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Feola S, Hamdan F, Russo S, Chiaro J, Fusciello M, Feodoroff M, Antignani G, D'Alessio F, Mölsä R, Stigzelius V, Bottega P, Pesonen S, Leusen J, Grönholm M, Cerullo V. Novel peptide-based oncolytic vaccine for enhancement of adaptive antitumor immune response via co-engagement of innate Fcγ and Fcα receptors. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008342. [PMID: 38458776 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer immunotherapy relies on using the immune system to recognize and eradicate cancer cells. Adaptive immunity, which consists of mainly antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells, plays a pivotal role in controlling cancer progression. However, innate immunity is a necessary component of the cancer immune response to support an immunomodulatory state, enabling T-cell immunosurveillance. METHODS Here, we elucidated and exploited innate immune cells to sustain the generation of antigen-specific T cells on the use of our cancer vaccine platform. We explored a previously developed oncolytic adenovirus (AdCab) encoding for a PD-L1 (Programmed-Death Ligand 1) checkpoint inhibitor, which consists of a PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 1) ectodomain fused to an IgG/A cross-hybrid Fc. We coated AdCab with major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I)-restricted tumor peptides, generating a vaccine platform (named PeptiCab); the latter takes advantage of viral immunogenicity, peptide cancer specificity to prime T-cell responses, and antibody-mediated effector functions. RESULTS As proof of concept, PeptiCab was used in murine models of melanoma and colon cancer, resulting in tumor growth control and generation of systemic T-cell-mediated antitumor responses. In specific, PeptiCab was able to generate antitumor T effector memory cells able to secrete various inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, PeptiCab was able to polarize neutrophils to attain an antigen-presenting phenotype by upregulating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 resulting in an enhanced T-cell expansion. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that exploiting innate immunity activates T-cell antitumor responses, enhancing the efficiency of a vaccine platform based on oncolytic adenovirus coated with MHC-I-restricted tumor peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Feola
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Federica D'Alessio
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Mölsä
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virpi Stigzelius
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paolo Bottega
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jeanette Leusen
- Center for translational immunology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- University of Helsinki Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program Helsinki, Uusimaa, FI, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Fabianinkatu 33, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Falanga AP, Lupia A, Tripodi L, Morgillo CM, Moraca F, Roviello GN, Catalanotti B, Amato J, Pastore L, Cerullo V, D'Errico S, Piccialli G, Oliviero G, Borbone N. Exploring the DNA 2-PNA heterotriplex formation in targeting the Bcl-2 gene promoter: A structural insight by physico-chemical and microsecond-scale MD investigation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24599. [PMID: 38317891 PMCID: PMC10839560 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) represent a promising tool for gene modulation in anticancer treatment. The uncharged peptidyl backbone and the resistance to chemical and enzymatic degradation make PNAs highly advantageous to form stable hybrid complexes with complementary DNA and RNA strands, providing higher stability than the corresponding natural analogues. Our and other groups' research has successfully shown that tailored PNA sequences can effectively downregulate the expression of human oncogenes using antigene, antisense, or anti-miRNA approaches. Specifically, we identified a seven bases-long PNA sequence, complementary to the longer loop of the main G-quadruplex structure formed by the bcl2midG4 promoter sequence, capable of downregulating the expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein and enhancing the anticancer activity of an oncolytic adenovirus. Here, we extended the length of the PNA probe with the aim of including the double-stranded Bcl-2 promoter among the targets of the PNA probe. Our investigation primarily focused on the structural aspects of the resulting DNA2-PNA heterotriplex that were determined by employing conventional and accelerated microsecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations and chemical-physical analysis. Additionally, we conducted preliminary biological experiments using cytotoxicity assays on human A549 and MDA-MB-436 adenocarcinoma cell lines, employing the oncolytic adenovirus delivery strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P. Falanga
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Lorella Tripodi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.c.a.r.l., Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Carmine M. Morgillo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Federica Moraca
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.c.a.r.l., Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
- ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Drug Research Program (DRP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stefano D'Errico
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
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Liu D, Liang S, Ma K, Meng QF, Li X, Wei J, Zhou M, Yun K, Pan Y, Rao L, Chen X, Wang Z. Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Nanoparticles Amplifying STING Signaling Pathway for Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2304845. [PMID: 37723642 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway and profoundly immunosuppressive microenvironment largely limits the effect of cancer immunotherapy. Herein, tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanoparticles (PMM NPs) are exploited that simultaneously harness STING and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to augment STING activation via TLR4-mediated nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway stimulation, leading to the increased secretion of type I interferons (i.e., 4.0-fold enhancement of IFN-β) and pro-inflammatory cytokines to promote a specific T cell immune response. Moreover, PMM NPs relieve the immunosuppression of the TME by decreasing the percentage of regulatory T cells, and polarizing M2 macrophages to the M1 type, thus creating an immune-supportive TME to unleash a cascade adaptive immune response. Combined with an anti-PD-1 antibody, synergistic efficacy is achieved in both inflamed colorectal cancer and noninflamed metastatic breast tumor models. Moreover, rechallenging tumor-free animals with homotypic cells induced complete tumor rejection, indicating the generation of systemic antitumor memory. These TME-responsive nanoparticles may open a new avenue to achieve the spatiotemporal orchestration of STING activation, providing a promising clinical candidate for next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Novel Formulation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Novel Formulation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Kongshuo Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Novel Formulation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Qian-Fang Meng
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Xingang Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jian Wei
- Department of Interventional Radiography, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10050, China
| | - Mengli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Novel Formulation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Kaiqing Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Novel Formulation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuanwei Pan
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Lang Rao
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Novel Formulation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
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Fang Q, Shen G, Xie Q, Guan Y, Liu X, Ren D, Zhao F, Liu Z, Ma F, Zhao J. Development of Tumor Markers for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:547-564. [PMID: 37157196 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230508152817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Although breast cancer treatment has been developed remarkably in recent years, it remains the primary cause of death among women. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has significantly altered the way breast cancer is treated, although not all patients benefit from the changes. At present, the most effective mechanism of immune checkpoint blockade application in malignant tumors is not clear and efficacy may be influenced by many factors, including host, tumor, and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Therefore, there is a pressing need for tumor immunomarkers that can be used to screen patients and help determine which of them would benefit from breast cancer immunotherapy. At present, no single tumor marker can predict treatment efficacy with sufficient accuracy. Multiple markers may be combined to more accurately pinpoint patients who will respond favorably to immune checkpoint blockade medication. In this review, we have examined the breast cancer treatments, developments in research on the role of tumor markers in maximizing the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, prospects for the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and the creation of individualized treatment plans. We also discuss how tumor markers can provide guidance for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Fang
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Guoshuang Shen
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Qiqi Xie
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Yumei Guan
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Xinlan Liu
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804 Shengli Road, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Dengfeng Ren
