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D'Aniello A, Del Bene A, Mottola S, Mazzarella V, Cutolo R, Campagna E, Di Maro S, Messere A. The bright side of chemistry: Exploring synthetic peptide-based anticancer vaccines. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3596. [PMID: 38571326 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The present review focuses on synthetic peptide-based vaccine strategies in the context of anticancer intervention, paying attention to critical aspects such as peptide epitope selection, adjuvant integration, and nuanced classification of synthetic peptide cancer vaccines. Within this discussion, we delve into the diverse array of synthetic peptide-based anticancer vaccines, each derived from tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), including melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (Melan-A or MART-1), mucin 1 (MUC1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), tumor protein 53 (p53), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), survivin, folate receptor (FR), cancer-testis antigen 1 (NY-ESO-1), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We also describe the synthetic peptide-based vaccines developed for cancers triggered by oncovirus, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Additionally, the potential synergy of peptide-based vaccines with common therapeutics in cancer was considered. The last part of our discussion deals with the realm of the peptide-based vaccines delivery, highlighting its role in translating the most promising candidates into effective clinical strategies. Although this discussion does not cover all the ongoing peptide vaccine investigations, it aims at offering valuable insights into the chemical modifications and the structural complexities of anticancer peptide-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia D'Aniello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessandra Del Bene
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mottola
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mazzarella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Roberto Cutolo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Erica Campagna
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
- Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPEB), Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Messere
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
- Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPEB), Naples, Italy
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2
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Liu T, Yao W, Sun W, Yuan Y, Liu C, Liu X, Wang X, Jiang H. Components, Formulations, Deliveries, and Combinations of Tumor Vaccines. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 38979917 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c05065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Tumor vaccines, an important part of immunotherapy, prevent cancer or kill existing tumor cells by activating or restoring the body's own immune system. Currently, various formulations of tumor vaccines have been developed, including cell vaccines, tumor cell membrane vaccines, tumor DNA vaccines, tumor mRNA vaccines, tumor polypeptide vaccines, virus-vectored tumor vaccines, and tumor-in-situ vaccines. There are also multiple delivery systems for tumor vaccines, such as liposomes, cell membrane vesicles, viruses, exosomes, and emulsions. In addition, to decrease the risk of tumor immune escape and immune tolerance that may exist with a single tumor vaccine, combination therapy of tumor vaccines with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, CAR-T therapy, or photoimmunotherapy is an effective strategy. Given the critical role of tumor vaccines in immunotherapy, here, we look back to the history of tumor vaccines, and we discuss the antigens, adjuvants, formulations, delivery systems, mechanisms, combination therapy, and future directions of tumor vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Wenyan Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Wenyu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Yihan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
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3
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Mohite P, Yadav V, Pandhare R, Maitra S, Saleh FM, Saleem RM, Al-malky HS, Kumarasamy V, Subramaniyan V, Abdel-Daim MM, Uti DE. Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Unleashing the Power of Viral Vaccines, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras in the New Era of Immunotherapy. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:7277-7295. [PMID: 38405458 PMCID: PMC10882662 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
In the realm of cancer immunotherapy, a profound evolution has ushered in sophisticated strategies that encompass both traditional cancer vaccines and emerging viral vaccines. This comprehensive Review offers an in-depth exploration of the methodologies, clinical applications, success stories, and future prospects of these approaches. Traditional cancer vaccines have undergone significant advancements utilizing diverse modalities such as proteins, peptides, and dendritic cells. More recent innovations have focused on the physiological mechanisms enabling the human body to recognize and combat precancerous and malignant cells, introducing specific markers like peptide-based anticancer vaccines targeting tumor-associated antigens. Moreover, cancer viral vaccines, leveraging engineered viruses to stimulate immune responses against specific antigens, exhibit substantial promise in inducing robust and enduring immunity. Integration with complementary therapeutic methods, including monoclonal antibodies, adjuvants, and radiation therapy, has not only improved survival rates but also deepened our understanding of viral virulence. Recent strides in vaccine design, encompassing oncolytic viruses, virus-like particles, and viral vectors, mark the frontier of innovation. While these advances hold immense potential, critical challenges must be addressed, such as strategies for immune evasion, potential off-target effects, and the optimization of viral genomes. In the landscape of immunotherapy, noteworthy innovations take the spotlight from the use of immunomodulatory agents for the enhancement of innate and adaptive immune collaboration. The emergence of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as precision tools for cancer therapy is particularly exciting. With a focus on various cancers, from melanoma to formidable solid tumors, this Review critically assesses types of cancer vaccines, mechanisms, barriers in vaccine therapy, vaccine efficacy, safety profiles, and immune-related adverse events, providing a nuanced perspective on the underlying mechanisms involving cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. The Review also underscores the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies such as clinical studies, molecular sequencing, and artificial intelligence in advancing the field of cancer vaccines. These tools not only expedite progress but also emphasize the multidimensional and rapidly evolving nature of this research, affirming its profound significance in the broader context of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Popat Mohite
- AETs
St. John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, Maharashtra 401404, India
| | - Vaishnavi Yadav
- AETs
St. John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, Maharashtra 401404, India
| | - Ramdas Pandhare
- MESs
College of Pharmacy, Sonai Tal-Newasa, Maharashtra 414105, India
| | - Swastika Maitra
- Center
for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 600077, India
- Department
of Microbiology, Adamas University, Kolkata 700 126, West Bengal, India
| | - Fayez M. Saleh
- Department
of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha Mohammed Saleem
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha 65431, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamdan S. Al-malky
- Regional
Drug Information Center, Ministry of Health, Jeddah 11176, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vinoth Kumarasamy
- Department
of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Pharmacology
Unit, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar
Sunway, 47500 Selangor
Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- Center
for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Savetha
Dental College, Savetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Savetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077, India
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box
6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology
Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Daniel E. Uti
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State 970001, Nigeria
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4
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Yip T, Qi X, Yan H, Chang Y. RNA Origami Functions as a Self-Adjuvanted Nanovaccine Platform for Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:4056-4067. [PMID: 38270089 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Peptide-based vaccines have been widely investigated in cancer immunotherapy. Despite their high specificity, safety, and low production cost, these vaccines have shown limited success in clinical studies, owing to their poor immunogenicity. Extensive efforts have been devoted to increasing the immunogenicity of peptide vaccines by mixing peptides with adjuvants and/or promoting their delivery to tumor-draining lymph nodes (TdLNs) for better antigen presentation by and maturation of dendritic cells. Among these efforts, the exploration of various nanoparticles has been at the forefront of the rational design and construction of peptide-based vaccines. Here, we present a nanovaccine platform that is built on a self-assembled RNA origami (RNA-OG) nanostructure. As previously reported, this RNA-OG nanostructure is a potent toll-like receptor (TLR)3 agonist. In addition, due to its robust synthesis and versatility in modification, RNA-OG could be readily linked to peptides of interest. Thus, these RNA-OG nanostructures function as adjuvanted nanocarriers to construct RNA-OG-peptide nanovaccines that are uniform in size, consistent in peptide loading, and highly stable. Here, we demonstrate that the assembled RNA-OG-peptide nanovaccines induced dendritic cell maturation, reduced tumor-mediated immunosuppression, and mobilized tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses at the tumor site. Together, these actions led to the elicitation of an effective antitumor immunity that increased the survival of tumor-bearing mice. The combination of RNA-OG-based nanovaccines with the α-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade further enhanced the immunity. Hence, our RNA-OG nanostructures represent a robust, simple, and highly effective platform to empower peptide-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Yip
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Xiaodong Qi
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Hao Yan
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Yung Chang
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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5
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Cui JW, Li Y, Yang Y, Yang HK, Dong JM, Xiao ZH, He X, Guo JH, Wang RQ, Dai B, Zhou ZL. Tumor immunotherapy resistance: Revealing the mechanism of PD-1 / PD-L1-mediated tumor immune escape. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116203. [PMID: 38280330 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy, an innovative anti-cancer therapy, has showcased encouraging outcomes across diverse tumor types. Among these, the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway is a well-known immunological checkpoint, which is significant in the regulation of immune evasion by tumors. Nevertheless, a considerable number of patients develop resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, rendering it ineffective in the long run. This research focuses on exploring the factors of PD-1/PD-L1-mediated resistance in tumor immunotherapy. Initially, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is characterized by its role in facilitating tumor immune evasion, emphasizing its role in autoimmune homeostasis. Next, the primary mechanisms of resistance to PD-1/PD-L1-based immunotherapy are analyzed, including tumor antigen deletion, T cell dysfunction, increased immunosuppressive cells, and alterations in the expression of PD-L1 within tumor cells. The possible ramifications of altered metabolism, microbiota, and DNA methylation on resistance is also described. Finally, possible resolution strategies for dealing with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy resistance are discussed, placing particular emphasis on personalized therapeutic approaches and the exploration of more potent immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wen Cui
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Li
- College of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China
| | - Hai-Kui Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Jia-Mei Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Jia-Hao Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui-Qi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.
| | - Bo Dai
- Department of Cardiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Foshan City 528200, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Zhi-Ling Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.
