 3D skin constructs. Off-target DNA analysis did not detect off-target editing in treated patient-derived fibroblasts and there was no detectable increase in A-to-I changes in the RNA. Taken together, we have established a highly efficient pipeline for gene correction in primary fibroblasts with a favorable safety profile. This work lays a foundation for developing therapies for RDEB patients using ex vivo or in vivo base editing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Sheriff
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ina Guri
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Paulina Zebrowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Virginia Llopis-Hernandez
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Imogen R Brooks
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Stavroula Tekkela
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Kavita Subramaniam
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ruta Gebrezgabher
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Gaetano Naso
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Unit, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Anastasia Petrova
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Unit, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Katarzyna Balon
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Alexandros Onoufriadis
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Dorota Kujawa
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Martyna Kotulska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Gregory Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Łukasz Łaczmański
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John A McGrath
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Joanna Jacków
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, 9th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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16
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De Mey W, Esprit A, Thielemans K, Breckpot K, Franceschini L. RNA in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unlocking the Potential of the Immune System. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3929-3939. [PMID: 35583609 PMCID: PMC9475240 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in the manufacturing, modification, purification, and cellular delivery of ribonucleic acid (RNA) have enabled the development of RNA-based therapeutics for a broad array of applications. The approval of two SARS-CoV-2-targeting mRNA-based vaccines has highlighted the advances of this technology. Offering rapid and straightforward manufacturing, clinical safety, and versatility, this paves the way for RNA therapeutics to expand into cancer immunotherapy. Together with ongoing trials on RNA cancer vaccination and cellular therapy, RNA therapeutics could be introduced into clinical practice, possibly stewarding future personalized approaches. In the present review, we discuss recent advances in RNA-based immuno-oncology together with an update on ongoing clinical applications and their current challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout De Mey
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arthur Esprit
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Corresponding Author: Karine Breckpot, Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. Phone: 32-2-477-45-66; E-mail:
| | - Lorenzo Franceschini
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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de Mey W, De Schrijver P, Autaers D, Pfitzer L, Fant B, Locy H, Esprit A, Lybaert L, Bogaert C, Verdonck M, Thielemans K, Breckpot K, Franceschini L. A synthetic DNA template for fast manufacturing of versatile single epitope mRNA. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:943-954. [PMID: 36159589 PMCID: PMC9464653 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A flexible, affordable, and rapid vaccine platform is necessary to unlock the potential of personalized cancer vaccines in order to achieve full clinical efficiency. mRNA cancer vaccine manufacture relies on the rigid sequence design of multiepitope constructs produced by laborious bacterial cloning and time-consuming plasmid preparation. Here, we introduce a synthetic DNA template (SDT) assembly process, which allows cost- and time-efficient manufacturing of single (neo)epitope mRNA. We benchmarked SDT-derived mRNA against mRNA derived from a plasmid DNA template (PDT), showing that monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) electroporated with SDT-mRNA or PDT-mRNA, encoding HLA-I- or HLA-II-restricted (neo)epitopes, equally activated T cells that were modified to express the cognate T cell receptors. Furthermore, we validated the SDT-mRNA platform for neoepitope immunogenicity screening using the characterized HLA-A2-restricted neoepitope DHX40B and four new candidate HLA-A2-restricted melanoma neoepitopes. Finally, we compared SDT-mRNA with PDT-mRNA for vaccine development purposes. moDCs electroporated with mRNA encoding the HLA-A2-restricted, mutated Melan-A/Mart-1 epitope together with TriMix mRNA-generated high levels of functional Melan-A/Mart-1-specific CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, SDT single epitope mRNA can be manufactured in a more flexible, cost-efficient, and time-efficient way compared with PDT-mRNA, allowing prompt neoepitope immunogenicity screening, and might be exploited for the development of personalized cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout de Mey
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Phaedra De Schrijver
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dorien Autaers
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lena Pfitzer
- myNEO, Ottergemsesteenweg-Zuid 808, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno Fant
- myNEO, Ottergemsesteenweg-Zuid 808, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hanne Locy
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arthur Esprit
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lien Lybaert
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- myNEO, Ottergemsesteenweg-Zuid 808, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Magali Verdonck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lorenzo Franceschini
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Corresponding author Lorenzo Franceschini, Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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18
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Sobhani N, Scaggiante B, Morris R, Chai D, Catalano M, Tardiel-Cyril DR, Neeli P, Roviello G, Mondani G, Li Y. Therapeutic cancer vaccines: From biological mechanisms and engineering to ongoing clinical trials. Cancer Treat Rev 2022; 109:102429. [PMID: 35759856 PMCID: PMC9217071 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccines are currently at the forefront of medical innovation. Various endeavors have been made to develop more consolidated approaches to producing nucleic acid-based vaccines, both DNA and mRNA vaccines. These innovations have continued to propel therapeutic platforms forward, especially for mRNA vaccines, after the successes that drove emergency FDA approval of two mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. These vaccines use modified mRNAs and lipid nanoparticles to improve stability, antigen translation, and delivery by evading innate immune activation. Simple alterations of mRNA structure- such as non-replicating, modified, or self-amplifying mRNAs- can provide flexibility for future vaccine development. For protein vaccines, the use of long synthetic peptides of tumor antigens instead of short peptides has further enhanced antigen delivery success and peptide stability. Efforts to identify and target neoantigens instead of antigens shared between tumor cells and normal cells have also improved protein-based vaccines. Other approaches use inactivated patient-derived tumor cells to elicit immune responses, or purified tumor antigens are given to patient-derived dendritic cells that are activated in vitro prior to reinjection. This review will discuss recent developments in therapeutic cancer vaccines such as, mode of action and engineering new types of anticancer vaccines, in order to summarize the latest preclinical and clinical data for further discussion of ongoing clinical endeavors in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Sobhani
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy.
| | - Rachel Morris
- Thunder Biotech, 395 Cougar Blvd, Provo, UT 84604, USA.
| | - Dafei Chai
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China.
| | - Martina Catalano
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy.
