1
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Chowdhary S, Deka R, Panda K, Kumar R, Solomon AD, Das J, Kanoujiya S, Gupta AK, Sinha S, Ruokolainen J, Kesari KK, Gupta PK. Recent Updates on Viral Oncogenesis: Available Preventive and Therapeutic Entities. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:3698-3740. [PMID: 37486263 PMCID: PMC10410670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Human viral oncogenesis is a complex phenomenon and a major contributor to the global cancer burden. Several recent findings revealed cellular and molecular pathways that promote the development and initiation of malignancy when viruses cause an infection. Even, antiviral treatment has become an approach to eliminate the viral infections and prevent the activation of oncogenesis. Therefore, for a better understanding, the molecular pathogenesis of various oncogenic viruses like, hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency viral (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), could be explored, especially, to expand many potent antivirals that may escalate the apoptosis of infected malignant cells while sparing normal and healthy ones. Moreover, contemporary therapies, such as engineered antibodies antiviral agents targeting signaling pathways and cell biomarkers, could inhibit viral oncogenesis. This review elaborates the recent advancements in both natural and synthetic antivirals to control viral oncogenesis. The study also highlights the challenges and future perspectives of using antivirals in viral oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Chowdhary
- Department
of Industrial Microbiology, Sam Higginbottom
University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Rahul Deka
- Department
of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla
Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Kingshuk Panda
- Department
of Applied Microbiology, Vellore Institute
of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rohit Kumar
- Department
of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhishikt David Solomon
- Department
of Molecular & Cellular Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jimli Das
- Centre
for
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh
University, Assam 786004, India
| | - Supriya Kanoujiya
- School
of
Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Somya Sinha
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to
Be University, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Janne Ruokolainen
- Department
of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto
University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Kavindra Kumar Kesari
- Department
of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto
University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Division
of Research and Development, Lovely Professional
University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to
Be University, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
- Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International
University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
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2
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Silva-Pilipich N, Covo-Vergara Á, Smerdou C. Local Delivery of Immunomodulatory Antibodies for Gastrointestinal Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082352. [PMID: 37190279 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082352] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy has experienced a breakthrough with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are able to unleash immune responses against tumors refractory to other therapies. Despite the great advancement that ICIs represent, most patients with gastrointestinal tumors have not benefited from this therapy. In addition, ICIs often induce adverse effects that are related to their systemic use. Local administration of ICIs in tumors could concentrate their effect in the malignant tissue and provide a higher safety profile. A new and attractive approach for local delivery of ICIs is the use of gene therapy vectors to express these blocking antibodies in tumor cells. Several vectors have been evaluated in preclinical models of gastrointestinal tumors to express ICIs against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, among other immune checkpoints, with promising results. Vectors used in these settings include oncolytic viruses, self-replicating RNA vectors, and non-replicative viral and non-viral vectors. The use of viral vectors, especially when they have replication capacity, provides an additional adjuvant effect that has been shown to enhance antitumor responses. This review covers the most recent studies involving the use of gene therapy vectors to deliver ICIs to gastrointestinal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ángela Covo-Vergara
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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3