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Fuxing Zhao
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Zhilin Liu
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Fei Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Jiuda Zhao
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, 810000, China
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Tripodi L, Feola S, Granata I, Whalley T, Passariello M, Capasso C, Coluccino L, Vitale M, Scalia G, Gentile L, De Lorenzo C, Guarracino MR, Castaldo G, D’Argenio V, Szomolay B, Cerullo V, Pastore L. Bifidobacterium affects antitumor efficacy of oncolytic adenovirus in a mouse model of melanoma. iScience 2023; 26:107668. [PMID: 37720092 PMCID: PMC10502363 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota plays a key role in modulating responses to cancer immunotherapy in melanoma patients. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent emerging tools in cancer therapy, inducing a potent immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) and recruiting immune cells in tumors, poorly infiltrated by T cells. We investigated whether the antitumoral activity of oncolytic adenovirus Ad5D24-CpG (Ad-CpG) was gut microbiota-mediated in a syngeneic mouse model of melanoma and observed that ICD was weakened by vancomycin-mediated perturbation of gut microbiota. Ad-CpG efficacy was increased by oral supplementation with Bifidobacterium, reducing melanoma progression and tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Fecal microbiota was enriched in bacterial species belonging to the Firmicutes phylum in mice treated with both Bifidobacterium and Ad-CpG; furthermore, our data suggest that molecular mimicry between melanoma and Bifidobacterium-derived epitopes may favor activation of cross-reactive T cells and constitutes one of the mechanisms by which gut microbiota modulates OVs response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Tripodi
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilaria Granata
- Institute for High-Performance Computing and Networking National Research Council Branch of Naples, 509066 Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Thomas Whalley
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - Margherita Passariello
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Cristian Capasso
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ludovica Coluccino
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Vitale
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giulia Scalia
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Gentile
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia De Lorenzo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario Rosario Guarracino
- University of Cassino and Southern Lazio Department of Economics and Law, 154984 Cassino, Frosinone, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Valeria D’Argenio
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Szomolay
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- Drug Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.a.r.l, Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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Hamdan F, Fusciello M, Cerullo V. Personalizing Oncolytic Virotherapy. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:870-877. [PMID: 37698876 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of oncolytic viruses has become an attractive tool in the clinics for the treatment of various tumor types. Such viruses are genetically modified to conditionally replicate in malignant cells while unharming healthy cells. This platform offers a highly specific tumor killing with exceptional safety profiles. However, the use of oncolytic viruses as sole oncolytic platforms has not achieved full tumor clearance in murine models and in the clinics. In fact, the formation of anti-tumor immune responses is attributed to the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses. In this review, we will discuss the various strategies that scientists have employed to enhance the anti-tumor immune responses driven by oncolytic viruses. Moreover, focus will be drawn into personalizing such anti-tumor responses by the addition of tumor-associated peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Hamdan
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Drug Delivery, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Drug Delivery, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Drug Delivery, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Brănişteanu DE, Porumb-Andrese E, Porumb V, Stărică A, Moraru AD, Nicolescu AC, Zemba M, Brănişteanu CI, Brănişteanu G, Brănişteanu DC. New Treatment Horizons in Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1666. [PMID: 37629523 PMCID: PMC10455832 DOI: 10.3390/life13081666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a complex and heterogeneous malignant tumor with distinct genetic characteristics and therapeutic challenges in both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM). This review explores the underlying molecular features and genetic alterations in these melanoma subtypes, highlighting the importance of employing specific model systems tailored to their unique profiles for the development of targeted therapies. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in unraveling the molecular and genetic characteristics of CM and UM, leading to notable advancements in treatment options. Genetic mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway drive CM, while UM is characterized by mutations in genes like GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, EIF1AX, and SF3B1. Chromosomal aberrations, including monosomy 3 in UM and monosomy 10 in CM, play significant roles in tumorigenesis. Immune cell infiltration differs between CM and UM, impacting prognosis. Therapeutic advancements targeting these genetic alterations, including oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. Oncolytic viruses selectively infect malignant cells, inducing oncolysis and activating antitumor immune responses. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an FDA-approved oncolytic virus for CM treatment, and other oncolytic viruses, such as coxsackieviruses and HF-10, are being investigated. Furthermore, combining oncolytic viruses with immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy, holds great potential. Understanding the intrinsic molecular features of melanoma and their role in shaping novel therapeutic approaches provides insights into targeted interventions and paves the way for more effective treatments for CM and UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daciana Elena Brănişteanu
- Department of Medical Specialties (III)-Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Elena Porumb-Andrese
- Department of Medical Specialties (III)-Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Vlad Porumb
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Military Emergency Clinical Hospital “Dr. Iacob Czihac”, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Andreea Dana Moraru
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | | | - Mihail Zemba
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
| | | | - George Brănişteanu
- “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.I.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Daniel Constantin Brănişteanu
- Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
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8
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Wang X, Shen Y, Wan X, Hu X, Cai WQ, Wu Z, Xin Q, Liu X, Gui J, Xin HY, Xin HW. Oncolytic virotherapy evolved into the fourth generation as tumor immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2023; 21:500. [PMID: 37491263 PMCID: PMC10369732 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04360-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is a promising anti-tumor modality that utilizes oncolytic viruses (OVs) to preferentially attack cancers rather than normal tissues. With the understanding particularly in the characteristics of viruses and tumor cells, numerous innovative OVs have been engineered to conquer cancers, such as Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC) and tasadenoturev (DNX-2401). However, the therapeutic safety and efficacy must be further optimized and balanced to ensure the superior safe and efficient OVT in clinics, and reasonable combination therapy strategies are also important challenges worthy to be explored. MAIN BODY Here we provided a critical review of the development history and status of OVT, emphasizing the mechanisms of enhancing both safety and efficacy. We propose that oncolytic virotherapy has evolved into the fourth generation as tumor immunotherapy. Particularly, to arouse T cells by designing OVs expressing bi-specific T cell activator (BiTA) is a promising strategy of killing two birds with one stone. Amazing combination of therapeutic strategies of OVs and immune cells confers immense potential for managing cancers. Moreover, the attractive preclinical OVT addressed recently, and the OVT in clinical trials were systematically reviewed. CONCLUSION OVs, which are advancing into clinical trials, are being envisioned as the frontier clinical anti-tumor agents coming soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China.
| | - Yihua Shen
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Xingxia Wan
- College of Arts and Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoqing Hu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Wen-Qi Cai
- Xinzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (Xinzhou), Wuhan, 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Zijun Wu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Qiang Xin
- School of Graduate Students, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Hohhot, 010110, China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- College of Arts and Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Jingang Gui
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, 100045, China
| | - Hong-Yi Xin
- The Doctoral Scientific Research Center, People's Hospital of Lianjiang, Guangdong, 524400, China.
- The Doctoral Scientific Research Center, Affiliated People's Hospital of Lianjiang, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong, 524400, China.
| | - Hong-Wu Xin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, Hubei, China.