| | - Dana Rae Tardiel-Cyril
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Praveen Neeli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Giandomenico Roviello
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, Florence 50139, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Mondani
- Royal Infirmary Hospital, Foresterhill Health Campus, Foresterhill Rd, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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19
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Yetkin D, Ince T, Ayaz F. Photodynamic anti-inflammatory activity of azulene derivatives on mammalian macrophages and their intracellular mechanism of action. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2022; 39:102963. [PMID: 35700911 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.102963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Azulene derivatives have been studied previously as photodynamic therapy agents. They have anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities. Together with their photodynamic activity they enable more control on their activation which aims to decrease possible side effects that have been encountered with their constitutively active drug counterparts. In our current study we focused on photodynamic anti-inflammatory activities of two azulene derivatives whose synthesis methods were described before. We found that when mammalian macrophages J774.2 cells were incubated with these two derivatives in the presence of LPS in dark conditions, these molecules had anti-inflammatory activity at their highest concentrations based on ELISA results on the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. After light application, both derivatives exerted strong anti-inflammatory activities by substantially decreasing the TNF, IL6, GMCSF and IL12p40 cytokine production levels. When the intracellular mechanism of action for both derivatives was tested, only one of them acted through p38 and PI3K pathways whereas the other derivative did not affect either of these pathways. Our results suggest that these two azulene derivatives can be utilized as photodynamic anti-inflammatory drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Yetkin
- Advanced Technology, Research and Application Center, Mersin University, TR-33343 Mersin, Turkey
| | - Tuncay Ince
- Advanced Technology, Research and Application Center, Mersin University, TR-33343 Mersin, Turkey
| | - Furkan Ayaz
- Mersin University Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Mersin University, TR-33343, Mersin, Turkey; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Mersin University, TR-33343, Mersin, Turkey.
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20
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Abstract
mRNA vaccines have brought about a great revolution in the vaccine fields owing to their simplicity and adaptability in antigen design, potential to induce both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and demonstrated high efficacy, and rapid and low-cost production by using the same manufacturing platform for different mRNA vaccines. Multiple mRNA vaccines have been investigated for both infectious diseases and cancers, showing significant superiority to other types of vaccines. Although great success of mRNA vaccines has been achieved in the control of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there are still multiple challenges for the future development of mRNA vaccines. In this review, the most recent developments of mRNA vaccines against both infectious diseases and cancers are summarized for an overview of this field. Moreover, the challenges are also discussed on the basis of these developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Qiaobing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA;
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21
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Dai H, Abdullah R, Wu X, Li F, Ma Y, Lu A, Zhang G. Pancreatic Cancer: Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery and Targeted Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:855474. [PMID: 35652096 PMCID: PMC9149368 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.855474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal cancers with an almost 10% 5-year survival rate. Because PC is implicated in high heterogeneity, desmoplastic tumor-microenvironment, and inefficient drug-penetration, the chemotherapeutic strategy currently recommended for the treatment of PC has limited clinical benefit. Nucleic acid-based targeting therapies have become strong competitors in the realm of drug discovery and targeted therapy. A vast evidence has demonstrated that antibody-based or alternatively aptamer-based strategy largely contributed to the elevated drug accumulation in tumors with reduced systematic cytotoxicity. This review describes the advanced progress of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNA (mRNAs), and aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs) in the treatment of PC, revealing the bright application and development direction in PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Dai
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Razack Abdullah
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute for the Advancement of Chinese medicine (IACM) .Ltd, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Wu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fangfei Li
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
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22
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Barbier AJ, Jiang AY, Zhang P, Wooster R, Anderson DG. The clinical progress of mRNA vaccines and immunotherapies. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:840-854. [PMID: 35534554 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01294-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 114.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of two mRNA-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 vaccines approximately 11 months after publication of the viral sequence highlights the transformative potential of this nucleic acid technology. Most clinical applications of mRNA to date have focused on vaccines for infectious disease and cancer for which low doses, low protein expression and local delivery can be effective because of the inherent immunostimulatory properties of some mRNA species and formulations. In addition, work on mRNA-encoded protein or cellular immunotherapies has also begun, for which minimal immune stimulation, high protein expression in target cells and tissues, and the need for repeated administration have led to additional manufacturing and formulation challenges for clinical translation. Building on this momentum, the past year has seen clinical progress with second-generation coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, Omicron-specific boosters and vaccines against seasonal influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cancer. Here we review the clinical progress of mRNA therapy as well as provide an overview and future outlook of the transformative technology behind these mRNA-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allen Yujie Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | | | - Daniel G Anderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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23
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Zhou L, Zou M, Xu Y, Lin P, Lei C, Xia X. Nano Drug Delivery System for Tumor Immunotherapy: Next-Generation Therapeutics. Front Oncol 2022; 12:864301. [PMID: 35664731 PMCID: PMC9160744 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.864301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy is an artificial stimulation of the immune system to enhance anti-cancer response. It has become a powerful clinical strategy for treating cancer. The number of immunotherapy drug approvals has been increasing in recent years, and many treatments are in clinical and preclinical stages. Despite this progress, the special tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors made immunotherapy in the majority of cancer cases difficult. Therefore, understanding how to improve the intratumoral enrichment degree and the response rate of various immunotherapy drugs is key to improve efficacy and control adverse reactions. With the development of materials science and nanotechnology, advanced biomaterials such as nanoparticle and drug delivery systems like T-cell delivery therapy can improve effectiveness of immunotherapy while reducing the toxic side effects on non-target cells, which offers innovative ideas for improving immunity therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of tumor cell immune escape and focus on current immunotherapy (such as cytokine immunotherapy, therapeutic monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, CAR-T therapy, tumor vaccine, oncolytic virus, and other new types of immunity) and its challenges as well as the latest nanotechnology (such as bionic nanoparticles, self-assembled nanoparticles, deformable nanoparticles, photothermal effect nanoparticles, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, and other types) applications in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Manshu Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yilin Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Chang Lei