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Atreya I, Neurath MF. How the Tumor Micromilieu Modulates the Recruitment and Activation of Colorectal Cancer-Infiltrating Lymphocytes. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112940. [PMID: 36428508 PMCID: PMC9687992 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful treatment of advanced colorectal cancer disease still represents an insufficiently solved clinical challenge, which is further complicated by the fact that the majority of malignant colon tumors show only relatively low immunogenicity and therefore have only limited responsiveness to immunotherapeutic approaches, such as, for instance, the use of checkpoint inhibitors. As it has been well established over the past two decades that the local tumor microenvironment and, in particular, the quantity, quality, and activation status of intratumoral immune cells critically influence the clinical prognosis of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and their individual benefits from immunotherapy, the enhancement of the intratumoral accumulation of cytolytic effector T lymphocytes and other cellular mediators of the antitumor immune response has emerged as a targeted objective. For the future identification and clinical validation of novel therapeutic target structures, it will thus be essential to further decipher the molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions in the intestinal tumor microenvironment, which are crucially involved in immune cell recruitment and activation. In this context, our review article aims at providing an overview of the key chemokines and cytokines whose presence in the tumor micromilieu relevantly modulates the numeric composition and antitumor capacity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke Atreya
- Department of Medicine 1, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F. Neurath
- Department of Medicine 1, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8535204; Fax: +49-9131-8535209
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4
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Intratumoral electroporation of a self-amplifying RNA expressing IL-12 induces antitumor effects in mouse models of cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:387-399. [PMID: 36035753 PMCID: PMC9386029 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alphavirus vectors based on self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) generate high and transient levels of transgene expression and induce innate immune responses, making them an interesting tool for antitumor therapy. These vectors are usually delivered as viral particles, but it is also possible to administer them as RNA. We evaluated this possibility by in vivo electroporation of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) saRNA for local treatment of murine colorectal MC38 subcutaneous tumors. Optimization of saRNA electroporation conditions in tumors was performed using an SFV vector coding for luciferase. Then we evaluated the therapeutic potential of this approach using an SFV saRNA coding for interleukin-12 (SFV-IL-12), a proinflammatory cytokine with potent antitumor effects. Delivery of SFV-IL-12 saRNA by electroporation led to improvement in tumor control and higher survival compared with mice treated with electroporation or with SFV-IL-12 saRNA alone. The antitumor efficacy of SFV-IL-12 saRNA electroporation increased by combination with systemic PD-1 blockade. This therapy, which was also validated in a hepatocellular carcinoma tumor model, suggests that local delivery of saRNA by electroporation could be an attractive strategy for cancer immunotherapy. This approach could have easy translation to the clinical practice, especially for percutaneously accessible tumors.
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5
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Sánchez-Arribas N, Martínez-Negro M, Aicart-Ramos C, Tros de Ilarduya C, Aicart E, Guerrero-Martínez A, Junquera E. Gemini Cationic Lipid-Type Nanovectors Suitable for the Transfection of Therapeutic Plasmid DNA Encoding for Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-12. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:729. [PMID: 34063469 PMCID: PMC8156092 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ample evidence exists on the role of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the response against many pathogens, as well as on its remarkable antitumor properties. However, the unexpected toxicity and disappointing results in some clinical trials are prompting the design of new strategies and/or vectors for IL-12 delivery. This study was conceived to further endorse the use of gemini cationic lipids (GCLs) in combination with zwitterionic helper lipid DOPE (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl ethanol amine) as nanovectors for the insertion of plasmid DNA encoding for IL-12 (pCMV-IL12) into cells. Optimal GCL formulations previously reported by us were selected for IL-12-based biophysical experiments. In vitro studies demonstrated efficient pCMV-IL12 transfection by GCLs with comparable or superior cytokine levels than those obtained with commercial control Lipofectamine2000*. Furthermore, the nanovectors did not present significant toxicity, showing high cell viability values. The proteins adsorbed on the nanovector surface were found to be mostly lipoproteins and serum albumin, which are both beneficial to increase the blood circulation time. These outstanding results are accompanied by an initial physicochemical characterization to confirm DNA compaction and protection by the lipid mixture. Although further studies would be necessary, the present GCLs exhibit promising characteristics as candidates for pCMV-IL12 transfection in future in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Sánchez-Arribas
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.S.-A.); (M.M.-N.); (E.A.); (A.G.-M.)
| | - María Martínez-Negro
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.S.-A.); (M.M.-N.); (E.A.); (A.G.-M.)
| | - Clara Aicart-Ramos
- Departamento de Estructura de Macromoléculas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Conchita Tros de Ilarduya
- Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Emilio Aicart
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.S.-A.); (M.M.-N.); (E.A.); (A.G.-M.)
| | - Andrés Guerrero-Martínez
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.S.-A.); (M.M.-N.); (E.A.); (A.G.-M.)
| | - Elena Junquera
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.S.-A.); (M.M.-N.); (E.A.); (A.G.-M.)
