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Angelova A, Pierrard K, Detje CN, Santiago E, Grewenig A, Nüesch JPF, Kalinke U, Ungerechts G, Rommelaere J, Daeffler L. Oncolytic Rodent Protoparvoviruses Evade a TLR- and RLR-Independent Antiviral Response in Transformed Cells. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040607. [PMID: 37111493 PMCID: PMC10144674 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The oncolytic rodent protoparvoviruses (PVs) minute virus of mice (MVMp) and H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV) are promising cancer viro-immunotherapy candidates capable of both exhibiting direct oncolytic activities and inducing anticancer immune responses (AIRs). Type-I interferon (IFN) production is instrumental for the activation of an efficient AIR. The present study aims at characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying PV modulation of IFN induction in host cells. MVMp and H-1PV triggered IFN production in semi-permissive normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but not in permissive transformed/tumor cells. IFN production triggered by MVMp in primary MEFs required PV replication and was independent of the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) Toll-like (TLR) and RIG-like (RLR) receptors. PV infection of (semi-)permissive cells, whether transformed or not, led to nuclear translocation of the transcription factors NFĸB and IRF3, hallmarks of PRR signaling activation. Further evidence showed that PV replication in (semi-)permissive cells resulted in nuclear accumulation of dsRNAs capable of activating mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS)-dependent cytosolic RLR signaling upon transfection into naïve cells. This PRR signaling was aborted in PV-infected neoplastic cells, in which no IFN production was detected. Furthermore, MEF immortalization was sufficient to strongly reduce PV-induced IFN production. Pre-infection of transformed/tumor but not of normal cells with MVMp or H-1PV prevented IFN production by classical RLR ligands. Altogether, our data indicate that natural rodent PVs regulate the antiviral innate immune machinery in infected host cells through a complex mechanism. In particular, while rodent PV replication in (semi-)permissive cells engages a TLR-/RLR-independent PRR pathway, in transformed/tumor cells this process is arrested prior to IFN production. This virus-triggered evasion mechanism involves a viral factor(s), which exert(s) an inhibitory action on IFN production, particularly in transformed/tumor cells. These findings pave the way for the development of second-generation PVs that are defective in this evasion mechanism and therefore endowed with increased immunostimulatory potential through their ability to induce IFN production in infected tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assia Angelova
- Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristina Pierrard
- Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, Division Viral Transformation Mechanisms (F030), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia N Detje
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWICNORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Estelle Santiago
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Annabel Grewenig
- Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, Division DNA Vectors (F160), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürg P F Nüesch
- Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWICNORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laurent Daeffler
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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Floerchinger A, Klein JE, Finkbeiner MSC, Schäfer TE, Fuchs G, Doerner J, Zirngibl H, Ackermann M, Kvasnicka HM, Chester KA, Jäger D, Ball CR, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. A vector-encoded bispecific killer engager to harness virus-activated NK cells as anti-tumor effectors. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:104. [PMID: 36765035 PMCID: PMC9918448 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05624-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with oncolytic measles vaccines (MV) elicits activation of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells. However, we found that MV-activated NK cells show only modest direct cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. To specifically direct NK cells towards tumor cells, we developed oncolytic measles vaccines encoding bispecific killer engagers (MV-BiKE) targeting CD16A on NK cells and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a model tumor antigen. MV-BiKE are only slightly attenuated compared to parental MV and mediate secretion of functional BiKE from infected tumor cells. We tested MV-BiKE activity in cocultures of colorectal or pancreatic cancer cells with primary human NK cells. MV-BiKE mediate expression of effector cytokines, degranulation and specific anti-tumor cytotoxicity by NK cells. Experiments with patient-derived pancreatic cancer cultures indicate that efficacy of MV-BiKE may vary between individual tumors with differential virus permissiveness. Remarkably, we confirmed MV-BiKE activity in primaryhuman colorectal carcinoma specimens with autochthonous tumor and NK cells.This study provides proof-of-concept for MV-BiKE as a novel immunovirotherapy to harness virus-activated NK cells as anti-tumor effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Floerchinger
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Jessica E Klein
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximiliane S C Finkbeiner
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Theresa E Schäfer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gwendolin Fuchs
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Johannes Doerner
- Department of Surgery, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Hubert Zirngibl
- Department of Surgery, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Hans M Kvasnicka
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia R Ball
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
- Translational Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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3
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Anker SC, Szczeponik MG, Dessila J, Dittus K, Engeland CE, Jäger D, Ungerechts G, Leber MF. Oncolytic Measles Virus Encoding MicroRNA for Targeted RNA Interference. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020308. [PMID: 36851522 PMCID: PMC9964028 DOI: 10.3390/v15020308] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Virotherapy is a promising, novel form of cancer immunotherapy currently being investigated in pre-clinical and clinical settings. While generally well-tolerated, the anti-tumor potency of oncolytic virus-based monotherapies needs to be improved further. One of the major factors limiting the replication efficiency of oncolytic viruses are the antiviral defense pathways activated by tumor cells. In this study, we have designed and validated a universal expression cassette for artificial microRNAs that can now be adapted to suppress genes of interest, including potential resistance factors. Transcripts are encoded as a primary microRNA for processing via the predominantly nuclear RNase III Drosha. We have engineered an oncolytic measles virus encoding this universal expression cassette for artificial microRNAs. Virally encoded microRNA was expressed in the range of endogenous microRNA transcripts and successfully mediated target protein suppression. However, absolute expression levels of mature microRNAs were limited when delivered by an oncolytic measles virus. We demonstrate that measles virus, in contrast to other cytosolic viruses, does not induce translocation of Drosha from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, potentially resulting in a limited processing efficiency of virus-derived, cytosolically delivered artificial microRNAs. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating functional expression of microRNA from oncolytic measles viruses potentially enabling future targeted knockdown, for instance of antiviral factors specifically in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie C. Anker
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 671, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie G. Szczeponik
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical School, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Dessila
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katia Dittus
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E. Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Straße 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Mathias F. Leber
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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4
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Veinalde R, Pidelaserra-Martí G, Moulin C, Tan CL, Schäfer TE, Kang N, Ball CR, Leichsenring J, Stenzinger A, Kaderali L, Jäger D, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. Virotherapy combined with anti-PD-1 transiently reshapes the tumor immune environment and induces anti-tumor immunity in a preclinical PDAC model. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1096162. [PMID: 36726983 PMCID: PMC9886093 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1096162] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is largely refractory to cancer immunotherapy with PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Oncolytic virotherapy has been shown to synergize with ICB. In this work, we investigated the combination of anti-PD-1 and oncolytic measles vaccine in an immunocompetent transplantable PDAC mouse model. Methods We characterized tumor-infiltrating T cells by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and T cell receptor sequencing. Further, we performed gene expression profiling of tumor samples at baseline, after treatment, and when tumors progressed. Moreover, we analyzed systemic anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. Results Combination treatment significantly prolonged survival compared to monotherapies. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were increased after virotherapy. Gene expression profiling revealed a unique, but transient signature of immune activation after combination treatment. However, systemic anti-tumor immunity was induced by virotherapy and remained detectable even when tumors progressed. Anti-PD-1 treatment did not impact anti-viral immunity. Discussion Our results indicate that combined virotherapy and ICB induces anti-tumor immunity and reshapes the tumor immune environment. However, further refinement of this approach may be required to develop its full potential and achieve durable efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rūta Veinalde
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gemma Pidelaserra-Martí
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Coline Moulin
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany,Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Chin Leng Tan
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Theresa E. Schäfer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Na Kang
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia R. Ball
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Center for Personalized Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine and Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas Leichsenring
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany,Institut für Pathologie, Zytologie und molekulare Diagnostik, Regiomed Klinikum Coburg, Coburg, Germany
| | | | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute for Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E. Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Christine E. Engeland, ;
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5
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Neault S, Bossow S, Achard C, Bell J, Diallo J, Leber M, Ungerechts G. Robust envelope exchange platform for oncolytic measles virus. J Virol Methods 2022; 302:114487. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2022.114487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