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xinhua Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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24
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Devaux A, Baurain JF. Management of metastatic melanoma with new immunotherapy approaches beyond PD-1/CTLA-4 inhibitors. Curr Opin Oncol 2022; 34:123-130. [PMID: 35081051 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW If we may cure metastatic melanoma patients thanks to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), it is fair to say that around 2/3 of the patients present primary or secondary resistance to ICI. Therefore, progresses are needed and numerous new treatments are tested either alone or in combination with cytolytic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) or (PD)-1 blockade to overcome this resistance. In this review, we focused on new immunotherapeutic approaches studied in advanced melanoma previously treated by anti-PD-1 (Programmed cell Death 1 receptor) or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. RECENT FINDINGS The different approaches have been classified based on 'the cancer immunity cycle'. These new strategies target either the T-cell priming and activation step, T-cell trafficking and tumor infiltration, or tumor antigen recognition by T-cell and tumor killing. SUMMARY Most of these novel strategies are based on mAbs targeting T-cell inhibitory or stimulatory coreceptors. The second main focus is based on modifying the tumor micro-environment. Combination strategies seem promising in few patients and suggest that a deeper understanding of the resistance in individual patients is mandatory to go further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Devaux
- Medical Oncology Department, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium
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25
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Versteven M, Flumens D, Campillo-Davó D, De Reu H, Van Bruggen L, Peeters S, Van Tendeloo V, Berneman Z, Dolstra H, Anguille S, Hobo W, Smits E, Lion E. Anti-Tumor Potency of Short-Term Interleukin-15 Dendritic Cells Is Potentiated by In Situ Silencing of Programmed-Death Ligands. Front Immunol 2022; 13:734256. [PMID: 35250967 PMCID: PMC8891487 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.734256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have proven to be a valuable tool in cancer immune therapy. With several DC vaccines being currently tested in clinical trials, knowledge about their therapeutic value has been significantly increased in the past decade. Despite their established safety, it has become clear that objective clinical responses are not yet robust enough, requiring further optimization. Improvements of this advanced therapy medicinal product encompass, among others, regulating their immune stimulating capacity by in situ gene engineering, in addition to their implementation in combination therapy regimens. Previously, we have reported on a superior monocyte-derived DC preparation, including interleukin-15, pro-inflammatory cytokines and immunological danger signals in the culture process. These so-called IL-15 DCs have already proven to exhibit several favorable properties as cancer vaccine. Evolving research into mechanisms that could further modulate the immune response towards cancer, points to programmed death-1 as an important player that dampens anti-tumor immunity. Aiming at leveraging the immunogenicity of DC vaccines, we hypothesized that additional implementation of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules programmed death-ligand (PD-L)1 and PD-L2 in IL-15 DC vaccines would exhibit superior stimulatory potential. In this paper, we successfully implemented PD-L silencing at the monocyte stage in the 3-day IL-15 DC culture protocol resulting in substantial downregulation of both PD-L1 and PD-L2 to levels below 30%. Additionally, we validated that these DCs retain their specific characteristics, both at the level of phenotype and interferon gamma secretion. Evaluating their functional characteristics, we demonstrate that PD-L silencing does not affect the capacity to induce allogeneic proliferation. Ultimately designed to induce a durable tumor antigen-specific immune response, PD-L silenced IL-15 DCs were capable of surpassing PD-1-mediated inhibition by antigen-specific T cells. Further corroborating the superior potency of short-term IL-15 DCs, the combination of immune stimulatory components during DC differentiation and maturation with in situ checkpoint inhibition supports further clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Donovan Flumens
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Diana Campillo-Davó
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Bruggen
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Peeters
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Viggo Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zwi Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine – Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine – Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Eva Lion,
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Koch EAT, Schaft N, Kummer M, Berking C, Schuler G, Hasumi K, Dörrie J, Schuler-Thurner B. A One-Armed Phase I Dose Escalation Trial Design: Personalized Vaccination with IKKβ-Matured, RNA-Loaded Dendritic Cells for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:785231. [PMID: 35185883 PMCID: PMC8854646 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.785231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an orphan disease with a mortality of 80% within one year upon the development of metastatic disease. UM does hardly respond to chemotherapy and kinase inhibitors and is largely resistant to checkpoint inhibition. Hence, further therapy approaches are urgently needed. To improve clinical outcome, we designed a trial employing the 3rd generation personalized IKKβ-matured RNA-transfected dendritic cell (DC) vaccine which primes T cells and in addition activates NK cells. This ongoing phase I trial [NCT04335890 (www.clinicaltrials.gov), Eudract: 2018-004390-28 (www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu)] investigates patients with treatment-naive metastatic UM. Monocytes are isolated by leukapheresis, differentiated to immature DCs, matured with a cytokine cocktail, and activated via the NF-κB pathway by electroporation with RNA encoding a constitutively active mutant of IKKβ. Three types of antigen-RNA are co-electroporated: i) amplified mRNA of the tumor representing the whole transcriptome, ii) RNA encoding driver mutations identified by exome sequencing, and iii) overexpressed non-mutated tumor antigens detected by transcriptome sequencing. This highly personalized DC vaccine is applied by 9 intravenous infusions in a staggered schedule over one year. Parallel to the vaccination, standard therapy, usually an immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) as mono (anti-PD-1) or combined (anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-1) regimen is initiated. The coordinated vaccine-induced immune response encompassing tumor-specific T cells and innate NK cells should synergize with ICB, perhaps resulting in measurable clinical responses in this resistant tumor entity. Primary outcome measures of this trial are safety, tolerability and toxicity; secondary outcome measures comprise overall survival and induction of antigen-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias A. T. Koch
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Niels Schaft,
| | - Mirko Kummer
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
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Yu J, Sun H, Cao W, Song Y, Jiang Z. Research progress on dendritic cell vaccines in cancer immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:3. [PMID: 35074008 PMCID: PMC8784280 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00257-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines induce specific immune responses that can selectively eliminate target cells. In recent years, many studies have been conducted to explore DC vaccination in the treatment of hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as other nonleukemia malignancies. There are at least two different strategies that use DCs to promote antitumor immunity: in situ vaccination and canonical vaccination. Monocyte-derived DCs (mo-DCs) and leukemia-derived DCs (DCleu) are the main types of DCs used in vaccines for AML and MDS thus far. Different cancer-related molecules such as peptides, recombinant proteins, apoptotic leukemic cells, whole tumor cells or lysates and DCs/DCleu containing a vaster antigenic repertoire with RNA electroporation, have been used as antigen sources to load DCs. To enhance DC vaccine efficacy, new strategies, such as combination with conventional chemotherapy, monospecific/bispecific antibodies and immune checkpoint-targeting therapies, have been explored. After a decade of trials and tribulations, much progress has been made and much promise has emerged in the field. In this review we summarize the recent advances in DC vaccine immunotherapy for AML/MDS as well as other nonleukemia malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifeng Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Gene Regulation, Henan University College of Medicine, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan, China
| | - Hao Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Weijie Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.