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9
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Systems Biology Approaches for the Improvement of Oncolytic Virus-Based Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041297. [PMID: 36831638 PMCID: PMC9954314 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV)-based immunotherapy is mainly dependent on establishing an efficient cell-mediated antitumor immunity. OV-mediated antitumor immunity elicits a renewed antitumor reactivity, stimulating a T-cell response against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and recruiting natural killer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite the fact that OVs are unspecific cancer vaccine platforms, to further enhance antitumor immunity, it is crucial to identify the potentially immunogenic T-cell restricted TAAs, the main key orchestrators in evoking a specific and durable cytotoxic T-cell response. Today, innovative approaches derived from systems biology are exploited to improve target discovery in several types of cancer and to identify the MHC-I and II restricted peptide repertoire recognized by T-cells. Using specific computation pipelines, it is possible to select the best tumor peptide candidates that can be efficiently vectorized and delivered by numerous OV-based platforms, in order to reinforce anticancer immune responses. Beyond the identification of TAAs, system biology can also support the engineering of OVs with improved oncotropism to reduce toxicity and maintain a sufficient portion of the wild-type virus virulence. Finally, these technologies can also pave the way towards a more rational design of armed OVs where a transgene of interest can be delivered to TME to develop an intratumoral gene therapy to enhance specific immune stimuli.
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10
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Fusciello M, Ylösmäki E, Feola S, Uoti A, Martins B, Aalto K, Hamdan F, Chiaro J, Russo S, Viitala T, Cerullo V. A novel cancer vaccine for melanoma based on an approved vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:137-145. [PMID: 35572195 PMCID: PMC9065466 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Common vaccines for infectious diseases have been repurposed as cancer immunotherapies. The intratumoral administration of these repurposed vaccines can induce immune cell infiltration into the treated tumor. Here, we have used an approved trivalent live attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in our previously developed PeptiENV cancer vaccine platform. The intratumoral administration of this novel MMR-containing PeptiENV cancer vaccine significantly increased both intratumoral as well as systemic tumor-specific T cell responses. In addition, PeptiENV therapy, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, improved tumor growth control and survival as well as increased the number of mice responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Importantly, mice pre-vaccinated with the MMR vaccine responded equally well, if not better, to the PeptiENV therapy, indicating that pre-existing immunity against the MMR vaccine viruses does not compromise the use of this novel cancer vaccine platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Corresponding author Erkko Ylösmäki, Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arttu Uoti
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karri Aalto
- Pharmaceutical Biophysics Research Group, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tapani Viitala
- Pharmaceutical Biophysics Research Group, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Naples University “Federico II”, S. Pansini 5, Naples, Italy
- Corresponding author. Vincenzo Cerullo, Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
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11
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Vitale M, Scialò F, Passariello M, Leggiero E, D’Agostino A, Tripodi L, Gentile L, Bianco A, Castaldo G, Cerullo V, De Lorenzo C, Pastore L. Oncolytic Adenoviral Vector-Mediated Expression of an Anti-PD-L1-scFv Improves Anti-Tumoral Efficacy in a Melanoma Mouse Model. Front Oncol 2022; 12:902190. [PMID: 35669438 PMCID: PMC9163395 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.902190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging therapeutic approach based on replication-competent viruses able to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells, inducing the release of tumor-associated antigens and thereby recruiting immune cells with a subsequent increase in antitumoral immune response. To increase the anticancer activity, we engineered a specific oncolytic adenovirus expressing a single-chain variable fragment of an antibody against PD-L1 to combine blockage of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction with the antitumoral activity of Onc.Ad5. To assess its efficacy, we infected B16.OVA cells, a murine model of melanoma, with Ad5Δ24 -anti-PD-L1-scFv and then co-cultured them with C57BL/6J naïve splenocytes. We observed that the combinatorial treatments were significantly more effective in inducing cancer cell death. Furthermore, we assessed the efficacy of intratumoral administrations of Ad5Δ24-anti-PD-L1-scFv in C57BL/6J mice engrafted with B16.OVA and compared this treatment to that of the parental Ad5Δ24 or placebo. Treatment with the scFv-expressing Onc.Ad induced a marked reduction of tumor growth concerning the parental Onc.Ad. Additionally, the evaluation of the lymphocytic population infiltrating the treated tumor reveals a favorable immune profile with an enhancement of the CD8+ population. These data suggest that Onc.Ad-mediated expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors increases oncolytic virotherapy efficacy and could be an effective and promising tool for cancer treatments, opening a new way into cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vitale
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Scialò
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Passariello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Bianco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Claudia De Lorenzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Lucio Pastore,
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12
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Feola S, Russo S, Martins B, Lopes A, Vandermeulen G, Fluhler V, De Giorgi C, Fusciello M, Pesonen S, Ylösmäki E, Antignani G, Chiaro J, Hamdan F, Feodoroff M, Grönholm M, Cerullo V. Peptides-Coated Oncolytic Vaccines for Cancer Personalized Medicine. Front Immunol 2022; 13:826164. [PMID: 35493448 PMCID: PMC9047942 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.826164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic Viruses (OVs) work through two main mechanisms of action: the direct lysis of the virus-infected cancer cells and the release of tumor antigens as a result of the viral burst. In this sc.enario, the OVs act as in situ cancer vaccines, since the immunogenicity of the virus is combined with tumor antigens, that direct the specificity of the anti-tumor adaptive immune response. However, this mechanism in some cases fails in eliciting a strong specific T cell response. One way to overcome this problem and enhance the priming efficiency is the production of genetically modified oncolytic viruses encoding one or more tumor antigens. To avoid the long and expensive process related to the engineering of the OVs, we have exploited an approach based on coating OVs (adenovirus and vaccinia virus) with tumor antigens. In this work, oncolytic viruses encoding tumor antigens and tumor antigen decorated adenoviral platform (PeptiCRAd) have been used as cancer vaccines and evaluated both for their prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy. We have first tested the oncolytic vaccines by exploiting the OVA model, moving then to TRP2, a more clinically relevant tumor antigen. Finally, both approaches have been investigated in tumor neo-antigens settings. Interestingly, both genetically modified oncolytic adenovirus and PeptiCRAd elicited T cells-specific anti-tumor responses. However, in vitro cross-representation experiments, showed an advantage of PeptiCRAd as regards the fast presentation of the model epitope SIINFEKL from OVA in an immunogenic rather than tolerogenic fashion. Here two approaches used as cancer oncolytic vaccines have been explored and characterized for their efficacy. Although the generation of specific anti-tumor T cells was elicited in both approaches, PeptiCRAd retains the advantage of being rapidly adaptable by coating the adenovirus with a different set of tumor antigens, which is crucial in personalized cancer vaccines clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alessandra Lopes
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Vandermeulen
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vinciane Fluhler
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla De Giorgi
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Naples University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Vincenzo Cerullo,
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13
