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Oziolor EM, Kumpf SW, Qian J, Gosink M, Sheehan M, Rubitski DM, Newman L, Whiteley LO, Lanz TA. Comparing molecular and computational approaches for detecting viral integration of AAV gene therapy constructs. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 29:395-405. [PMID: 37251978 PMCID: PMC10209688 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.04.009] [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: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Many current gene therapy targets use recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV). The majority of delivered AAV therapeutics persist as episomes, separate from host DNA, yet some viral DNA can integrate into host DNA in different proportions and at genomic locations. The potential for viral integration leading to oncogenic transformation has led regulatory agencies to require investigation into AAV integration events following gene therapy in preclinical species. In the present study, tissues were collected from cynomolgus monkeys and mice 6 and 8 weeks, respectively, following administration of an AAV vector delivering transgene cargo. We compared three different next-generation sequencing approaches (shearing extension primer tag selection ligation-mediated PCR, targeted enrichment sequencing [TES], and whole-genome sequencing) to contrast the specificity, scope, and frequency of integration detected by each method. All three methods detected dose-dependent insertions with a limited number of hotspots and expanded clones. While the functional outcome was similar for all three methods, TES was the most cost-effective and comprehensive method of detecting viral integration. Our findings aim to inform the direction of molecular efforts to ensure a thorough hazard assessment of AAV viral integration in our preclinical gene therapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias M. Oziolor
- Global Computational Safety Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Steven W. Kumpf
- Global Discovery, Investigative and Translational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Jessie Qian
- Global Discovery, Investigative and Translational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Mark Gosink
- Global Computational Safety Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Mark Sheehan
- Global Discovery, Investigative and Translational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - David M. Rubitski
- Global Discovery, Investigative and Translational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Leah Newman
- Global Discovery, Investigative and Translational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | - Thomas A. Lanz
- Global Discovery, Investigative and Translational Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
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Elkhalifa AME, Nabi SU, Shah OS, Bashir SM, Muzaffer U, Ali SI, Wani IA, Alzerwi NAN, Elderdery AY, Alanazi A, Alenazy FO, Alharbi AHA. Insight into Oncogenic Viral Pathways as Drivers of Viral Cancers: Implication for Effective Therapy. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:1924-1944. [PMID: 36826111 PMCID: PMC9955780 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
As per a recent study conducted by the WHO, 15.4% of all cancers are caused by infectious agents of various categories, and more than 10% of them are attributed to viruses. The emergence of COVID-19 has once again diverted the scientific community's attention toward viral diseases. Some researchers have postulated that SARS-CoV-2 will add its name to the growing list of oncogenic viruses in the long run. However, owing to the complexities in carcinogenesis of viral origin, researchers across the world are struggling to identify the common thread that runs across different oncogenic viruses. Classical pathways of viral oncogenesis have identified oncogenic mediators in oncogenic viruses, but these mediators have been reported to act on diverse cellular and multiple omics pathways. In addition to viral mediators of carcinogenesis, researchers have identified various host factors responsible for viral carcinogenesis. Henceforth owing to viral and host complexities in viral carcinogenesis, a singular mechanistic pathway remains yet to be established; hence there is an urgent need to integrate concepts from system biology, cancer microenvironment, evolutionary perspective, and thermodynamics to understand the role of viruses as drivers of cancer. In the present manuscript, we provide a holistic view of the pathogenic pathways involved in viral oncogenesis with special emphasis on alteration in the tumor microenvironment, genomic alteration, biological entropy, evolutionary selection, and host determinants involved in the pathogenesis of viral tumor genesis. These concepts can provide important insight into viral cancers, which can have an important implication for developing novel, effective, and personalized therapeutic options for treating viral cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M. E. Elkhalifa
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh 11673, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of El Imam El Mahdi, Kosti 1158, Sudan
- Correspondence:
| | - Showkat Ul Nabi
- Large Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics & Jurisprudence, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Ovais Shabir Shah
- Department of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar 182301, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Showkeen Muzamil Bashir
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Umar Muzaffer
- Department of Medicine, Government Medical College and Associated Hospital, Srinagar 190010, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sofi Imtiyaz Ali
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Imtiyaz Ahmad Wani
- Clinical Research Laboratory, SKIMS, Srinagar 190011, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Nasser A. N. Alzerwi
