1
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Ciccolella M, Andreone S, Mancini J, Sestili P, Negri D, Pacca AM, D’Urso MT, Macchia D, Canese R, Pang K, SaiYing Ko T, Decadt Y, Schiavoni G, Mattei F, Belardelli F, Aricò E, Bracci L. Anticancer Effects of Sublingual Type I IFN in Combination with Chemotherapy in Implantable and Spontaneous Tumor Models. Cells 2021; 10:845. [PMID: 33917958 PMCID: PMC8068355 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Salivary gland tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms representing less than 10% of all head and neck tumors. Among salivary gland tumors, salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare, but highly aggressive malignant tumor resembling ductal breast carcinoma. Sublingual treatments are promising for SDC due to the induction of both local and systemic biological effects and to reduced systemic toxicity compared to other administration routes. In the present study, we first established that the sublingual administration of type I IFN (IFN-I) is safe and feasible, and exerts antitumor effects both as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in transplantable tumor models, i.e., B16-OVA melanoma and EG.7-OVA lymphoma. Subsequently, we proved that sublingual IFN-I in combination with cyclophosphamide (CTX) induces a long-lasting reduction of tumor mass in NeuT transgenic mice that spontaneously develop SDC. Most importantly, tumor shrinkage in NeuT transgenic micewas accompanied by the emergence of tumor-specific cellular immune responses both in the blood and in the tumor tissue. Altogether, these results provide evidence that sublingual IFN holds promise in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ciccolella
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.A.); (J.M.); (G.S.); (F.M.)
| | - Sara Andreone
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.A.); (J.M.); (G.S.); (F.M.)
| | - Jacopo Mancini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.A.); (J.M.); (G.S.); (F.M.)
| | - Paola Sestili
- National Center for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Donatella Negri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Anna Maria Pacca
- Animal Research and Welfare Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.P.); (M.T.D.); (D.M.)
| | - Maria Teresa D’Urso
- Animal Research and Welfare Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.P.); (M.T.D.); (D.M.)
| | - Daniele Macchia
- Animal Research and Welfare Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.P.); (M.T.D.); (D.M.)
| | - Rossella Canese
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ken Pang
- Biolingus AG, CH-6052 Hergiswil NW, Switzerland; (K.P.); (T.S.K.); (Y.D.)
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville 3052, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Thomas SaiYing Ko
- Biolingus AG, CH-6052 Hergiswil NW, Switzerland; (K.P.); (T.S.K.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yves Decadt
- Biolingus AG, CH-6052 Hergiswil NW, Switzerland; (K.P.); (T.S.K.); (Y.D.)
| | - Giovanna Schiavoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.A.); (J.M.); (G.S.); (F.M.)
| | - Fabrizio Mattei
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.A.); (J.M.); (G.S.); (F.M.)
| | - Filippo Belardelli
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laura Bracci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.A.); (J.M.); (G.S.); (F.M.)
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2
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Iezzi M, Quaglino E, Amici A, Lollini PL, Forni G, Cavallo F. DNA vaccination against oncoantigens: A promise. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:316-325. [PMID: 22737607 PMCID: PMC3382874 DOI: 10.4161/onci.19127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging evidence that DNA vaccines elicit a protective immune response in rodents, dogs and cancer patients, coupled with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of an initial DNA vaccine to treat canine tumors is beginning to close the gap between the optimistic experimental data and their difficult application in a clinical setting. Here we review a series of conceptual and biotechnological advances that are working together to make DNA vaccines targeting molecules that play important roles during cancer progression (oncoantigens) a promise with near-term clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Iezzi
- Aging Research Centre; G. d'Annunzio University; Chieti, Italy
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3
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Th1 cytokine interferon gamma improves response in HER2 breast cancer by modulating the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway. Mol Ther 2021; 29:1541-1556. [PMID: 33412308 PMCID: PMC8058490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
HER2 breast cancer (BC) remains a significant problem in patients with locally advanced or metastatic BC. We investigated the relationship between T helper 1 (Th1) immune response and the proteasomal degradation pathway (PDP), in HER2-sensitive and -resistant cells. HER2 overexpression is partially maintained because E3 ubiquitin ligase Cullin5 (CUL5), which degrades HER2, is frequently mutated or underexpressed, while the client-protective co-chaperones cell division cycle 37 (Cdc37) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) are increased translating to diminished survival. The Th1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ caused increased CUL5 expression and marked dissociation of both Cdc37 and Hsp90 from HER2, causing significant surface loss of HER2, diminished growth, and induction of tumor senescence. In HER2-resistant mammary carcinoma, either IFN-γ or Th1-polarizing anti-HER2 vaccination, when administered with anti-HER2 antibodies, demonstrated increased intratumor CUL5 expression, decreased surface HER2, and tumor senescence with significant therapeutic activity. IFN-γ synergized with multiple HER2-targeted agents to decrease surface HER2 expression, resulting in decreased tumor growth. These data suggest a novel function of IFN-γ that regulates HER2 through the PDP pathway and provides an opportunity to impact HER2 responses through anti-tumor immunity.