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6
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Khazaei S, Varela-Calviño R, Rad-Malekshahi M, Quattrini F, Jokar S, Rezaei N, Balalaie S, Haririan I, Csaba N, Garcia-Fuentes M. Self-assembled peptide/polymer hybrid nanoplatform for cancer immunostimulating therapies. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:455-473. [PMID: 37721693 PMCID: PMC10761384 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01410-y] [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] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Integrating peptide epitopes in self-assembling materials is a successful strategy to obtain nanovaccines with high antigen density and improved efficacy. In this study, self-assembling peptides containing MAGE-A3/PADRE epitopes were designed to generate functional therapeutic nanovaccines. To achieve higher stability, peptide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles were formulated by controlled self-assembly of the engineered peptides. The nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility to both human red blood- and dendritic cells. Incubation of the nanoparticles with immature dendritic cells triggered immune effects that ultimately activated CD8 + cells. The antigen-specific and IgG antibody responses of healthy C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with the nanoparticles were analyzed. The in vivo results indicate a specific response to the nanovaccines, mainly mediated through a cellular pathway. This research indicates that the immunogenicity of peptide epitope vaccines can be effectively enhanced by developing self-assembled peptide-polymer hybrid nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Khazaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ruben Varela-Calviño
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mazda Rad-Malekshahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Federico Quattrini
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Safura Jokar
- Department of Nuclear Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Balalaie
- Peptide Chemistry Research Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ismaeil Haririan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Noemi Csaba
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marcos Garcia-Fuentes
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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7
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Zareian N, Eremin O, Pandha H, Baird R, Kwatra V, Funingana G, Verma C, Choy D, Hargreaves S, Moghimi P, Shepherd A, Lobo DN, Eremin J, Farzaneh F, Kordasti S, Spicer J. A phase 1 trial of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) vaccination combined with therapeutic strategies to control immune-suppressor mechanisms. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2024; 249:10021. [PMID: 38463391 PMCID: PMC10911124 DOI: 10.3389/ebm.2024.10021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The presence of inhibitory immune cells and difficulty in generating activated effector T cells remain obstacles to development of effective cancer vaccines. We designed a vaccine regimen combining human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) peptides with concomitant therapies targeting regulatory T cells (Tregs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2)-mediated immunosuppression. This Phase 1 trial combined an hTERT-derived 7-peptide library, selected to ensure presentation by both HLA class-I and class-II in 90% of patients, with oral low-dose cyclophosphamide (to modulate Tregs) and the COX2 inhibitor celecoxib. Adjuvants were Montanide and topical TLR-7 agonist, to optimise antigen presentation. The primary objective was determination of the safety and tolerability of this combination therapy, with anti-cancer activity, immune response and detection of antigen-specific T cells as additional endpoints. Twenty-nine patients with advanced solid tumours were treated. All were multiply-pretreated, and the majority had either colorectal or prostate cancer. The most common adverse events were injection-site reactions, fatigue and nausea. Median progression-free survival was 9 weeks, with no complete or partial responses, but 24% remained progression-free for ≥6 months. Immunophenotyping showed post-vaccination expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with effector phenotypes. The in vitro re-challenge of T cells with hTERT peptides, TCR sequencing, and TCR similarity index analysis demonstrated the expansion following vaccination of oligoclonal T cells with specificity for hTERT. However, a population of exhausted PD-1+ cytotoxic T cells was also expanded in vaccinated patients. This vaccine combination regimen was safe and associated with antigen-specific immunological responses. Clinical activity could be improved in future by combination with anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibition to address the emergence of an exhausted T cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Zareian
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oleg Eremin
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hardev Pandha
- Department of Microbiology and Cellular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Baird
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vineet Kwatra
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Chandan Verma
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Desmond Choy
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Hargreaves
- Research Department of Pathology, UCL Cancer Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Pejvak Moghimi
- The Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB), Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Shepherd
- The Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB), Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dileep N Lobo
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Queen's Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Eremin
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shahram Kordasti
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Spicer
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Zeng L, Zheng W, Zhang J, Wang J, Ji Q, Wu X, Meng Y, Zhu X. An epitope encoded by uORF of RNF10 elicits a therapeutic anti-tumor immune response. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 31:100737. [PMID: 38020063 PMCID: PMC10654591 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.100737] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) are crucial for tumor-specific immune response that reduces tumor burden and thus serve as important targets for immunotherapy. Identification of novel TSAs can provide new strategies for immunotherapies. In this study, we demonstrated that the upstream open reading frame (uORF) of RNF10 encodes an antigenic peptide (RNF10 uPeptide), capable of eliciting a T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune response. We initially demonstrated the immunogenicity of the RNF10 uPeptide in a CT26 tumor mouse model, by showing that its epitope was specifically recognized by CD8+ T cells. Vaccination of mice with the long form of the RNF10 uPeptide conferred strong anti-tumor activity. Next, we proved that the human RNF10 uORF could be translated. In addition, we predicted the binding of an RNF10 uPeptide epitope to HLA-A∗02:01 (HLA-A2). This HLA-A2-restricted epitope of the RNF10 uPeptide induced a potent specific human T cell response. Finally, we showed that an HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T cell (CTL) clone, derived from a pancreatic cancer patient, recognized the RNF10 uPeptide epitope (RLFGQQQRA) and lysed HLA-A2+ pancreatic carcinoma cells expressing the RNF10 uPeptide. These results indicate that the RNF10 uPeptide could be a promising target for pancreatic carcinoma immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563003, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Qing Ji
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563003, China
| | - Xinglong Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563003, China
| | - Yaming Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Breast and Thyroid Center, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou 510000, China
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9
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Abstract
The use of cancer vaccines is considered a promising therapeutic strategy in clinical oncology, which is achieved by stimulating antitumor immunity with tumor antigens delivered in the form of cells, peptides, viruses, and nucleic acids. The ideal cancer vaccine has many advantages, including low toxicity, specificity, and induction of persistent immune memory to overcome tumor heterogeneity and reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Many therapeutic vaccines have entered clinical trials for a variety of cancers, including melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, and others. However, many challenges, including single antigen targeting, weak immunogenicity, off-target effects, and impaired immune response, have hindered their broad clinical translation. In this review, we introduce the principle of action, components (including antigens and adjuvants), and classification (according to applicable objects and preparation methods) of cancer vaccines, summarize the delivery methods of cancer vaccines, and review the clinical and theoretical research progress of cancer vaccines. We also present new insights into cancer vaccine technologies, platforms, and applications as well as an understanding of potential next-generation preventive and therapeutic vaccine technologies, providing a broader perspective for future vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Liu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiangyu Xiao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ziqiang Zhang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chun Mao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mimi Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Shen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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10
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Bakhshi P, Nourizadeh M, Sharifi L, Farajollahi MM, Mohsenzadegan M. Development of dendritic cell loaded MAGE-A2 long peptide; a potential target for tumor-specific T cell-mediated prostate cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:270. [PMID: 37951911 PMCID: PMC10638778 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03108-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide. Immunotherapy is an emerging treatment modality for cancers that harnesses the immune system's ability to eliminate tumor cells. In particular, dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, have demonstrated promise in eliciting a tumor-specific immune response. In this study, we investigated the potential of using DCs loaded with the MAGE-A2 long peptide to activate T cell cytotoxicity toward PCa cell lines. METHODS Here, we generated DCs from monocytes and thoroughly characterized their phenotypic and functional properties. Then, DCs were pulsed with MAGE-A2 long peptide (LP) as an antigen source, and monitored for their transition from immature to mature DCs by assessing the expression levels of several costimulatory and maturation molecules like CD14, HLA-DR, CD40, CD11c, CD80, CD83, CD86, and CCR7. Furthermore, the ability of MAGE-A2 -LP pulsed DCs to stimulate T cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) setting and induction of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in coculture with autologous T cells were examined. Finally, CTLs were evaluated for their capacity to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and kill PCa cell lines (PC3 and LNCaP). RESULTS The results demonstrated that the antigen-pulsed DCs exhibited a strong ability to stimulate the expansion of T cells. Moreover, the induced CTLs displayed substantial cytotoxicity against the target cells and exhibited increased IFN-γ production during activation compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this innovative approach proved efficacious in targeting PCa cell lines, showcasing its potential as a foundation for the development and improved PCa cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Bakhshi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Nourizadeh
- Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Laleh Sharifi
- Uro-Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad M Farajollahi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Highway, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Monireh Mohsenzadegan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Highway, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Zhu Y, Li X, Chen T, Wang J, Zhou Y, Mu X, Du Y, Wang J, Tang J, Liu J. Personalised neoantigen-based therapy in colorectal cancer. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1461. [PMID: 37921274 PMCID: PMC10623652 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become one of the most common tumours with high morbidity, mortality and distinctive evolution mechanism. The neoantigens arising from the somatic mutations have become considerable treatment targets in the management of CRC. As cancer-specific aberrant peptides, neoantigens can trigger the robust host immune response and exert anti-tumour effects while minimising the emergence of adverse events commonly associated with alternative therapeutic regimens. In this review, we summarised the mechanism, generation, identification and prognostic significance of neoantigens, as well as therapeutic strategies challenges of neoantigen-based therapy in CRC. The evidence suggests that the establishment of personalised neoantigen-based therapy holds great promise as an effective treatment approach for patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya‐Juan Zhu
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiong Li
- Department of GastroenterologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ting‐Ting Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Jia‐Xiang Wang
- Department of Renal Cancer and MelanomaPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
| | - Yi‐Xin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiao‐Li Mu
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yang Du
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jia‐Ling Wang
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jie Tang
- Clinical Trial CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ji‐Yan Liu
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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12
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Morisaki S, Onishi H, Morisaki T, Kubo M, Umebayashi M, Tanaka H, Koya N, Nakagawa S, Tsujimura K, Yoshimura S, Yew PY, Kiyotani K, Nakamura Y, Nakamura M, Kitazono T, Morisaki T. Immunological analysis of hybrid neoantigen peptide encompassing class I/II neoepitope-pulsed dendritic cell vaccine. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1223331. [PMID: 37881436 PMCID: PMC10595142 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1223331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoantigens/ are tumor-specific antigens that evade central immune tolerance mechanisms in the thymus. Long-term tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity maintenance requires class II antigen-reactive CD4+ T cells. We had previously shown that intranodal vaccination with class I neoantigen peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) induced a robust immune response in a subset of patients with metastatic cancer. The present study aimed to perform a detailed ex vivo analysis of immune responses in four patients receiving an intranodal hybrid human leukocyte antigen class II neoantigen peptide encompassing a class I neoantigen epitope (hybrid neoantigen)-pulsed DC vaccine. After vaccination, strong T-cell reactions against the hybrid class II peptide and the class I-binding neoantigen peptide were observed in all four patients. We found that hybrid class II neoantigen peptide-pulsed DCs stimulated CD4+ T cells via direct antigen presentation and CD8+ T cells via cross-presentation. Further, we demonstrated that hybrid class II peptides encompassing multiple class I neoantigen epitope-pulsed DCs could present multiple class I peptides to CD8+ T cells via cross-presentation. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying hybrid neoantigen-pulsed DC vaccine therapy and suggest future neoantigen vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Morisaki
