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Tak WY, Chuang WL, Chen CY, Tseng KC, Lim YS, Lo GH, Heo J, Agarwal K, Bussey L, Teo SL, Tria A, Brown A, Anderson K, Vardeu A, O'Brien S, Kopycinski J, Rutkowski K, Kolenovska R, Barnes E, Evans TG. Phase 1b/2a randomized study of heterologous ChAdOx1-HBV/MVA-HBV therapeutic vaccination (VTP-300) as monotherapy and combined with low-dose nivolumab in virally-suppressed patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02333-X. [PMID: 38972484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The induction of effective CD8+ T cells is thought to play a critical role in the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Additionally, the use of checkpoint inhibitors is being evaluated to overcome T cell dysfunction during CHB. APPROACH AND RESULTS A chimpanzee adenoviral vector (ChAdOx1-HBV) and a Modified vaccinia Ankara boost (MVA-HBV) encoding the inactivated polymerase, core, and S region from a consensus genotype C HBV were studied. The trial enrolled 55 patients with virally-suppressed CHB virus infection and HBsAg <4,000 IU/mL Group 1 received MVA-HBV intramuscularly (IM) on Day 0 and 28, Group 2 received ChAdOx1-HBV on Day 0/MVA-HBV on Day 28 (VTP-300), Group 3 received VTP-300 + low-dose nivolumab (LDN) on Day 28, and Group 4 received VTP-300 plus LDN with both injections. VTP-300 alone and in combination with LDN was well tolerated with no treatment-related serious adverse events. Reductions of HBsAg were demonstrated in the VTP-300 group 2: 3 of 18 patients with starting HBsAg < 50 IU/ml had durable log10 declines > 0.7 log10 2 months post last-dose. Group 3 (N=18) had reductions in HBsAg of 0.76 log10 and 0.80 log10 3 (p<0.001) at 2 and 7 months post last dose. Two developed persistent non-detectable HBsAg levels. CD4+ and CD8+ antigen-specific T cell responses were generated and there was a correlation between IFN-y ELISpot response and HBsAg decline in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS VTP-300 induced CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and lowered HBsAg in a subset of patients with baseline values below 100 IU/ml. The addition of LDN resulted in significant reduction in surface antigen. VTP-300 is a promising immunotherapeutic to move forward alone or in combination therapies. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS The induction of potent, durable CD8+ T cells may be critical to achieving a functional cure in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. A prime-boost immunotherapeutic consisting of an adenoviral-vector encoding hepatitis B antigens followed by a pox virus boost was shown to induce CD8+ T cells and to lower HBsAg in CHB patients, either alone or more impactfully when administered in conjunction with a checkpoint inhibitor. The use of immunotherapeutics CLINTRIALS: NCT047789.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Y Tak
- School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital
| | - W-L Chuang
- Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C-Y Chen
- Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - K-C Tseng
- Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Y-S Lim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - G-H Lo
- E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - J Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - K Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London UK
| | | | | | | | - A Brown
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - E Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK; Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
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Yu X, Gao Y, Zhang X, Ji L, Fang M, Li M, Gao Y. Hepatitis B: Model Systems and Therapeutic Approaches. J Immunol Res 2024; 2024:4722047. [PMID: 38745751 PMCID: PMC11093688 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4722047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health issue and ranks among the top causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although current antiviral medications, including nucleot(s)ide analogs and interferons, could inhibit the replication of HBV and alleviate the disease, HBV cannot be fully eradicated. The development of cellular and animal models for HBV infection plays an important role in exploring effective anti-HBV medicine. During the past decades, advancements in several cell culture systems, such as HepG2.2.15, HepAD38, HepaRG, hepatocyte-like cells, and primary human hepatocytes, have propelled the research in inhibiting HBV replication and expression and thus enriched our comprehension of the viral life cycle and enhancing antiviral drug evaluation efficacy. Mouse models, in particular, have emerged as the most extensively studied HBV animal models. Additionally, the present landscape of HBV therapeutics research now encompasses a comprehensive assessment of the virus's life cycle, targeting numerous facets and employing a variety of immunomodulatory approaches, including entry inhibitors, strategies aimed at cccDNA, RNA interference technologies, toll-like receptor agonists, and, notably, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This review describes the attributes and limitations of existing HBV model systems and surveys novel advancements in HBV treatment modalities, which will offer deeper insights toward discovering potentially efficacious pharmaceutical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Yu