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Conti L, Bolli E, Di Lorenzo A, Franceschi V, Macchi F, Riccardo F, Ruiu R, Russo L, Quaglino E, Donofrio G, Cavallo F. Immunotargeting of the xCT Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter Potentiates the Efficacy of HER2-Targeted Immunotherapies in Breast Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:1039-1053. [PMID: 32532810 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite HER2-targeted therapies improving the outcome of HER2+ breast cancer, many patients experience resistance and metastatic progression. Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a role in this resistance and progression, thus combining HER2 targeting with CSC inhibition could improve the management of HER2+ breast cancer. The cystine-glutamate antiporter, xCT, is overexpressed in mammary CSCs and is crucial for their redox balance, self-renewal, and resistance to therapies, representing a potential target for breast cancer immunotherapy. We developed a combined immunotherapy targeting HER2 and xCT using the Bovine Herpes virus-4 vector, a safe vaccine that can confer immunogenicity to tumor antigens. Mammary cancer-prone BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for rat Her2, were immunized with the single or combined vaccines. Anti-HER2 vaccination slowed primary tumor growth, whereas anti-xCT vaccination primarily prevented metastasis formation. The combination of the two vaccines exerted a complementary effect by mediating the induction of cytotoxic T cells and of HER2 and xCT antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and hinder cancer cell proliferation. Antibodies targeting xCT, but not those targeting HER2, directly affected CSC viability, self-renewal, and migration, inducing the antimetastatic effect of xCT vaccination. Our findings present a new therapy for HER2+ breast cancer, demonstrating that CSC immunotargeting via anti-xCT vaccination synergizes with HER2-directed immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Macchi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Russo
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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5
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Sow HS, Benonisson H, Brouwers C, Linssen MM, Camps M, Breukel C, Claassens J, van Hall T, Ossendorp F, Fransen MF, Verbeek JS. Immunogenicity of rat-neu + mouse mammary tumours determines the T cell-dependent therapeutic efficacy of anti-neu monoclonal antibody treatment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3933. [PMID: 32127568 PMCID: PMC7054273 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60893-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting HER2/neu, results in an increased median survival in Her2+ breast cancer patients. The tumour mutational burden and the presence of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) clearly correlate with response to trastuzumab. Here, we investigated if the immunogenicity of the transplantable rat-neu+ tumour cell line (TUBO) derived from a BALB/c-NeuT primary tumour is associated with the response to anti-neu mAb therapy. We compared the TUBO tumour outgrowth and tumour infiltrating T cells in isogenic (BALB/c-NeuT) and non-isogenic (WT BALB/c) recipient mice. Furthermore, therapeutic efficacy of anti-neu mAb and the contribution of T cells were examined in both mouse strains. The outgrowth of untreated tumours was significantly better in BALB/c-NeuT than WT BALB/c mice. Moreover, tumour infiltrating T cells were more abundantly present in WT BALB/c than BALB/c-NeuT mice, showing that the TUBO tumour was more immunogenic in WT BALB/c mice. In TUBO tumour bearing WT BALB/c mice, anti-neu mAb therapy resulted in an increase of tumour infiltrating T cells and long-term survival. When T cells were depleted, this strong anti-tumour effect was reduced to an outgrowth delay. In contrast, in TUBO tumour bearing BALB/c-NeuT mice, treatment with anti-neu mAb resulted only in tumour outgrowth delay, both in the presence and absence of T cells. We concluded that in immunogenic tumours the response to anti-neu mAb therapy is enhanced by additional T cell involvement compared to the response to anti-neu mAb in non-immunogenic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Sheng Sow
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hreinn Benonisson
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Conny Brouwers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margot M Linssen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Camps
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cor Breukel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jill Claassens
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke F Fransen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Sjef Verbeek
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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6