- Fukuoka General Cancer Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Cancer Therapy and Research, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideya Onishi
- Department of Cancer Therapy and Research, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Morisaki
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Makoto Kubo
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sachiko Yoshimura
- Corporate Headquarters, Cancer Precision Medicine Inc., Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Poh Yin Yew
- Corporate Headquarters, Cancer Precision Medicine Inc., Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuma Kiyotani
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nakamura
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takanari Kitazono
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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13
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Xie L, Fang J, Yu J, Zhang W, He Z, Ye L, Wang H. The role of CD4 + T cells in tumor and chronic viral immune responses. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e390. [PMID: 37829505 PMCID: PMC10565399 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies are mainly aimed to promote a CD8+ T cell response rather than a CD4+ T cell response as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can directly kill target cells. Recently, CD4+ T cells have received more attention due to their diverse roles in tumors and chronic viral infections. In antitumor and antichronic viral responses, CD4+ T cells relay help signals through dendritic cells to indirectly regulate CD8+ T cell response, interact with B cells or macrophages to indirectly modulate humoral immunity or macrophage polarization, and inhibit tumor blood vessel formation. Additionally, CD4+ T cells can also exhibit direct cytotoxicity toward target cells. However, regulatory T cells exhibit immunosuppression and CD4+ T cells become exhausted, which promote tumor progression and chronic viral persistence. Finally, we also outline immunotherapies based on CD4+ T cells, including adoptive cell transfer, vaccines, and immune checkpoint blockade. Overall, this review summarizes diverse roles of CD4+ T cells in the antitumor or protumor and chronic viral responses, and also highlights the immunotherapies based on CD4+ T cells, giving a better understanding of their roles in tumors and chronic viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoyingzi Xie
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary SurgeryChongqing General HospitalChongqingChina
- The Institute of ImmunologyThird Military Medical University (Army Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Jingyi Fang
- The Institute of ImmunologyThird Military Medical University (Army Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Juncheng Yu
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryXinqiao Hospital Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Weinan Zhang
- Department of Plastic & Cosmetic SurgeryArmy Medical Center of PLAAmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Zhiqiang He
- Department of Plastic & Cosmetic SurgeryArmy Medical Center of PLAAmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Lilin Ye
- The Institute of ImmunologyThird Military Medical University (Army Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Huaizhi Wang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary SurgeryChongqing General HospitalChongqingChina
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14
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Chen H, Zheng X, Li L, Huang L, Huang W, Ma Y. Peptide-Based Therapeutic HPV Cancer Vaccine Synthesized via Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:4541-4554. [PMID: 37576463 PMCID: PMC10422965 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s416706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Peptide-based vaccines have broad application prospects because of their safety, simple preparation, and effectiveness, especially in the development of personalized cancer vaccines, which have shown great advantages. However, the current peptide-based vaccines often require artificial synthesis and intricate delivery technology, which increases the cost and complexity of preparation. Methods Here, we developed a simple technique for combining a peptide and a delivery system using the natural secretion system of bacteria. Specifically, we biosynthesized an antigenic peptide in bacteria, which was then extracellularly released through the bacterial secretory vesicles, thus simultaneously achieving the biosynthesis and delivery of the peptide. Results The system utilizes the natural properties of bacterial vesicles to promote antigen uptake and dendritic cell (DC) maturation. Therefore, tumor-specific CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were induced in TC-1 tumor-bearing mice, thereby efficiently suppressing tumor growth. Conclusion This research promotes innovation and extends the application of peptide-based vaccine biosynthesis technology. Importantly, it provides a new method for personalized cancer immunotherapy that uses screened peptides as antigens in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education, School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingjue Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education, School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lishuxin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education, School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Huang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanbing Ma
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
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15
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Sun L, Su Y, Jiao A, Wang X, Zhang B. T cells in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:235. [PMID: 37332039 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China.
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16
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Zhang MH, Scotland BL, Jiao Y, Slaby EM, Truong N, Cottingham AL, Stephanie G, Szeto GL, Pearson RM. Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles Utilize B Cells and Dendritic Cells to Elicit Distinct Antigen-Specific CD4 + and CD8 + T Cell Responses. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023:10.1021/acsabm.3c00229. [PMID: 37219857 PMCID: PMC10665545 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00229] [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] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are widely studied for treating immune-mediated diseases, and dendritic cells (DCs) are potent APCs that uptake and present antigens (Ags). However, DCs face several challenges that hinder their clinical translation due to their inability to control Ag dosing and low abundance in peripheral blood. B cells are a potential alternative to DCs, but their poor nonspecific Ag uptake capabilities compromise controllable priming of T cells. Here, we developed phospholipid-conjugated Ags (L-Ags) and lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (L/P-Ag NPs) as delivery platforms to expand the range of accessible APCs for use in T cell priming. These delivery platforms were evaluated using DCs, CD40-activated B cells, and resting B cells to understand the impacts of various Ag delivery mechanisms for generation of Ag-specific T cell responses. L-Ag delivery (termed depoting) of MHC class I- and II-restricted Ags successfully loaded all APC types in a tunable manner and primed both Ag-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. Incorporating L-Ags and polymer-conjugated Ags (P-Ag) into NPs can direct Ags to different uptake pathways to engineer the dynamics of presentation and shape T cell responses. DCs were capable of processing and presenting Ag delivered from both L- and P-Ag NPs, yet B cells could only utilize Ag delivered from L-Ag NPs, which led to differential cytokine secretion profiles in coculture studies. Altogether, we show that L-Ags and P-Ags can be rationally paired within a single NP to leverage distinct delivery mechanisms to access multiple Ag processing pathways in two APC types, offering a modular delivery platform for engineering Ag-specific immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H. Zhang
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
- Co-first authors
| | - Brianna L. Scotland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Co-first authors
| | - Yun Jiao
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Emily M. Slaby
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Nhu Truong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Andrea L. Cottingham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Georgina Stephanie
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Gregory L. Szeto
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
- Allen Institute for Immunology, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Ryan M. Pearson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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17
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Mørk SK, Kongsted P, Westergaard MCW, Albieri B, Granhøj JS, Donia M, Martinenaite E, Holmström MO, Madsen K, Kverneland AH, Kjeldsen JW, Holmstroem RB, Lorentzen CL, Nørgaard N, Andreasen LV, Wood GK, Christensen D, Klausen MS, Hadrup SR, thor Straten P, Andersen MH, Svane IM. First in man study: Bcl-Xl_42-CAF®09b vaccines in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1122977. [PMID: 36999039 PMCID: PMC10043415 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1122977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-XL) protein plays an important role in cancer cells’ resistance to apoptosis. Pre-clinical studies have shown that vaccination with Bcl-XL-derived peptides can induce tumor-specific T cell responses that may lead to the elimination of cancer cells. Furthermore, pre-clinical studies of the novel adjuvant CAF®09b have shown that intraperitoneal (IP) injections of this adjuvant can improve the activation of the immune system. In this study, patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (PC) received a vaccine consisting of Bcl-XL-peptide with CAF®09b as an adjuvant. The primary aim was to evaluate the tolerability and safety of IP and intramuscular (IM) administration, determine the optimal route of administration, and characterize vaccine immunogenicity.Patients and methodsTwenty patients were included. A total of six vaccinations were scheduled: in Group A (IM to IP injections), ten patients received three vaccines IM biweekly; after a three-week pause, patients then received three vaccines IP biweekly. In Group B (IP to IM injections), ten patients received IP vaccines first, followed by IM under a similar vaccination schedule. Safety was assessed by logging and evaluating adverse events (AE) according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v. 4.0). Vaccines-induced immune responses were analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunospot and flow cytometry.ResultsNo serious AEs were reported. Although an increase in T cell response against the Bcl-XL-peptide was found in all patients, a larger proportion of patients in group B demonstrated earlier and stronger immune responses to the vaccine compared to patients in group A. Further, we demonstrated vaccine-induced immunity towards patient-specific CD4, and CD8 T cell epitopes embedded in Bcl-XL-peptide and an increase in CD4 and CD8 T cell activation markers CD107a and CD137 following vaccination. At a median follow-up of 21 months, no patients had experienced clinically significant disease progression.ConclusionThe Bcl-XL-peptide-CAF®09b vaccination was feasible and safe in patients with l hormone-sensitive PC. In addition, the vaccine was immunogenic and able to elicit CD4 and CD8 T cell responses with initial IP administration eliciting early and high levels of vaccine-specific responses in a higher number og patients.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03412786.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Kirial Mørk
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Per Kongsted
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Benedetta Albieri
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Joachim Stoltenborg Granhøj
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- IO Biotech Aps, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Madsen
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Anders H. Kverneland
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Julie Westerlin Kjeldsen
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Rikke Boedker Holmstroem
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Cathrine Lund Lorentzen
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Nis Nørgaard
- Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Grith Krøyer Wood
- Statens Serum Institut, Center for Vaccine Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Statens Serum Institut, Center for Vaccine Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), HEALTH TECH, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Per thor Straten
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Inge Marie Svane,
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Yi Y, Yu M, Li W, Zhu D, Mei L, Ou M. Vaccine-like nanomedicine for cancer immunotherapy. J Control Release 2023; 355:760-778. [PMID: 36822241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The successful clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapeutics has attracted extensive attention to immunotherapy, however, their drawbacks such as limited specificity, persistence and toxicity haven't met the high expectations on efficient cancer treatments. Therapeutic cancer vaccines which instruct the immune system to capture tumor specific antigens, generate long-term immune memory and specifically eliminate cancer cells gradually become the most promising strategies to eradicate tumor. However, the disadvantages of some existing vaccines such as weak immunogenicity and in vivo instability have restricted their development. Nanotechnology has been recently incorporated into vaccine fabrication and exhibited promising results for cancer immunotherapy. Nanoparticles promote the stability of vaccines, as well as enhance antigen recognition and presentation owing to their nanometer size which promotes internalization of antigens by phagocytic cells. The surface modification with targeting units further permits the delivery of vaccines to specific cells. Meanwhile, nanocarriers with adjuvant effect can improve the efficacy of vaccines. In addition to classic vaccines composed of antigens and adjuvants, the nanoparticle-mediated chemotherapy, radiotherapy and certain other therapeutics could induce the release of tumor antigens in situ, which therefore effectively simulate antitumor immune responses. Such vaccine-like nanomedicine not only kills primary tumors, but also prevents tumor recurrence and helps eliminate metastatic tumors. Herein, we introduce recent developments in nanoparticle-based delivery systems for antigen delivery and in situ antitumor vaccination. We will also discuss the remaining opportunities and challenges of nanovaccine in clinical translation towards cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Yi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Mian Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Wen Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Dunwan Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China.
| | - Lin Mei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China.
| | - Meitong Ou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China.