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Feola S, Chiaro J, Martins B, Russo S, Fusciello M, Ylösmäki E, Bonini C, Ruggiero E, Hamdan F, Feodoroff M, Antignani G, Viitala T, Pesonen S, Grönholm M, Branca RMM, Lehtiö J, Cerullo V. A novel immunopeptidomic-based pipeline for the generation of personalized oncolytic cancer vaccines. eLife 2022; 11:71156. [PMID: 35314027 PMCID: PMC8989416 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides the isolation and identification of major histocompatibility complex I-restricted peptides from the surface of cancer cells, one of the challenges is eliciting an effective antitumor CD8+ T-cell-mediated response as part of therapeutic cancer vaccine. Therefore, the establishment of a solid pipeline for the downstream selection of clinically relevant peptides and the subsequent creation of therapeutic cancer vaccines are of utmost importance. Indeed, the use of peptides for eliciting specific antitumor adaptive immunity is hindered by two main limitations: the efficient selection of the most optimal candidate peptides and the use of a highly immunogenic platform to combine with the peptides to induce effective tumor-specific adaptive immune responses. Here, we describe for the first time a streamlined pipeline for the generation of personalized cancer vaccines starting from the isolation and selection of the most immunogenic peptide candidates expressed on the tumor cells and ending in the generation of efficient therapeutic oncolytic cancer vaccines. This immunopeptidomics-based pipeline was carefully validated in a murine colon tumor model CT26. Specifically, we used state-of-the-art immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric methodologies to isolate >8000 peptide targets from the CT26 tumor cell line. The selection of the target candidates was then based on two separate approaches: RNAseq analysis and HEX software. The latter is a tool previously developed by Jacopo, 2020, able to identify tumor antigens similar to pathogen antigens in order to exploit molecular mimicry and tumor pathogen cross-reactive T cells in cancer vaccine development. The generated list of candidates (26 in total) was further tested in a functional characterization assay using interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), reducing the number of candidates to six. These peptides were then tested in our previously described oncolytic cancer vaccine platform PeptiCRAd, a vaccine platform that combines an immunogenic oncolytic adenovirus (OAd) coated with tumor antigen peptides. In our work, PeptiCRAd was successfully used for the treatment of mice bearing CT26, controlling the primary malignant lesion and most importantly a secondary, nontreated, cancer lesion. These results confirmed the feasibility of applying the described pipeline for the selection of peptide candidates and generation of therapeutic oncolytic cancer vaccine, filling a gap in the field of cancer immunotherapy, and paving the way to translate our pipeline into human therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, University Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, University Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tapani Viitala
- Pharmaceutical Biophysics Research Group, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Mikaela Grönholm
- Drug Research Program (DRP) ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rui M M Branca
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, stockholm, Sweden
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- ImmunoVirothearpy Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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14
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Wenthe J, Naseri S, Hellström AC, Moreno R, Ullenhag G, Alemany R, Lövgren T, Eriksson E, Loskog A. Immune priming using DC- and T cell-targeting gene therapy sensitizes both treated and distant B16 tumors to checkpoint inhibition. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 24:429-442. [PMID: 35141399 PMCID: PMC8810301 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, but most tumors show resistance. Resistance is connected to a non-T cell inflamed phenotype partially caused by a lack of functional dendritic cells (DCs) that are crucial for T cell priming. Herein, we investigated whether the adenoviral gene vehicle mLOAd703 carrying both DC- and T cell-activating genes can lead to inflammation in a B16-CD46 model and thereby overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibition therapy. B16-CD46 cells were injected subcutaneously in one or both flanks of immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. mLOAd703 treatments were given intratumorally alone or in combination with intraperitoneal checkpoint inhibition therapy (anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-TIM-3). Tumor, lymph node, spleen, and serum samples were analyzed for the presence of immune cells and cytokines/chemokines. B16-CD46 tumors were non-inflamed and resistant to checkpoint blockade. In contrast, mLOAd703 treatment led to infiltration of the tumor by CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and CD103+ DCs, accompanied by a systemic increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-27 (IL-27). This response was even more pronounced after combining the virus with checkpoint therapy, in particular with anti-PD-L1 and anti-TIM-3, leading to further reduced tumor growth in injected lesions. Moreover, anti-PD-L1 combination also facilitated abscopal responses in non-injected lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Wenthe
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Corresponding author Jessica Wenthe, MSc, Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sedigheh Naseri
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ann-Charlotte Hellström
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rafael Moreno
- IDIBELL-Institute Català d'Oncologia, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustav Ullenhag
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Uppsala University Hospital, Department of Oncology, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ramon Alemany
- IDIBELL-Institute Català d'Oncologia, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tanja Lövgren
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Eriksson
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Lokon Pharma AB, 753 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Angelica Loskog
- Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Lokon Pharma AB, 753 20 Uppsala, Sweden
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15
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Zhang H, Xie W, Zhang Y, Dong X, Liu C, Yi J, Zhang S, Wen C, Zheng L, Wang H. Oncolytic adenoviruses synergistically enhance anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy by modulating the tumour microenvironment in a 4T1 orthotopic mouse model. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:456-465. [PMID: 34561555 PMCID: PMC9113929 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00389-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Effective therapeutic strategies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are still lacking. Clinical data suggest that a large number of TNBC patients cannot benefit from single immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment due to the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). Therefore, combination immunotherapy is an alternative approach to overcome this limitation. In this article, we combined two kinds of oncolytic adenoviruses with ICIs to treat TNBC in an orthotopic mouse model. Histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry as well as multiplex immunofluorescence were used to analyse the TME. The immunophenotype of the peripheral blood and spleen was detected by using flow cytometry. Oncolytic adenovirus-mediated immune activity in a coculture system of lytic supernatant and splenocytes supported the study of the mechanism of combination therapy in vitro. Our results showed that the combination of oncolytic adenoviruses with anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (anti-CTLA-4) (aPC) can significantly inhibit tumour growth and prolong survival in a TNBC model. The combination therapy synergistically enhanced the antitumour effect by recruiting CD8+ T and T memory cells, reducing the number of regulatory T cells and tumour-associated macrophages, and promoting the polarization of macrophages from the M2 to the M1 phenotype to regulate the TME. The rAd.GM regimen performed better than the rAd.Null treatment. Furthermore, aPC efficiently blocked oncolytic virus-induced upregulation of PD-L1 and CTLA-4. These findings indicate that oncolytic adenoviruses can reprogramme the immunosuppressive TME, while ICIs can prevent immune escape after oncolytic virus therapy by reducing the expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Our results provide a mutually reinforcing strategy for clinical combination immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast, Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, The Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, P.R. China
| | - Weimin Xie
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast, Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, The Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, P.R. China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Department of Experimental Haematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiwen Dong
- Department of Experimental Haematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Experimental Haematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Jing Yi
- Department of Experimental Haematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Experimental Medical Science & Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumours of Zhejiang Province, HwaMei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang PR China
| | - Chunkai Wen
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast, Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, The Affiliated Tumour Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, P.R. China
| | - Li Zheng
- grid.419611.a0000 0004 0457 9072State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Experimental Haematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
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16