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yating Gao
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Longshan Ji
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Fang
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Li
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Mahmood F, Xu R, Awan MUN, Song Y, Han Q, Xia X, Wei J, Xu J, Peng J, Zhang J. HBV Vaccines: Advances and Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1862. [PMID: 38140265 PMCID: PMC10747071 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121862] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem that is closely related to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevalence of acute and chronic HBV infection, liver cirrhosis, and HCC has significantly decreased as a result of the introduction of universal HBV vaccination programs. The first hepatitis B vaccine approved was developed by purifying the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from the plasma of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. Subsequently, recombinant DNA technology led to the development of the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Although there are already several licensed vaccines available for HBV infection, continuous research is essential to develop even more effective vaccines. Prophylactic hepatitis B vaccination has been important in the prevention of hepatitis B because it has effectively produced protective immunity against hepatitis B viral infection. Prophylactic vaccines only need to provoke neutralizing antibodies directed against the HBV envelop proteins, whereas therapeutic vaccines are most likely needed to induce a comprehensive T cell response and thus, should include other HBV antigens, such as HBV core and polymerase. The existing vaccines have proven to be highly effective in preventing HBV infection, but ongoing research aims to improve their efficacy, duration of protection, and accessibility. The routine administration of the HBV vaccine is safe and well-tolerated worldwide. The purpose of this type of immunization is to trigger an immunological response in the host, which will halt HBV replication. The clinical efficacy and safety of the HBV vaccine are affected by a number of immunological and clinical factors. However, this success is now in jeopardy due to the breakthrough infections caused by HBV variants with mutations in the S gene, high viral loads, and virus-induced immunosuppression. In this review, we describe various types of available HBV vaccines, along with the recent progress in the ongoing battle to develop new vaccines against HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Mahmood
- Molecular Medicine Research Centre of Yunnan Province, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (F.M.); (R.X.); (Y.S.); (Q.H.); (X.X.)
- Central Laboratory, Liver Disease Research Center and Department of Infectious Disease, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming 650021, China;
| | - Ruixian Xu
- Molecular Medicine Research Centre of Yunnan Province, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (F.M.); (R.X.); (Y.S.); (Q.H.); (X.X.)
| | - Maher Un Nisa Awan
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, No. 176 Qingnian Road, Kunming 650021, China; (M.U.N.A.); (J.X.)
| | - Yuzhu Song
- Molecular Medicine Research Centre of Yunnan Province, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (F.M.); (R.X.); (Y.S.); (Q.H.); (X.X.)
| | - Qinqin Han
- Molecular Medicine Research Centre of Yunnan Province, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (F.M.); (R.X.); (Y.S.); (Q.H.); (X.X.)
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Molecular Medicine Research Centre of Yunnan Province, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (F.M.); (R.X.); (Y.S.); (Q.H.); (X.X.)
| | - Jia Wei
- Central Laboratory, Liver Disease Research Center and Department of Infectious Disease, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming 650021, China;
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, No. 176 Qingnian Road, Kunming 650021, China; (M.U.N.A.); (J.X.)
| | - Juan Peng
- The Obstetrical Department, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, China;
| | - Jinyang Zhang
- Molecular Medicine Research Centre of Yunnan Province, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (F.M.); (R.X.); (Y.S.); (Q.H.); (X.X.)