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Structural Analyses of a Dominant Cryptosporidium parvum Epitope Presented by H-2K b Offer New Options To Combat Cryptosporidiosis. mBio 2023; 14:e0266622. [PMID: 36602309 PMCID: PMC9973275 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02666-22] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum has gained much attention as a major cause of diarrhea in the world, particularly in those with compromised immune systems. The data currently available on how the immune system recognizes C. parvum are growing rapidly, but we lack data on the interactions among host major histocompatibility complex (MHC) diversity and parasitic T-cell epitopes. To identify antigenic epitopes in a murine model, we performed systematic profiling of H-2Kb-restricted peptides by screening the dominant Cryptosporidium antigens. The results revealed that the glycoprotein-derived epitope Gp40/15-SVF9 induced an immunodominant response in C. parvum-recovered C57BL/6 mice, and injection of the cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) peptide with the adjuvant activated peptide-specific CD8+ T cells. Notably, the SVF9 epitope was highly conserved across Cryptosporidium hominis, C. parvum, and many other Cryptosporidium species. SVF9 also formed stable peptide-MHC class I (MHC I) complexes with HLA-A*0201, suggesting cross-reactivity between H-2Kb and human MHC I specificities. Crystal structure analyses revealed that the interactions of peptide-MHC surface residues of H-2Kb and HLA-A*0201 are highly conserved. The hydrogen bonds of H-2Kb-SVF9 are similar to those of a dominant epitope presented by HLA-A*0201, which can be recognized by a public human T-cell receptor (TCR). Notably, we found double conformations in position 4 (P4), 5 (P5) of the SVF9 peptide, which showed high flexibility, and multiple peptide conformations generated more molecular surfaces that can potentially be recognized by TCRs. Our findings demonstrate that an immunodominant C. parvum epitope and its homologs from different Cryptosporidium species and subtypes can benefit vaccine development to combat cryptosporidiosis. IMPORTANCE Adaptive immune responses and T lymphocytes have been implicated as important mechanisms of parasite-induced protection. However, the role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the resolution of C. parvum infection is largely unresolved. Our results revealed that the glycoprotein-derived epitope Gp40/15-SVF9 induced an immunodominant CD8+ T-cell response in C57BL/6 mice. Crystal structure analyses revealed that the interactions of the H-2Kb-SVF9 peptide are similar to those of a dominant epitope presented by HLA-A*0201, which can be recognized by human TCRs. In addition, we found double conformations of the SVF9 peptide, which showed high flexibility and multiple peptide conformations that can potentially be recognized by TCRs.
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20
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Xie YJ, Liu WQ, Li D, Hou JC, Coghi PS, Fan XX. Overcoming Suppressive Tumor Microenvironment by Vaccines in Solid Tumor. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020394. [PMID: 36851271 PMCID: PMC9964970 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional vaccines are widely used to boost human natural ability to defend against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Recently, therapeutic cancer vaccines attracted the most attention for anti-cancer therapy. According to the main components, it can be divided into five types: cell, DNA, RNA, peptide, and virus-based vaccines. They mainly perform through two rationales: (1) it trains the host immune system to protect itself and effectively eradicate cancer cells; (2) these vaccines expose the immune system to molecules associated with cancer that enable the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. In this review, we thoroughly summarized the potential strategies and technologies for developing cancer vaccines, which may provide critical achievements for overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment through vaccines in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Jia Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Wen-Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Dan Li
- Beijing Wante’er Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., No. 32 yard, East 2nd Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou District, Beijing 101400, China
| | - Jin-Cai Hou
- Beijing Wante’er Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., No. 32 yard, East 2nd Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou District, Beijing 101400, China
| | - Paolo Saul Coghi
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
- Correspondence: (P.S.C.); (X.-X.F.)
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
- Correspondence: (P.S.C.); (X.-X.F.)
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21
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Synthetic Melanin Acts as Efficient Peptide Carrier in Cancer Vaccine Strategy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314975. [PMID: 36499300 PMCID: PMC9738778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that a novel peptide vaccine platform, based on synthetic melanin nanoaggregates, triggers strong cytotoxic immune responses and significantly suppresses tumor growth in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying such an efficacy remained poorly described. Herein, we investigated the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in presenting the antigen embedded in the vaccine formulation, as well as the potential stimulatory effect of melanin upon these cells, in vitro by coculture experiments and ELISA/flow cytometry analysis. The vaccine efficiency was evaluated in FLT3-L-/- mice constitutively deficient in DC1, DC2, and pDCs, in Zbtb46DTR chimera mice deficient in DC1 and DC2, and in LangerinDTR mice deficient in dermal DC1 and Langerhans cells. We concluded that DCs, and especially migratory conventional type 1 dendritic cells, seem crucial for mounting the immune response after melanin-based vaccination. We also assessed the protective effect of L-DOPA melanin on peptides from enzymatic digestion, as well as the biodistribution of melanin-peptide nanoaggregates, after subcutaneous injection using [18F]MEL050 PET imaging in mice. L-DOPA melanin proved to act as an efficient carrier for peptides by fully protecting them from enzymatic degradation. L-DOPA melanin did not display any direct stimulatory effects on dendritic cells in vitro. Using PET imaging, we detected melanin-peptide nanoaggregates up to three weeks after subcutaneous injections within the secondary lymphoid tissues, which could explain the sustained immune response observed (up to 4 months) with this vaccine technology.
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22
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Immunoinformatics Approach for Epitope-Based Vaccine Design: Key Steps for Breast Cancer Vaccine. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12122981. [PMID: 36552988 PMCID: PMC9777080 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12122981] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are an upcoming medical intervention for breast cancer. By targeting the tumor antigen, cancer vaccines can be designed to train the immune system to recognize tumor cells. Therefore, along with technological advances, the vaccine design process is now starting to be carried out with more rational methods such as designing epitope-based peptide vaccines using immunoinformatics methods. Immunoinformatics methods can assist vaccine design in terms of antigenicity and safety. Common protocols used to design epitope-based peptide vaccines include tumor antigen identification, protein structure analysis, T cell epitope prediction, epitope characterization, and evaluation of protein-epitope interactions. Tumor antigen can be divided into two types: tumor associated antigen and tumor specific antigen. We will discuss the identification of tumor antigens using high-throughput technologies. Protein structure analysis comprises the physiochemical, hydrochemical, and antigenicity of the protein. T cell epitope prediction models are widely available with various prediction parameters as well as filtering tools for the prediction results. Epitope characterization such as allergenicity and toxicity can be done in silico as well using allergenicity and toxicity predictors. Evaluation of protein-epitope interactions can also be carried out in silico with molecular simulation. We will also discuss current and future developments of breast cancer vaccines using an immunoinformatics approach. Finally, although prediction models have high accuracy, the opposite can happen after being tested in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, further studies are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine to be developed. Although epitope-based peptide vaccines have the disadvantage of low immunogenicity, the addition of adjuvants can be a solution.
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23
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Recent Advances in Cancer Vaccines: Challenges, Achievements, and Futuristic Prospects. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122011. [PMID: 36560420 PMCID: PMC9788126 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a chronic disease, and it can be lethal due to limited therapeutic options. The conventional treatment options for cancer have numerous challenges, such as a low blood circulation time as well as poor solubility of anticancer drugs. Therapeutic cancer vaccines emerged to try to improve anticancer drugs' efficiency and to deliver them to the target site. Cancer vaccines are considered a viable therapeutic technique for most solid tumors. Vaccines boost antitumor immunity by delivering tumor antigens, nucleic acids, entire cells, and peptides. Cancer vaccines are designed to induce long-term antitumor memory, causing tumor regression, eradicate minimal residual illness, and prevent non-specific or unpleasant effects. These vaccines can assist in the elimination of cancer cells from various organs or organ systems in the body, with minimal risk of tumor recurrence or metastasis. Vaccines and antigens for anticancer therapy are discussed in this review, including current vaccine adjuvants and mechanisms of action for various types of vaccines, such as DNA- or mRNA-based cancer vaccines. Potential applications of these vaccines focusing on their clinical use for better therapeutic efficacy are also discussed along with the latest research available in this field.
