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Affonso de Oliveira JF, Chan SK, Omole AO, Agrawal V, Steinmetz NF. In Vivo Fate of Cowpea Mosaic Virus In Situ Vaccine: Biodistribution and Clearance. ACS NANO 2022; 16:18315-18328. [PMID: 36264973 PMCID: PMC9840517 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) is a nucleoprotein nanoparticle that functions as a highly potent immunomodulator when administered intratumorally and is used as an in situ vaccine. CPMV in situ vaccination remodels the tumor microenvironment and primes a highly potent, systemic, and durable antitumor immune response against the treated and untreated, distant metastatic sites (abscopal effect). Potent efficacy was demonstrated in multiple tumor mouse models and, most importantly, in canine cancer patients with spontaneous tumors. Data indicate that presence of anti-CPMV antibodies are not neutralizing and that in fact opsonization leads to enhanced efficacy. Plant viruses are part of the food chain, but to date, there is no information on human exposure to CPMV. Therefore, patient sera were tested for the presence of immunoglobulins against CPMV, and indeed, >50% of deidentified patient samples tested positive for CPMV antibodies. To get a broader sense of plant virus exposure and immunogenicity in humans, we also tested sera for antibodies against tobacco mosaic virus (>90% patients tested positive), potato virus X (<20% patients tested positive), and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (no antibodies were detected). Further, patient sera were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against the coliphage Qβ, a platform technology currently undergoing clinical trials for in situ vaccination; we found that 60% of patients present with anti-Qβ antibodies. Thus, data indicate human exposure to CPMV and other plant viruses and phages. Next, we thought to address agronomical safety; i.e., we examined the fate of CPMV after intratumoral treatment and oral gavage (to mimic consumption by food). Because live CPMV is used, an important question is whether there is any evidence of shedding of infectious particles from mice or patients. CPMV is noninfectious toward mammals; however, it is infectious toward plants including black-eyed peas and other legumes. Biodistribution data in tumor-bearing and healthy mice indicate little leaching from tumors and clearance via the reticuloendothelial system followed by biliary excretion. While there was evidence of shedding of RNA in stool, there was no evidence of infectious particles when plants were challenged with stool extracts, thus indicating agronomical safety. Together these data aid the translational development of CPMV as a drug candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Soo Khim Chan
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Anthony O Omole
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Vanshika Agrawal
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
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Xie X, Lv J, Zhu W, Tian C, Li J, Liu J, Zhou H, Sun C, Hu Z, Li X. The combination therapy of oncolytic HSV-1 armed with anti-PD-1 antibody and IL-12 enhances anti-tumor efficacy. Transl Oncol 2022; 15:101287. [PMID: 34808461 PMCID: PMC8607272 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment that targets tumors by improving or restoring immune system function. Therapies targeting immune checkpoint molecules have exerted potent anti-tumor effects and prolonged the overall survival rate of patients. However, only a small number of patients benefit from the treatment. Oncolytic viruses exert anti-tumor effects by regulating the tumor microenvironment and affecting multiple steps of tumor immune circulation. In this study, we engineered two oncolytic viruses that express mouse anti-PD-1 antibody (VT1093M) or mouse IL-12 (VT1092M). We found that both oncolytic viruses showed significant anti-tumor effects in a murine CT26 colon adenocarcinoma model. Importantly, the intratumoral combined injection with VT1092M and VT1093M inhibited growth of the primary tumor, prevented growth of the contralateral untreated tumor, produced a vaccine-like response, activated antigen-specific T cell responses and prolonged the overall survival rate of mice. These results indicate that combination therapy with the engineered oncolytic virus may represent a potent immunotherapy strategy for cancer patients, especially those resistant to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai Shandong 264005, China
| | - Jingwen Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai Shandong 264005, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai Shandong 264005, China
| | - Chao Tian
- Beijing WellGene Company, Ltd, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jingfeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai Shandong 264005, China; Beijing WellGene Company, Ltd, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jiajia Liu
- Beijing WellGene Company, Ltd, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Beijing WellGene Company, Ltd, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Chunyang Sun
- Beijing WellGene Company, Ltd, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zongfeng Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai Shandong 264005, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai Shandong 264005, China; Beijing WellGene Company, Ltd, Beijing 100085, China.
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Vitiello GAF, Ferreira WAS, Cordeiro de Lima VC, Medina TDS. Antiviral Responses in Cancer: Boosting Antitumor Immunity Through Activation of Interferon Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782852. [PMID: 34925363 PMCID: PMC8674309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, it became apparent that cancers either associated with viral infections or aberrantly expressing endogenous retroviral elements (EREs) are more immunogenic, exhibiting an intense intra-tumor immune cell infiltration characterized by a robust cytolytic apparatus. On the other hand, epigenetic regulation of EREs is crucial to maintain steady-state conditions and cell homeostasis. In line with this, epigenetic disruptions within steady-state cells can lead to cancer development and trigger the release of EREs into the cytoplasmic compartment. As such, detection of viral molecules by intracellular innate immune sensors leads to the production of type I and type III interferons that act to induce an antiviral state, thus restraining viral replication. This knowledge has recently gained momentum due to the possibility of triggering intratumoral activation of interferon responses, which could be used as an adjuvant to elicit strong anti-tumor immune responses that ultimately lead to a cascade of cytokine production. Accordingly, several therapeutic approaches are currently being tested using this rationale to improve responses to cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms operating in viral infections, show evidence that exogenous viruses and endogenous retroviruses in cancer may enhance tumor immunogenicity, dissect the epigenetic control of EREs, and point to interferon pathway activation in the tumor milieu as a promising molecular predictive marker and immunotherapy target. Finally, we briefly discuss current strategies to modulate these responses within tumor tissues, including the clinical use of innate immune receptor agonists and DNA demethylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SAMAM), Evandro Chagas Institute, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago da Silva Medina
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Oncogenomics and Therapeutic Innovation, São Paulo, Brazil
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