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Feola S, Haapala M, Peltonen K, Capasso C, Martins B, Antignani G, Federico A, Pietiäinen V, Chiaro J, Feodoroff M, Russo S, Rannikko A, Fusciello M, Koskela S, Partanen J, Hamdan F, Tähkä SM, Ylösmäki E, Greco D, Grönholm M, Kekarainen T, Eshaghi M, Gurvich OL, Ylä-Herttuala S, M. Branca RM, Lehtiö J, Sikanen TM, Cerullo V. PeptiCHIP: A Microfluidic Platform for Tumor Antigen Landscape Identification. ACS NANO 2021; 15:15992-16010. [PMID: 34605646 PMCID: PMC8552492 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Identification of HLA class I ligands from the tumor surface (ligandome or immunopeptidome) is essential for designing T-cell mediated cancer therapeutic approaches. However, the sensitivity of the process for isolating MHC-I restricted tumor-specific peptides has been the major limiting factor for reliable tumor antigen characterization, making clear the need for technical improvement. Here, we describe our work from the fabrication and development of a microfluidic-based chip (PeptiCHIP) and its use to identify and characterize tumor-specific ligands on clinically relevant human samples. Specifically, we assessed the potential of immobilizing a pan-HLA antibody on solid surfaces via well-characterized streptavidin-biotin chemistry, overcoming the limitations of the cross-linking chemistry used to prepare the affinity matrix with the desired antibodies in the immunopeptidomics workflow. Furthermore, to address the restrictions related to the handling and the limited availability of tumor samples, we further developed the concept toward the implementation of a microfluidic through-flow system. Thus, the biotinylated pan-HLA antibody was immobilized on streptavidin-functionalized surfaces, and immune-affinity purification (IP) was carried out on customized microfluidic pillar arrays made of thiol-ene polymer. Compared to the standard methods reported in the field, our methodology reduces the amount of antibody and the time required for peptide isolation. In this work, we carefully examined the specificity and robustness of our customized technology for immunopeptidomics workflows. We tested this platform by immunopurifying HLA-I complexes from 1 × 106 cells both in a widely studied B-cell line and in patients-derived ex vivo cell cultures, instead of 5 × 108 cells as required in the current technology. After the final elution in mild acid, HLA-I-presented peptides were identified by tandem mass spectrometry and further investigated by in vitro methods. These results highlight the potential to exploit microfluidics-based strategies in immunopeptidomics platforms and in personalized immunopeptidome analysis from cells isolated from individual tumor biopsies to design tailored cancer therapeutic vaccines. Moreover, the possibility to integrate multiple identical units on a single chip further improves the throughput and multiplexing of these assays with a view to clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Feola
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markus Haapala
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karita Peltonen
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cristian Capasso
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antonio Federico
- Faculty
of
Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere
University, Arvo Ylpön
katu 34, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Vilja Pietiäinen
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science
(HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Biomedicum 2U, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science
(HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Biomedicum 2U, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Rannikko
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department
of Urology, Helsinki University and Helsinki
University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
- Research
Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Koskela
- Research
& Development Finnish Red Cross Blood Service Helsinki, Kivihaantie 7, 00310 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka Partanen
- Research
& Development Finnish Red Cross Blood Service Helsinki, Kivihaantie 7, 00310 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari M. Tähkä
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dario Greco
- Faculty
of
Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere
University, Arvo Ylpön
katu 34, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Kekarainen
- Kuopio
Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Microkatu 1S, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Masoumeh Eshaghi
- Kuopio
Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Microkatu 1S, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olga L. Gurvich
- Kuopio
Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Microkatu 1S, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.
I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern
Finland, Neulaniementie
2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rui M. M. Branca
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavagen 23B, 171 21 Solna, Sweden
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavagen 23B, 171 21 Solna, Sweden
| | - Tiina M. Sikanen
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department
of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Naples University “Federico II”, S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
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17
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Cervera-Carrascon V, Quixabeira DCA, Santos JM, Havunen R, Milenova I, Verhoeff J, Heiniö C, Zafar S, Garcia-Vallejo JJ, van Beusechem VW, de Gruijl TD, Kalervo A, Sorsa S, Kanerva A, Hemminki A. Adenovirus Armed With TNFa and IL2 Added to aPD-1 Regimen Mediates Antitumor Efficacy in Tumors Refractory to aPD-1. Front Immunol 2021; 12:706517. [PMID: 34367166 PMCID: PMC8343222 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.706517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-1 have revolutionized the field of oncology over the past decade. Nevertheless, the majority of patients do not benefit from them. Virotherapy is a flexible tool that can be used to stimulate and/or recruit different immune populations. T-cell enabling virotherapy could enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, even in tumors resistant to these inhibitors. The T-cell potentiating virotherapy used here consisted of adenoviruses engineered to express tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-2 in the tumor microenvironment. To study virus efficacy in checkpoint-inhibitor resistant tumors, we developed an anti-PD-1 resistant melanoma model in vivo. In resistant tumors, adding virotherapy to an anti-PD-1 regimen resulted in increased survival (p=0.0009), when compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Some of the animals receiving virotherapy displayed complete responses, which did not occur in the immune checkpoint-inhibitor monotherapy group. When adenoviruses were delivered into resistant tumors, there were signs of increased CD8 T-cell infiltration and activation, which - together with a reduced presence of M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells - could explain those results. T-cell enabling virotherapy appeared as a valuable tool to counter resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The clinical translation of this approach could increase the number of cancer patients benefiting from immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Cervera-Carrascon
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dafne C A Quixabeira
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joao M Santos
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Havunen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ioanna Milenova
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Orca Therapeutics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan Verhoeff
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Camilla Heiniö
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sadia Zafar
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juan J Garcia-Vallejo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Victor W van Beusechem
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Suvi Sorsa
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Kanerva
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akseli Hemminki
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland.,Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Peltonen K, Feola S, Umer HM, Chiaro J, Mermelekas G, Ylösmäki E, Pesonen S, Branca RMM, Lehtiö J, Cerullo V. Therapeutic Cancer Vaccination with Immunopeptidomics-Discovered Antigens Confers Protective Antitumor Efficacy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143408. [PMID: 34298622 PMCID: PMC8306067 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of clinically targetable tumor antigens is becoming vital for broader design and utility of therapeutic cancer vaccines. This information is obtained reliably by directly interrogating the MHC-I presented peptide ligands, the immunopeptidome, with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. Our manuscript describes direct identification of novel tumor antigens for an aggressive triple-negative breast cancer model. Immunopeptidome profiling revealed 2481 unique antigens, among them a novel ERV antigen originating from an endogenous retrovirus element. The clinical benefit and tumor control potential of the identified tumor antigens and ERV antigen were studied in a preclinical model using two vaccine platforms and therapeutic settings. Prominent control of established tumors was achieved using an oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for flexible and specific tumor targeting, namely PeptiCRAd. Our study presents a pipeline integrating immunopeptidome analysis-driven antigen discovery with a therapeutic cancer vaccine platform for improved personalized oncolytic immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karita Peltonen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; (K.P.); (S.F.); (J.C.); (E.Y.)
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; (K.P.); (S.F.); (J.C.); (E.Y.)
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Husen M. Umer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (H.M.U.); (G.M.); (R.M.M.B.)
