Feasibility of dendritic cell-based vaccine against glioblastoma by using cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP)-fused protein antigens combined with anti-PD1

Wilms' tumor 1 -targeting cancer vaccine: Recent advancements and future perspectives

This mini-review explores recent advancements in cancer vaccines that target Wilms' tumor (WT1). Phase I/II trials of WT1 peptide vaccines have demonstrated their safety and efficacy against various cancers. Early trials employing HLA class I peptides evolved through their combination with HLA class II peptides, resulting in improved clinical outcomes. Additionally, WT1-targeted dendritic cell vaccines have exhibited favorable results. Studies focusing on hematological malignancies have revealed promising outcomes, including long-term remission and extended survival times. The combination of vaccines with immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown synergistic effects. Current preclinical developments are focused on enhancing the effectiveness of WT1 vaccines, underscoring the necessity for future large-scale Phase III trials to further elucidate their efficacy.

Human dendritic cell subsets in the glioblastoma-associated microenvironment

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive type of glioma (Grade IV). The presence of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLs) has been associated with improved outcomes in patients with GBM, and it is believed that the activation of CTLs by dendritic cells may play a critical role in controlling the growth of GBM. DCs are professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) that orchestrate innate and adaptive anti-GBM immunity. DCs can subsequently differentiate into plasmacytoid DCs (pDC), conventional DC1 (cDC1), conventional (cDC2), and monocyte-derived DCs (moDC) depending on environmental exposure. The different subsets of DCs exhibit varying functional capabilities in antigen presentation and T cell activation in producing an antitumor response. In this review, we focus on recent studies describing the phenotypic and functional characteristics of DC subsets in humans and their respective antitumor immunity and immunotolerance roles in the GBM-associated microenvironment. The critical components of crosstalk between DC subsets that contribute significantly to GBM-specific immune responses are also highlighted in this review with reference to the latest literature. Since DCs could be prime targets for therapeutic intervention, it is worth summarizing the relevance of DC subsets with respect to GBM-associated immunologic tolerance and their therapeutic potential.

Effect of CTP-mediated PTEN on 5637 bladder cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanism

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP)-phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) on the proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

A eukaryotic expression vector, pTT5-CTP-PTEN, was constructed. The constructed vector was transfected into HEK 293-6E cells to express a fusion protein, CTP-PTEN. The fusion protein was purified. 5637 bladder cancer cells were cocultured with purified CTP-PTEN fusion protein. Target gene expression, protein expression, cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell invasion and cell migration were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, MTT assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, and cell scratch assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Both PTEN and CTP-PTEN fusion protein inhibited the proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and migration of bladder cancer cells and promoted the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. The effect of CTP-PTEN was more significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The fused expression of CTP and PTEN significantly increased the penetrability of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN into cancer cells. The CTP-PTEN fusion protein exhibited a significant carcinostatic effect on 5637 bladder cancer cells.