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24
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Weng X, Zhao B, Li R, Li Q, Zhang A. Cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. polysaccharide CARP2 as an adjuvant for influenza vaccines to prolong immune responses. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 224:713-724. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Melssen MM, Fisher CT, Slingluff CL, Melief CJM. Peptide emulsions in incomplete Freund's adjuvant create effective nurseries promoting egress of systemic CD4 + and CD8 + T cells for immunotherapy of cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004709. [PMID: 36939214 PMCID: PMC9472143 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Water-in-oil emulsion incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) has been used as an adjuvant in preventive and therapeutic vaccines since its development. New generation, highly purified modulations of the adjuvant, Montanide incomplete seppic adjuvant (ISA)-51 and Montanide ISA-720, were developed to reduce toxicity. Montanide adjuvants are generally considered to be safe, with adverse events largely consisting of antigen and adjuvant dose-dependent injection site reactions (ISRs). Peptide vaccines in Montanide ISA-51 or ISA-720 are capable of inducing both high antibody titers and durable effector T cell responses. However, an efficient T cell response depends on the affinity of the peptide to the presenting major histocompatibility complex class I molecule, CD4+ T cell help and/or the level of co-stimulation. In fact, in the therapeutic cancer vaccine setting, presence of a CD4+ T cell epitope seems crucial to elicit a robust and durable systemic T cell response. Additional inclusion of a Toll-like receptor ligand can further increase the magnitude and durability of the response. Use of extended peptides that need a processing step only accomplished effectively by dendritic cells (DCs) can help to avoid antigen presentation by nucleated cells other than DC. Based on recent clinical trial results, therapeutic peptide-based cancer vaccines using emulsions in adjuvant Montanide ISA-51 can elicit robust antitumor immune responses, provided that sufficient tumor-specific CD4+ T cell help is given in addition to CD8+ T cell epitopes. Co-treatment with PD-1 T cell checkpoint inhibitor, chemotherapy or other immunomodulatory drugs may address local and systemic immunosuppressive mechanisms, and further enhance efficacy of therapeutic cancer peptide vaccines in IFA and its modern variants. Blinded randomized placebo-controlled trials are critical to definitively prove clinical efficacy. Mineral oil-based adjuvants for preventive vaccines, to tackle spread and severity of infectious disease, induce immune responses, but require more studies to reduce toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marit M Melssen
- Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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26
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Shen Y, Yu L, Xu X, Yu S, Yu Z. Neoantigen vaccine and neoantigen-specific cell adoptive transfer therapy in solid tumors: Challenges and future directions. CANCER INNOVATION 2022; 1:168-182. [PMID: 38090649 PMCID: PMC10686129 DOI: 10.1002/cai2.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The phenomenon of tumor hierarchy and genetic instability can be explained by the "two-hits theory" and results in the occurrence of many somatic mutations. The expression of nonsynonymous mutations results in the production of mutant proteins from tumor cells, namely tumor-specific antigens called neoantigens. Because neoantigens do not exist in healthy cells, they have the potential to stimulate antitumor immune responses by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation without jeopardizing normal tissues. Immunotherapy has reshaped the cancer treatment paradigm in recent decades with the introduction of immune-checkpoint blockade therapy and transgenic T-cell receptor/chimeric antigen receptor T cells. However, these strategies performed poorly in solid tumors because of the obstacles of the immunosuppressive microenvironment caused by regulatory T cells and other suppressor cells. Therefore, other immunotherapeutic strategies are under development, such as personalized vaccines, to trigger de novo T-cell responses against neoantigens and lead to the amplification of tumor-specific T-cell subclones. Neoantigen epitope prediction algorithms have enabled the detection of neoantigens and the creation of tailored neoantigen vaccines as a result of the fast development of next-generation sequencing and cancer bioinformatics. Here we provide an overview of the current neoantigen cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell transfer therapy with neoantigen-specific lymphocytes. We also discuss the challenges in developing neoantigen-targeted immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Shen
- Shanghai Jianshan Medical Tech Co LtdShanghaiChina
| | - Lu Yu
- Shanghai Jianshan Medical Tech Co LtdShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaoli Xu
- Shanghai Jianshan Medical Tech Co LtdShanghaiChina
| | - Shaojun Yu
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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27
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Improving potency of Nanoliposomal AE36 peptide vaccine by adding CD4+ T cell helper epitope and MPL in TUBO breast cancer mice model. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Neoantigens – the next frontier in precision immunotherapy for B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Blood Rev 2022; 56:100969. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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A Mutated Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) Peptide-Based Vaccine Induces PAP-Specific CD8 + T Cells with Ex Vivo Cytotoxic Capacities in HHDII/DR1 Transgenic Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081970. [PMID: 35454873 PMCID: PMC9032647 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081970] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current treatments for castrate (hormone)-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain limited and are not curative, with a median survival from diagnosis of 23 months. The PAP-specific Sipuleucel-T vaccine, which was approved by the FDA in 2010, increases the Overall Survival (OS) by 4 months, but is extremely expensive. We have previously shown that a 15 amino accid (AA) PAP sequence-derived peptide could induce strong immune responses and delay the growth of murine TRAMP-C1 prostate tumors. We have now substituted one amino acid and elongated the sequence to include epitopes predicted to bind to several additional HLA haplotypes. Herein, we present the immunological properties of this 42mer-mutated PAP-derived sequence (MutPAP42mer). METHODS The presence of PAP-135-143 epitope-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) was assessed by flow cytometry using Dextramer™ technology. HHDII/DR1 transgenic mice were immunized with mutated and non-mutated PAP-derived 42mer peptides in the presence of CAF®09 or CpG ODN1826 (TLR-9 agonist) adjuvants. Vaccine-induced immune responses were measured by assessing the proportion and functionality of splenic PAP-specific T cells in vitro. RESULTS PAP-135-143 epitope-specific CD8+ T cells were detected in the blood of patients with PCa and stimulation of PBMCs from patients with PCa with mutPAP42mer enhanced their capacity to kill human LNCaP PCa target cells expressing PAP. The MutPAP42mer peptide was significantly more immunogenic in HHDII/DR1 mice than the wild type sequence, and immunogenicity was further enhanced when combined with the CAF®09 adjuvant. The vaccine induced secretory (IFNγ and TNFα) and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and effector memory splenic T cells. CONCLUSIONS The periphery of patients with PCa exhibits immune responsiveness to the MutPAP42mer peptide and immunization of mice induces/expands T cell-driven, wild-type PAP immunity, and therefore, has the potential to drive protective anti-tumor immunity in patients with PCa.
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30
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Kiessling A, Ramanathan K, Nilsson OB, Notari L, Renken S, Kiessling R, Grönlund H, Wickström SL. Generation of Tumor-Specific Cytotoxic T Cells From Blood via In Vitro Expansion Using Autologous Dendritic Cells Pulsed With Neoantigen-Coupled Microbeads. Front Oncol 2022; 12:866763. [PMID: 35433456 PMCID: PMC9009257 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.866763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past decade, adoptive cell therapy including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, genetically modified cytotoxic lymphocytes expressing a chimeric antigen receptor, or a novel T-cell receptor has revolutionized the treatment of many cancers. Progress within exome sequencing and neoantigen prediction technologies provides opportunities for further development of personalized immunotherapies. In this study, we present a novel strategy to deliver in silico predicted neoantigens to autologous dendritic cells (DCs) using paramagnetic beads (EpiTCer beads). DCs pulsed with EpiTCer beads are superior in enriching for healthy donor and patient blood-derived tumor-specific CD8+ T cells compared to DC loaded with whole-tumor lysate or 9mer neoantigen peptides. A dose-dependent effect was observed, with higher EpiTCer bead per DC being favorable. We concluded that CD8+ T cells enriched by DC loaded with EpiTCer beads are tumor specific with limited tumor cross-reactivity and low recognition of autologous non-activated monocytes or CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, tumor specificity and recognition were improved and preserved after additional expansion using our Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)-compatible rapid expansion protocol. Phenotypic analysis of patient-derived EpiTCer DC expanded CD8+ T cells revealed efficient maturation, with high frequencies of central memory and effector memory T cells, similar to those observed in autologous expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. These results indicate that DC pulsed with EpiTCer beads enrich for a T-cell population with high capacity of tumor recognition and elimination, which are features needed for a T-cell product to be used for personalized adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Kiessling
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Ola B. Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- NEOGAP Therapeutics AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luigi Notari
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- NEOGAP Therapeutics AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Renken
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rolf Kiessling
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Cancer, Patient Area Head and Neck, Lung and Skin, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans Grönlund
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- NEOGAP Therapeutics AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stina L. Wickström
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- NEOGAP Therapeutics AB, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Cancer, Patient Area Head and Neck, Lung and Skin, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Stina L. Wickström,
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31
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He Q, Gao H, Tan D, Zhang H, Wang JZ. mRNA cancer vaccines: Advances, trends and challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2969-2989. [PMID: 35345451 PMCID: PMC8942458 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients exhibit good tolerance to messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, and the choice of encoded molecules is flexible and diverse. These vaccines can be engineered to express full-length antigens containing multiple epitopes without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction, are relatively easy to control and can be rapidly mass produced. In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, which has generated enthusiasm for mRNA vaccine research and development. Based on the above characteristics and the development of mRNA vaccines, mRNA cancer vaccines have become a research hotspot and have undergone rapid development, especially in the last five years. This review analyzes the advances in mRNA cancer vaccines from various perspectives, including the selection and expression of antigens/targets, the application of vectors and adjuvants, different administration routes, and preclinical evaluation, to reflect the trends and challenges associated with these vaccines.