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; (K.P.); (S.F.); (J.C.); (E.Y.)
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Georgios Mermelekas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (H.M.U.); (G.M.); (R.M.M.B.)
| | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; (K.P.); (S.F.); (J.C.); (E.Y.)
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Rui M. M. Branca
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (H.M.U.); (G.M.); (R.M.M.B.)
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (H.M.U.); (G.M.); (R.M.M.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (V.C.); Tel.: +46-8-5248-1416 (J.L.); +358-50-31-85754 (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; (K.P.); (S.F.); (J.C.); (E.Y.)
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (V.C.); Tel.: +46-8-5248-1416 (J.L.); +358-50-31-85754 (V.C.)
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19
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Combined vaccine-immune-checkpoint inhibition constitutes a promising strategy for treatment of dMMR tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3405-3419. [PMID: 33870463 PMCID: PMC8571220 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Mlh1-knock-out-driven mismatch-repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors can be targeted immunologically. By applying therapeutic tumor vaccination, tumor growth is delayed but escape mechanisms evolve, including upregulation of immune-checkpoint molecules (LAG-3, PD-L1). To counteract immune escape, we investigated the therapeutic activity of a combined tumor vaccine-immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy using α-PD-L1. Design In this trial, Mlh1-knock-out mice with established gastrointestinal tumors received single or thrice injections of α-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody clone 6E11 (2.5 mg/kg bw, q2w, i.v.) either alone or in combination with the vaccine. Longitudinal flow cytometry and PET/CT imaging studies were followed by ex vivo functional immunological and gene expression assays. Results 6E11 monotherapy slightly increased median overall survival (mOS: 6.0 weeks vs. control 4.0 weeks). Increasing the number of injections (n = 3) improved therapy outcome (mOS: 9.2 weeks) and was significantly boosted by combining 6E11 with the vaccine (mOS: 19.4 weeks vs. 10.2 weeks vaccine monotherapy). Accompanying PET/CT imaging confirmed treatment-induced tumor growth control, with the strongest inhibition in the combination group. Three mice (30%) achieved a complete remission and showed long-term survival. Decreased levels of circulating splenic and intratumoral myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and decreased numbers of immune-checkpoint-expressing splenic T cells (LAG-3, CTLA-4) accompanied therapeutic effects. Gene expression and protein analysis of residual tumors revealed downregulation of PI3K/Akt/Wnt-and TGF-signaling, leading to T cell infiltration, reduced numbers of macrophages, neutrophils and MDSC. Conclusions By successful uncoupling of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, we provide further evidence for the safe and successful application of immunotherapies to combat dMMR-driven malignancies that warrants further investigation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00262-021-02933-4.
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20
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Tripodi L, Vitale M, Cerullo V, Pastore L. Oncolytic Adenoviruses for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052517. [PMID: 33802281 PMCID: PMC7959120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Many immuno-therapeutic strategies are currently being developed to fight cancer. In this scenario, oncolytic adenoviruses (Onc.Ads) have an interesting role for their peculiar tumor selectivity, safety, and transgene-delivery capability. The major strength of the Onc.Ads is the extraordinary immunogenicity that leads to a strong T-cell response, which, together with the possibility of the delivery of a therapeutic transgene, could be more effective than current strategies. In this review, we travel in the adenovirus (Ads) and Onc.Ads world, focusing on a variety of strategies that can enhance Onc.Ads antitumoral efficacy, passing through tumor microenvironment modulation. Onc.Ads-based therapeutic strategies constitute additional weapons in the fight against cancer and appear to potentiate conventional and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-based therapies leading to a promising scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Tripodi
- SEMM European School for Molecular Medicine, 20123 Milano, Italy;
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy;
| | - Maria Vitale
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (L.P.); Tel.: +358-29-4159328 (V.C.); +39-0813737885 (L.P.)
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (L.P.); Tel.: +358-29-4159328 (V.C.); +39-0813737885 (L.P.)
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21
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Characterization of a novel OX40 ligand and CD40 ligand-expressing oncolytic adenovirus used in the PeptiCRAd cancer vaccine platform. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 20:459-469. [PMID: 33718594 PMCID: PMC7917457 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been shown to induce anti-cancer immunity and enhance cancer immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. OV therapies can be further improved by arming OVs with immunostimulatory molecules, including various cytokines or chemokines. Here, we have developed a novel adenovirus encoding two immunostimulatory molecules: cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 4 ligand (OX40L). This novel virus, designated VALO-D102, is designed to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses against tumors. CD40L affects the innate side by licensing antigen-presenting cells to drive CD8+ T cell responses, and OX40L increases clonal expansion and survival of CD8+ T cells and formation of a larger pool of memory T cells. VALO-D102 and its murine surrogate VALO-mD901, expressing murine OX40L and CD40L, were used in our previously developed PeptiCRAd cancer vaccine platform. Intratumoral administration of PeptiCRAd significantly increased tumor-specific T cell responses, reduced tumor growth, and induced systemic anti-cancer immunity in two mouse models of melanoma. In addition, PeptiCRAd therapy, in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, significantly improved tumor growth control as compared to either monotherapy alone.
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22
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Fusciello M, Ylösmäki E, Cerullo V. Viral Nanoparticles: Cancer Vaccines and Immune Modulators. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1295:317-325. [PMID: 33543466 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-58174-9_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the last decades, viruses have gained great interest in the field of immuno-oncology (I-O) for their ability of interacting both with the immune system and the tumour microenvironment. Those pathogens have naturally evolved and been evolutionary to specifically infect hosts, replicate, deliver their genome, and spread. These properties, initially considered a disadvantage, have been investigated and edited to turn viruses into precious allies for molecular biology serving as gene therapy vectors, adjuvants for the immune system, drug cargos, and, lately, anticancer therapeutics. As anticancer drug, one interesting option is viral engineering. Modification of either the viral genome or the outer shell of viruses can change infectivity and tissue targeting and add new functions to the viral particle. Remarkably, in the field of cancer virotherapy, scientists realized that a specific viral genomic depletion would turn the normal tropism of viruses to conditionally replicate in cancer cells only. This category of viruses, named 'Oncolytic viruses', have been investigated and used for cancer treatment in the past decades resulting in the approval of the first oncolytic virus, a herpes simplex virus expressing a stimulating factor, named T-Vec, in 2015. As such, oncolytic viruses achieved positive outcome but still are not able to completely eradicate the disease. This has brought the scientific community to edit those agents, adding to their ability to directly lysate cancer cells, few modifications to mainly boost their interaction with the immune system. Viruses experienced then a renaissance not only as infecting agent but as nanoparticle and cancer vaccines too. These strategies bring new life to the concept of using viruses as viral particles for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences and Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences and Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences and Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and CEINGE, Naples University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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23
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Sood S, Jayachandiran R, Pandey S. Current Advancements and Novel Strategies in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma. Integr Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1534735421990078. [PMID: 33719631 PMCID: PMC8743966 DOI: 10.1177/1534735421990078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer in the world with a growing incidence in North America. Contemporary treatments for melanoma include surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, apart from resection in early melanoma, the prognosis of patients using these treatments is typically poor. In the past decade, there have been significant advancements in melanoma therapies. Immunotherapies such as ipilimumab and targeted therapies such as vemurafenib have emerged as a promising option for patients as seen in both scientific and clinical research. Furthermore, combination therapies are starting to be administered in the form of polychemotherapy, polyimmunotherapy, and biochemotherapy, of which some have shown promising outcomes in relative efficacy and safety due to their multiple targets. Alongside these treatments, new research has been conducted into the evidence-based use of natural health products (NHPs) and natural compounds (NCs) on melanoma which may provide a long-term and non-toxic form of complementary therapy. Nevertheless, there is a limited consolidation of the research conducted in emerging melanoma treatments which may be useful for researchers and clinicians. Thus, this review attempts to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of current advancements in metastatic melanoma treatment by surveying new research into the molecular and cellular basis of treatments along with their clinical efficacy. In addition, this review aims to elucidate novel strategies that are currently being used and have the potential to be used in the future.