Cancer therapeutics approved for clinical application include oncolytic viruses and antibodies, which evolved by nature, but were improved by molecular engineering. Both facilitate outstanding tumor selectivity and pleiotropic activities, but also face challenges, such as tumor heterogeneity and limited tumor penetration. An innovative strategy to address these challenges combines both agents in a single, multitasking therapeutic, i.e., an oncolytic virus engineered to express therapeutic antibodies. Such viro-antibody therapies genetically deliver antibodies to tumors from amplified virus genomes, thereby complementing viral oncolysis with antibody-defined therapeutic action. Here, we review the strategies of viro-antibody therapy that have been pursued exploiting diverse virus platforms, antibody formats, and antibody-mediated modes of action. We provide a comprehensive overview of reported antibody-encoding oncolytic viruses and highlight the achievements of 13 years of viro-antibody research. It has been shown that functional therapeutic antibodies of different formats can be expressed in and released from cancer cells infected with different oncolytic viruses. Virus-encoded antibodies have implemented direct tumor cell killing, anti-angiogenesis, or activation of adaptive immune responses to kill tumor cells, tumor stroma cells or inhibitory immune cells. Importantly, numerous reports have shown therapeutic activity complementary to viral oncolysis for these modalities. Also, challenges for future research have been revealed. Established engineering technologies for both oncolytic viruses and antibodies will enable researchers to address these challenges, facilitating the development of effective viro-antibody therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland E Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dirk M Nettelbeck
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Hajda J, Leuchs B, Angelova AL, Frehtman V, Rommelaere J, Mertens M, Pilz M, Kieser M, Krebs O, Dahm M, Huber B, Engeland CE, Mavratzas A, Hohmann N, Schreiber J, Jäger D, Halama N, Sedlaczek O, Gaida MM, Daniel V, Springfeld C, Ungerechts G. Phase 2 Trial of Oncolytic H-1 Parvovirus Therapy Shows Safety and Signs of Immune System Activation in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:5546-5556. [PMID: 34426438 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the safety, clinical efficacy, virus pharmacokinetics, shedding, and immune response after administration of an oncolytic parvovirus (H-1PV, ParvOryx) to patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) refractory to first-line therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a noncontrolled, single-arm, open-label, dose-escalating, single-center clinical trial. Seven patients with PDAC and at least one liver metastasis were included. ParvOryx was administered intravenously on 4 consecutive days and as an intralesional injection, 6 to 13 days thereafter. Altogether, three escalating dose levels were investigated. In addition, gemcitabine treatment was initiated on day 28. RESULTS ParvOryx showed excellent tolerability with no dose-limiting toxicities. One patient had a confirmed partial response and one patient revealed an unconfirmed partial response according to RECIST criteria. Both patients showed remarkably long surivial of 326 and 555 days, respectively. Investigation of pharmacokinetics and virus shedding revealed dose dependency with no excretion of active virus particles in saliva or urine and very limited excretion in feces. H-1PV nucleic acids were detected in tumor samples of four patients. All patients showed T-cell responses to viral proteins. An interesting immunologic pattern developed in tumor tissues and in blood of both patients with partial response suggesting immune activation after administration of ParvOryx. CONCLUSIONS The trial met all primary objectives, revealed no environmental risks, and indicated favorable immune modulation after administration of ParvOryx. It can be considered a good basis for further systematic clinical development alone or in combination with immunomodulatory compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Hajda
- Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials, University Hospital, Marsilius-Arkaden, Tower West, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Barbara Leuchs
- Virus Production & Development Unit (VP&DU), Division of Tumor Virology (F010), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Assia L Angelova
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Veronika Frehtman
- Virus Production & Development Unit (VP&DU), Division of Tumor Virology (F010), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Maximilian Pilz
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius-Arkaden, Tower West, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Meinhard Kieser
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius-Arkaden, Tower West, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christine E Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Athanasios Mavratzas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas Hohmann
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jutta Schreiber
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Niels Halama
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Tissue Imaging & Analysis Center (TIGA), BioQuant, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Sedlaczek
- Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias M Gaida
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Daniel
- Department of Transplantation-Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy (F230), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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Singh HM, Leber MF, Bossow S, Engeland CE, Dessila J, Grossardt C, Zaoui K, Bell JC, Jäger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. MicroRNA-sensitive oncolytic measles virus for chemovirotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 21:340-355. [PMID: 34141871 PMCID: PMC8182383 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Advanced pancreatic cancer is characterized by few treatment options and poor outcomes. Oncolytic virotherapy and chemotherapy involve complementary pharmacodynamics and could synergize to improve therapeutic efficacy. Likewise, multimodality treatment may cause additional toxicity, and new agents have to be safe. Balancing both aims, we generated an oncolytic measles virus for 5-fluorouracil-based chemovirotherapy of pancreatic cancer with enhanced tumor specificity through microRNA-regulated vector tropism. The resulting vector encodes a bacterial prodrug convertase, cytosine deaminase-uracil phosphoribosyl transferase, and carries synthetic miR-148a target sites in the viral F gene. Combination of the armed and targeted virus with 5-fluorocytosine, a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, resulted in cytotoxicity toward both infected and bystander pancreatic cancer cells. In pancreatic cancer xenografts, a single intratumoral injection of the virus induced robust in vivo expression of prodrug convertase. Based on intratumoral transgene expression kinetics, we devised a chemovirotherapy regimen to assess treatment efficacy. Concerted multimodality treatment with intratumoral virus and systemic prodrug administration delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival of xenograft-bearing mice. Our results demonstrate that 5-fluorouracil-based chemovirotherapy with microRNA-sensitive measles virus is an effective strategy against pancreatic cancer at a favorable therapeutic index that warrants future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Martin Singh
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Felix Leber
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ONT, Canada
| | - Sascha Bossow
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Research Group Mechanisms of Oncolytic Immunotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Straße 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Jan Dessila
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Grossardt
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karim Zaoui
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John C Bell
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ONT, Canada
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof von Kalle
- Berlin Institute of Health and Charité Universitätsmedizin, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany.,Sidra Medical and Research Center, Al Luqta Street, Education City, North Campus, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ONT, Canada
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9
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Leber MF, Neault S, Jirovec E, Barkley R, Said A, Bell JC, Ungerechts G. Engineering and combining oncolytic measles virus for cancer therapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 56:39-48. [PMID: 32718830 PMCID: PMC7333629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using tumor-selective, oncolytic viruses is an emerging therapeutic option for solid and hematologic malignancies. A considerable variety of viruses ranging from small picornaviruses to large poxviruses are currently being investigated as potential candidates. In the early days of virotherapy, non-engineered wild-type or vaccine-strain viruses were employed. However, these viruses often did not fully satisfy the major criteria of safety and efficacy. Since the advent of reverse genetics systems for manipulating various classes of viruses, the field has shifted to developing genetically engineered viruses with an improved therapeutic index. In this review, we will summarize the concepts and strategies of multi-level genetic engineering of oncolytic measles virus, a prime candidate for cancer immunovirotherapy. Furthermore, we will provide a brief overview of measles virus-based multimodal combination therapies for improved tumor control and clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias F Leber
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Serge Neault
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Elise Jirovec
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Russell Barkley
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Aida Said
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada; University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - John C Bell
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
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10
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Koerber SA, Staudinger F, Kratochwil C, Adeberg S, Haefner MF, Ungerechts G, Rathke H, Winter E, Lindner T, Syed M, Bhatti IA, Herfarth K, Choyke PL, Jaeger D, Haberkorn U, Debus J, Giesel FL. The Role of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT for Patients with Malignancies of the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract: First Clinical Experience. J Nucl Med 2020; 61:1331-1336. [PMID: 32060216 PMCID: PMC9374030 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.119.237016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For oncologic management or radiotherapy planning, reliable staging tools are essential. The recent development of quinoline-based ligands targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts demonstrated promising preclinical and clinical results. The current study aimed to evaluate the role of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT as a first clinical analysis for primary malignancies within the lower gastrointestinal tract (LGT). Methods: 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT was performed on a cohort of 22 patients with LGT tumors, including 15 patients with metastatic disease, 1 patient with suspected local relapse, and 6 treatment-naïve patients. Uptake of 68Ga-FAPI-04 and 68Ga-FAPI-46 was quantified by SUVmax and SUVmean After comparison with standard imaging, changes in tumor stage or localization and in oncologic or radiooncologic management were recorded. Results: The highest uptake of FAPI tracer was observed in liver metastases and anal cancer, with an SUVmax of 9.1 and 13.9, respectively. Because of low background activity in normal tissue, there was a high tumor-to-background ratio of more than 3 in most lesions. In treatment-naïve patients, TNM was changed in 50%, whereas in patients with metastases, new findings occurred in 47%. In total, FAPI imaging caused a high, medium, and low change in oncologic or radiooncologic management in 19%, 33%, and 29%, respectively. For almost every patient undergoing irradiation, target volume delineation was improved by 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that both primary and metastatic LGT tumors were reliably detected by 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT, leading to relevant changes in TNM status and oncologic or radiooncologic management. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT seems to be a highly promising imaging agent for the diagnosis and management of LGT tumors, potentially opening new applications for tumor staging or restaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan A Koerber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Staudinger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kratochwil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Adeberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias F Haefner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Rathke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Erik Winter