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Cargill T, Cicconi P, Brown A, Holland L, Karanth B, Rutkowski K, Ashwin E, Mehta R, Chinnakannan S, Sebastian S, Bussey L, Sorensen H, Klenerman P, Evans T, Barnes E. HBV001: Phase I study evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of the therapeutic vaccine ChAdOx1-HBV. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100885. [PMID: 37791379 PMCID: PMC10543776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Millions of people worldwide are infected chronically with HBV, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic vaccination is a strategy that aims to induce functional cure by restoring cellular immunity to HBV. Previously we have shown the candidate HBV immunotherapeutic vaccine ChAdOx1-HBV, encoding all major HBV antigens and a genetic adjuvant (shark invariant chain), is highly immunogenic in mice. Methods Here we report the results of HBV001, a first-in-human, phase I, non-randomised, dose-escalation trial of ChAdOx1-HBV assessed in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic HBV (CHB). Results Vaccination with a single dose of ChAdOx1-HBV was safe and well tolerated in both healthy and CHB cohorts. Vaccination induced high magnitude HBV-specific T cell responses against all major HBV antigens (core, polymerase, and surface) in healthy volunteers. Responses were detected but lower in patients with CHB. T cells generated by vaccination were cross-reactive between HBV C and D genotypes. Conclusions ChAdOx1-HBV is safe and immunogenic in healthy volunteers and patients with CHB. In further studies, ChAdOx1-HBV will be used in combination with other therapeutic strategies with an aim to overcome the attenuated immunogenicity in patients with CHB. Impact and implications Therapeutic vaccine ChAdOx1-HBV, a novel treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB), has been shown to be immunogenic in preclinical studies. In HBV001, a first-in-human phase I study, we show vaccination with ChAdOx1-HBV is safe and generates high magnitude T cell responses in healthy volunteers and lower levels of responses in patients with CHB. This is an important first step in the development of ChAdOx1-HBV as part of a wider therapeutic strategy to induce hepatitis B functional cure, and is of great interest to patients CHB and clinicians treating the condition. Clinical Trials Registration This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04297917).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Cargill
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Paola Cicconi
- Jenner Vaccine Trials Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony Brown
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Louise Holland
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Jenner Vaccine Trials Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Emily Ashwin
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Jenner Vaccine Trials Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Senthil Chinnakannan
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, The Joint Research Office, OUH Cowley, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, The Joint Research Office, OUH Cowley, Oxford, UK
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The scientific basis of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B functional cure. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:238-253. [PMID: 36631717 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00724-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) - or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss after 24 weeks off therapy - is now the goal of treatment, but is rarely achieved with current therapy. Understanding the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle and immunological defects that lead to persistence can identify targets for novel therapy. Broadly, treatments fall into three categories: those that reduce viral replication, those that reduce antigen load and immunotherapies. Profound viral suppression alone does not achieve quantitative (q)HBsAg reduction or HBsAg loss. Combining nucleos(t)ide analogues and immunotherapy reduces qHBsAg levels and induces HBsAg loss in some patients, particularly those with low baseline qHBsAg levels. Even agents that are specifically designed to reduce viral antigen load might not be able to achieve sustained HBsAg loss when used alone. Thus, rationale exists for the use of combinations of all three therapy types. Monitoring during therapy is important not just to predict HBsAg loss but also to understand mechanisms of HBsAg loss using viral and immunological biomarkers, and in selected cases intrahepatic sampling. We consider various paths to functional cure of CHB and the need to individualize treatment of this heterogeneous infection until a therapeutic avenue for all patients with CHB is available.
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Chen X, Liu X, Jiang Y, Xia N, Liu C, Luo W. Abnormally primed CD8 T cells: The Achilles' heel of CHB. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1106700. [PMID: 36936922 PMCID: PMC10014547 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1106700] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a significant public health challenge, and more than 250 million people around world are infected with HBV. The clearance of HBV with virus-specific CD8 T cells is critical for a functional cure. However, naïve HBV-specific CD8 T cells are heavily hindered during the priming process, and this phenomenon is closely related to abnormal cell and signal interactions in the complex immune microenvironment. Here, we briefly summarize the recent progress in understanding the abnormal priming of HBV-specific CD8 T cells and some corresponding immunotherapies to facilitate their functional recovery, which provides a novel perspective for the design and development of immunotherapy for chronic HBV infection (CHB). Finally, we also highlight the balance between viral clearance and pathological liver injury induced by CD8 T-cell activation that should be carefully considered during drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yichao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- The Research Unit of Frontier Technology of Structural Vaccinology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Wenxin Luo, ; Chao Liu,
| | - Wenxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Wenxin Luo, ; Chao Liu,
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7
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Tian Y, Hu D, Li Y, Yang L. Development of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of diseases. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:40. [PMID: 36477638 PMCID: PMC9729511 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00098-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most effective medical interventions to combat newly emerging and re-emerging diseases. Prophylactic vaccines against rabies, measles, etc., have excellent effectiveness in preventing viral infection and associated diseases. However, the host immune response is unable to inhibit virus replication or eradicate established diseases in most infected people. Therapeutic vaccines, expressing specific endogenous or exogenous antigens, mainly induce or boost cell-mediated immunity via provoking cytotoxic T cells or elicit humoral immunity via activating B cells to produce specific antibodies. The ultimate aim of a therapeutic vaccine is to reshape the host immunity for eradicating a disease and establishing lasting memory. Therefore, therapeutic vaccines have been developed for the treatment of some infectious diseases and chronic noncommunicable diseases. Various technological strategies have been implemented for the development of therapeutic vaccines, including molecular-based vaccines (peptide/protein, DNA and mRNA vaccines), vector-based vaccines (bacterial vector vaccines, viral vector vaccines and yeast-based vaccines) and cell-based vaccines (dendritic cell vaccines and genetically modified cell vaccines) as well as combinatorial approaches. This review mainly summarizes therapeutic vaccine-induced immunity and describes the development and status of multiple types of therapeutic vaccines against infectious diseases, such as those caused by HPV, HBV, HIV, HCV, and SARS-CoV-2, and chronic noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, that have been evaluated in recent preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaomei Tian
- grid.412605.40000 0004 1798 1351College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, No. 519, Huixing Road, Zigong, Sichuan 643000 The People’s Republic of China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 The People’s Republic of China
| | - Die Hu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 The People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Li
- grid.410749.f0000 0004 0577 6238Department of Arboviral Vaccine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050 The People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 The People’s Republic of China
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Araújo NM, Rubio IGS, Toneto NPA, Morale MG, Tamura RE. The use of adenoviral vectors in gene therapy and vaccine approaches. Genet Mol Biol 2022; 45:e20220079. [PMID: 36206378 PMCID: PMC9543183 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2022-0079] [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: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus was first identified in the 1950s and since then this pathogenic group
of viruses has been explored and transformed into a genetic transfer vehicle.
Modification or deletion of few genes are necessary to transform it into a
conditionally or non-replicative vector, creating a versatile tool capable of
transducing different tissues and inducing high levels of transgene expression.
In the early years of vector development, the application in monogenic diseases
faced several hurdles, including short-term gene expression and even a fatality.
On the other hand, an adenoviral delivery strategy for treatment of cancer was
the first approved gene therapy product. There is an increasing interest in
expressing transgenes with therapeutic potential targeting the cancer hallmarks,
inhibiting metastasis, inducing cancer cell death or modulating the immune
system to attack the tumor cells. Replicative adenovirus as vaccines may be even
older and date to a few years of its discovery, application of non-replicative
adenovirus for vaccination against different microorganisms has been
investigated, but only recently, it demonstrated its full potential being one of
the leading vaccination tools for COVID-19. This is not a new vector nor a new
technology, but the result of decades of careful and intense work in this
field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Meneses Araújo
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular
do Câncer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ileana Gabriela Sanchez Rubio
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular
do Câncer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências
Biológicas, Diadema, SP, Brazil. ,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Ciências
Moleculares da Tireóide, Diadema, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Mirian Galliote Morale
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular
do Câncer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências
Biológicas, Diadema, SP, Brazil. ,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Ciências
Moleculares da Tireóide, Diadema, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Esaki Tamura
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular
do Câncer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências
Biológicas, Diadema, SP, Brazil.
