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Russo S, Feola S, Feodoroff M, Chiaro J, Antignani G, Fusciello M, D’Alessio F, Hamdan F, Pellinen T, Mölsä R, Tripodi L, Pastore L, Grönholm M, Cerullo V. Low-dose decitabine enhances the efficacy of viral cancer vaccines for immunotherapy. Mol Ther Oncol 2024; 32:200766. [PMID: 38596301 PMCID: PMC10869747 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy requires a specific antitumor CD8+ T cell-driven immune response; however, upon genetic and epigenetic alterations of the antigen processing and presenting components, cancer cells escape the CD8+ T cell recognition. As a result, poorly immunogenic tumors are refractory to conventional immunotherapy. In this context, the use of viral cancer vaccines in combination with hypomethylating agents represents a promising strategy to prevent cancer from escaping immune system recognition. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity of melanoma (B16-expressing ovalbumin) and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (4T1) cell lines to FDA-approved low-dose decitabine in combination with PeptiCRAd, an adenoviral anticancer vaccine. The two models showed different sensitivity to decitabine in vitro and in vivo when combined with PeptiCRAd. In particular, mice bearing syngeneic 4T1 cancer showed higher tumor growth control when receiving the combinatorial treatment compared to single controls in association with a higher expression of MHC class I on cancer cells and reduction in Tregs within the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, remodeling of the CD8+ T cell infiltration and cytotoxic activity toward cancer cells confirmed the effect of decitabine in enhancing anticancer vaccines in immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Russo
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Federica D’Alessio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teijo Pellinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Mölsä
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lorella Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University, 24 Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Feola S, Hamdan F, Russo S, Chiaro J, Fusciello M, Feodoroff M, Antignani G, D'Alessio F, Mölsä R, Stigzelius V, Bottega P, Pesonen S, Leusen J, Grönholm M, Cerullo V. Novel peptide-based oncolytic vaccine for enhancement of adaptive antitumor immune response via co-engagement of innate Fcγ and Fcα receptors. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008342. [PMID: 38458776 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer immunotherapy relies on using the immune system to recognize and eradicate cancer cells. Adaptive immunity, which consists of mainly antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells, plays a pivotal role in controlling cancer progression. However, innate immunity is a necessary component of the cancer immune response to support an immunomodulatory state, enabling T-cell immunosurveillance. METHODS Here, we elucidated and exploited innate immune cells to sustain the generation of antigen-specific T cells on the use of our cancer vaccine platform. We explored a previously developed oncolytic adenovirus (AdCab) encoding for a PD-L1 (Programmed-Death Ligand 1) checkpoint inhibitor, which consists of a PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 1) ectodomain fused to an IgG/A cross-hybrid Fc. We coated AdCab with major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I)-restricted tumor peptides, generating a vaccine platform (named PeptiCab); the latter takes advantage of viral immunogenicity, peptide cancer specificity to prime T-cell responses, and antibody-mediated effector functions. RESULTS As proof of concept, PeptiCab was used in murine models of melanoma and colon cancer, resulting in tumor growth control and generation of systemic T-cell-mediated antitumor responses. In specific, PeptiCab was able to generate antitumor T effector memory cells able to secrete various inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, PeptiCab was able to polarize neutrophils to attain an antigen-presenting phenotype by upregulating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 resulting in an enhanced T-cell expansion. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that exploiting innate immunity activates T-cell antitumor responses, enhancing the efficiency of a vaccine platform based on oncolytic adenovirus coated with MHC-I-restricted tumor peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Feola
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Federica D'Alessio
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Mölsä
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virpi Stigzelius
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paolo Bottega
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jeanette Leusen
- Center for translational immunology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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