| | - Zhongxing Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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Vaccine-Based Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236041. [PMID: 34885150 PMCID: PMC8656843 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Therapeutic vaccines are given to patients with cancer, as opposed to prophylactic vaccines given to a healthy population. The challenge for therapeutic oncological vaccines is to stimulate an immune T cell response against endogenous (or derived) antigens that is sufficiently potent to induce cytotoxic activity and broad enough to take tumor heterogeneity into account. The purpose of this article is to provide an updated review of the prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines that target viral or non-viral antigens, particularly in head and neck cancers. Abstract In 2019, the FDA approved pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1, for the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers, despite only a limited number of patients benefiting from the treatment. Promising effects of therapeutic vaccination led the FDA to approve the use of the first therapeutic vaccine in prostate cancer in 2010. Research in the field of therapeutic vaccination, including possible synergistic effects with anti-PD(L)1 treatments, is evolving each year, and many vaccines are in pre-clinical and clinical studies. The aim of this review article is to discuss vaccines as a new therapeutic strategy, particularly in the field of head and neck cancers. Different vaccination technologies are discussed, as well as the results of the first clinical trials in HPV-positive, HPV-negative, and EBV-induced head and neck cancers.
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BRAF and MEK Inhibitors Affect Dendritic-Cell Maturation and T-Cell Stimulation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111951. [PMID: 34769379 PMCID: PMC8585071 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BRAF and MEK inhibitor (BRAFi/MEKi) combinations are currently the standard treatment for patients with BRAFV600 mutant metastatic melanoma. Since the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK-pathway is crucial for the function of different immune cells, we postulated an effect on their function and thus interference with anti-tumor immunity. Therefore, we examined the influence of BRAFi/MEKi, either as single agent or in combination, on the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) and their interaction with T cells. DCs matured in the presence of vemurafenib or vemurafenib/cobimetinib altered their cytokine secretion and surface marker expression profile. Upon the antigen-specific stimulation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells with these DCs or with T2.A1 cells in the presence of BRAFi/MEKi, we detected a lower expression of activation markers on and a lower cytokine secretion by these T cells. However, treatment with any of the inhibitors alone or in combination did not change the avidity of CD8+ T cells in peptide titration assays with T2.A1 cells. T-helper cell/DC interaction is a bi-directional process that normally results in DC activation. Vemurafenib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib completely abolished the helper T-cell-mediated upregulation of CD70, CD80, and CD86 but not CD25 on the DCs. The combination of dabrafenib/trametinib affected DC maturation and activation as well as T-cell activation less than combined vemurafenib/cobimetinib did. Hence, for a potential combination with immunotherapy, our data indicate the superiority of dabrafenib/trametinib treatment.
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Ibba ML, Ciccone G, Esposito CL, Catuogno S, Giangrande PH. Advances in mRNA non-viral delivery approaches. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113930. [PMID: 34403751 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) present a great potential as therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of human pathologies, allowing for protein replacement, vaccination, cancer immunotherapy, and genomic engineering. Despite advances in the design of mRNA-based therapeutics, a key aspect for their widespread translation to clinic is the development of safe and effective delivery strategies. To this end, non-viral delivery systems including peptide-based complexes, lipidic or polymeric nanoparticles, and hybrid formulations are attracting growing interest. Despite displaying somewhat reduced efficacy compared to viral-based systems, non-viral carriers offer important advantages in terms of biosafety and versatility. In this review, we provide an overview of current mRNA therapeutic applications and discuss key biological barriers to delivery and recent advances in the development of non-viral systems. Challenges and future applications of this novel therapeutic modality are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Ibba
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ciccone
- Institute Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Carla L Esposito
- Institute Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy.
| | - Silvia Catuogno
- Institute Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy.
| | - Paloma H Giangrande
- University of Iowa, Department of Internal Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; Wave Life Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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31
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Bosch NC, Martin LM, Voskens CJ, Berking C, Seliger B, Schuler G, Schaft N, Dörrie J. A Chimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα Molecule Expressed on NFκB-Activated Dendritic Cells Supports Their Capability to Activate Natural Killer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910227. [PMID: 34638566 PMCID: PMC8508776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, members of the innate immune system, play an important role in the rejection of HLA class I negative tumor cells. Hence, a therapeutic vaccine, which can activate NK cells in addition to cells of the adaptive immune system might induce a more comprehensive cellular response, which could lead to increased tumor elimination. Dendritic cells (DCs) are capable of activating and expanding NK cells, especially when the NFκB pathway is activated in the DCs thereby leading to the secretion of the cytokine IL-12. Another prominent NK cell activator is IL-15, which can be bound by the IL-15 receptor alpha-chain (IL-15Rα) to be transpresented to the NK cells. However, monocyte-derived DCs do neither secrete IL-15, nor express the IL-15Rα. Hence, we designed a chimeric protein consisting of IL-15 and the IL-15Rα. Upon mRNA electroporation, the fusion protein was detectable on the surface of the DCs, and increased the potential of NFκB-activated, IL-12-producing DC to activate NK cells in an autologous cell culture system with ex vivo-generated cells from healthy donors. These data show that a chimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα molecule can be expressed by monocyte-derived DCs, is trafficked to the cell surface, and is functional regarding the activation of NK cells. These data represent an initial proof-of-concept for an additional possibility of further improving cellular DC-based immunotherapies of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C. Bosch
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (N.C.B.); (B.S.)