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Folegatti PM, Jenkin D, Morris S, Gilbert S, Kim D, Robertson JS, Smith ER, Martin E, Gurwith M, Chen RT. Vaccines based on the replication-deficient simian adenoviral vector ChAdOx1: Standardized template with key considerations for a risk/benefit assessment. Vaccine 2022; 40:5248-5262. [PMID: 35715352 PMCID: PMC9194875 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Replication-deficient adenoviral vectors have been under investigation as a platform technology for vaccine development for several years and have recently been successfully deployed as an effective COVID-19 counter measure. A replication-deficient adenoviral vector based on the simian adenovirus type Y25 and named ChAdOx1 has been evaluated in several clinical trials since 2012. The Brighton Collaboration Benefit-Risk Assessment of VAccines by TechnolOgy (BRAVATO) was formed to evaluate the safety and other key features of new platform technology vaccines. This manuscript reviews key features of the ChAdOx1-vectored vaccines. The simian adenovirus Y25 was chosen as a strategy to circumvent pre-existing immunity to common human adenovirus serotypes which could impair immune responses induced by adenoviral vectored vaccines. Deletion of the E1 gene renders the ChAdOx1 vector replication incompetent and further genetic engineering of the E3 and E4 genes allows for increased insertional capability and optimizes vaccine manufacturing processes. ChAdOx1 vectored vaccines can be manufactured in E1 complementing cell lines at scale and are thermostable. The first ChAdOx1 vectored vaccines approved for human use, against SARS-CoV-2, received emergency use authorization in the UK on 30th December 2020, and is now approved in more than 180 countries. Safety data were compiled from phase I-III clinical trials of ChAdOx1 vectored vaccines expressing different antigens (influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, meningococcal B, prostate cancer, MERS-CoV, Chikungunya, Zika and SARS-CoV-2), conducted by the University of Oxford, as well as post marketing surveillance data for the COVID-19 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Overall, ChAdOx1 vectored vaccines have been well tolerated. Very rarely, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), capillary leak syndrome (CLS), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have been reported following mass administration of the COVID-19 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The benefits of this COVID-19 vaccination have outweighed the risks of serious adverse events in most settings, especially with mitigation of risks when possible. Extensive immunogenicity clinical evaluation of ChAdOx1 vectored vaccines reveal strong, durable humoral and cellular immune responses to date; studies to refine the COVID-19 protection (e.g., via homologous/heterologous booster, fractional dose) are also underway. New prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines based on the ChAdOx1 vector are currently undergoing pre-clinical and clinical assessment, including vaccines against viral hemorrhagic fevers, Nipah virus, HIV, Hepatitis B, amongst others.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Denny Kim
- Brighton Collaboration, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - James S. Robertson
- Brighton Collaboration, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Emily R. Smith
- Brighton Collaboration, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Emalee Martin
- Brighton Collaboration, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Marc Gurwith
- Brighton Collaboration, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Robert T. Chen
- Brighton Collaboration, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA
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10
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Diniz MO, Schurich A, Chinnakannan SK, Duriez M, Stegmann KA, Davies J, Kucykowicz S, Suveizdyte K, Amin OE, Alcock F, Cargill T, Barnes E, Maini MK. NK cells limit therapeutic vaccine-induced CD8 +T cell immunity in a PD-L1-dependent manner. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabi4670. [PMID: 35417187 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abi4670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A better understanding of mechanisms that regulate CD8+T cell responses to therapeutic vaccines is needed to develop approaches to enhance vaccine efficacy for chronic viral infections and cancers. We show here that NK cell depletion enhanced antigen-specific T cell responses to chimp adenoviral vector (ChAdOx) vaccination in a mouse model of chronic HBV infection (CHB). Probing the mechanism underlying this negative regulation, we observed that CHB drove parallel up-regulation of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on liver-resident NK cells and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) on intrahepatic T cells. PD-L1-expressing liver-resident NK cells suppressed PD-1hiCD8+T cells enriched within the HBV-specific response to therapeutic vaccination. Cytokine activation of NK cells also induced PD-L1, and combining cytokine activation with PD-L1 blockade resulted in conversion of NK cells into efficient helpers that boosted HBV-specific CD8+T cell responses to therapeutic vaccination in mice and to chronic infection in humans. Our findings delineate an immunotherapeutic combination that can boost the response to therapeutic vaccination in CHB and highlight the broader importance of PD-L1-dependent regulation of T cells by cytokine-activated NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana O Diniz
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Anna Schurich
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Senthil K Chinnakannan