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Ministry of Education, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abozer Y. Elderdery
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awadh Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawaz O. Alenazy
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
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Shen-Gunther J, Cai H, Wang Y. HPV Integration Site Mapping: A Rapid Method of Viral Integration Site (VIS) Analysis and Visualization Using Automated Workflows in CLC Microbial Genomics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158132. [PMID: 35897706 PMCID: PMC9331699 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) integration within the host genome may contribute to carcinogenesis through various disruptive mechanisms. With next-generation sequencing (NGS), identification of viral and host genomic breakpoints and chimeric sequences are now possible. However, a simple, streamlined bioinformatics workflow has been non-existent until recently. Here, we tested two new, automated workflows in CLC Microbial Genomics, i.e., Viral Hybrid Capture (VHC) Data Analysis and Viral Integration Site (VIS) Identification for software performance and efficiency. The workflows embedded with HPV and human reference genomes were used to analyze a publicly available NGS dataset derived from pre- and cancerous HPV+ cervical cytology of 21 Gabonese women. The VHC and VIS workflow median runtimes were 19 and 7 min per sample, respectively. The VIS dynamic graphical outputs included read mappings, virus-host genomic breakpoints, and virus-host integration circular plots. Key findings, including disrupted and nearby genes, were summarized in an auto-generated report. Overall, the VHC and VIS workflows proved to be a rapid and accurate means of localizing viral-host integration site(s) and identifying disrupted and neighboring human genes. Applying HPV VIS-mapping to pre- or invasive tumors will advance our understanding of viral oncogenesis and facilitate the discovery of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Shen-Gunther
- Gynecologic Oncology & Clinical Investigation, Department of Clinical Investigation, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
- Correspondence: (J.S.-G.); (Y.W.)
| | - Hong Cai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
- Correspondence: (J.S.-G.); (Y.W.)
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Li CL, Yeh SH, Chen PJ. Circulating Virus–Host Chimera DNAs in the Clinical Monitoring of Virus-Related Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102531. [PMID: 35626135 PMCID: PMC9139492 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA), the DNA released into circulation from tumors, is a promising tumor marker with versatile applications. The associations of the amount, somatic mutation frequency, and epigenetic modifications of ctDNA with the tumor burden, tumor behavior, and prognosis have been widely investigated in different types of tumors. However, there are still some challenging issues to be resolved before ctDNA can complement or even replace current serum tumor markers. We propose employing exogenous viral DNA integration that produces unique virus–host chimera DNA (vh-DNA) at junction sites. Cell-free vh-DNA may become a new biomarker because it overcomes background interference detection problems, takes advantage of virus tropism to localize the tumor, and acts as a universal marker for monitoring clonal expansion or tumor loads in tumors related to oncogenic viruses. Abstract The idea of using tumor-specific cell-free DNA (ctDNA) as a tumor biomarker has been widely tested and validated in various types of human cancers and different clinical settings. ctDNA can reflect the presence or size of tumors in a real-time manner and can enable longitudinal monitoring with minimal invasiveness, allowing it to be applied in treatment response assessment and recurrence monitoring for cancer therapies. However, tumor detection by ctDNA remains a great challenge due to the difficulty in enriching ctDNA from a large amount of homologous non-tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Only ctDNA with nonhuman sequences (or rearrangements) can be selected from the background of cfDNA from nontumor DNAs. This is possible for several virus-related cancers, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC or human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical or head and neck cancers, which frequently harbor randomly integrated viral DNA. The junction fragments of the integrations, namely virus–host chimera DNA (vh-DNA), can represent the signatures of individual tumors and are released into the blood. Such ctDNA can be enriched by capture with virus-specific probes and therefore exploited as a circulating biomarker to track virus-related cancers in clinical settings. Here, we review virus integrations in virus-related cancers to evaluate the feasibility of vh-DNA as a cell-free tumor marker and update studies on the development of detection and applications. vh-DNA may be a solution to the development of specific markers to manage virus-related cancers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Ling Li
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
| | - Shiou-Hwei Yeh
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
- Center for Genomic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (S.-H.Y.); (P.-J.C.)
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Center for Genomic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (S.-H.Y.); (P.-J.C.)
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Hassan STS. Tumor Viruses and Their Associated Cancers: Remain on the Track with the Latest Advances. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020262. [PMID: 35215856 PMCID: PMC8874563 DOI: 10.3390/v14020262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sherif T S Hassan
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
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