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lindner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mustafa Syed
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Irfan A Bhatti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Herfarth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter L Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dirk Jaeger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juergen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; and.,German Cancer Consortium, partner site Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik L Giesel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany .,Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, partner site Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Leber MF, Hoyler B, Prien S, Neault S, Engeland CE, Förster JM, Bossow S, Springfeld C, von Kalle C, Jäger D, Bell JC, Ungerechts G. Sequencing of serially passaged measles virus affirms its genomic stability and reveals a nonrandom distribution of consensus mutations. J Gen Virol 2020; 101:399-409. [PMID: 32053093 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging treatment option for numerous cancers, with several virus families currently being evaluated in clinical trials. More specifically, vaccine-strain measles virus has arisen as a promising candidate for the treatment of different tumour types in several early clinical trials. Replicating viruses, and especially RNA viruses without proofreading polymerases, can rapidly adapt to varying environments by selecting quasispecies with advantageous genetic mutations. Subsequently, these genetic alterations could potentially weaken the safety profile of virotherapy. In this study, we demonstrate that, following an extended period of virus replication in producer or cancer cell lines, the quasispecies consensus sequence of vaccine strain-derived measles virus accrues a remarkably small number of mutations throughout the nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA genome. Interestingly, we detected a nonrandom distribution of genetic alterations within the genome, with an overall decreasing frequency of mutations from the 3' genome start to its 5' end. Comparing the serially passaged viruses to the parental virus on producer cells, we found that the acquired consensus mutations did not drastically change viral replication kinetics or cytolytic potency. Collectively, our data corroborate the genomic stability and excellent safety profile of oncolytic measles virus, thus supporting its continued development and clinical translation as a promising viro-immunotherapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Felix Leber
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Birgit Hoyler
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Prien
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Serge Neault
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Christine E Engeland
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Judith M Förster
- Heidelberg University, Faculty of Biosciences, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sascha Bossow
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof von Kalle
- Sidra Medical and Research Center, Al Luqta Street, Education City, North Campus, 26999, Doha, Qatar.,Berlin Institute of Health and Charité, Universitätsmedizin, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Translational Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John C Bell
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Therapeutics Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.,Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Backhaus PS, Veinalde R, Hartmann L, Dunder JE, Jeworowski LM, Albert J, Hoyler B, Poth T, Jäger D, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. Immunological Effects and Viral Gene Expression Determine the Efficacy of Oncolytic Measles Vaccines Encoding IL-12 or IL-15 Agonists. Viruses 2019; 11:v11100914. [PMID: 31623390 PMCID: PMC6832518 DOI: 10.3390/v11100914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-targeted immunomodulation using oncolytic viral vectors is currently being investigated as a promising strategy in cancer therapy. In a previous study, we showed that a measles virus Schwarz vaccine strain (MeVac) vector encoding an interleukin-12 fusion protein (FmIL-12) is an effective immunotherapy in the MC38cea murine colon adenocarcinoma model. We hypothesized that MeVac encoding interleukin-15 may mediate enhanced T and NK cell responses and thus increase the therapeutic efficacy, especially in NK cell-controlled tumors. Therefore, we generated MeVac vectors encoding an interleukin-15 superagonist, FmIL-15. Replication and oncolytic capacity, transgene expression, and functionality of MeVac FmIL-15 vectors were validated in vitro. Effects on the tumor immune landscape and therapeutic efficacy of both FmIL-12 and FmIL-15 vectors were studied in the MC38cea and B16hCD46 tumor models. Treatment with MeVac FmIL-15 increased T and NK cell infiltration in both models. However, MeVac FmIL-12 showed more robust viral gene expression and immune activation, resulting in superior anti-tumor efficacy. Based on these results, MeVac encoding a human IL-12 fusion protein was developed for future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Backhaus
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Rūta Veinalde
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Present address: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Laura Hartmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Jessica E Dunder
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Lara M Jeworowski
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Jessica Albert
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Birgit Hoyler
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Tanja Poth
- CMCP-Center for Model System and Comparative Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Dirk Jäger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Center for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Christine E Engeland
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Research Group Mechanisms of Oncolytic Immunotherapy, Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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13
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Russell SJ, Babovic-Vuksanovic D, Bexon A, Cattaneo R, Dingli D, Dispenzieri A, Deyle DR, Federspiel MJ, Fielding A, Galanis E, Lacy MQ, Leibovich BC, Liu MC, Muñoz-Alía M, Miest TC, Molina JR, Mueller S, Okuno SH, Packiriswamy N, Peikert T, Raffel C, Van Rhee F, Ungerechts G, Young PR, Zhou Y, Peng KW. Oncolytic Measles Virotherapy and Opposition to Measles Vaccination. Mayo Clin Proc 2019; 94:1834-1839. [PMID: 31235278 PMCID: PMC6800178 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent measles epidemics in US and European cities where vaccination coverage has declined are providing a harsh reminder for the need to maintain protective levels of immunity across the entire population. Vaccine uptake rates have been declining in large part because of public misinformation regarding a possible association between measles vaccination and autism for which there is no scientific basis. The purpose of this article is to address a new misinformed antivaccination argument-that measles immunity is undesirable because measles virus is protective against cancer. Having worked for many years to develop engineered measles viruses as anticancer therapies, we have concluded (1) that measles is not protective against cancer and (2) that its potential utility as a cancer therapy will be enhanced, not diminished, by prior vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Russell
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
| | | | | | | | - David Dingli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - David R Deyle
- Division of Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Adele Fielding
- Department of Hematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Eva Galanis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | | | - Minetta C Liu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | | | | | - Sabine Mueller
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Scott H Okuno
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Tobias Peikert
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Corey Raffel
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Frits Van Rhee
- UAMS Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul R Young
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Yumei Zhou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Kah-Whye Peng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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14
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Moehler M, Heo J, Lee HC, Tak WY, Chao Y, Paik SW, Yim HJ, Byun KS, Baron A, Ungerechts G, Jonker D, Ruo L, Cho M, Kaubisch A, Wege H, Merle P, Ebert O, Habersetzer F, Blanc JF, Rosmorduc O, Lencioni R, Patt R, Leen AM, Foerster F, Homerin M, Stojkowitz N, Lusky M, Limacher JM, Hennequi M, Gaspar N, McFadden B, De Silva N, Shen D, Pelusio A, Kirn DH, Breitbach CJ, Burke JM. Vaccinia-based oncolytic immunotherapy Pexastimogene Devacirepvec in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after sorafenib failure: a randomized multicenter Phase IIb trial (TRAVERSE). Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:1615817. [PMID: 31413923 PMCID: PMC6682346 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1615817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) is a vaccinia virus-based oncolytic immunotherapy designed to preferentially replicate in and destroy tumor cells while stimulating anti-tumor immunity by expressing GM-CSF. An earlier randomized Phase IIa trial in predominantly sorafenib-naïve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit. This randomized, open-label Phase IIb trial investigated whether Pexa-Vec plus Best Supportive Care (BSC) improved OS over BSC alone in HCC patients who failed sorafenib therapy (TRAVERSE). 129 patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to Pexa-Vec plus BSC vs. BSC alone. Pexa-Vec was given as a single intravenous (IV) infusion followed by up to 5 IT injections. The primary endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (RR), time to progression (TTP) and safety. A high drop-out rate in the control arm (63%) confounded assessment of response-based endpoints. Median OS (ITT) for Pexa-Vec plus BSC vs. BSC alone was 4.2 and 4.4 months, respectively (HR, 1.19, 95% CI: 0.78–1.80; p = .428). There was no difference between the two treatment arms in RR or TTP. Pexa-Vec was generally well-tolerated. The most frequent Grade 3 included pyrexia (8%) and hypotension (8%). Induction of immune responses to vaccinia antigens and HCC associated antigens were observed. Despite a tolerable safety profile and induction of T cell responses, Pexa-Vec did not improve OS as second-line therapy after sorafenib failure. The true potential of oncolytic viruses may lie in the treatment of patients with earlier disease stages which should be addressed in future studies. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01387555
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moehler
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - J Heo
- College of Medicine, Pusan National University and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - H C Lee
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic ofKorea
| | - W Y Tak
- School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Y Chao
- Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S W Paik
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H J Yim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan-si, Republic of Korea
| | - K S Byun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea UniversityCollege of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - A Baron
- Department of Medicine, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - G Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - D Jonker
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - L Ruo
- Department of Surgery, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - M Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - A Kaubisch
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - H Wege
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - P Merle
- Hepatology Unit, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, France
| | - O Ebert
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | - F Habersetzer
- Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, INSERM 1110, IHU de Strasbourg and Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - J F Blanc
- Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - R Lencioni
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - R Patt
- Rad-MD, New York, NY, USA
| | - A M Leen
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - F Foerster
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - M Homerin
- Medical Affairs, Transgene S.A., Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - N Stojkowitz
- Clinical Operations, Transgene S.A., 400 Bd Gonthier d'Andernach, Parc d'Innovation, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - M Lusky
- Program Management, Transgene S.A., 400 Bd Gonthier d'Andernach, Parc d'Innovation, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - J M Limacher
- Medical Affairs, Transgene S.A., 400 Bd Gonthier d'Andernach, Parc d'Innovation, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - M Hennequi
- Biostatistics, Transgene S.A., 400 Bd Gonthier d'Andernach, Parc d'Innovation, 67405 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - N Gaspar
- Clinical Assays, SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - B McFadden
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - N De Silva
- Clinical, SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Shen
- Clinical, SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Pelusio
- Clinical, SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D H Kirn
- SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - J M Burke
- Clinical, SillaJen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
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15
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Bourgeois-Daigneault MC, Roy DG, Aitken AS, El Sayes N, Martin NT, Varette O, Falls T, St-Germain LE, Pelin A, Lichty BD, Stojdl DF, Ungerechts G, Diallo JS, Bell JC. Neoadjuvant oncolytic virotherapy before surgery sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to immune checkpoint therapy. Sci Transl Med 2019; 10:10/422/eaao1641. [PMID: 29298865 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aao1641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease for which treatment options are limited and associated with severe toxicities. Immunotherapeutic approaches like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a potential strategy, but clinical trials have demonstrated limited success in this patient cohort. Clinical studies using ICIs have revealed that patients with preexisting anticancer immunity are the most responsive. Given that oncolytic viruses (OVs) induce antitumor immunity, we investigated their use as an ICI-sensitizing approach. Using a therapeutic model that mimics the course of treatment for women with newly diagnosed TNBC, we demonstrate that early OV treatment coupled with surgical resection provides long-term benefits. OV therapy sensitizes otherwise refractory TNBC to immune checkpoint blockade, preventing relapse in most of the treated animals. We suggest that OV therapy in combination with immune checkpoint blockade warrants testing as a neoadjuvant treatment option in the window of opportunity between TNBC diagnosis and surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Bourgeois-Daigneault
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Dominic Guy Roy
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Amelia Sadie Aitken
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nader El Sayes
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nikolas Tim Martin
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Oliver Varette
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Theresa Falls
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada
| | | | - Adrian Pelin
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Brian Dennis Lichty
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - David Francis Stojdl
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jean-Simon Diallo
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - John Cameron Bell
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
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16
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Reul J, Frisch J, Engeland CE, Thalheimer FB, Hartmann J, Ungerechts G, Buchholz CJ. Tumor-Specific Delivery of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors by Engineered AAV Vectors. Front Oncol 2019; 9:52. [PMID: 30838171 PMCID: PMC6382738 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can block distinct receptors on T cells or tumor cells thus preventing T cell inactivation and tumor immune escape. While the clinical response to treatment with ICIs in cancer patients is impressive, this therapy is often associated with a number of immune-related adverse events. There is therefore a need to explore innovative strategies of tumor-specific delivery of ICIs. Delivery of therapeutic proteins on a genetic level can be accomplished with viral vectors including those derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV). Here, we assessed the tumor-targeted Her2-AAV, a receptor-targeted AAV vector binding to the tumor antigen Her2/neu for cell entry, as vehicle for ICI gene delivery. Initially, we packaged the coding sequence of a scFv-Fc fusion protein directed against mouse programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) into Her2-AAV. Upon transduction of Her2/neu+ RENCA cells, AAV-encoded αPD-1 was readily detectable in the cell culture supernatant and revealed specific binding to its target antigen. In vivo, in BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneous RENCA-Her2/neu tumors, Her2-AAV mediated specific gene delivery into tumor tissue upon intravenous administration as verified by luciferase gene transfer and in vivo imaging thus demonstrating unimpaired tumor-targeting by Her2-AAV vectors in immunocompetent animals. When delivering the αPD-1 gene, levels of ICI were similar in tumor tissue for Her2-AAV and AAV2 but substantially reduced in liver for Her2-AAV. When combined with chemotherapy a tendency for reduced progression of tumor growth was documented for Her2-AAV treated mice. To get closer to the clinical situation, AAV constructs that deliver the complete coding sequence of the therapeutic antibody nivolumab which is directed against human PD-1 were generated next. The AAV-Nivolumab constructs were expressed and released from transduced MDA-MB-453 cells in vitro and from RENCA-Her2/neu cells upon intratumoral as well as intravenous administration in vivo. Antibody processing and expression levels were further improved through optimization of construct design. In conclusion, we provide proof-of-principle for redirecting the biodistribution of ICIs from liver and serum to tumor tissue by the use of engineered AAV vectors. This strategy can be easily combined with other types of immunotherapeutic concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Reul
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Janina Frisch
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | | | - Jessica Hartmann
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Christian J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Ungerechts G, Engeland CE, Buchholz CJ, Eberle J, Fechner H, Geletneky K, Holm PS, Kreppel F, Kühnel F, Lang KS, Leber MF, Marchini A, Moehler M, Mühlebach MD, Rommelaere J, Springfeld C, Lauer UM, Nettelbeck DM. Virotherapy Research in Germany: From Engineering to Translation. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 28:800-819. [PMID: 28870120 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Virotherapy is a unique modality for the treatment of cancer with oncolytic viruses (OVs) that selectively infect and lyse tumor cells, spread within tumors, and activate anti-tumor immunity. Various viruses are being developed as OVs preclinically and clinically, several of them engineered to encode therapeutic proteins for tumor-targeted gene therapy. Scientists and clinicians in German academia have made significant contributions to OV research and development, which are highlighted in this review paper. Innovative strategies for "shielding," entry or postentry targeting, and "arming" of OVs have been established, focusing on adenovirus, measles virus, parvovirus, and vaccinia virus platforms. Thereby, new-generation virotherapeutics have been derived. Moreover, immunotherapeutic properties of OVs and combination therapies with pharmacotherapy, radiotherapy, and especially immunotherapy have been investigated and optimized. German investigators are increasingly assessing their OV innovations in investigator-initiated and sponsored clinical trials. As a prototype, parvovirus has been tested as an OV from preclinical proof-of-concept up to first-in-human clinical studies. The approval of the first OV in the Western world, T-VEC (Imlygic), has further spurred the involvement of investigators in Germany in international multicenter studies. With the encouraging developments in funding, commercialization, and regulatory procedures, more German engineering will be translated into OV clinical trials in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Ungerechts
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .,2 Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany .,3 Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine E Engeland
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .,2 Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- 4 Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany .,5 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Eberle
- 6 Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Skin Cancer Centre Charité , Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Fechner
- 7 Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Biotechnology , Department of Applied Biochemistry, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Geletneky
- 8 Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Darmstadt , Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Per Sonne Holm
- 9 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Kreppel
- 10 Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke (UW/H), Witten, Germany
| | - Florian Kühnel
- 11 Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Karl Sebastian Lang
- 12 Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen , Essen, Germany
| | - Mathias F Leber
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .,2 Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonio Marchini
- 13 Department of Tumor Virology, Infection, Inflammation and Cancer Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany .,14 Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics (LOVIT), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Markus Moehler
- 15 University Medical Center Mainz , I. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael D Mühlebach
- 16 Product Testing of Immunological Veterinary Medicinal Products, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- 13 Department of Tumor Virology, Infection, Inflammation and Cancer Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich M Lauer
- 17 Department of Clinical Tumor Biology, Medical University Hospital , Tübingen, Germany .,18 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Germany
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18
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Achard C, Surendran A, Wedge ME, Ungerechts G, Bell J, Ilkow CS. Lighting a Fire in the Tumor Microenvironment Using Oncolytic Immunotherapy. EBioMedicine 2018; 31:17-24. [PMID: 29724655 PMCID: PMC6013846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy is potentially a game-changing cancer treatment that has garnered significant interest due to its versatility and multi-modal approaches towards tumor eradication. In the field of cancer immunotherapy, the immunological phenotype of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important determinant of disease prognosis and therapeutic success. There is accumulating data that OVs are capable of dramatically altering the TME immune landscape, leading to improved antitumor activity alone or in combination with assorted immune modulators. Herein, we review how OVs disrupt the immunosuppressive TME and can be used strategically to create a "pro-immune" microenvironment that enables and promotes potent, long-lasting host antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Achard
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Abera Surendran
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Wedge
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Medical Oncology and Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Bell
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Carolina S Ilkow
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada.