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Ruiu R, Rolih V, Bolli E, Barutello G, Riccardo F, Quaglino E, Merighi IF, Pericle F, Donofrio G, Cavallo F, Conti L. Fighting breast cancer stem cells through the immune-targeting of the xCT cystine-glutamate antiporter. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:131-141. [PMID: 29947961 PMCID: PMC11028170 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2185-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Tumor relapse and metastatic spreading act as major hindrances to achieve complete cure of breast cancer. Evidence suggests that cancer stem cells (CSC) would function as a reservoir for the local and distant recurrence of the disease, due to their resistance to radio- and chemotherapy and their ability to regenerate the tumor. Therefore, the identification of appropriate molecular targets expressed by CSC may be critical in the development of more effective therapies. Our studies focused on the identification of mammary CSC antigens and on the development of CSC-targeting vaccines. We compared the transcriptional profile of CSC-enriched tumorspheres from an Her2+ breast cancer cell line with that of the more differentiated parental cells. Among the molecules strongly upregulated in tumorspheres we selected the transmembrane amino-acid antiporter xCT. In this review, we summarize the results we obtained with different xCT-targeting vaccines. We show that, despite xCT being a self-antigen, vaccination was able to induce a humoral immune response that delayed primary tumor growth and strongly impaired pulmonary metastasis formation in mice challenged with tumorsphere-derived cells. Moreover, immunotargeting of xCT was able to increase CSC chemosensitivity to doxorubicin, suggesting that it may act as an adjuvant to chemotherapy. In conclusion, our approach based on the comparison of the transcriptome of tumorspheres and parental cells allowed us to identify a novel CSC-related target and to develop preclinical therapeutic approaches able to impact on CSC biology, and therefore, hampering tumor growth and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
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7
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Donofrio G, Tebaldi G, Lanzardo S, Ruiu R, Bolli E, Ballatore A, Rolih V, Macchi F, Conti L, Cavallo F. Bovine herpesvirus 4-based vector delivering the full length xCT DNA efficiently protects mice from mammary cancer metastases by targeting cancer stem cells. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1494108. [PMID: 30524888 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1494108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite marked advancements in its treatment, breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women, due to relapses and distal metastases. Breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), are a cellular reservoir for recurrence, metastatic evolution and disease progression, making the development of novel therapeutics that target CSCs, and thereby inhibit metastases, an urgent need. We have previously demonstrated that the cystine-glutamate antiporter xCT (SLC7A11), a protein that was shown to be overexpressed in mammary CSCs and that plays a key role in the maintenance of their redox balance, self-renewal and resistance to chemotherapy, is a potential target for mammary cancer immunotherapy. This paper reports on the development of an anti-xCT viral vaccine that is based on the bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) vector, which we have previously showed to be a safe vaccine that can transduce cells in vivo and confer immunogenicity to tumor antigens. We show that the vaccination of BALB/c mice with BoHV-4 expressing xCT (BoHV-4-mxCT), impaired lung metastases induced by syngeneic mammary CSCs both in preventive and therapeutic settings. Vaccination induced T lymphocyte activation and the production of anti-xCT antibodies that can mediate antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC), and directly impair CSC phenotype, self-renewal and redox balance. Our findings pave the way for the potential future use of BoHV-4-based vector targeting xCT in metastatic breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Tebaldi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballatore
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Macchi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
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8
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Castiello L, Sestili P, Schiavoni G, Dattilo R, Monque DM, Ciaffoni F, Iezzi M, Lamolinara A, Sistigu A, Moschella F, Pacca AM, Macchia D, Ferrantini M, Zeuner A, Biffoni M, Proietti E, Belardelli F, Aricò E. Disruption of IFN-I Signaling Promotes HER2/Neu Tumor Progression and Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:658-670. [PMID: 29622580 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferon (IFN-I) is a class of antiviral immunomodulatory cytokines involved in many stages of tumor initiation and progression. IFN-I acts directly on tumor cells to inhibit cell growth and indirectly by activating immune cells to mount antitumor responses. To understand the role of endogenous IFN-I in spontaneous, oncogene-driven carcinogenesis, we characterized tumors arising in HER2/neu transgenic (neuT) mice carrying a nonfunctional mutation in the IFNI receptor (IFNAR1). Such mice are unresponsive to this family of cytokines. Compared with parental neu+/- mice (neuT mice), IFNAR1-/- neu+/- mice (IFNAR-neuT mice) showed earlier onset and increased tumor multiplicity with marked vascularization. IFNAR-neuT tumors exhibited deregulation of genes having adverse prognostic value in breast cancer patients, including the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) marker aldehyde dehydrogenase-1A1 (ALDH1A1). An increased number of BCSCs were observed in IFNAR-neuT tumors, as assessed by ALDH1A1 enzymatic activity, clonogenic assay, and tumorigenic capacity. In vitro exposure of neuT+ mammospheres and cell lines to antibodies to IFN-I resulted in increased frequency of ALDH+ cells, suggesting that IFN-I controls stemness in tumor cells. Altogether, these results reveal a role of IFN-I in neuT-driven spontaneous carcinogenesis through intrinsic control of BCSCs. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(6); 658-70. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Castiello
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sestili
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiavoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Dattilo