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen–EMN, NCT WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lena-Marie Martin
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Caroline J. Voskens
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen–EMN, NCT WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen–EMN, NCT WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (N.C.B.); (B.S.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8531127
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32
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Chiang CLL, Rovelli R, Sarivalasis A, Kandalaft LE. Integrating Cancer Vaccines in the Standard-of-Care of Ovarian Cancer: Translating Preclinical Models to Human. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184553. [PMID: 34572778 PMCID: PMC8469371 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The overall survival of ovarian cancer (OC) remains poor for most patients. Despite incorporation of novel therapeutic agents such as bevacizumab and PARP inhibitors to OC standard-of-care, efficacy is only observed in a subset of patients. Cancer vaccination has demonstrated effectiveness in OC patients and could be considered for potential incorporation into OC standard-of-care. This review provides an overview of the different types of cancer vaccination strategies and discusses the use of murine OC tumor models to evaluate combinatorial regimens comprising cancer vaccines and OC standard-of-care. Abstract As the majority of ovarian cancer (OC) patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, less than 40% will survive past 5 years after diagnosis. OC is characterized by a succession of remissions and recurrences. The most promising time point for immunotherapeutic interventions in OC is following debulking surgery. Accumulating evidence shows that T cells are important in OC; thus, cancer vaccines capable of eliciting antitumor T cells will be effective in OC treatment. In this review, we discuss different cancer vaccines and propose strategies for their incorporation into the OC standard-of-care regimens. Using the murine ID8 ovarian tumor model, we provide evidence that a cancer vaccine can be effectively combined with OC standard-of-care to achieve greater overall efficacy. We demonstrate several important similarities between the ID8 model and OC patients, in terms of response to immunotherapies, and the ID8 model can be an important tool for evaluating combinatorial regimens and clinical trial designs in OC. Other emerging models, including patient-derived xenograft and genetically engineered mouse models, are continuing to improve and can be useful for evaluating cancer vaccination therapies in the near future. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the completed and current clinical trials evaluating cancer vaccines in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Lai-Lai Chiang
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (R.R.); (A.S.)
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (C.L.-L.C.); (L.E.K.)
| | - Raphaël Rovelli
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (R.R.); (A.S.)
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Apostolos Sarivalasis
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (R.R.); (A.S.)
| | - Lana E. Kandalaft
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (R.R.); (A.S.)
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (C.L.-L.C.); (L.E.K.)
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Minnaert AK, Vanluchene H, Verbeke R, Lentacker I, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K, Sanders NN, Remaut K. Strategies for controlling the innate immune activity of conventional and self-amplifying mRNA therapeutics: Getting the message across. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113900. [PMID: 34324884 PMCID: PMC8325057 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent approval of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlights the potential of both conventional mRNA and self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) as a flexible immunotherapy platform to treat infectious diseases. Besides the antigen it encodes, mRNA itself has an immune-stimulating activity that can contribute to vaccine efficacy. This self-adjuvant effect, however, will interfere with mRNA translation and may influence the desired therapeutic outcome. To further exploit its potential as a versatile therapeutic platform, it will be crucial to control mRNA's innate immune-stimulating properties. In this regard, we describe the mechanisms behind the innate immune recognition of mRNA and provide an extensive overview of strategies to control its innate immune-stimulating activity. These strategies range from modifications to the mRNA backbone itself, optimization of production and purification processes to the combination with innate immune inhibitors. Furthermore, we discuss the delicate balance of the self-adjuvant effect in mRNA vaccination strategies, which can be both beneficial and detrimental to the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Katrien Minnaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Helena Vanluchene
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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T-Cell Responses in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Implications for Improved Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Other Therapeutic Options. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168679. [PMID: 34445385 PMCID: PMC8395396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer with rising incidence and high mortality. Approximately 80% of the cases are caused by the human Merkel cell polyomavirus, while the remaining 20% are induced by UV light leading to mutations. The standard treatment of metastatic MCC is the use of anti-PD-1/-PD-L1-immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) such as Pembrolizumab or Avelumab, which in comparison with conventional chemotherapy show better overall response rates and longer duration of responses in patients. Nevertheless, 50% of the patients do not respond or develop ICI-induced, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), due to diverse mechanisms, such as down-regulation of MHC complexes or the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Other immunotherapeutic options such as cytokines and pro-inflammatory agents or the use of therapeutic vaccination offer great ameliorations to ICI. Cytotoxic T-cells play a major role in the effectiveness of ICI, and tumour-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells and their phenotype contribute to the clinical outcome. This literature review presents a summary of current and future checkpoint inhibitor therapies in MCC and demonstrates alternative therapeutic options. Moreover, the importance of T-cell responses and their beneficial role in MCC treatment is discussed.
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35
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Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Cytokine-Adjuvanted Tumor Membrane Vesicles Inhibit Tumor Growth in HER2-Positive and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168377. [PMID: 34445092 PMCID: PMC8395038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most effective antigen presenting cells for the development of T cell responses. The only FDA approved DC-based immunotherapy to date is Sipuleucel-T, which utilizes a fusion protein to stimulate DCs ex vivo with GM-CSF and simultaneously deliver the antigen PAP for prostate cancer. This approach is restricted by the breadth of immunity elicited to a single antigen, and to cancers that have a defined tumor associated antigen. Other multi-antigen approaches have been restricted by poor efficacy of vaccine adjuvants. We have developed a vaccine platform that consists of autologous DCs pulsed with cytokine-adjuvanted tumor membrane vesicles (TMVs) made from tumor tissue, that encapsulate the antigenic landscape of individual tumors. Here we test the efficacy of DCs pulsed with TMVs incorporated with glycolipid-anchored immunostimulatory molecules (GPI-ISMs) in HER2-positive and triple negative breast cancer murine models. Pulsing of DCs with TMVs containing GPI-ISMs results in superior uptake of vesicles, DC activation and cytokine production. Adaptive transfer of TMV-pulsed DCs to tumor bearing mice results in the inhibition of tumor growth, reduction in lung metastasis, and an increase in immune cell infiltration into the tumors. These observations suggest that DCs pulsed with TMVs containing GPI-GM-CSF and GPI-IL-12 can be further developed to be used as a personalized immunotherapy platform for cancer treatment.
