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Owens LV, Benedetto A, Dawson N, Gaffney CJ, Parkin ET. Gene therapy-mediated enhancement of protective protein expression for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res 2021; 1753:147264. [PMID: 33422539 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading form of dementia but lacks curative treatments. Current understanding of AD aetiology attributes the development of the disease to the misfolding of two proteins; amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau, with their pathological accumulation leading to concomitant oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death. These processes are regulated at multiple levels to maintain homeostasis and avert disease. However, many of the relevant regulatory proteins appear to be downregulated in the AD-afflicted brain. Enhancement/restoration of these 'protective' proteins, therefore, represents an attractive therapeutic avenue. Gene therapy is a desirable means of achieving this because it is not associated with the side-effects linked to systemic protein administration, and sustained protein expression virtually eliminates compliance issues. The current article represents a focused and succinct review of the better established 'protective' protein targets for gene therapy enhancement/restoration rather than being designed as an exhaustive review incorporating less validated protein subjects. In addition, we will discuss how the risks associated with uncontrolled or irreversible gene expression might be mitigated through combining neuronal-specific promoters, inducible expression systems and localised injections. Whilst many of the gene therapy targets reviewed herein are yet to enter clinical trials, preclinical testing has thus far demonstrated encouraging potential for the gene therapy-based treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V Owens
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - Alexandre Benedetto
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - Neil Dawson
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - Christopher J Gaffney
- Lancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - Edward T Parkin
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK.
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Hager S, Fittler FJ, Wagner E, Bros M. Nucleic Acid-Based Approaches for Tumor Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E2061. [PMID: 32917034 PMCID: PMC7564019 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the last decade, the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors proposed to boost the patients' anti-tumor immune response has proven the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches for tumor therapy. Furthermore, especially in the context of the development of biocompatible, cell type targeting nano-carriers, nucleic acid-based drugs aimed to initiate and to enhance anti-tumor responses have come of age. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the therapeutic use of nucleic acids for cancer treatment on various levels, comprising (i) mRNA and DNA-based vaccines to be expressed by antigen presenting cells evoking sustained anti-tumor T cell responses, (ii) molecular adjuvants, (iii) strategies to inhibit/reprogram tumor-induced regulatory immune cells e.g., by RNA interference (RNAi), (iv) genetically tailored T cells and natural killer cells to directly recognize tumor antigens, and (v) killing of tumor cells, and reprograming of constituents of the tumor microenvironment by gene transfer and RNAi. Aside from further improvements of individual nucleic acid-based drugs, the major perspective for successful cancer therapy will be combination treatments employing conventional regimens as well as immunotherapeutics like checkpoint inhibitors and nucleic acid-based drugs, each acting on several levels to adequately counter-act tumor immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Hager
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | | | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
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Escudero-Duch C, Vilaboa N. Recent efforts in the development of nanomaterials to control transgene expression. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:2019-2022. [PMID: 32779525 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Escudero-Duch
- CIBER de Bioingenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Vilaboa
- CIBER de Bioingenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
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Huang A, Pressnall MM, Lu R, Huayamares SG, Griffin JD, Groer C, DeKosky BJ, Forrest ML, Berkland CJ. Human intratumoral therapy: Linking drug properties and tumor transport of drugs in clinical trials. J Control Release 2020; 326:203-221. [PMID: 32673633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer therapies aim to kill tumor cells directly or engage the immune system to fight malignancy. Checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, cell-based immunotherapies, cytokines, and adjuvants have been applied to prompt the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. However, systemic exposure of cancer therapies can induce unwanted adverse events. Intratumoral administration of potent therapies utilizes small amounts of drugs, in an effort to minimize systemic exposure and off-target toxicities. Here, we discuss the properties of the tumor microenvironment and transport considerations for intratumoral drug delivery. Specifically, we consider various tumor tissue factors and physicochemical factors that can affect tumor retention after intratumoral injection. We also review approved and clinical-stage intratumoral therapies and consider how the molecular and biophysical properties (e.g. size and charge) of these therapies influences intratumoral transport (e.g. tumor retention and cellular uptake). Finally, we offer a critical review and highlight several emerging approaches to promote tumor retention and limit systemic exposure of potent intratumoral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aric Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Melissa M Pressnall
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Ruolin Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - J Daniel Griffin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - Brandon J DeKosky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - M Laird Forrest
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Cory J Berkland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Oncolytic virotherapy is a new approach to the treatment of cancer and its success in the treatment of melanoma represents a breakthrough in cancer therapeutics. This paper provides a review of the current literature on the use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in the treatment of melanoma. RECENT FINDINGS Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is the first OV approved for the treatment of melanoma and presents new challenges as it enters the clinical setting. Several other OVs are at various stages of clinical and pre-clinical development for the treatment of melanoma. Reports from phase Ib-III clinical trials combining T-VEC with checkpoint blockade are encouraging and demonstrate potential added benefit of combination immunotherapy. OVs have recently emerged as a standard treatment option for patients with advanced melanoma. Several OVs and therapeutic combinations are in development. Immunooncolytic virotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors is promising for the treatment of advanced melanoma.