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marion Duriez
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Kerstin A Stegmann
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Jessica Davies
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Kucykowicz
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Kornelija Suveizdyte
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Oliver E Amin
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Frances Alcock
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
| | - Tamsin Cargill
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mala K Maini
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, UCL, London, UK
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11
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5' preS1 mutations to prevent large envelope protein expression from hepatitis B virus genotype A or genotype D markedly increase polymerase-envelope fusion protein. J Virol 2022; 96:e0172321. [PMID: 35019714 PMCID: PMC8906437 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01723-21] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) large (L) envelope protein is translated from 2.4-kb RNA. It contains preS1, preS2, and S domains and is detected in Western blot as p39 and gp42. The 3.5-kb pregenomic RNA produces core and polymerase (P) proteins. We generated L-minus mutants of a genotype A clone and a genotype D clone from 1.1mer or 1.3mer construct, with the former overproducing pregenomic RNA. Surprisingly, mutating preS1 ATG codon(s) or introducing a nonsense mutation soon afterwards switched secreted p39/gp42 into p41/p44 doublet, with its amount further increased by a nonsense mutation in the core gene. A more downstream preS1 nonsense mutation prevented p41/p44 production. Tunicamycin treatment confirmed p44 as glycosylated form of p41. In this regard splicing of 3.5-kb RNA to generate nt2447-nt2902 junction for genotype D enables translation of p43, with N-terminal 47 residues of P protein fused to C-terminal 371 residues of L protein. Indeed p41/p44 were detectable by an antibody against N-terminus of P protein, and eliminated by a nonsense mutation at 5' P gene or a point mutation to prevent that splicing. Therefore, lost L (and core) protein expression from 1.1mer or 1.3mer construct markedly increased p41/p44 (p43), the P-L fusion protein. Co-transfection with an expression construct for L/M proteins reversed high extracellular p41/p44 associated with L-minus mutants, suggesting that L protein retains p43 in wild-type HBV to promote its intracellular degradation. Considering that p43 lacks N-terminal preS1 sequence critical for receptor binding, its physiological significance during natural infection and therapeutic potential warrant further investigation. IMPORTANCE The large (L) envelope protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is translated from 2.4-kb RNA and detected in Western blot as p39 and gp42. Polymerase (P) protein is expressed at a low level from 3.5-kb RNA. The major spliced form of 3.5-kb RNA will produce a fusion protein between the first 47 residues of P protein and a short irrelevant sequence, although also at a low level. Another spliced form has the same P protein sequence fused to L protein missing its first 18 residues. We found that some point mutations to eliminate L and core protein expression from overlength HBV DNA constructs converted p39/gp42 into p41/gp44, which turned out to be that P-L fusion protein. Thus, the P-L fusion protein can be expressed at extremely high level when L protein expression is prevented. The underlying mechanism and functional significance of this variant form of L protein warrant further investigation.
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12
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The Combined Expression of the Non-structural Protein NS1 and the N-Terminal Half of NS2 (NS2 1-180) by ChAdOx1 and MVA Confers Protection against Clinical Disease in Sheep upon Bluetongue Virus Challenge. J Virol 2021; 96:e0161421. [PMID: 34787454 PMCID: PMC8826911 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01614-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue, caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), is a widespread arthropod-borne disease of ruminants that entails a recurrent threat to the primary sector of developed and developing countries. In this work, we report modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and ChAdOx1-vectored vaccines designed to simultaneously express the immunogenic NS1 protein and/or NS2-Nt, the N-terminal half of protein NS2 (NS21-180). A single dose of MVA or ChAdOx1 expressing NS1-NS2-Nt improved the protection conferred by NS1 alone in IFNAR(-/-) mice. Moreover, mice immunized with ChAdOx1/MVA-NS1, ChAdOx1/MVA-NS2-Nt, or ChAdOx1/MVA-NS1-NS2-Nt developed strong cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell responses against NS1, NS2-Nt, or both proteins and were fully protected against a lethal infection with BTV serotypes 1, 4, and 8. Furthermore, although a single immunization with ChAdOx1-NS1-NS2-Nt partially protected sheep against BTV-4, the administration of a booster dose of MVA-NS1-NS2-Nt promoted a faster viral clearance, reduction of the period and level of viremia and also protected from the pathology produced by BTV infection. IMPORTANCE Current BTV vaccines are effective but they do not allow to distinguish between vaccinated and infected animals (DIVA strategy) and are serotype specific. In this work we have develop a DIVA multiserotype vaccination strategy based on adenoviral (ChAdOx1) and MVA vaccine vectors, the most widely used in current phase I and II clinical trials, and the conserved nonstructural BTV proteins NS1 and NS2. This immunization strategy solves the major drawbacks of the current marketed vaccines.