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32
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Liu J, Fu M, Wang M, Wan D, Wei Y, Wei X. Cancer vaccines as promising immuno-therapeutics: platforms and current progress. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:28. [PMID: 35303904 PMCID: PMC8931585 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01247-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on tumor immunotherapy has made tremendous progress in the past decades, with numerous studies entering the clinical evaluation. The cancer vaccine is considered a promising therapeutic strategy in the immunotherapy of solid tumors. Cancer vaccine stimulates anti-tumor immunity with tumor antigens, which could be delivered in the form of whole cells, peptides, nucleic acids, etc. Ideal cancer vaccines could overcome the immune suppression in tumors and induce both humoral immunity and cellular immunity. In this review, we introduced the working mechanism of cancer vaccines and summarized four platforms for cancer vaccine development. We also highlighted the clinical research progress of the cancer vaccines, especially focusing on their clinical application and therapeutic efficacy, which might hopefully facilitate the future design of the cancer vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Liu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Minyang Fu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Manni Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Wan
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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Methodological advances in the design of peptide-based vaccines. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1367-1380. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Mohseninia A, Dehghani P, Bargahi A, Rad-Malekshahi M, Rahimikian R, Movahed A, Reza Farzaneh M, Mohammadi M. Harnessing self-assembling peptide nanofibers toprime robust tumor-specific CD8 T cell responses in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 104:108522. [PMID: 35032825 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Induction of tumor-specific CD8 + T cell responses is known as a major challenge for cancer vaccine development; here we presented a strategy to improve peptide nanofibers-mounted antitumor immune responses. To this end, peptide nanofibers bearing class I (Kb)-restricted epitope (Epi-Nano) were formulated with polyethylene imine backbone (Epi-Nano-PEI), and characterized using morphological and physicochemicalcharacterizationtechniques. Nanofibers were studied in terms of their uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), antigen cross-presentation capacity, and cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, nanofibers were assessed by their potency to induce NLRP3 inflammasome-related cytokines and factors. Finally, the ability of nanofibers to induce tumor-specific CD8 T cells and tumor protection were investigated in tumor-bearing mice. The formulation of Epi-Nano with PEI led to the formation of short strand nanofibers with a positive surface charge, a low critical aggregation concentration (CAC), and an increased resistancetoproteolytic degradation. Epi-Nano-PEI was significantly taken up more efficiently by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and was more potent in cross-presentation when compared to Epi-Nano. Moreover, Epi-Nano-PEI, in comparison to Epi-Nano, efficiently up-regulated the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1b, IL18 and IL-6. Cell viability analysis showed that formulation of PEI with Epi-Nano not only abolished its cytotoxic activity, but surprisingly induced macrophage proliferation. Furthermore, it demonstrated that Epi-Nano-PEI triggered robust antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses, and induced maximum antitumor response (tumor growth inhibition and prolonged survival) in tumor-bearing mice that were significantly higher compared to Epi-Nano. Taken together, the formulation of Epi-Nano with PEI is suggested as a promising strategy to improve nanofibers-mounted antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Mohseninia
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Parva Dehghani
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University Of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Afshar Bargahi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mazda Rad-Malekshahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Raha Rahimikian
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Ali Movahed
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Mohammadi
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University Of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
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Abstract
This review discusses peptide epitopes used as antigens in the development of vaccines in clinical trials as well as future vaccine candidates. It covers peptides used in potential immunotherapies for infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, hepatitis B and C, HIV, malaria, and others. In addition, peptides for cancer vaccines that target examples of overexpressed proteins are summarized, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), mucin 1 (MUC1), folate receptor, and others. The uses of peptides to target cancers caused by infective agents, for example, cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), are also discussed. This review also provides an overview of model peptide epitopes used to stimulate non-specific immune responses, and of self-adjuvanting peptides, as well as the influence of other adjuvants on peptide formulations. As highlighted in this review, several peptide immunotherapies are in advanced clinical trials as vaccines, and there is great potential for future therapies due the specificity of the response that can be achieved using peptide epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian W Hamley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K
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36
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Bendtsen SK, Perez-Penco M, Hübbe ML, Martinenaite E, Orebo Holmström M, Weis-Banke SE, Grønne Dahlager Jørgensen N, Jørgensen MA, Munir Ahmad S, Jensen KM, Friese C, Lundsager MT, Johansen AZ, Carretta M, Ødum N, Met Ö, Svane IM, Madsen DH, Andersen MH. Peptide vaccination activating Galectin-3-specific T cells offers a novel means to target Galectin-3-expressing cells in the tumor microenvironment. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2026020. [PMID: 35111385 PMCID: PMC8802901 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2026020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal3) can be expressed by many cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, and regulatory T cells (Tregs). In addition to immunosuppression, Gal3 expression has been connected to malignant cell transformation, tumor progression, and metastasis. In the present study, we found spontaneous T-cell responses against Gal3-derived peptides in PBMCs from both healthy donors and cancer patients. We isolated and expanded these Gal3-specific T cells in vitro and showed that they could directly recognize target cells that expressed Gal3. Finally, therapeutic vaccination with a long Gal3-derived peptide epitope, which induced the expansion of Gal3-specific CD8+ T cells in vivo, showed a significant tumor-growth delay in mice inoculated with EO771.LMB metastatic mammary tumor cells. This was associated with a significantly lower percentage of both Tregs and tumor-infiltrating Gal3+ cells in the non-myeloid CD45+CD11b− compartment and with an alteration of the T-cell memory populations in the spleens of Gal3-vaccinated mice. These results suggest that by activating Gal3-specific T cells by an immune-modulatory vaccination, we can target Gal3-producing cells in the TME, and thereby induce a more immune permissive TME. This indicates that Gal3 could be a novel target for therapeutic cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kloch Bendtsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Maria Perez-Penco
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mie Linder Hübbe
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Stine Emilie Weis-Banke
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Nicolai Grønne Dahlager Jørgensen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mia Aaboe Jørgensen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Shamaila Munir Ahmad
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Kasper Mølgaard Jensen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Christina Friese
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mia Thorup Lundsager
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Astrid Zedlitz Johansen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Marco Carretta
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Niels Ødum
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mørk SK, Kadivar M, Bol KF, Draghi A, Westergaard MCW, Skadborg SK, Overgaard N, Sørensen AB, Rasmussen IS, Andreasen LV, Yde CW, Trolle T, Garde C, Friis-Nielsen J, Nørgaard N, Christensen D, Kringelum JV, Donia M, Hadrup SR, Svane IM. Personalized therapy with peptide-based neoantigen vaccine (EVX-01) including a novel adjuvant, CAF®09b, in patients with metastatic melanoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2023255. [PMID: 35036074 PMCID: PMC8757480 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2023255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of neoantigens arise from unique mutations that are not shared between individual patients, making neoantigen-directed immunotherapy a fully personalized treatment approach. Novel technical advances in next-generation sequencing of tumor samples and artificial intelligence (AI) allow fast and systematic prediction of tumor neoantigens. This study investigates feasibility, safety, immunity, and anti-tumor potential of the personalized peptide-based neoantigen vaccine, EVX-01, including the novel CD8+ T-cell inducing adjuvant, CAF®09b, in patients with metastatic melanoma (NTC03715985). The AI platform PIONEERTM was used for identification of tumor-derived neoantigens to be included in a peptide-based personalized therapeutic cancer vaccine. EVX-01 immunotherapy consisted of 6 administrations with 5–10 PIONEERTM-predicted neoantigens as synthetic peptides combined with the novel liposome-based Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 09b (CAF®09b) to strengthen T-cell responses. EVX-01 was combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors to augment the activity of EVX-01-induced immune responses. The primary endpoint was safety, exploratory endpoints included feasibility, immunologic and objective responses. This interim analysis reports the results from the first dose-level cohort of five patients. We documented a short vaccine manufacturing time of 48–55 days which enabled the initiation of EVX-01 treatment within 60 days from baseline biopsy. No severe adverse events were observed. EVX-01 elicited long-lasting EVX-01-specific T-cell responses in all patients. Competitive manufacturing time was demonstrated. EVX-01 was shown to be safe and able to elicit immune responses targeting tumor neoantigens with encouraging early indications of a clinical and meaningful antitumor efficacy, warranting further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Kirial Mørk
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mohammad Kadivar
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark- DTU, HEALTH TECH, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kalijn Fredrike Bol
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Arianna Draghi
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | | | - Nana Overgaard
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark- DTU, HEALTH TECH, Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nis Nørgaard
- Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Dennis Christensen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Marco Donia
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark- DTU, HEALTH TECH, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Mohsen MO, Speiser DE, Michaux J, Pak H, Stevenson BJ, Vogel M, Inchakalody VP, de Brot S, Dermime S, Coukos G, Bassani-Sternberg M, Bachmann MF. Bedside formulation of a personalized multi-neoantigen vaccine against mammary carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-002927. [PMID: 35017147 PMCID: PMC8753436 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Harnessing the immune system to purposely recognize and destroy tumors represents a significant breakthrough in clinical oncology. Non-synonymous mutations (neoantigenic peptides) were identified as powerful cancer targets. This knowledge can be exploited for further improvements of active immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines, as T cells specific for neoantigens are not attenuated by immune tolerance mechanism and do not harm healthy tissues. The current study aimed at developing an optimized multitarget vaccine using short or long neoantigenic peptides utilizing virus-like particles (VLPs) as an efficient vaccine platform. Methods Mutations of murine mammary carcinoma cells were identified by integrating mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics and whole exome sequencing. Neoantigenic peptides were synthesized and covalently linked to virus-like nanoparticles using a Cu-free click chemistry method for easy preparation of vaccines against mouse mammary carcinoma. Results As compared with short peptides, vaccination with long peptides was superior in the generation of neoantigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which readily produced interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The resulting anti-tumor effect was associated with favorable immune re-polarization in the tumor microenvironment through reduction of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Vaccination with long neoantigenic peptides also decreased post-surgical tumor recurrence and metastases, and prolonged mouse survival, despite the tumor’s low mutational burden. Conclusion Integrating mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics and whole exome sequencing is an efficient approach for identifying neoantigenic peptides. Our multitarget VLP-based vaccine shows a promising anti-tumor effect in an aggressive murine mammary carcinoma model. Future clinical application using this strategy is readily feasible and practical, as click chemistry coupling of personalized synthetic peptides to the nanoparticles can be done at the bedside directly before injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona O Mohsen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar .,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Speiser
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Justine Michaux
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - HuiSong Pak
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Monique Vogel
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Said Dermime
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar
| | - Georges Coukos
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michal Bassani-Sternberg
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland .,University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin F Bachmann
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Bacteria biohybrid oral vaccines for colorectal cancer treatment reduce tumor growth and increase immune infiltration. Vaccine 2021; 39:5589-5599. [PMID: 34419301 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria biohybrid-based vaccine delivery systems, which integrate a vaccine carrier with live non-pathogenic bacteria, are hypothesized to have improved immunostimulating potential. The aim of this study was to develop oral bacteria biohybrid-based vaccines to treat a mouse model of colorectal cancer. E. coli were combined with tumor antigen- and adjuvant-containing emulsions or liposomes. Emulsion and liposome biohybrid vaccines demonstrated in vitro and in vivo therapeutic potential. Bacteria biohybrid vaccines significantly increased the expression of CD40+, CD80+ and CD86+ on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Mice vaccinated with emulsion biohybrid vaccines had an increased CD8+ T cell infiltration into tumors and developed three-fold smaller tumors compared to the mice that received emulsion vaccine without E. coli.