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19
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Leber MF, Baertsch MA, Anker SC, Henkel L, Singh HM, Bossow S, Engeland CE, Barkley R, Hoyler B, Albert J, Springfeld C, Jäger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. Enhanced Control of Oncolytic Measles Virus Using MicroRNA Target Sites. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2018; 9:30-40. [PMID: 29988512 PMCID: PMC6026446 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Measles viruses derived from the live-attenuated Edmonton-B vaccine lineage are currently investigated as novel anti-cancer therapeutics. In this context, tumor specificity and oncolytic potency are key determinants of the therapeutic index. Here, we describe a systematic and comprehensive analysis of a recently developed post-entry targeting strategy based on the incorporation of microRNA target sites (miRTS) into the measles virus genome. We have established viruses with target sites for different microRNA species in the 3′ untranslated regions of either the N, F, H, or L genes and generated viruses harboring microRNA target sites in multiple genes. We report critical importance of target-site positioning with proximal genomic positions effecting maximum vector control. No relevant additional effect of six versus three miRTS copies for the same microRNA species in terms of regulatory efficiency was observed. Moreover, we demonstrate that, depending on the microRNA species, viral mRNAs containing microRNA target sites are directly cleaved and/or translationally repressed in presence of cognate microRNAs. In conclusion, we report highly efficient control of measles virus replication with various miRTS positions for development of safe and efficient cancer virotherapy and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying microRNA-mediated vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Felix Leber
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc-Andrea Baertsch
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sophie Caroline Anker
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Henkel
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans Martin Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sascha Bossow
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Christine E. Engeland
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Russell Barkley
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Birgit Hoyler
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Albert
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof von Kalle
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Corresponding author: Guy Ungerechts, MD, PhD, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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20
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Speck T, Heidbuechel JPW, Veinalde R, Jaeger D, von Kalle C, Ball CR, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. Targeted BiTE Expression by an Oncolytic Vector Augments Therapeutic Efficacy Against Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:2128-2137. [PMID: 29437789 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-2651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Immunotherapy with bispecific T-cell engagers has achieved striking success against hematologic malignancies, but efficacy against solid tumors has been limited. We hypothesized that oncolytic measles viruses encoding bispecific T-cell engagers (MV-BiTEs) represent a safe and effective treatment against solid tumors through local BiTE expression, direct tumor cell lysis and in situ tumor vaccination.Experimental Design: To test this hypothesis, we generated MV-BiTEs from the Edmonston B vaccine strain to target two model antigens. Replicative and oncolytic potential were assessed by infection and cell viability assays, respectively. Functionality of virus-derived BiTEs was tested in vitro by complementary binding and cytotoxicity assays. In vivo efficacy of MV-BiTE was investigated using both syngeneic and xenograft mouse models of solid cancers.Results: We verified secretion of functional BiTE antibodies by MV-BiTE-infected cells. Further, we demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of MV-BiTE against established tumors in fully immunocompetent mice. MV-BiTE efficacy was associated with increased intratumoral T-cell infiltration and induction of protective antitumor immunity. In addition, we showed therapeutic efficacy of MV-BiTE in xenograft models of patient-derived primary colorectal carcinoma spheroids with transfer of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Conclusions: MV-BiTE treatment was effective in two distinct models of solid tumors without signs of toxicity. This provides strong evidence for therapeutic benefits of tumor-targeted BiTE expression by oncolytic MV. Thus, this study represents proof of concept for an effective strategy to treat solid tumors with BiTEs. Clin Cancer Res; 24(9); 2128-37. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Speck
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes P W Heidbuechel
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rūta Veinalde
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jaeger
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof von Kalle
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia R Ball
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine E Engeland
- Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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Engeland CE, Bossow S, Hudacek AW, Hoyler B, Förster J, Veinalde R, Jäger D, Cattaneo R, Ungerechts G, Springfeld C. A Tupaia paramyxovirus vector system for targeting and transgene expression. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:2248-2257. [PMID: 28809150 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses from the diverse family of Paramyxoviridae include important pathogens and are applied in gene therapy and for cancer treatment. The Tupaia paramyxovirus (TPMV), isolated from the kidney of a tree shrew, does not infect human cells and neutralizing antibodies against other Paramyxoviridae do not cross-react with TPMV. Here, we present a vector system for de novo generation of infectious TPMV that allows for insertion of additional genes as well as targeting using antibody single-chain variable fragments. We show that the recombinant TPMV specifically infect cells expressing the targeted receptor and replicate in human cells. This vector system provides a valuable tool for both basic research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Engeland
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sascha Bossow
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Present address: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew W Hudacek
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Graduate School, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Birgit Hoyler
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Judith Förster
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rūta Veinalde
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Cattaneo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Graduate School, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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22
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Hajda J, Lehmann M, Krebs O, Kieser M, Geletneky K, Jäger D, Dahm M, Huber B, Schöning T, Sedlaczek O, Stenzinger A, Halama N, Daniel V, Leuchs B, Angelova A, Rommelaere J, Engeland CE, Springfeld C, Ungerechts G. A non-controlled, single arm, open label, phase II study of intravenous and intratumoral administration of ParvOryx in patients with metastatic, inoperable pancreatic cancer: ParvOryx02 protocol. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:576. [PMID: 28851316 PMCID: PMC5574242 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3604-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis, with a mean six-month progression-free survival of approximately 50% and a median survival of about 11 months. Despite intensive research, only slight improvements of clinical outcome could be achieved over the last decades. Hence, new and innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently required. ParvOryx is a drug product containing native parvovirus H-1 (H-1PV). Since H-1PV was shown to exert pronounced anti-neoplastic effects in pre-clinical models of pancreatic cancer, the drug appears to be a promising candidate for treatment of this malignancy. METHODS ParvOryx02 is a non-controlled, single arm, open label, dose-escalating, single center trial. In total seven patients with pancreatic cancer showing at least one hepatic metastasis are to be treated with escalating doses of ParvOryx according to the following schedule: i) 40% of the total dose infused intravenously in equal fractions on four consecutive days, ii) 60% of the total dose injected on a single occasion directly into the hepatic metastasis at varying intervals after intravenous infusions. The main eligibility criteria are: age ≥ 18 years, disease progression despite first-line chemotherapy, and at least one hepatic metastasis. Since it is the second trial within the drug development program, the study primarily explores safety and tolerability after further dose escalation of ParvOryx. The secondary objectives are related to the evaluation of certain aspects of anti-tumor activity and clinical efficacy of the drug. DISCUSSION This trial strongly contributes to the clinical development program of ParvOryx. The individual hazards for patients included in the current study and the environmental risks are addressed and counteracted adequately. Besides information on safety and tolerability of the treatment after further dose escalation, thorough evaluations of pharmacokinetics and intratumoral spread as well as proof-of-concept (PoC) in pancreatic cancer will be gained in the course of the trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov-ID: NCT02653313 , Registration date: Dec. 4th, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Hajda
- Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius-Arkaden, Tower West, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Monika Lehmann
- Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius-Arkaden, Tower West, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ottheinz Krebs
- Oryx GmbH & Co KG, Marktplatz 1, 85598, Baldham, Germany
| | - Meinhard Kieser
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Marsilius-Arkaden, Tower West, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karsten Geletneky
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Darmstadt, Grafenstraße 9, 64283, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Dahm
- Oryx GmbH & Co KG, Marktplatz 1, 85598, Baldham, Germany
| | - Bernard Huber
- Oryx GmbH & Co KG, Marktplatz 1, 85598, Baldham, Germany
| | - Tilman Schöning
- Central Pharmacy, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 670, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Sedlaczek
- Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Niels Halama
- Tissue Imaging & Analysis Center (TIGA), University Heidelberg - BioQuant, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Daniel
- Institute of Immunology, Transplantation Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Leuchs