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6
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Ballesteros-Briones MC, Martisova E, Casales E, Silva-Pilipich N, Buñuales M, Galindo J, Mancheño U, Gorraiz M, Lasarte JJ, Kochan G, Escors D, Sanchez-Paulete AR, Melero I, Prieto J, Hernandez-Alcoceba R, Hervas-Stubbs S, Smerdou C. Short-Term Local Expression of a PD-L1 Blocking Antibody from a Self-Replicating RNA Vector Induces Potent Antitumor Responses. Mol Ther 2019; 27:1892-1905. [PMID: 31563534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade has shown anti-cancer efficacy, but requires systemic administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), often leading to adverse effects. To avoid toxicity, mAbs could be expressed locally in tumors. We developed adeno-associated virus (AAV) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vectors expressing anti-programmed death ligand 1 (aPDL1) mAb. When injected intratumorally in MC38 tumors, both viral vectors led to similar local mAb expression at 24 h, diminishing quickly in SFV-aPDL1-treated tumors. However, SFV-aPDL1 induced >40% complete regressions and was superior to AAV-aPDL1, as well as to aPDL1 mAb given systemically or locally. SFV-aPDL1 induced abscopal effects and was also efficacious against B16-ovalbumin (OVA). The higher SFV-aPDL1 antitumor activity could be related to local upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes because of SFV RNA replication. This was confirmed by combining local SFV-LacZ administration and systemic aPDL1 mAb, which provided higher antitumor effects than each separated agent. SFV-aPDL1 promoted tumor-specific CD8 T cells infiltration in both tumor models. In MC38, SFV-aPDL1 upregulated co-stimulatory markers (CD137/OX40) in tumor CD8 T cells, and its combination with anti-CD137 mAb showed more pronounced antitumor effects than each single agent. These results indicate that local transient expression of immunomodulatory mAbs using non-propagative RNA vectors inducing type I interferon (IFN-I) responses represents a potent and safe approach for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Ballesteros-Briones
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Eva Martisova
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Erkuden Casales
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Buñuales
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Galindo
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Uxua Mancheño
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Gorraiz
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan J Lasarte
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Grazyna Kochan
- Department of Oncology, Navarrabiomed-Biomedical Research Centre, IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Escors
- Department of Oncology, Navarrabiomed-Biomedical Research Centre, IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alfonso R Sanchez-Paulete
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesus Prieto
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ruben Hernandez-Alcoceba
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervas-Stubbs
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
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7
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Oncolytic adenovirus coexpressing interleukin-12 and decorin overcomes Treg-mediated immunosuppression inducing potent antitumor effects in a weakly immunogenic tumor model. Oncotarget 2018; 8:4730-4746. [PMID: 28002796 PMCID: PMC5354867 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-12 is a potent antitumor cytokine. However, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments containing transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) attenuate cytokine-mediated antitumor immune responses. To enhance the efficacy of IL-12-mediated cancer immunotherapy, decorin (DCN) was explored as an adjuvant for overcoming TGF-β-mediated immunosuppression. We designed and generated a novel oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) coexpressing IL-12 and DCN (RdB/IL12/DCN). RdB/IL12/DCN-treated tumors showed significantly greater levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and IFN-γ-secreting immune cells than tumors treated with cognate control oncolytic Ad expressing a single therapeutic gene (RdB/DCN or RdB/IL12). Moreover, RdB/IL12/DCN attenuated intratumoral TGF-β expression, which positively correlated with reduction of Treg cells in draining lymph nodes and tumor tissues. Furthermore, tumor tissue treated with RdB/IL12/DCN showed increases infiltration of CD8+ T cells and proficient viral spreading within tumor tissues. These results demonstrated that an oncolytic Ad co-expressing IL-12 and DCN induces a potent antitumor immune response via restoration of antitumor immune function in a weakly immunogenic murine 4T1 orthotopic breast cancer model. These findings provide new insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of IL-12 plus DCN, making it a promising cancer immunotherapeutic agent for overcoming tumor-induced immunosuppression.