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40
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Identification of Novel T-Cell Epitopes on Infectious Bronchitis Virus N Protein and Development of a Multi-epitope Vaccine. J Virol 2021; 95:e0066721. [PMID: 34105997 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00667-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immune responses play a key role in the control of viral infection. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a major immunogenic protein that can induce protective immunity. To screen for potential T-cell epitopes on IBV N protein, 40 overlapping peptides covering the entirety of the N protein were designed and synthesized. Four T-cell epitope peptides were identified by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot), intracellular cytokine staining, and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) lymphocyte proliferation assays; among them, three peptides (N211-230, N271-290, and N381-400) were cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, and one peptide (N261-280) was a dual-specific T-cell epitope, which can be recognized by both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Multi-epitope gene transcription cassettes comprising four neutralizing epitope domains and four T-cell epitope peptides were synthesized and inserted into the genome of Newcastle disease virus strain La Sota between the P and M genes. Recombinant IBV multi-epitope vaccine candidate rLa Sota/SBNT was generated via reverse genetics, and its immune protection efficacy was evaluated in specific-pathogen-free chickens. Our results show that rLa Sota/SBNT induced IBV-specific neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses and provided significant protection against homologous and heterologous IBV challenge. Thus, the T-cell epitope peptides identified in this study could be good candidates for IBV vaccine development, and recombinant Newcastle disease virus-expressing IBV multi-epitope genes represent a safe and effective vaccine candidate for controlling infectious bronchitis. IMPORTANCE T-cell-mediated immune responses are critical for the elimination of IBV-infected cells. To screen conserved T-cell epitopes in the IBV N protein, 40 overlapping peptides covering the entirety of the N protein were designed and synthesized. By combining IFN-γ ELISpot, intracellular cytokine staining, and CFSE lymphocyte proliferation assays, we identified three CTL epitopes and one dual-specific T-cell epitope. The value of T-cell epitope peptides identified in the N protein was further verified by the design of an IBV multi-epitope vaccine. Results show that IBV multi-epitope vaccine candidate rLa Sota/SBNT provided cross protection against challenges with a QX-like or a TW-like IBV strain. So, T-cell-mediated immune responses play an important role in the control of viral infection, and conserved T-cell epitopes serve as promising candidates for use in multi-epitope vaccine construction. Our results provide a new perspective for the development of a safer and more effective IBV vaccine.
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41
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Patel SP, Petroni GR, Roszik J, Olson WC, Wages NA, Chianese-Bullock KA, Smolkin M, Varhegyi N, Gaughan E, Smith KT, Haden K, Hall EH, Gnjatic S, Hwu P, Slingluff CL. Phase I/II trial of a long peptide vaccine (LPV7) plus toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists with or without incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) for resected high-risk melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e003220. [PMID: 34413169 PMCID: PMC8378357 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We performed a clinical trial to evaluate safety and immunogenicity of a novel long peptide vaccine administered in combinations of incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) and agonists for TLR3 (polyICLC) and TLR7/8 (resiquimod). We hypothesized that T cell responses to minimal epitope peptides (MEPs) within the long peptides would be enhanced compared with prior vaccines with MEP themselves and that T cell responses would be enhanced with TLR agonists, compared with IFA alone. METHODS Participants with resected stage IIB-IV melanoma were vaccinated with seven long melanoma peptides (LPV7) from tyrosinase, gp100, MAGE-A1, MAGE-A10, and NY-ESO-1, each containing a known MEP for CD8+ T cells, plus a tetanus helper peptide (Tet) restricted by Class II MHC. Enrollment was guided by an adaptive design to one of seven adjuvant combinations. Vaccines were administered at weeks 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 at rotating injection sites. T cell and IgG antibody (Ab) responses were measured with IFN-gamma ELIspot assay ex vivo and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS Fifty eligible participants were assigned to seven study groups, with highest enrollment on arm E (LPV7+Tet+IFA+polyICLC). There was one dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in Group E (grade 3 injection site reaction, 6% DLT rate). All other treatment-related adverse events were grades 1-2. The CD8+ T cell immune response rate (IRR) to MEPs was 18%, less than in prior studies using MEP vaccines in IFA. The CD8+ T cell IRR trended higher for IFA-containing adjuvants (24%) than adjuvants containing only TLR agonists (6%). Overall T cell IRR to full-length LPV7 was 30%; CD4+ T cell IRR to Tet was 40%, and serum Ab IRR to LPV7 was 84%. These IRRs also trended higher for IFA-containing adjuvants (36% vs 18%, 48% vs 24%, and 97% vs 60%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The LPV7 vaccine is safe with each of seven adjuvant strategies and induced T cell responses to CD8 MEPs ex vivo in a subset of patients but did not enhance IRRs compared with prior vaccines using short peptides. Immunogenicity was supported more by IFA than by TLR agonists alone and may be enhanced by polyICLC plus IFA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02126579.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sapna P Patel
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gina R Petroni
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jason Roszik
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Walter C Olson
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Nolan A Wages
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Mark Smolkin
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Nikole Varhegyi
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gaughan
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kelly T Smith
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathleen Haden
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Emily H Hall
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Sacha Gnjatic
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Craig L Slingluff
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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42
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Marijt KA, Griffioen L, Blijleven L, van der Burg SH, van Hall T. Cross-presentation of a TAP-independent signal peptide induces CD8 T immunity to escaped cancers but necessitates anchor replacement. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:289-300. [PMID: 34142235 PMCID: PMC8783882 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently display defects in their antigen-processing pathway and thereby evade CD8 T cell immunity. We described a novel category of cancer antigens, named TEIPP, that emerge on cancers with functional loss of the peptide pump TAP. TEIPPs are non-mutated neoantigens despite their ‘self’ origin by virtue of their absence on normal tissues. Here, we describe the development of a synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccine for the most immunogenic TEIPP antigen identified thus far, derived from the TAP-independent LRPAP1 signal sequence. LRPAP121–30-specific CD8 T cells were present in blood of all tested healthy donors as well as patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma. SLPs with natural flanking, however, failed to be cross-presented by monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Since the C-terminus of LRPAP121–30 is an unconventional and weakly binding serine (S), we investigated if replacement of this anchor would result in efficient cross-presentation. Exchange into a valine (V) resulted in higher HLA-A2 binding affinity and enhanced T cell stimulation. Importantly, CD8 T cells isolated using the V-variant were able to bind tetramers with the natural S-variant and respond to TAP-deficient cancer cells. A functional screen with an array of N-terminal and C-terminal extended SLPs pointed at the 24-mer V-SLP, elongated at the N-terminus, as most optimal vaccine candidate. This SLP was efficiently cross-presented and consistently induced a strong polyclonal LRPAP121–30-specific CD8 T cells from the endogenous T cell repertoire. Thus, we designed a TEIPP SLP vaccine from the LRPAP1 signal sequence ready for validation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A Marijt
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Griffioen
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Blijleven
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, C7-P, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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43
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Nagarajan D, Pearson J, Brentville V, Metheringham R, Pockley AG, Durrant L, McArdle SE. ImmunoBody®-HAGE derived vaccine induces immunity to HAGE and delays the growth and metastasis of HAGE-expressing tumours in vivo. Immunol Cell Biol 2021; 99:972-989. [PMID: 34105800 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The management of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) continues to pose a significant clinical challenge. Less than 30% of women with metastatic TNBC survive 5 years, despite adjuvant chemotherapy and the initial higher rates of clinical response that can be achieved with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. ImmunoBody® is a plasmid DNA designed to encode a human antibody molecule with complementary determining regions (CDRs) engineered to express cytotoxic and helper T cell epitopes derived from the cancer antigen of interest. HAGE is a Cancer Testis Antigen, which is expressed in TNBC. Herein, we have identified a 30-amino-acid-long HAGE-derived sequence containing HLA-A2 and HLA-DR1 restricted epitopes and demonstrated that the use of this sequence as peptide (with CpG/IFA) or incorporated into an ImmunoBody® vaccine can generate specific IFNγ secreting splenocytes in HHDII/DR1 mice. T-cell responses elicited by the ImmunoBody®-HAGE vaccine were superior to peptide immunisation. Moreover, splenocytes from ImmunoBody®-HAGE vaccinated mice stimulated in vitro could recognise HAGE+ tumour cells and the human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231. More importantly, the growth of implanted B16/HHDII/DR1/HAGE+ cells was significantly delayed by the ImmunoBody®-HAGE vaccine in both prophylactic and experimental metastasis settings. Overall, we demonstrate the potential of HAGE-derived vaccines for treating HAGE-expressing cancers and that such vaccines could be considered as therapeutic options for patients with HAGE+ TNBC after conventional treatment to prevent disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Nagarajan
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Joshua Pearson
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.,Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Victoria Brentville
- Scancell Ltd, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Rachael Metheringham
- Scancell Ltd, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - A Graham Pockley
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lindy Durrant
- Scancell Ltd, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stephanie E McArdle
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
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44
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Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines have undergone a resurgence in the past decade. A better understanding of the breadth of tumour-associated antigens, the native immune response and development of novel technologies for antigen delivery has facilitated improved vaccine design. The goal of therapeutic cancer vaccines is to induce tumour regression, eradicate minimal residual disease, establish lasting antitumour memory and avoid non-specific or adverse reactions. However, tumour-induced immunosuppression and immunoresistance pose significant challenges to achieving this goal. In this Review, we deliberate on how to improve and expand the antigen repertoire for vaccines, consider developments in vaccine platforms and explore antigen-agnostic in situ vaccines. Furthermore, we summarize the reasons for failure of cancer vaccines in the past and provide an overview of various mechanisms of resistance posed by the tumour. Finally, we propose strategies for combining suitable vaccine platforms with novel immunomodulatory approaches and standard-of-care treatments for overcoming tumour resistance and enhancing clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Saxena
- Vaccine and Cell Therapy Laboratory, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Vaccine and Cell Therapy Laboratory, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Hematology and Oncology Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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45
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Zhang X, Luo M, Dastagir SR, Nixon M, Khamhoung A, Schmidt A, Lee A, Subbiah N, McLaughlin DC, Moore CL, Gribble M, Bayhi N, Amin V, Pepi R, Pawar S, Lyford TJ, Soman V, Mellen J, Carpenter CL, Turka LA, Wickham TJ, Chen TF. Engineered red blood cells as an off-the-shelf allogeneic anti-tumor therapeutic. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2637. [PMID: 33976146 PMCID: PMC8113241 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22898-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell therapies have highlighted the critical role of T cells in anti-cancer immunity. However, limitations associated with these treatments drive the need for alternative approaches. Here, we engineer red blood cells into artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) presenting a peptide bound to the major histocompatibility complex I, the costimulatory ligand 4-1BBL, and interleukin (IL)-12. This leads to robust, antigen-specific T-cell expansion, memory formation, additional immune activation, tumor control, and antigen spreading in tumor models in vivo. The presence of 4-1BBL and IL-12 induces minimal toxicities due to restriction to the vasculature and spleen. The allogeneic aAPC, RTX-321, comprised of human leukocyte antigen-A*02:01 presenting the human papilloma virus (HPV) peptide HPV16 E711-19, 4-1BBL, and IL-12 on the surface, activates HPV-specific T cells and promotes effector function in vitro. Thus, RTX-321 is a potential 'off-the-shelf' in vivo cellular immunotherapy for treating HPV + cancers, including cervical and head/neck cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuqing Zhang
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Mengyao Luo
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Shamael R. Dastagir
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Mellissa Nixon
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Annie Khamhoung
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Andrea Schmidt
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Albert Lee
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Naren Subbiah
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | | | | | - Mary Gribble
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Nicholas Bayhi
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Viral Amin
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Ryan Pepi
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Sneha Pawar
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Timothy J. Lyford
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Vikram Soman
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Jennifer Mellen
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | | | - Laurence A. Turka
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Thomas J. Wickham
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Tiffany F. Chen
- grid.507501.60000 0004 6022 070XRubius Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA USA
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Gupta RG, Li F, Roszik J, Lizée G. Exploiting Tumor Neoantigens to Target Cancer Evolution: Current Challenges and Promising Therapeutic Approaches. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1024-1039. [PMID: 33722796 PMCID: PMC8102318 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic manipulation of the antitumor immune response offers an attractive strategy to target genomic instability in cancer. A subset of tumor-specific somatic mutations can be translated into immunogenic and HLA-bound epitopes called neoantigens, which can induce the activation of helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. However, cancer immunoediting and immunosuppressive mechanisms often allow tumors to evade immune recognition. Recent evidence also suggests that the tumor neoantigen landscape extends beyond epitopes originating from nonsynonymous single-nucleotide variants in the coding exome. Here we review emerging approaches for identifying, prioritizing, and immunologically targeting personalized neoantigens using polyvalent cancer vaccines and T-cell receptor gene therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Several major challenges currently impede the clinical efficacy of neoantigen-directed immunotherapy, such as the relative infrequency of immunogenic neoantigens, suboptimal potency and priming of de novo tumor-specific T cells, and tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms of immune evasion. A deeper understanding of these biological barriers could help facilitate the development of effective and durable immunotherapy for any type of cancer, including immunologically "cold" tumors that are otherwise therapeutically resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi G Gupta
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, New Jersey.