- Department of Applied Tumor Virology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Assia Angelova
- Department of Applied Tumor Virology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- Department of Applied Tumor Virology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E Engeland
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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23
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Veinalde R, Grossardt C, Hartmann L, Bourgeois-Daigneault MC, Bell JC, Jäger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. Oncolytic measles virus encoding interleukin-12 mediates potent antitumor effects through T cell activation. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1285992. [PMID: 28507792 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1285992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination of oncolytic virotherapy with immunomodulators is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy for numerous tumor entities. In this study, we developed measles Schwarz vaccine strain vectors encoding immunomodulators to support different phases in the establishment of antitumor immune responses. Therapeutic efficacy of the novel vectors was evaluated in the immunocompetent MC38cea tumor model. We identified vectors encoding an IL-12 fusion protein (MeVac FmIL-12) and an antibody against PD-L1 (MeVac anti-PD-L1), respectively, as the most effective. Treatment of established tumors with MeVac FmIL-12 achieved 90% complete remissions. Profiling of the tumor immune microenvironment revealed activation of a type 1 T helper cell-directed response, with MeVac FmIL-12 ensuring potent early natural killer and effector T cell activation as well as upregulation of the effector cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α. CD8+ T cells were found to be essential for the therapeutic efficacy of MeVac FmIL-12. Results of this study present MeVac FmIL-12 as a novel approach for targeted IL-12 delivery and elucidate mechanisms of successful immunovirotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rūta Veinalde
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Grossardt
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Hartmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie-Claude Bourgeois-Daigneault
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John C Bell
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dirk Jäger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof von Kalle
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E Engeland
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg, Germany
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Engeland CE, Veinalde R, von Kalle C, Jaeger D, Ungerechts G. 423. Clinical Translation of Immunovirotherapy: Measles Virus and Anti-PD1. Mol Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)33232-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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25
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Leber MF, Anker S, Bossow S, Bärtsch MA, Singh M, Hoyler B, Albert J, Jäger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. 626. Improving MicroRNA-Target-Site-Based Vector Control. Mol Ther 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)34235-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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26
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Engeland CE, Veinalde R, Grossardt C, Jäger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. 623. Immune Checkpoint Modulation Enhances Oncolytic Measles Virus Therapy. Mol Ther 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)34232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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27
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The clinical outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer are poor, and the limited success of classical chemotherapy underscores the need for new, targeted approaches for this disease. The delivery of genetic material to cells allows for a variety of therapeutic concepts. Engineered agents based on synthetic biology are under clinical investigation in various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on Phase I - III clinical trials of gene and cell therapy for pancreatic cancer and on future implications of recent translational research. Trials available in the US National Library of Medicine (www.clinicaltrials.gov) until February 2014 were reviewed and relevant published results of preclinical and clinical studies were retrieved from www.pubmed.gov . EXPERT OPINION In pancreatic cancer, gene and cell therapies are feasible and may have synergistic antitumor activity with standard treatment and/or immunotherapy. Challenges are related to application safety, manufacturing costs, and a new spectrum of adverse events. Further studies are needed to evaluate available agents in carefully designed protocols and combination regimens. Enabling personalized cancer therapy, insights from molecular diagnostic technologies will guide the development and selection of new gene-based drugs. The evolving preclinical and clinical data on gene-based therapies can lay the foundation for future avenues improving patient care in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Martin Singh
- National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Department of Translational Oncology , Heidelberg , Germany
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28
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Engeland C, Veinalde R, Grossardt C, Bossow S, Shevchenko I, Umansky V, Nettelbeck D, Jäger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. 137 Immune checkpoint blockade enhances measles virotherapy. Eur J Cancer 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(14)70263-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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29
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Grossardt C, Engeland CE, Bossow S, Halama N, Zaoui K, Leber MF, Springfeld C, Jaeger D, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-armed oncolytic measles virus is an effective therapeutic cancer vaccine. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 24:644-54. [PMID: 23642239 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic measles viruses (MV) derived from the live attenuated vaccine strain have been engineered for increased antitumor activity, and are currently under investigation in clinical phase 1 trials. Approaches with other viral vectors have shown that insertion of immunomodulatory transgenes enhances the therapeutic potency. In this study, we engineered MV for expression of the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). For the first time, therapeutic efficacy and adaptive immune response in the context of MV oncolysis could be evaluated in the previously established immunocompetent murine colon adenocarcinoma model MC38cea. MC38cea cells express the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), allowing for infection with retargeted MV. Intratumoral application of MV-GMCSF significantly delayed tumor progression and prolonged median overall survival compared with control virus-treated mice. Importantly, more than one-third of mice treated with MV-GMCSF showed complete tumor remission and rejected successive tumor reengraftment, demonstrating robust long-term protection. An enhanced cell-mediated tumor-specific immune response could be detected by lactate dehydrogenase assay and interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Furthermore, MV-GMCSF treatment correlated with increased abundance of tumor-infiltrating CD3(+) lymphocytes analyzed by quantitative microscopy of tumor sections. These findings underline the potential of oncolytic, GM-CSF-expressing MV as an effective therapeutic cancer vaccine actively recruiting adaptive immune responses for enhanced therapeutic impact and tumor elimination. Thus, the treatment benefit of this combined immunovirotherapy approach has direct implications for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Grossardt
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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30
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Bossow S, Grossardt C, Temme A, Leber MF, Sawall S, Rieber EP, Cattaneo R, von Kalle C, Ungerechts G. Armed and targeted measles virus for chemovirotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2011; 18:598-608. [PMID: 21701532 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2011.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
No curative therapy is currently available for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches must be considered. Measles virus (MV) vaccine strains have shown promising oncolytic activity against a variety of tumor entities. For specific therapy of pancreatic cancer, we generated a fully retargeted MV that enters cells exclusively through the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA). Besides a high-membrane frequency on prostate cancer cells, this antigen is expressed on pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but not on non-neoplastic tissue. PSCA expression levels differ within heterogeneous tumor bulks and between human pancreatic cell lines, and we could show specific infection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines with both high- and low-level PSCA expression. Furthermore, we generated a fully retargeted and armed MV-PNP-anti-PSCA to express the prodrug convertase purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). PNP, which activates the prodrug fludarabine effectively, enhanced the oncolytic efficacy of the virus on infected and bystander cells. Beneficial therapeutic effects were shown in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Moreover, in the treatment of gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, no cross-resistance to both MV oncolysis and activated prodrug was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bossow
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Pinkenburg O, Vogelmeier C, Bossow S, Neubert WJ, Lutz RB, Ungerechts G, Lauer UM, Bitzer M, Bals R. RECOMBINANT SENDAI VIRUS FOR EFFICIENT GENE TRANSFER TO HUMAN AIRWAY EPITHELIUM. Exp Lung Res 2009; 30:83-96. [PMID: 14972769 DOI: 10.1080/01902140490266501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant Sendai virus (rSeV) infects respiratory epithelial cells in animal models and cultures of undifferentiated human nasal cells. It was the aim of this study to investigate the capability of rSeV to express a transgene in human airway epithelium. Differentiated human airway epithelial cells were generated using air-liquid interface culture techniques. Application of rSeV coding for green fluorescence protein (GFP) onto the apical surface (using a multiplicity of infection of 3) resulted in expression of the transgene in more than 90% of the cells followed by decreasing numbers of positive cells during the observation time of 3 weeks. The infection of human respiratory epithelial cells is mediated by sialic acid residues at the apical surface. Despite the secretion of interleukin (IL)-8 and the replication of rSeV in the epithelial cells, the authors could not detect any cytopathic effect after the infection. In conclusion, rSeV infects differentiated human airway epithelial cells with high efficiency. Transgene expression is transient and accompanied by the secretion of an inflammatory cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Pinkenburg