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8
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Kurena B, Müller E, Christopoulos PF, Johnsen IB, Stankovic B, Øynebråten I, Corthay A, Zajakina A. Generation and Functional In Vitro Analysis of Semliki Forest Virus Vectors Encoding TNF-α and IFN-γ. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1667. [PMID: 29276511 PMCID: PMC5727424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokine gene delivery by viral vectors is a promising novel strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Semliki Forest virus (SFV) has many advantages as a delivery vector, including the ability to (i) induce p53-independent killing of tumor cells via apoptosis, (ii) elicit a type-I interferon (IFN) response, and (iii) express high levels of the transgene. SFV vectors encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12 have shown promising therapeutic responses in experimental tumor models. Here, we developed two new recombinant SFV vectors encoding either murine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or murine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), two cytokines with documented immunostimulatory and antitumor activity. The SFV vector showed high infection rate and cytotoxicity in mouse and human lung carcinoma cells in vitro. By contrast, mouse and human macrophages were resistant to infection with SFV. The recombinant SFV vectors directly inhibited mouse lung carcinoma cell growth in vitro, while exploiting the cancer cells for production of SFV vector-encoded cytokines. The functionality of SFV vector-derived TNF-α was confirmed through successful induction of cell death in TNF-α-sensitive fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner. SFV vector-derived IFN-γ activated macrophages toward a tumoricidal phenotype leading to suppressed Lewis lung carcinoma cell growth in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. The ability of SFV to provide functional cytokines and infect tumor cells but not macrophages suggests that SFV may be very useful for cancer immunotherapy employing tumor-infiltrating macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiba Kurena
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Elisabeth Müller
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Panagiotis F Christopoulos
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingvild Bjellmo Johnsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Branislava Stankovic
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inger Øynebråten
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandre Corthay
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Pathology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ruiz-Guillen
- Division of Gene Therapy, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nicola G A Abrescia
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, CIBERehd, Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
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10
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Alkayyal AA, Mahmoud AB, Auer RC. Interleukin-12-expressing oncolytic virus: A promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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11
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Hernandez-Alcoceba R, Poutou J, Ballesteros-Briones MC, Smerdou C. Gene therapy approaches against cancer using in vivo and ex vivo gene transfer of interleukin-12. Immunotherapy 2016; 8:179-98. [PMID: 26786809 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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
IL-12 is an immunostimulatory cytokine with strong antitumor properties. Systemic administration of IL-12 in cancer patients led to severe toxic effects, prompting the development of gene therapy vectors able to express this cytokine locally in tumors. Both nonviral and viral vectors have demonstrated a high antitumor efficacy in preclinical tumor models. Some of these vectors, including DNA electroporation, adenovirus and ex vivo transduced dendritic cells, were tested in patients, showing low toxicity and moderate antitumor efficacy. IL-12 activity can be potentiated by molecules with immunostimulatory, antiangiogenic or cytotoxic activity. These combination therapies are of clinical interest because they could lower the threshold for IL-12 efficacy, increasing the therapeutic potential of gene therapy and preventing the toxicity mediated by this cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Hernandez-Alcoceba
- Division of Gene Therapy, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008 Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, c/Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Joanna Poutou
- Division of Gene Therapy, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008 Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, c/Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - María Cristina Ballesteros-Briones
- Division of Gene Therapy, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008 Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, c/Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008 Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, c/Irunlarrea 3, Pamplona 31008, Spain
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12