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36
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Yazdani M, Nikpoor AR, Gholizadeh Z, Mohamadian Roshan N, Seifalian A, Jaafari MR, Badiee A. Comparison of two routes of administration of a cationic liposome formulation for a prophylactic DC vaccination in a murine melanoma model. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 98:107833. [PMID: 34352472 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination can be achieved via straight loading of vaccine into DCs ex vivo or administration to DCs in vivo. However, there is no certain consensus on which approach is preferable, and each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages, which affect the efficacy and safety of vaccines. It will also be more complicated when a vaccine delivery system is included. In this study, the efficacy of ex vivo pulsed DC-based vaccine compared with in vivo subcutaneous administration of a cationic liposomes (CLs) formulation containing gp100 antigen (gp100-CLs) was evaluated in a murine melanoma model. In combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody, the ex vivo approach of gp100-CLs yielded a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the number of antigen-specific tumors infiltrated lymphocytes (TILs) with a significant upregulation of IFN-γ (P < 0.0001) and PD-1 (P < 0.0001) expression level. They also dampened the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) via significant downregulation of IL-10 and TGF-β (P < 0.0001) expression level compared to in vivo approach in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, prophylactic immunization with gp100-CLs pulsed DCs ex vivo delayed tumor growth and induced the survival benefit over in vivo immunization. Collectively, the ex vivo DC-based vaccination pulsed with gp100 encapsulated in liposomes synergizes with anti-PD-1 antibody and represents a preferable approach against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Yazdani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amin Reza Nikpoor
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran; Immunogenetic and Cell Culture Department, Immunology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Gholizadeh
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Nema Mohamadian Roshan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alexander Seifalian
- Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine Commercialization Centre (Ltd), London BioScience Innovation Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Badiee
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Zafar S, Basnet S, Launonen IM, Quixabeira DCA, Santos J, Hemminki O, Malmstedt M, Cervera-Carrascon V, Aronen P, Kalliokoski R, Havunen R, Rannikko A, Mirtti T, Matikainen M, Kanerva A, Hemminki A. Oncolytic Adenovirus Type 3 Coding for CD40L Facilitates Dendritic Cell Therapy of Prostate Cancer in Humanized Mice and Patient Samples. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:192-202. [PMID: 33050725 PMCID: PMC10112462 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines have shown some degree of success for the treatment of prostate cancer (PC). However, the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment leads to DC dysfunction, which has limited the effectiveness of these vaccines. We hypothesized that use of a fully serotype 3 oncolytic adenovirus (Ad3-hTERT-CMV-hCD40L; TILT-234) could stimulate DCs in the prostate tumor microenvironment by expressing CD40L. Activated DCs would then activate cytotoxic T cells against the tumor, resulting in therapeutic immune responses. Oncolytic cell killing due to cancer cell-specific virus replication adds to antitumor effects but also enhances the immunological effect by releasing tumor epitopes for sampling by DC, in the presence of danger signals. In this study, we evaluated the companion effect of Ad3-hTERT-CMV-hCD40L and DC-therapy in a humanized mouse model and PC histocultures. Treatment with Ad3-hTERT-CMV-hCD40L and DC resulted in enhanced antitumor responses in vivo. Treatment of established histocultures with Ad3-hTERT-CMV-hCD40L induced DC maturation and notable increase in proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Ad3-hTERT-CMV-hCD40L is able to modulate an immunosuppressive prostate tumor microenvironment and improve the effectiveness of DC vaccination in PC models and patient histocultures, setting the stage for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Zafar
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saru Basnet
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Inga-Maria Launonen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dafne Carolina Alves Quixabeira
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joao Santos
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd., Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otto Hemminki
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Urology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Victor Cervera-Carrascon
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd., Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pasi Aronen
- Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Riikka Havunen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd., Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Rannikko
- Department of Urology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Anna Kanerva
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akseli Hemminki
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd., Helsinki, Finland.,Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
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38
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Lai X, Dreyer FS, Cantone M, Eberhardt M, Gerer KF, Jaitly T, Uebe S, Lischer C, Ekici A, Wittmann J, Jäck HM, Schaft N, Dörrie J, Vera J. Network- and systems-based re-engineering of dendritic cells with non-coding RNAs for cancer immunotherapy. Theranostics 2021; 11:1412-1428. [PMID: 33391542 PMCID: PMC7738891 DOI: 10.7150/thno.53092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that induce and regulate adaptive immunity by presenting antigens to T cells. Due to their coordinative role in adaptive immune responses, DCs have been used as cell-based therapeutic vaccination against cancer. The capacity of DCs to induce a therapeutic immune response can be enhanced by re-wiring of cellular signalling pathways with microRNAs (miRNAs). Methods: Since the activation and maturation of DCs is controlled by an interconnected signalling network, we deploy an approach that combines RNA sequencing data and systems biology methods to delineate miRNA-based strategies that enhance DC-elicited immune responses. Results: Through RNA sequencing of IKKβ-matured DCs that are currently being tested in a clinical trial on therapeutic anti-cancer vaccination, we identified 44 differentially expressed miRNAs. According to a network analysis, most of these miRNAs regulate targets that are linked to immune pathways, such as cytokine and interleukin signalling. We employed a network topology-oriented scoring model to rank the miRNAs, analysed their impact on immunogenic potency of DCs, and identified dozens of promising miRNA candidates, with miR-15a and miR-16 as the top ones. The results of our analysis are presented in a database that constitutes a tool to identify DC-relevant miRNA-gene interactions with therapeutic potential (https://www.synmirapy.net/dc-optimization). Conclusions: Our approach enables the systematic analysis and identification of functional miRNA-gene interactions that can be experimentally tested for improving DC immunogenic potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lai
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian S. Dreyer
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martina Cantone
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Eberhardt
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin F. Gerer
- RNA Group, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tanushree Jaitly
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Steffen Uebe
- Department of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christopher Lischer
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arif Ekici
- Department of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Wittmann
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Jäck