- Hospital of the University of Marburg, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Philipps-UniverstätMarburg, Marburg, Germany
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Ungerechts G, Springfeld C, Frenzke ME, Lampe J, Johnston PB, Parker WB, Sorscher EJ, Cattaneo R. Lymphoma chemovirotherapy: CD20-targeted and convertase-armed measles virus can synergize with fludarabine. Cancer Res 2007; 67:10939-47. [PMID: 18006839 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Combination chemotherapy regimen incorporating CD20 antibodies are commonly used in the treatment of CD20-positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Fludarabine phosphate (F-araAMP), cyclophosphamide, and CD20 antibodies (Rituximab) constitute the FCR regimen for treating selected NHL, including aggressive mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). As an alternative to the CD20 antibody, we generated a CD20-targeted measles virus (MV)-based vector. This vector was also armed with the prodrug convertase purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) that locally converts the active metabolite of F-araAMP to a highly diffusible substance capable of efficiently killing bystander cells. We showed in infected cells that early prodrug administration controls vector spread, whereas late administration enhances cell killing. Control of spread by early prodrug administration was also shown in an animal model: F-araAMP protected genetically modified mice susceptible to MV infection from a potentially lethal intracerebral challenge. Enhanced oncolytic potency after extensive infection was shown in a Burkitt's lymphoma xenograft model (Raji cells): After systemic vector inoculation, prodrug administration enhanced the therapeutic effect synergistically. In a MCL xenograft model (Granta 519 cells), intratumoral (i.t.) vector administration alone had high oncolytic efficacy: All mice experienced complete but temporary tumor regression, and survival was two to four times longer than that of untreated mice. Cells from MCL patients were shown to be sensitive to infection. Thus, synergy of F-araAMP with a PNP-armed and CD20-targeted MV was shown in one lymphoma therapy model after systemic vector inoculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Ungerechts
- Molecular Medicine Program and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
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Ungerechts G, Springfeld C, Frenzke ME, Lampe J, Parker WB, Sorscher EJ, Cattaneo R. An Immunocompetent Murine Model for Oncolysis with an Armed and Targeted Measles Virus. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1991-7. [PMID: 17712331 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
An immunocompetent model is required to test therapeutic regimens for clinical trials with the oncolytic measles virus (MV). Toward developing this model, a retargeted MV that enters murine colon adenocarcinoma cells forming tumors in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice was generated. Since MV infection tends to be less efficient in murine than in human cells, the targeted virus was also armed with the prodrug convertase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and named MV-PNP-antiCEA. We have shown before that in cultured cells, infection with this virus activated the prodrug, 6-methylpurine-2'-deoxyriboside (MeP-dR), causing extensive cytotoxicity. When injected intratumorally (IT), MV-PNP-antiCEA inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth marginally, but subsequent administration of the prodrug enhanced the oncolytic effect. Systemic delivery of MV-PNP-antiCEA alone had no substantial oncolytic effects, but in combination with the prodrug it was therapeutic, revealing synergistic effects between virus and prodrug. Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide (CPA) retarded the appearance of MV neutralizing antibodies and enhanced oncolytic efficacy: survival was 100%, with 9 out of 10 animals going into complete remission. This immunocompetent murine model facilitates the testing of therapeutic regimens for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Ungerechts
- Molecular Medicine Program and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
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Springfeld C, von Messling V, Frenzke M, Ungerechts G, Buchholz CJ, Cattaneo R. Oncolytic efficacy and enhanced safety of measles virus activated by tumor-secreted matrix metalloproteinases. Cancer Res 2006; 66:7694-700. [PMID: 16885371 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-0538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells secrete matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) that degrade the extracellular matrix and are responsible for some hallmarks of malignant cancer. Many viruses, including a few currently used in oncolytic virotherapy clinical trials, depend on intracellular proteases to process their proteins and activate their particles. We show here for measles virus (MV) that particle activation can be made dependent of proteases secreted by cancer cells. The MV depends on the intracellular protease furin to process and activate its envelope fusion (F) protein. To make F protein activation cancer cell specific, we introduced hexameric sequences recognized by an MMP and identified the mutant proteins most effective in fusing MMP-expressing human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080). We showed that an MMP inhibitor interferes with syncytia formation elicited by mutant F proteins and confirmed MMP-dependent cleavage by Edman degradation sequence analysis. We generated recombinant MVs expressing the modified F proteins in place of furin-activated F. These viruses spread only in cells secreting MMP. In nude mice, an MMP-activated MV retarded HT1080 xenograft growth as efficiently as the furin-activated MV vaccine strain. In MV-susceptible mice, the furin-activated virus caused lethal encephalitis upon intracerebral inoculation, whereas the MMP-activated did not. Thus, MV particle activation can be made dependent of proteases secreted by cancer cells, enhancing safety. This study opens the perspective of combining targeting at the particle activation, receptor recognition, and selective replication levels to improve the therapeutic index of MV and other viruses in ongoing clinical trials of oncolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Springfeld
- Molecular Medicine Program and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
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Ungerechts G, Springfeld C, Fielding A, Cattaneo R. 968. Next Generation Measles Virus Vectors for Oncolytic Therapy: Targeted, Armed and Stealth. Mol Ther 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.08.1060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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36
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Springfeld C, von Messling V, Frenzke M, Ungerechts G, Buchholz C, Cattaneo R. 309. Oncolytic Efficacy and Enhanced Safety of Measles Virus Activated by Tumor-Secreted Matrix-Metalloproteases. Mol Ther 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.08.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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37
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Armeanu S, Bitzer M, Smirnow I, Bossow S, Appel S, Ungerechts G, Bernloehr C, Neubert WJ, Lauer UM, Brossart P. Severe Impairment of Dendritic Cell Allostimulatory Activity by Sendai Virus Vectors Is Overcome by Matrix Protein Gene Deletion. J Immunol 2005; 175:4971-80. [PMID: 16210599 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.8.4971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of Ags to dendritic cells (DCs) plays a pivotal role in the induction of efficient immune responses ranging from immunity to tolerance. The observation that certain viral pathogens are able to infect DCs has led to a concept in which applications of recombinant viruses are used for Ag delivery with the potential benefit of inducing potent Ag-specific T cell responses directed against multiple epitopes. As a prerequisite for such an application, the infection of DCs by recombinant viruses should not interfere with their stimulatory capacity. In this context, we could show that an emerging negative-strand RNA viral vector system based on the Sendai virus (SeV) is able to efficiently infect monocyte-derived human DCs (moDCs). However, after infection with SeV wild type, both the response of DCs to bacterial LPS as a powerful mediator of DC maturation and the allostimulatory activity were severely impaired. Interestingly, using various recombinant SeV vectors that were devoid of single viral genes, we were able to identify the SeV matrix (M) protein as a key component in moDC functional impairment after viral infection. Consequently, use of M-deficient SeV vectors preserved the allostimulatory activity in infected moDCs despite an efficient expression of all other virally encoded genes, thereby identifying M-deficient vectors as a highly potent tool for the genetic manipulation of DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Armeanu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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38
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Bernloehr C, Bossow S, Ungerechts G, Armeanu S, Neubert WJ, Lauer UM, Bitzer M. Corrigendum to “Efficient propagation of single gene deleted recombinant Sendai virus vectors”. Virus Res 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2004.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Bernloehr C, Bossow S, Ungerechts G, Armeanu S, Neubert WJ, Lauer UM, Bitzer M. Efficient propagation of single gene deleted recombinant Sendai virus vectors. Virus Res 2004; 99:193-7. [PMID: 14749185 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2003.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant Sendai virus vectors (SeVV) have become an attractive tool for basic virological as well as for gene transfer studies. However, to (i) reduce the cellular injury induced by basic recombinant SeV vectors (encoding all six SeV genes as being present in SeV wild-type (wt) genomes) and to (ii) improve SeV vector safety, deletions of viral genes are necessary for the construction of superior SeVV generations. As a strong expression system recombinant replication-incompetent adenoviruses, coding for SeV proteins hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), fusion (F), or matrix (M), were generated and successfully employed for the propagation of single gene deleted (DeltaHN, DeltaF, DeltaM) recombinant SeVV. Further investigations of the propagation procedures required for single gene deleted recombinant SeVV demonstrated (i) modifications of the cell culture medium composition as well as (ii) incubation with vitamin E as crucial steps for the enhancement of SeVV-DeltaHN, -DeltaF, or -DeltaM viral particle yield. Such optimized propagation procedures even led to a successful propagation of HN-deleted viral particles (SeVV-DeltaHN), which has not been reported before.