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Kramer MG, Masner M, Casales E, Moreno M, Smerdou C, Chabalgoity JA. Neoadjuvant administration of Semliki Forest virus expressing interleukin-12 combined with attenuated Salmonella eradicates breast cancer metastasis and achieves long-term survival in immunocompetent mice. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:620. [PMID: 26347489 PMCID: PMC4562361 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1618-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic breast cancer is a major cause of death among women worldwide; therefore efficient therapeutic strategies are extremely needed. In this work we have developed a gene therapy- and bacteria-based combined neoadjuvant approach and evaluated its antitumor effect in a clinically relevant animal model of metastatic breast cancer. METHODS 2×10(8) particles of a Semliki Forest virus vector expressing interleukin-12 (SFV-IL-12) and/or 2×10(7) units of an aroC (-) Samonella Typhimurium strain (LVR01) were injected into 4T1 tumor nodules orthotopically implanted in mice. Tumors were surgically resected and long-term survival was determined. IL-12 and interferon-γ were quantified by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay, bacteria was visualized by inmunohistochemistry and the number of lung metastasis was calculated with a clonogenic assay. RESULTS SFV-IL-12 and LVR01 timely inoculated and followed by surgical resection of tumors succeeded in complete inhibition of lethal lung metastasis and long-term survival in 90% of treated mice. The combined therapy was markedly synergistic compared to each treatment alone, since SFV-IL-12 monotherapy showed a potent antiangiogenic effect, being able to inhibit tumor growth and extend survival, but could not prevent establishment of distant metastasis and death of tumor-excised animals. On the other hand, LVR01 alone also showed a significant, although limited, antitumor potential, despite its ability to invade breast cancer cells and induce granulocyte recruitment. The efficacy of the combined therapy depended on the order in which both factors were administered; inasmuch the therapeutic effect was only observed when SFV-IL-12 was administered previous to LVR01, whereas administration of LVR01 before SFV-IL-12 had negligible antitumor activity. Moreover, pre-treatment with LVR01 seemed to suppress SFV-IL-12 antiangiogenic effects associated to lower IL-12 expression in this group. Re-challenged mice were unable to reject a second 4T1 tumor; however 100% of them could be totally cured by applying the same neoadjuvant combined regimen. To our knowledge, these are the most encouraging results obtained to date in a post-operatory setting using the highly aggressive 4T1 animal model. CONCLUSIONS SFV-IL-12-based gene therapy combined with Salmonella LVR01 neoadjuvant administration has a synergic antitumor effect and may be a promising therapeutic option to prevent and/or eradicate pre-operatory metastasis in locally advanced breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gabriela Kramer
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, (UdelaR), Av. A. Navarro 3051, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Martín Masner
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, (UdelaR), Av. A. Navarro 3051, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Erkuden Casales
- Division Gene Therapy, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Av. Pio XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, c/Irunlarrea 3, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - María Moreno
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, (UdelaR), Av. A. Navarro 3051, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division Gene Therapy, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Av. Pio XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, c/Irunlarrea 3, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - José A Chabalgoity
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, (UdelaR), Av. A. Navarro 3051, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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13
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Lundstrom K. Alphavirus vectors as tools in neuroscience and gene therapy. Virus Res 2015; 216:16-25. [PMID: 26307195 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alphavirus-based vectors have been engineered for in vitro and in vivo expression of heterelogous genes. The rapid and easy generation of replication-deficient recombinant particles and the broad range of host cell infection have made alphaviruses attractive vehicles for applications in neuroscience and gene therapy. Efficient delivery to primary neurons and hippocampal slices has allowed localization studies of gene expression and electrophysiological recordings of ion channels. Alphavirus vectors have also been applied for in vivo delivery to rodent brain. Due to the strong local transient expression provided by alphavirus vectors a number of immunization and gene therapy approaches have demonstrated both therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy in various animal models.
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14
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Quetglas JI, Labiano S, Aznar MÁ, Bolaños E, Azpilikueta A, Rodriguez I, Casales E, Sánchez-Paulete AR, Segura V, Smerdou C, Melero I. Virotherapy with a Semliki Forest Virus-Based Vector Encoding IL12 Synergizes with PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:449-54. [PMID: 25691326 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Virotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors can be combined for the treatment of cancer with complementarity and potential for synergistic effects. We have developed a cytolytic but nonreplicative viral vector system based on Semliki Forest virus that encodes IL12 (SFV-IL12). Following direct intratumoral injection, infected cells release transgenic IL12, die, and elicit an inflammatory response triggered by both abundantly copied viral RNA and IL12. In difficult-to-treat mouse cancer models, such as those derived from MC38 and bilateral B16-OVA, SFV-IL12 synergized with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to induce tumor regression and prolong survival. Similar synergistic effects were attained upon PD-L1 blockade. Combined SFV-IL12 + anti-PD-1 mAb treatment only marginally increased the elicited cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response over SFV-IL12 as a single agent, at least when measured by in vivo killing assays. In contrast, we observed that SFV-IL12 treatment induced expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells in an IFNγ-dependent fashion. PD-L1-mediated adaptive resistance thereby provides a mechanistic explanation of the observed synergistic effects achieved by the SFV-IL12 + anti-PD-1 mAb combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- José I Quetglas