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Medicine 3, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- RNA Group, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- RNA Group, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julio Vera
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Esprit A, de Mey W, Bahadur Shahi R, Thielemans K, Franceschini L, Breckpot K. Neo-Antigen mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E776. [PMID: 33353155 PMCID: PMC7766040 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in therapeutic cancer vaccines has caught enormous attention in recent years due to several breakthroughs in cancer research, among which the finding that successful checkpoint blockade treatments reinvigorate neo-antigen-specific T cells and that successful adoptive cell therapies are directed towards neo-antigens. Neo-antigens are cancer-specific antigens, which develop from somatic mutations in the cancer cell genome that can be highly immunogenic and are not subjected to central tolerance. As the majority of neo-antigens are unique to each patient's cancer, a vaccine technology that is flexible and potent is required to develop personalized neo-antigen vaccines. In vitro transcribed mRNA is such a technology platform and has been evaluated for delivery of neo-antigens to professional antigen-presenting cells both ex vivo and in vivo. In addition, strategies that support the activity of T cells in the tumor microenvironment have been developed. These represent a unique opportunity to ensure durable T cell activity upon vaccination. Here, we comprehensively review recent progress in mRNA-based neo-antigen vaccines, summarizing critical milestones that made it possible to bring the promise of therapeutic cancer vaccines within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.E.); (W.d.M.); (R.B.S.); (K.T.); (L.F.)
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Lühr JJ, Alex N, Amon L, Kräter M, Kubánková M, Sezgin E, Lehmann CHK, Heger L, Heidkamp GF, Smith AS, Zaburdaev V, Böckmann RA, Levental I, Dustin ML, Eggeling C, Guck J, Dudziak D. Maturation of Monocyte-Derived DCs Leads to Increased Cellular Stiffness, Higher Membrane Fluidity, and Changed Lipid Composition. Front Immunol 2020; 11:590121. [PMID: 33329576 PMCID: PMC7728921 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.590121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. Upon sensing pathogenic material in their environment, DCs start to mature, which includes cellular processes, such as antigen uptake, processing and presentation, as well as upregulation of costimulatory molecules and cytokine secretion. During maturation, DCs detach from peripheral tissues, migrate to the nearest lymph node, and find their way into the correct position in the net of the lymph node microenvironment to meet and interact with the respective T cells. We hypothesize that the maturation of DCs is well prepared and optimized leading to processes that alter various cellular characteristics from mechanics and metabolism to membrane properties. Here, we investigated the mechanical properties of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) using real-time deformability cytometry to measure cytoskeletal changes and found that mature moDCs were stiffer compared to immature moDCs. These cellular changes likely play an important role in the processes of cell migration and T cell activation. As lipids constitute the building blocks of the plasma membrane, which, during maturation, need to adapt to the environment for migration and DC-T cell interaction, we performed an unbiased high-throughput lipidomics screening to identify the lipidome of moDCs. These analyses revealed that the overall lipid composition was significantly changed during moDC maturation, even implying an increase of storage lipids and differences of the relative abundance of membrane lipids upon maturation. Further, metadata analyses demonstrated that lipid changes were associated with the serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol levels in the blood of the donors. Finally, using lipid packing imaging we found that the membrane of mature moDCs revealed a higher fluidity compared to immature moDCs. This comprehensive and quantitative characterization of maturation associated changes in moDCs sets the stage for improving their use in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J. Lühr
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Nano-Optics, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nils Alex
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Amon
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Kräter
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Biological Optomechanics, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markéta Kubánková
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Biological Optomechanics, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Erdinc Sezgin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Raddcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christian H. K. Lehmann
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Heger
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gordon F. Heidkamp
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, pRED, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana-Sunčana Smith
- PULS Group, Department of Physics, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vasily Zaburdaev
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Mathematics in Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer A. Böckmann
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ilya Levental
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michael L. Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Eggeling
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Raddcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute for Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technologies e.V., Jena, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Biological Optomechanics, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
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Eisendle K, Weinlich G, Ebner S, Forstner M, Reider D, Zelle‐Rieser C, Tripp CH, Fritsch P, Stoitzner P, Romani N, Nguyen VA. Combining chemotherapy and autologous peptide-pulsed dendritic cells provides survival benefit in stage IV melanoma patients. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020; 18:1270-1277. [PMID: 33197129 PMCID: PMC7756560 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We examined retrospectively whether the combination of standard dacarbazine (DTIC) and/or fotemustine chemotherapy and autologous peptide-loaded dendritic cell (DC) vaccination may improve survival of stage IV melanoma patients. Furthermore, a small cohort of long-term survivors was studied in more detail. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1998 and 2008, 41 patients were vaccinated at least three times with DCs while receiving chemotherapy and compared to all other 168 patients in our database who only received chemotherapy (1993-2008). RESULTS Median life expectancy of patients receiving additional DC-vaccination was 18 months, compared to eleven months for patients under standard chemotherapy alone. In contrast to patients with other haplotypes, the HLA-A1/A1 subset of DC-treated patients showed significantly lower median survival (12 vs. 25 months). Autoantibodies were frequently detected in serum of both vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients, and there was no correlation between titers, loss or appearance of autoantibodies and survival. Additionally, phenotyping of DCs and PBMCs also did not reveal any conspicuous correlation with survival. CONCLUSIONS Combining standard chemotherapy and DC vaccination appears superior to chemotherapy alone. The impact of HLA haplotypes on survival emphasizes the importance of a careful selection of patients with specific, well-defined HLA haplotypes for future vaccination trials using peptide-pulsed DCs, possibly combined with checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Eisendle
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Department of Dermatology and VenerologyCentral Hospital of BolzanoItaly
| | - Georg Weinlich
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Susanne Ebner