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13
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Cargill T, Barnes E. Therapeutic vaccination for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:106-118. [PMID: 33969474 PMCID: PMC8274149 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection remains a serious global health threat, contributing to a large number of deaths through liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment does not eradicate disease, and therefore new treatments are urgently needed. In acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) a strong immune response is necessary to clear the virus, but in chronic infection the immune response is weakened and dysfunctional. Therapeutic vaccination describes the process of inoculating individuals with a non‐infective form of viral antigen with the aim of inducing or boosting existing HBV‐specific immune responses, resulting in sustained control of HBV infection. In this review we outline the rationale for therapeutic vaccination in chronic HBV infection, discuss previous and ongoing trials of novel HBV therapeutic vaccine candidates and outline strategies to improve vaccine efficacy going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Cargill
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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14
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Jansen DT, Dou Y, de Wilde JW, Woltman AM, Buschow SI. Designing the next-generation therapeutic vaccines to cure chronic hepatitis B: focus on antigen presentation, vaccine properties and effect measures. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1232. [PMID: 33489122 PMCID: PMC7809700 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1232] [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: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mid‐90s, hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐directed immune responses were for the first time investigated in detail and revealed suboptimal T‐cell responses in chronic HBV patients. Based on these studies, therapeutic vaccination exploiting the antigen presentation capacity of dendritic cells to prime and/or boost HBV‐specific T‐cell responses was considered highly promising. Now, 25 years later, it has not yet delivered this promise. In this review, we summarise what has been clinically tested in terms of antigen targets and vaccine forms, how the immunological and therapeutic effects of these vaccines were assessed and what major clinical and immunological findings were reported. We combine the lessons learned from these trials with the most recent insights on HBV antigen presentation, T‐cell responses, vaccine composition, antiviral and immune‐modulatory drugs and disease biomarkers to derive novel opportunities for the next generation of therapeutic vaccines designed to cure chronic HBV either alone or in combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diahann Tsl Jansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Yingying Dou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Janet W de Wilde
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands.,Present address: Department of Viroscience Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Andrea M Woltman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands.,Present address: Institute of Medical Research Education Rotterdam Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Sonja I Buschow
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands
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15
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Cianci R, Franza L. Genomic Medicine and Advances in Vaccine Technology and Development in the Developing and Developed World. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 9:vaccines9010009. [PMID: 33374343 PMCID: PMC7823288 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cianci
- Internal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-3015-7597; Fax: +39-06-3550-2775
| | - Laura Franza
- Emergency Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
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16
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Malik S, Gupta A, Zhong X, Rasmussen TP, Manautou JE, Bahal R. Emerging Therapeutic Modalities against COVID-19. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E188. [PMID: 32784499 PMCID: PMC7465781 DOI: 10.3390/ph13080188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has quickly spread worldwide, bringing the whole world as well as the economy to a standstill. As the world is struggling to minimize the transmission of this devastating disease, several strategies are being actively deployed to develop therapeutic interventions. Pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers are relentlessly working to investigate experimental, repurposed or FDA-approved drugs on a compassionate basis and novel biologics for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and treatment. Presently, a tremendous surge of COVID-19 clinical trials are advancing through different stages. Among currently registered clinical efforts, ~86% are centered on testing small molecules or antibodies either alone or in combination with immunomodulators. The rest ~14% of clinical efforts are aimed at evaluating vaccines and convalescent plasma-based therapies to mitigate the disease's symptoms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current therapeutic modalities being evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (S.M.); (X.Z.); (T.P.R.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Anisha Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA;
| | - Xiaobo Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (S.M.); (X.Z.); (T.P.R.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Theodore P. Rasmussen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (S.M.); (X.Z.); (T.P.R.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Jose E. Manautou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (S.M.); (X.Z.); (T.P.R.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (S.M.); (X.Z.); (T.P.R.); (J.E.M.)
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17
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Ligat G, Goto K, Verrier E, Baumert TF. Targeting Viral cccDNA for Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 19:235-244. [PMID: 36034467 PMCID: PMC7613435 DOI: 10.1007/s11901-020-00534-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a major cause of advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. HBV replication is characterized by the synthesis of covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA which is not targeted by antiviral nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) the key modality of standard of care. While HBV replication is successfully suppressed in treated patients, they remain at risk for developing HCC. While functional cure, characterized by loss of HBsAg, is the first goal of novel antiviral therapies, curative treatments eliminating cccDNA remain the ultimate goal. This review summarizes recent advances in the discovery and development of novel therapeutic strategies and their impact on cccDNA biology. Recent Findings Within the last decade, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of cccDNA biology including the discovery of host dependency factors, epigenetic regulation of cccDNA transcription and immune-mediated degradation. Several approaches targeting cccDNA either in a direct or indirect manner are currently at the stage of discovery, preclinical or early clinical development. Examples include genome-editing approaches, strategies targeting host dependency factors or epigenetic gene regulation, nucleocapsid modulators and immune-mediated degradation. Summary While direct-targeting cccDNA strategies are still largely at the preclinical stage of development, capsid assembly modulators and immune-based approaches have reached the clinical phase. Clinical trials are ongoing to assess their efficacy and safety in patients including their impact on viral cccDNA. Combination therapies provide additional opportunities to overcome current limitations of individual approaches.