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Waddington SN, Buckley SMK, Bernloehr C, Bossow S, Ungerechts G, Cook T, Gregory L, Rahim A, Themis M, Neubert WJ, Coutelle C, Lauer UM, Bitzer M. Reduced toxicity of F-deficient Sendai virus vector in the mouse fetus. Gene Ther 2004; 11:599-608. [PMID: 14724676 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Current concerns over insertional mutagenesis by retroviral vectors mitigate investigations into alternative, potentially persistent gene therapy vector systems not dependent on genomic integration, such as Sendai virus vectors (SeVV). Prenatal gene therapy requires efficient gene delivery to several tissues, which may not be achievable by somatic gene transfer to the adult. Initially, to test the potential and tropism of the SeVV for gene delivery to fetal tissues, first-generation (replication- and propagation-competent) recombinant SeVV, expressing beta-galactosidase was introduced into late gestation immunocompetent mice via the amniotic and peritoneal cavities and the yolk sac vessels. At 2 days, this resulted in very high levels of expression particularly in the airway epithelium, mesothelium and vascular endothelium, respectively. However, as expected, substantial vector toxicity was observed. The efficiency of gene transfer and the level of gene expression were then examined using a second-generation SeVV. The second generation was developed to be still capable of cytoplasmic RNA replication and therefore high-level gene expression, but incapable of vector spread due to lack of the gene for viral F-protein. Vector was introduced into the fetal amniotic and peritoneal cavities, intravascularly, intramuscularly and intraspinally; at 2 days, expression was observed in the airway epithelia, peritoneal mesothelia, unidentified cells in the gut wall, locally at the site of muscle injection and in the dorsal root ganglia, respectively. Mortality was dramatically diminished compared with the first-generation vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Waddington
- Gene Therapy Research Group, Section of Cell and Molecular Biology, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College Road, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK
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Armeanu S, Ungerechts G, Bernloehr C, Bossow S, Gregor M, Neubert WJ, Lauer UM, Bitzer M. Cell cycle independent infection and gene transfer by recombinant Sendai viruses. J Virol Methods 2003; 108:229-33. [PMID: 12609691 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-0934(02)00280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A common problem for viral vectors in the field of somatic gene therapy is the dependence of an efficient cellular transduction on the cell cycle phase of target cells. An optimized viral vector system should therefore transduce cells in different cell cycle phases equally to improve transduction efficiencies. Recent observations that recombinant Sendai viruses (SeV) can infect a broad range of different tissues suggested SeV to be a good candidate for future gene therapeutic strategies in which dividing and non-dividing cells have to be reached. However, detailed data on the influence of distinct cell cycle phases on the infection of SeV or related viruses are missing. We report that synchronization of NIH 3T3 cells as well as contact inhibition of human fibroblast cells did not exhibit any negative influence on SeV infection rates. Furthermore, different attractive target tissues like human umbilical cord derived cells or primary human hepatocytes can be reached by SeV efficiently. As an important information for further cell cycle studies of paramyxoviruses we discovered surprisingly that the DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin (induces a G(1)/M arrest) functions as an inhibitor of SeV but not of an adenoviral expression vector. In conclusion, the results demonstrate SeV based vector particles to be an ideal tool to reach equally cells coexisting in different cell cycle phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Armeanu
- Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Tübingen, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany
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Bitzer M, Ungerechts G, Bossow S, Graepler F, Sedlmeier R, Armeanu S, Bernloehr C, Spiegel M, Gross CD, Gregor M, Neubert WJ, Lauer UM. Negative-strand RNA viral vectors: intravenous application of Sendai virus vectors for the systemic delivery of therapeutic genes. Mol Ther 2003; 7:210-7. [PMID: 12597909 DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(02)00052-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment by gene replacement is critical in the field of gene therapy. Suitable vectors for the delivery of therapeutic genes have to be generated and tested in preclinical settings. Recently, extraordinary features for a local gene delivery by Sendai virus vectors (SeVV) have been reported for different tissues. Here we show that direct intravenous application of SeVV in mice is not only feasible and safe, but it results in the secretion of therapeutic proteins to the circulation, for example, human clotting Factor IX (hFIX). In vitro characterization of first-generation SeVV demonstrated that secreted amounts of hFIX were at least comparable to published results for retroviral or adeno-associated viral vectors. Furthermore, as a consideration for application in humans, SeVV transduction led to efficient hFIX synthesis in primary human hepatocytes, and SeVV-encoded hFIX proteins could be shown to be functionally active in the human clotting cascade. In conclusion, our investigations demonstrate for the first time that intravenous administration of negative-strand RNA viral vectors may become a useful tool for the wide area of gene replacement requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bitzer
- Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Bitzer M, Armeanu S, Prinz F, Ungerechts G, Wybranietz W, Spiegel M, Bernlöhr C, Cecconi F, Gregor M, Neubert WJ, Schulze-Osthoff K, Lauer UM. Caspase-8 and Apaf-1-independent caspase-9 activation in Sendai virus-infected cells. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:29817-24. [PMID: 12021264 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111898200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic cell death is of central importance in the pathogenesis of viral infections. Activation of a cascade of cysteine proteases, i.e. caspases, plays a key role in the effector phase of virus-induced apoptosis. However, little is known about pathways leading to the activation of initiator caspases in virus-infected host cells. Recently, we have shown that Sendai virus (SeV) infection triggers apoptotic cell death by activation of the effector caspase-3 and initiator caspase-8. We now investigated mechanisms leading to the activation of another initiator caspase, caspase-9. Unexpectedly we found that caspase-9 cleavage is not dependent on the presence of active caspases-3 or -8. Furthermore, the presence of caspase-9 in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells was a prerequisite for Sendai virus-induced apoptotic cell death. Caspase-9 activation occurred without the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and was not dependent on the presence of Apaf-1 or reactive oxygen intermediates. Our results therefore suggest an alternative mechanism for caspase-9 activation in virally infected cells beside the well characterized pathways via death receptors or mitochondrial cytochrome c release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bitzer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Clinic Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Hankeln T, Jaenicke V, Kiger L, Dewilde S, Ungerechts G, Schmidt M, Urban J, Marden MC, Moens L, Burmester T. Characterization of Drosophila hemoglobin. Evidence for hemoglobin-mediated respiration in insects. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:29012-7. [PMID: 12048208 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m204009200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to previous assumptions, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster possesses hemoglobin. This respiratory protein forms a monomer of about 17 kDa that is not exported into the hemolymph. Recombinant Drosophila hemoglobin displays a typical hexacoordinated deoxy spectrum and binds oxygen with an affinity of 0.12 torr. Four different hemoglobin transcripts have been identified, which are generated by two distinct promoters of the hemoglobin (glob1) gene but are identical in their coding regions. Putative binding sites for hypoxia-regulated transcription factors have been identified in the gene. Hemoglobin synthesis in Drosophila is mainly associated with the tracheal system and the fat body. This suggests that oxygen supply in insects may be more complex than thought previously and may depend on hemoglobin-mediated oxygen transport and storage in addition to simple diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hankeln
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Biosafety Research and Consulting, University of Mainz, D-55099 Mainz, Germany.
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