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Department of VisceralTransplant and Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Markus Forstner
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Daniela Reider
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Claudia Zelle‐Rieser
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Christoph H. Tripp
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Peter Fritsch
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Patrizia Stoitzner
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Nikolaus Romani
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Van Anh Nguyen
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
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Eisendle K, Weinlich G, Ebner S, Forstner M, Reider D, Zelle‐Rieser C, Tripp CH, Fritsch P, Stoitzner P, Romani N, Nguyen VA. Kombination von Chemotherapie und autologen, Peptid‐beladenen dendritischen Zellen bringt Überlebensvorteil bei Melanompatienten im Stadium IV. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020; 18:1270-1279. [DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14334_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Eisendle
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
- Abteilung Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Zentrales Lehrkrankenhaus Bolzano/Bozen Südtiroler Sanitätsbetriebe Bolzano/Bozen Italia
| | - Georg Weinlich
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Susanne Ebner
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
- Universitätsklinik Klinik für Visceral‐ Transplantations‐ und Thoraxchirurgie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Markus Forstner
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Daniela Reider
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Claudia Zelle‐Rieser
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Christoph H. Tripp
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Peter Fritsch
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Patrizia Stoitzner
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Nikolaus Romani
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
| | - Van Anh Nguyen
- Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck Österreich
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Hager S, Fittler FJ, Wagner E, Bros M. Nucleic Acid-Based Approaches for Tumor Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E2061. [PMID: 32917034 PMCID: PMC7564019 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the last decade, the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors proposed to boost the patients' anti-tumor immune response has proven the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches for tumor therapy. Furthermore, especially in the context of the development of biocompatible, cell type targeting nano-carriers, nucleic acid-based drugs aimed to initiate and to enhance anti-tumor responses have come of age. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the therapeutic use of nucleic acids for cancer treatment on various levels, comprising (i) mRNA and DNA-based vaccines to be expressed by antigen presenting cells evoking sustained anti-tumor T cell responses, (ii) molecular adjuvants, (iii) strategies to inhibit/reprogram tumor-induced regulatory immune cells e.g., by RNA interference (RNAi), (iv) genetically tailored T cells and natural killer cells to directly recognize tumor antigens, and (v) killing of tumor cells, and reprograming of constituents of the tumor microenvironment by gene transfer and RNAi. Aside from further improvements of individual nucleic acid-based drugs, the major perspective for successful cancer therapy will be combination treatments employing conventional regimens as well as immunotherapeutics like checkpoint inhibitors and nucleic acid-based drugs, each acting on several levels to adequately counter-act tumor immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Hager
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | | | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
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Al-Kassmy J, Pedersen J, Kobinger G. Vaccine Candidates against Coronavirus Infections. Where Does COVID-19 Stand? Viruses 2020; 12:E861. [PMID: 32784685 PMCID: PMC7472384 DOI: 10.3390/v12080861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Seven years after the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) made its first appearance in a food market in Wuhan, China, drawing an entirely new course to our lives. As the virus belongs to the same genus of MERS and SARS, researchers have been trying to draw lessons from previous outbreaks to find a potential cure. Although there were five Phase I human vaccine trials against SARS and MERS, the lack of data in humans provided us with limited benchmarks that could help us design a new vaccine for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, we showcase the similarities in structures of virus components between SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 in areas relevant to vaccine design. Using the ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization (WHO) databases, we shed light on the 16 current approved clinical trials worldwide in search for a COVID-19 vaccine. The different vaccine platforms being tested are Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines, DNA and RNA-based vaccines, inactivated vaccines, protein subunits, and viral vectors. By thoroughly analyzing different trials and platforms, we also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using each type of vaccine and how they can contribute to the design of an adequate vaccine for COVID-19. Studying past efforts invested in conducting vaccine trials for MERS and SARS will provide vital insights regarding the best approach to designing an effective vaccine against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Al-Kassmy
- Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal General Hospital 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Jannie Pedersen
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (J.P.); (G.K.)
| | - Gary Kobinger
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (J.P.); (G.K.)
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4238, USA
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Harnessing the Complete Repertoire of Conventional Dendritic Cell Functions for Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12070663. [PMID: 32674488 PMCID: PMC7408110 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12070663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The onset of checkpoint inhibition revolutionized the treatment of cancer. However, studies from the last decade suggested that the sole enhancement of T cell functionality might not suffice to fight malignancies in all individuals. Dendritic cells (DCs) are not only part of the innate immune system, but also generals of adaptive immunity and they orchestrate the de novo induction of tolerogenic and immunogenic T cell responses. Thus, combinatorial approaches addressing DCs and T cells in parallel represent an attractive strategy to achieve higher response rates across patients. However, this requires profound knowledge about the dynamic interplay of DCs, T cells, other immune and tumor cells. Here, we summarize the DC subsets present in mice and men and highlight conserved and divergent characteristics between different subsets and species. Thereby, we supply a resource of the molecular players involved in key functional features of DCs ranging from their sentinel function, the translation of the sensed environment at the DC:T cell interface to the resulting specialized T cell effector modules, as well as the influence of the tumor microenvironment on the DC function. As of today, mostly monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDCs) are used in autologous cell therapies after tumor antigen loading. While showing encouraging results in a fraction of patients, the overall clinical response rate is still not optimal. By disentangling the general aspects of DC biology, we provide rationales for the design of next generation DC vaccines enabling to exploit and manipulate the described pathways for the purpose of cancer immunotherapy in vivo. Finally, we discuss how DC-based vaccines might synergize with checkpoint inhibition in the treatment of malignant diseases.
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