| | - Fenge Li
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gregory Lizée
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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47
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Yu Z, Liu W, He Y, Sun M, Yu J, Jiao X, Han Q, Tang H, Zhang B, Xian Y, Qi J, Gong J, Xin W, Shi G, Shan F, Zhang R, Li J, Wei M. HLA-A2.1-restricted ECM1-derived epitope LA through DC cross-activation priming CD8 + T and NK cells: a novel therapeutic tumour vaccine. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:71. [PMID: 33910591 PMCID: PMC8082934 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01081-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CD8+ T cell-mediated adaptive cellular immunity and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated innate immunity both play important roles in tumour immunity. This study aimed to develop therapeutic tumour vaccines based on double-activation of CD8+ T and NK cells. Methods The immune Epitope database, Molecular Operating Environment software, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for epitope identification. Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, UPLC-QTOF-MS, and RNA-seq were utilized for evaluating immunity of PBMC-derived DCs, CD8+ T or NK cells and related pathways. HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice combined with immunologically reconstituted tumour-bearing mice were used to examine the antitumour effect and safety of epitope vaccines. Results We identified novel HLA-A2.1-restricted extracellular matrix protein 1(ECM1)-derived immunodominant epitopes in which LA induced a potent immune response. We also found that LA-loaded DCs upregulated the frequency of CD3+/CD8+ T cells, CD45RO+/CD69+ activated memory T cells, and CD3−/CD16+/CD56+ NK cells. We demonstrated cytotoxic granule release of LA/DC-CTLs or LA/DC-NK cells and cytotoxicity against tumour cells and microtissue blocks via the predominant IFN-γ/perforin/granzyme B cell death pathway. Further investigating the mechanism of LA-mediated CD8+ T activation, we found that LA could be internalized into DCs through phagocytosis and then formed a LA-MHC-I complex presented onto the DC surface for recognition of the T cell receptor to upregulate Zap70 phosphorylation levels to further activate CD8+ T cells by DC-CTL interactions. In addition, LA-mediated DC-NK crosstalk through stimulation of the TLR4-p38 MAPK pathway increased MICA/B expression on DCs to interact with NKG2D for NK activation. Promisingly, LA could activate CD8+ T cells and NK cells simultaneously via interacting with DCs to suppress tumours in vivo. Moreover, the safety of LA was confirmed. Conclusions LA-induced immune antitumour activity through DC cross-activation with CD8+ T and NK cells, which demonstrated proof-of-concept evidence for the capability and safety of a novel therapeutic tumour vaccine. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-021-01081-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wensi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ying He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,The Third Department of Medical Oncology, The Fourth Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mingli Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jiankun Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xue Jiao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qiang Han
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Harrison International Peace Hospital, Hengshui, Hebei Province, China
| | - Haichao Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yunkai Xian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wang Xin
- Liaoning Medical Diagnosis and Treatment R&D Centre Co. Ltd., Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Gang Shi
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Intitute, No.77, Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Intitute, No.77, Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Jianping Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. .,Transfusion Medicine Institute, Liaoning Blood Centre, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. .,Transfusion Medicine Institute, Harbin Blood Centre, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 13, Beihai Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. .,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Antitumour Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Centre, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumours, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No.77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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48
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Li L, Zhang X, Wang X, Kim SW, Herndon JM, Becker-Hapak MK, Carreno BM, Myers NB, Sturmoski MA, McLellan MD, Miller CA, Johanns TM, Tan BR, Dunn GP, Fleming TP, Hansen TH, Goedegebuure SP, Gillanders WE. Optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines elicit neoantigen-specific immune responses in preclinical models and in clinical translation. Genome Med 2021; 13:56. [PMID: 33879241 PMCID: PMC8059244 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00872-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical studies and early clinical trials have shown that targeting cancer neoantigens is a promising approach towards the development of personalized cancer immunotherapies. DNA vaccines can be rapidly and efficiently manufactured and can integrate multiple neoantigens simultaneously. We therefore sought to optimize the design of polyepitope DNA vaccines and test optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines in preclinical models and in clinical translation. METHODS We developed and optimized a DNA vaccine platform to target multiple neoantigens. The polyepitope DNA vaccine platform was first optimized using model antigens in vitro and in vivo. We then identified neoantigens in preclinical breast cancer models through genome sequencing and in silico neoantigen prediction pipelines. Optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines specific for the murine breast tumor E0771 and 4T1 were designed and their immunogenicity was tested in vivo. We also tested an optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccine in a patient with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. RESULTS Our data support an optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccine design encoding long (≥20-mer) epitopes with a mutant form of ubiquitin (Ubmut) fused to the N-terminus for antigen processing and presentation. Optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines were immunogenic and generated robust neoantigen-specific immune responses in mice. The magnitude of immune responses generated by optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines was similar to that of synthetic long peptide vaccines specific for the same neoantigens. When combined with immune checkpoint blockade therapy, optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines were capable of inducing antitumor immunity in preclinical models. Immune monitoring data suggest that optimized polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccines are capable of inducing neoantigen-specific T cell responses in a patient with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. CONCLUSIONS We have developed and optimized a novel polyepitope neoantigen DNA vaccine platform that can target multiple neoantigens and induce antitumor immune responses in preclinical models and neoantigen-specific responses in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijin Li
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samuel W Kim
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John M Herndon
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | | | - Beatriz M Carreno
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Present Address: Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nancy B Myers
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Mark A Sturmoski
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Michael D McLellan
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher A Miller
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tanner M Johanns
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Benjamin R Tan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gavin P Dunn
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Timothy P Fleming
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Present Address: Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Ted H Hansen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - S Peter Goedegebuure
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - William E Gillanders
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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49
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Ciobanasu C. Peptides-based therapy and diagnosis. Strategies for non-invasive therapies in cancer. J Drug Target 2021; 29:1063-1079. [PMID: 33775187 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2021.1906885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, remarkable progress was registered in the field of cancer research. Though, cancer still represents a major cause of death and cancer metastasis a problem seeking for urgent solutions as it is the main reason for therapeutic failure. Unfortunately, the most common chemotherapeutic agents are non-selective and can damage healthy tissues and cause side effects that affect dramatically the quality of life of the patients. Targeted therapy with molecules that act specifically at the tumour sites interacting with overexpressed cancer receptors is a very promising strategy for achieving the specific delivery of anticancer drugs, radioisotopes or imaging agents. This review aims to give an overview on different strategies for targeting cancer cell receptors localised either at the extracellular matrix or at the cell membrane. Molecules like antibodies, aptamers and peptides targeting the cell surface are presented with advantages and disadvantages, with emphasis on peptides. The most representative peptides are described, including cell penetrating peptides, homing and anticancer peptides with particular consideration on recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Ciobanasu
- Sciences Department, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Iaşi, Romania
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50
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Blass E, Ott PA. Advances in the development of personalized neoantigen-based therapeutic cancer vaccines. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:215-229. [PMID: 33473220 PMCID: PMC7816749 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-00460-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 428] [Impact Index Per Article: 142.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Within the past decade, the field of immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many cancers with the development and regulatory approval of various immune-checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies in diverse indications. Another promising approach to cancer immunotherapy involves the use of personalized vaccines designed to trigger de novo T cell responses against neoantigens, which are highly specific to tumours of individual patients, in order to amplify and broaden the endogenous repertoire of tumour-specific T cells. Results from initial clinical studies of personalized neoantigen-based vaccines, enabled by the availability of rapid and cost-effective sequencing and bioinformatics technologies, have demonstrated robust tumour-specific immunogenicity and preliminary evidence of antitumour activity in patients with melanoma and other cancers. Herein, we provide an overview of the complex process that is necessary to generate a personalized neoantigen vaccine, review the types of vaccine-induced T cells that are found within tumours and outline strategies to enhance the T cell responses. In addition, we discuss the current status of clinical studies testing personalized neoantigen vaccines in patients with cancer and considerations for future clinical investigation of this novel, individualized approach to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eryn Blass
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A Ott
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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