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18
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Belete TM. A review on Promising vaccine development progress for COVID-19 disease. VACUNAS 2020; 21:121-128. [PMID: 32837460 PMCID: PMC7293477 DOI: 10.1016/j.vacun.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) that causes corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its impact on in the world have made imperative progress to develop an effective and safe vaccine. Despite several measures undertaken, the spread of this virus is ongoing. So far, more than 1,560,000 cases and 1000,000 deaths occurred in the world. Efforts have been made to develop vaccines against human coronavirus (CoV) infections such as MERS and SARS. However, currently, no approved vaccine exists for these coronavirus strains. Such Previous research efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine in the years following the 2003 pandemic have opened the door for the scientist to design a new vaccine for the COVID-19. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 has a high degree of genetic similarity and bind to the same host cell ACE2 receptor. By using different vaccine development platforms including whole virus vaccines, recombinant protein subunit vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines several candidates displayed efficacy in vitro studies but few progressed to clinical trials. This review provides a brief introduction of the general features of SARS-CoV-2 and discusses the current progress of ongoing advances in designing vaccine development efforts to counter COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tafere Mulaw Belete
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.o. box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
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19
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Abstract
The emergence of the strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) that causes corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its impact on in the world have made imperative progress to develop an effective and safe vaccine. Despite several measures undertaken, the spread of this virus is ongoing. So far, more than 1,560,000 cases and 1000,000 deaths occurred in the world. Efforts have been made to develop vaccines against human coronavirus (CoV) infections such as MERS and SARS. However, currently, no approved vaccine exists for these coronavirus strains. Such Previous research efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine in the years following the 2003 pandemic have opened the door for the scientist to design a new vaccine for the COVID-19. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 has a high degree of genetic similarity and bind to the same host cell ACE2 receptor. By using different vaccine development platforms including whole virus vaccines, recombinant protein subunit vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines several candidates displayed efficacy in vitro studies but few progressed to clinical trials. This review provides a brief introduction of the general features of SARS-CoV-2 and discusses the current progress of ongoing advances in designing vaccine development efforts to counter COVID-19.
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20
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Heterologous Combination of ChAdOx1 and MVA Vectors Expressing Protein NS1 as Vaccination Strategy to Induce Durable and Cross-Protective CD8+ T Cell Immunity to Bluetongue Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030346. [PMID: 32610561 PMCID: PMC7564706 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The sequence of non-structural protein NS1 of bluetongue virus (BTV), which contains immunodominant CD8+ T cell epitopes, is highly conserved among BTV serotypes, and has therefore become a major tool in the development of a universal BTV vaccine. In this work, we have engineered multiserotype BTV vaccine candidates based on recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1) and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors expressing the NS1 protein of BTV-4 or its truncated form NS1-Nt. A single dose of ChAdOx1-NS1 or ChAdOx1-NS1-Nt induced a moderate CD8+ T cell response and protected IFNAR(-/-) mice against a lethal dose of BTV-4/MOR09, a reassortant strain between BTV-1 and BTV-4, although the animals showed low viremia after infection. Furthermore, IFNAR(-/-) mice immunized with a single dose of ChAdOx1-NS1 were protected after challenge with a lethal dose of BTV-8 in absence of viremia nor clinical signs. Additionally, the heterologous prime-boost ChAdOx1/MVA expressing NS1 or NS1-Nt elicited a robust NS1 specific CD8+ T cell response and protected the animals against BTV-4/MOR09 even 16 weeks after immunization, with undetectable levels of viremia at any time after challenge. Subsequently, the best immunization strategy based on ChAdOx1/MVA-NS1 was assayed in sheep. Non-immunized animals presented fever and viremia levels up to 104 PFU/mL after infection. In contrast, although viremia was detected in immunized sheep, the level of virus in blood was 100 times lower than in non-immunized animals in absence of clinical signs.
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