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24
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Gordon B, Gadi VK. The Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Developing Successful Therapeutic and Secondary Prophylactic Breast Cancer Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030529. [PMID: 32937885 PMCID: PMC7565925 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer affects roughly one in eight women over their lifetime and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. While outcomes have improved in recent years, prognosis remains poor for patients who present with either disseminated disease or aggressive molecular subtypes. Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of several cancers, with therapeutic vaccines aiming to direct the cytotoxic immune program against tumor cells showing particular promise. However, these results have yet to translate to breast cancer, which remains largely refractory from such approaches. Recent evidence suggests that the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important and long understudied barrier to the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines. Through an improved understanding of the complex and biologically diverse breast TME, it may be possible to advance new combination strategies to render breast carcinomas sensitive to the effects of therapeutic vaccines. Here, we discuss past and present efforts to advance therapeutic vaccines in the treatment of breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms through which the TME contributes to the failure of such approaches, as well as the potential means through which these can be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gordon
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Vijayakrishna K. Gadi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
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25
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Tähtinen S, Feola S, Capasso C, Laustio N, Groeneveldt C, Ylösmäki EO, Ylösmäki L, Martins B, Fusciello M, Medeot M, Tagliamonte M, Chiaro J, Hamdan F, Peltonen K, Ranki T, Buonaguro L, Cerullo V. Exploiting Preexisting Immunity to Enhance Oncolytic Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2575-2585. [PMID: 32107211 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Because of the high coverage of international vaccination programs, most people worldwide have been vaccinated against common pathogens, leading to acquired pathogen-specific immunity with a robust memory T-cell repertoire. Although CD8+ antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are the preferred effectors of cancer immunotherapy, CD4+ T-cell help is also required for an optimal antitumor immune response to occur. Hence, we investigated whether the pathogen-related CD4+ T-cell memory populations could be reengaged to support the CTLs, converting a weak primary antitumor immune response into a stronger secondary one. To this end, we used our PeptiCRAd technology that consists of an oncolytic adenovirus coated with MHC-I-restricted tumor-specific peptides and developed it further by introducing pathogen-specific MHC-II-restricted peptides. Mice preimmunized with tetanus vaccine were challenged with B16.OVA tumors and treated with the newly developed hybrid TT-OVA-PeptiCRAd containing both tetanus toxoid- and tumor-specific peptides. Treatment with the hybrid PeptiCRAd significantly enhanced antitumor efficacy and induced TT-specific, CD40 ligand-expressing CD4+ T helper cells and maturation of antigen-presenting cells. Importantly, this approach could be extended to naturally occurring tumor peptides (both tumor-associated antigens and neoantigens), as well as to other pathogens beyond tetanus, highlighting the usefulness of this technique to take full advantage of CD4+ memory T-cell repertoires when designing immunotherapeutic treatment regimens. Finally, the antitumor effect was even more prominent when combined with the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-1, strengthening the rationale behind combination therapy with oncolytic viruses. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings establish a novel technology that enhances oncolytic cancer immunotherapy by capitalizing on pre-acquired immunity to pathogens to convert a weak antitumor immune response into a much stronger one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siri Tähtinen
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Sara Feola
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Cristian Capasso
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Netta Laustio
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | | | - Erkko O Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Leena Ylösmäki
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Marta Medeot
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Cancer Immunoregulatory, Istituto Nazionale Tumori (IRCCS) G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | - Karita Peltonen
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland
| | | | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Cancer Immunoregulatory, Istituto Nazionale Tumori (IRCCS) G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug Research Program ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Faculty of Pharmacy iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki University, Viikinkaari 5E, Finland. .,Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Naples University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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26
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Wang P, Wu Y, Yang C, Zhao G, Liu Y, Cheng G, Wang S. Embelin Promotes Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus-Mediated Antitumor Immunity Through Disruption of IL-6/STAT3 Signaling in Lymphoma. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:1421-1429. [PMID: 32110041 PMCID: PMC7034962 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s209312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising alternative to conventional treatment, yet limited viral replication and immune-negative feedback are the major hurdles to effective viro-immunotherapy. Methods In this study, we found that use of an adjuvant of embelin, a small molecular inhibitor of XIAP, increased the replication of oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) by mitigating antiviral innate immunity. Moreover, embelin suppresses constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation and mitigates OVV-induced activation of STAT3 in lymphoma. In the subcutaneous lymphoma model, embelin significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of OVV and prolonged the survival. In addition, embelin significantly increased the OVV-induced infiltration of T cells and NK cells and decreased the number of OVV-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor microenvironment. Results Our results explored the ability of OVV and embelin in combination to enhance lymphoma cell lysis, revealing a beneficial combinatorial effect wherein both lymphoma cell lysis and OVV replication were enhanced both in vitro and in an in vivo murine model system. Conclusion Our findings indicate the utility of embelin as an adjuvant for oncolytic viro-immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Medical Laboratory Center, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanan Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghua Liu
- Department of Hematology, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Cheng
- Department of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shibing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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27
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Artificially cloaked viral nanovaccine for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5747. [PMID: 31848338 PMCID: PMC6917704 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13744-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-based cancer vaccines are nowadays considered an interesting approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy, despite the observation that the majority of the immune responses they elicit are against the virus and not against the tumor. In contrast, targeting tumor associated antigens is effective, however the identification of these antigens remains challenging. Here, we describe ExtraCRAd, a multi-vaccination strategy focused on an oncolytic virus artificially wrapped with tumor cancer membranes carrying tumor antigens. We demonstrate that ExtraCRAd displays increased infectivity and oncolytic effect in vitro and in vivo. We show that this nanoparticle platform controls the growth of aggressive melanoma and lung tumors in vivo both in preventive and therapeutic setting, creating a highly specific anti-cancer immune response. In conclusion, ExtraCRAd might serve as the next generation of personalized cancer vaccines with enhanced features over standard vaccination regimens, representing an alternative way to target cancer. Cancer therapy using oncolytic virus has shown pre-clinical and clinical efficacy. Here, the authors report ExtraCRAd, an oncolytic virus cloaked with tumour cell membrane and report its therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo in multiple mouse tumour models.