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Deplanque G, Shabafrouz K, Obeid M. Can local radiotherapy and IL-12 synergise to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and allow "in situ tumor vaccination"? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2017; 66:833-840. [PMID: 28409192 PMCID: PMC11029752 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2000-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The abscopal effect, which is the spontaneous regression of tumors or metastases outside the radiation field, occurs rarely in cancer patients. Interestingly, radiotherapy (RT) triggers an immunogenic cell death (ICD) that is able to generate tumor-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells that are efficient in killing cancer cells. The key question is: why is this "abscopal effect" so uncommon in cancer patients treated with RT? Most probably, the main reason may be related to the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of well-established tumors that constantly antagonizes the anti-tumor immune responses triggered by RT. In this case, additional or combinatorial immunotherapy is needed to attenuate these immunosuppressive networks and, therefore, substantially increases the efficacy of RT. Here, we describe a potentially promising synergistic radio-immunotherapy "in situ tumor vaccination" protocol by antagonizing the tumor-immunosuppressive microenvironment with a combinatorial approach using local RT and IL-12-based TH1 response augmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Deplanque
- Département d'Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Keyvan Shabafrouz
- Département d'Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Obeid
- Département d'Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Faculté de Médecine Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 91 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
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Preclinical validation: LV/IL-12 transduction of patient leukemia cells for immunotherapy of AML. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 3:16074. [PMID: 27933304 PMCID: PMC5142463 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent cytokine that may be harnessed to treat cancer. To date, nearly 100 IL-12-based clinical trials have been initiated worldwide. Yet systemic administration of IL-12 is toxic. Different strategies are being developed to reduce such toxicities by restricting IL-12 distribution. Our previous studies employed lentivector-mediated expression of murine IL-12 in tumor cells and demonstrated effective protection in both mouse leukemia and solid tumor challenge models. In this study, we carried out preclinical validation studies using a novel lentivector to engineer expression of human IL-12 in acute myeloid leukemia blast cells isolated from 21 patients. Acute myeloid leukemia cells were transduced with a bicistronic lentivector that encodes the human IL-12 cDNA as a fusion, as well as a LNGFR (ΔLNGFR)/mutant thymidylate kinase cassette as a marking and cell-fate control element. A range of 20-70% functional transduction efficiencies was achieved. Transduced acute myeloid leukemia cells produced bioactive IL-12 protein and displayed dose-dependent sensitivity to the prodrug 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine. In vitro immortalization assays using transduced mouse hematopoietic stem cells demonstrated minimal genotoxic risk from our IL-12 vector. Scale-up transduction and cell processing was subsequently validated in a GMP facility to support our (now approved) Clinical Trial Application (CTA).
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Lasek W, Zagożdżon R, Jakobisiak M. Interleukin 12: still a promising candidate for tumor immunotherapy? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:419-35. [PMID: 24514955 PMCID: PMC3994286 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1523-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 12 (IL-12) seemed to represent the ideal candidate for tumor immunotherapy, due to its ability to activate both innate (NK cells) and adaptive (cytotoxic T lymphocytes) immunities. However, despite encouraging results in animal models, very modest antitumor effects of IL-12 in early clinical trials, often accompanied by unacceptable levels of adverse events, markedly dampened hopes of the successful use of this cytokine in cancer patients. Recently, several clinical studies have been initiated in which IL-12 is applied as an adjuvant in cancer vaccines, in gene therapy including locoregional injections of IL-12 plasmid and in the form of tumor-targeting immunocytokines (IL-12 fused to monoclonal antibodies). The near future will show whether this renewed interest in the use of IL-12 in oncology will result in meaningful therapeutic effects in a select group of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witold Lasek
- Department of Immunology, Centre of Biostructure Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, "F" Bldg, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland,
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