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
| | - Sara Labiano
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - M Ángela Aznar
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Elixabet Bolaños
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Arantza Azpilikueta
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Rodriguez
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Erkuden Casales
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Alfonso R Sánchez-Paulete
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Víctor Segura
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
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15
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Lasek W, Zagożdżon R, Jakobisiak M. Interleukin 12: still a promising candidate for tumor immunotherapy? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:419-35. [PMID: 24514955 PMCID: PMC3994286 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1523-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 12 (IL-12) seemed to represent the ideal candidate for tumor immunotherapy, due to its ability to activate both innate (NK cells) and adaptive (cytotoxic T lymphocytes) immunities. However, despite encouraging results in animal models, very modest antitumor effects of IL-12 in early clinical trials, often accompanied by unacceptable levels of adverse events, markedly dampened hopes of the successful use of this cytokine in cancer patients. Recently, several clinical studies have been initiated in which IL-12 is applied as an adjuvant in cancer vaccines, in gene therapy including locoregional injections of IL-12 plasmid and in the form of tumor-targeting immunocytokines (IL-12 fused to monoclonal antibodies). The near future will show whether this renewed interest in the use of IL-12 in oncology will result in meaningful therapeutic effects in a select group of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witold Lasek
- Department of Immunology, Centre of Biostructure Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, "F" Bldg, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland,
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16
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Rodriguez-Madoz JR, Zabala M, Alfaro M, Prieto J, Kramer MG, Smerdou C. Short-term intratumoral interleukin-12 expressed from an alphaviral vector is sufficient to induce an efficient antitumoral response against spontaneous hepatocellular carcinomas. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 25:132-43. [PMID: 24219025 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2013.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an immunostimulatory cytokine that has shown strong antitumor effects in animal models of liver cancer. In order to overcome the severe toxicity associated with its systemic administration, we had previously tested different strategies based on IL-12 gene transfer to tumor cells or to the surrounding liver tissue. We obtained promising results both with a recombinant Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vector expressing high levels of IL-12 (SFV-IL-12) after intratumoral injection and with a plasmid vector [pTonL2(T)-mIL12] that allows liver-specific and inducible IL-12 expression. The aim of the present study was to compare the antitumor responses induced by both systems in a clinically relevant animal model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in L-PK/c-myc transgenic mice. These animals overexpress the c-myc oncogene in their livers, giving rise to spontaneous hepatic tumors with latency, histopathology, and genetic characteristics similar to human HCCs. We observed that intratumoral inoculation of SFV-IL-12 induced growth arrest in most tumors, providing 100% survival rate, in contrast to no survival in control animals. Similar results were obtained with hydrodynamic injection of pTonL2(T)-mIL12 after long-term induction of IL-12 expression in the liver. However, tumor arrest was less evident in plasmid-treated mice and the survival rate was slightly lower, despite higher and more sustained levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in serum. The fact that SFV-IL-12 was able to induce both apoptosis and a type-I IFN response specifically in the tumor could explain why short-term IL-12 expression from this vector was sufficient to mediate an antitumoral response comparable with long-term IL-12 expression driven by pTonL2(T)-mIL12. Since SFV-IL-12 could reduce the possible toxicity associated with long-term IL-12 expression, we believe that this vector could have a potential application for HCC gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan R Rodriguez-Madoz
- 1 Division of Gene Therapy, School of Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra , Pamplona 31008, Spain
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17
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Quetglas JI, Hervas-Stubbs S, Smerdou C. The immunological profile of tumor-bearing animals determines the outcome of cancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e24499. [PMID: 23894709 PMCID: PMC3716744 DOI: 10.4161/onci.24499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Do cancer patients responding to immunotherapy have immunological profiles that influence the therapeutic outcome, or do they develop efficient antitumor responses only upon immunotherapy? We came across this "chicken or the egg" dilemma when treating secondary liver tumors with Semliki Forest viruses expressing interleukin-12. In our system, the "egg," that is, the pre-treatment immunological profile, seemed to make the difference. The properties of an effective antitumor response were also defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- José I Quetglas
- Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy; Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA); University of Navarra; Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
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