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28
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Decellularized Lymph Node Scaffolding as a Carrier for Dendritic Cells to Induce Anti-Tumor Immunity. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11110553. [PMID: 31717826 PMCID: PMC6920996 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11110553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) has shown potential as a promising scaffold for tissue regeneration. In this study, an organic acid decellularized lymph node (dLN) was developed as a carrier for dendritic cells (DCs) to induce antitumor immunity. The dLNs were prepared by formic acid, acetic acid, or citric acid treatment. The results showed highly efficient removal of cell debris from the lymph node and great preservation of ECM architecture and biomolecules. In addition, bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) grown preferably inside the dLN displayed the maturation markers CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II, and they produced high levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 cytokines when stimulated with ovalbumin (OVA) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CPG-ODN). In an animal model, the BMDC-dLN completely rejected the E.G7-OVA tumor. Furthermore, the splenocytes from BMDC-dLN-immunized mice produced more interferon gamma, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-2, and they had a higher proliferation rate than other groups when re-stimulated with OVA. Hence, BMDC-dLN could be a promising DC-based scaffold for in vivo delivery to induce potent antitumor immunity.
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Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Macrophages Improve Survival in Microsatellite Unstable Colorectal Cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13455. [PMID: 31530839 PMCID: PMC6748965 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49878-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the loss of DNA repair mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite instability (MSI), somatic mutations accumulate within DNA; making them more prone to attack by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and macrophages. We hypothesize that MSI-High (MSI-H) patients have favorable survival due to increased tumor immunogenicity. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to evaluate gene expression from 283 patients with CRC, comparing MSI-H and microsatellite stable (MSS) patients. CIBERSORT algorithm estimated the fraction of immune cell types. We found that low expression of DNA repair genes (MLH1, MLH3, PMS1, PMS2, ATR, PRKDC, ATM, BRCA2) associated with MSI-H. MSI-H was directly associated with Helper T-cells (p = 0.034) and M1 macrophages (p < 0.0001). MSI-H tumors associated with diminished intra-tumoral heterogeneity as well as higher expression of checkpoint molecules PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, LAG3 and TIM3 (p < 0.0001). Improved OS was seen in patients with low ATM, PMS2 and MLH3. In the TCGA CRC cohort, decreased expression of DNA repair genes associated with MSI-H. MSI-H patients had improved survival, likely due to higher TIL and M1 macrophage infiltration as well as lower intra-tumoral heterogeneity. MSI-H also associates with expression of immune checkpoint molecules with potential for development of therapeutic targets.
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Cervera-Carrascon V, Havunen R, Hemminki A. Oncolytic adenoviruses: a game changer approach in the battle between cancer and the immune system. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 19:443-455. [PMID: 30905206 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1595582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oncolytic adenoviruses are among the most studied oncolytic viruses because of their tumor selectivity, safety, and transgene-delivery capability. With a growing number of different immunotherapies against cancer, the extraordinary immunogenicity of the adenovirus has emerged as a differentiating strength. Enabling T-cell related therapies with oncolytic adenoviruses appears a promising approach due to its inherent ability to elicit responses from the adaptive immune compartment. AREAS COVERED These viruses have successfully enhanced both adoptive T-cell therapies and immune-checkpoint therapies. Oncolytic viruses induce several effects at the tumor and on the systemic level that help to circumvent current limitations of T-cells and related therapies, such as T-cell trafficking, tumor immune suppressivity and antigen spreading EXPERT OPINION Taking into account the multitude of possibilities of treating cancer with immunotherapies, learning to optimize the combinations and administration strategies of these drugs, could lead to durable responses in patients with currently incurable cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Cervera-Carrascon
- a Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,b TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Riikka Havunen
- a Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,b TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Akseli Hemminki
- a Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,b TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd , Helsinki , Finland.,c Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center , Helsinki University , Helsinki , Finland
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Ylösmäki E, Malorzo C, Capasso C, Honkasalo O, Fusciello M, Martins B, Ylösmäki L, Louna A, Feola S, Paavilainen H, Peltonen K, Hukkanen V, Viitala T, Cerullo V. Personalized Cancer Vaccine Platform for Clinically Relevant Oncolytic Enveloped Viruses. Mol Ther 2018; 26:2315-2325. [PMID: 30005865 PMCID: PMC6127500 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The approval of the first oncolytic virus for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and the compiling evidence that the use of oncolytic viruses can enhance cancer immunotherapies targeted against various immune checkpoint proteins has attracted great interest in the field of cancer virotherapy. We have developed a novel platform for clinically relevant enveloped viruses that can direct the virus-induced immune response against tumor antigens. By physically attaching tumor-specific peptides onto the viral envelope of vaccinia virus and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), we were able to induce a strong T cell-specific immune response toward these tumor antigens. These therapeutic peptides could be attached onto the viral envelope by using a cell-penetrating peptide sequence derived from human immunodeficiency virus Tat N-terminally fused to the tumor-specific peptides or, alternatively, therapeutic peptides could be conjugated with cholesterol for the attachment of the peptides onto the viral envelope. We used two mouse models of melanoma termed B16.OVA and B16-F10 for testing the efficacy of OVA SIINFEKL-peptide-coated viruses and gp100-Trp2-peptide-coated viruses, respectively, and show that by coating the viral envelope with therapeutic peptides, the anti-tumor immunity and the number of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment can be significantly enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkko Ylösmäki
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cristina Malorzo
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cristian Capasso
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oona Honkasalo
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Ylösmäki
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Louna
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Feola
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henrik Paavilainen
- Department of Virology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 13, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Karita Peltonen
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Veijo Hukkanen
- Department of Virology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 13, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Tapani Viitala
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Laboratory of Immunovirotherapy, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
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O’Bryan SM, Mathis JM. Oncolytic Virotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment. Curr Gene Ther 2018; 18:192-205. [PMID: 30207220 PMCID: PMC7499349 DOI: 10.2174/1566523218666180910163805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of mortality among women. While at an early stage, localized breast cancer is easily treated; however, advanced stages of disease continue to carry a high mortality rate. The discrepancy in treatment success highlights that current treatments are insufficient to treat advanced-stage breast cancer. As new and improved treatments have been sought, one therapeutic approach has gained considerable attention. Oncolytic viruses are uniquely capable of targeting cancer cells through intrinsic or engineered means. They come in many forms, mainly from four major virus groups as defined by the Baltimore classification system. These vectors can target and kill cancer cells, and even stimulate immunotherapeutic effects in patients. This review discusses not only individual oncolytic viruses pursued in the context of breast cancer treatment but also the emergence of combination therapies with current or new therapies, which has become a particularly promising strategy for treatment of breast cancer. Overall, oncolytic virotherapy is a promising strategy for increased treatment efficacy for advanced breast cancer and consequently provides a unique platform for personalized treatments in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia M. O’Bryan
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - J. Michael Mathis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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