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica M Monque
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Ciaffoni
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSi-Met), G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSi-Met), G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonella Sistigu
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,Department of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Moschella
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pacca
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Macchia
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Ferrantini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Proietti
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Belardelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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9
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Heterologous human/rat HER2-specific exosome-targeted T cell vaccine stimulates potent humoral and CTL responses leading to enhanced circumvention of HER2 tolerance in double transgenic HLA-A2/HER2 mice. Vaccine 2018; 36:1414-1422. [PMID: 29415817 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
DNA vaccines composed of heterologous human HER2 and rat neu sequences induce stronger antibody response and protective antitumor immunity than either HER2 or neu DNA vaccines in transgenic mice. We previously developed HER2-specific exosome-targeted T-cell vaccine HER2-TEXO capable of stimulating HER2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses, but only leading to partial protective immunity in double-transgenic HLA-A2/HER2 mice with self-immune tolerance to HER2. Here, we constructed an adenoviral vector AdVHuRt expressing HuRt fusion protein composed of NH2-HER21-407 (Hu) and COOH-neu408-690 (Rt) fragments, and developed a heterologous human/rat HER2-specific exosome-targeted T-cell vaccine HuRt-TEXO using polyclonal CD4+ T-cells uptaking exosomes released by AdVHuRt-transfected dendritic cells. We found that the HuRt-TEXO vaccine stimulates enhanced CD4+ T-cell responses leading to increased induction of HER2-specific antibody (∼70 µg/ml) compared to that (∼40 µg/ml) triggered by the homologous HER2-TEXO vaccine. By using PE-H-2Kd/HER223-71 tetramer, we determined that HuRt-TEXO stimulates stronger HER2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses eradicating 90% of HER2-specific target cells, while HER2-TEXO-induced CD8+ T-cell responses only eliminating 53% targets. Furthermore, HuRt-TEXO, but not HER2-TEXO vaccination, is capable of suppressing early stage-established HER2-expressing 4T1HER2 breast cancer in its lung metastasis or subcutaneous form in BALB/c mice, and of completely protecting transgenic HLA-A2/HER2 mice from growth of HLA-A2/HER2-expressing BL6-10A2/HER2 melanoma. HuRt-TEXO-stimulated HER2-specific CD8+ T-cells not only are cytolytic to trastuzumab-resistant HLA-A2/HER2-expressing BT474/A2 breast tumor cells in vitro but also eradicates pre-established BT474/A2 tumors in athymic nude mice. Therefore, our novel heterologous human/rat HER2-specific T-cell vaccine HuRt-TEXO, circumventing HER2 tolerance, may provide a new therapeutic alternative for patients with trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ breast tumor.
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Anticoli S, Aricò E, Arenaccio C, Manfredi F, Chiozzini C, Olivetta E, Ferrantelli F, Lattanzi L, D'Urso MT, Proietti E, Federico M. Engineered exosomes emerging from muscle cells break immune tolerance to HER2 in transgenic mice and induce antigen-specific CTLs upon challenge by human dendritic cells. J Mol Med (Berl) 2017; 96:211-221. [PMID: 29282521 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-017-1617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We recently described a novel biotechnological platform for the production of unrestricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) vaccines. It relies on in vivo engineering of exosomes, i.e., nanovesicles constitutively released by all cells, with full-length antigens of choice upon fusion with an exosome-anchoring protein referred to as Nefmut. They are produced upon intramuscular injection of a DNA vector and, when uploaded with a viral tumor antigen, were found to elicit an immune response inhibiting the tumor growth in a model of transplantable tumors. However, for a possible application in cancer immunotherapy, a number of key issues remained unmet. Among these, we investigated: (i) whether the immunogenic stimulus induced by the engineered exosomes can break immune tolerance, and (ii) their effectiveness when applied in human system. As a model of immune tolerance, we considered mice transgenic for the expression of activated rat HER2/neu which spontaneously develop adenocarcinomas in all mammary glands. When these mice were injected with a DNA vector expressing the product of fusion between Nefmut and the extracellular domain of HER2/neu, antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes became readily detectable. This immune response associated with a HER2-directed CTL activity and a significant delay in tumor development. On the other hand, through cross-priming experiments, we demonstrated the effectiveness of the engineered exosomes emerging from transfected human primary muscle cells in inducing antigen-specific CTLs. We propose our CTL vaccine platform as part of new immunotherapy strategies against tumors expressing self-antigens, i.e., products highly expressed in oncologic lesions but tolerated by the immune system. KEY MESSAGES We established a novel, exosome-based method to produce unrestricted CTL vaccines. This strategy is effective in breaking the tolerance towards tumor self-antigens. Our method is also useful to elicit antigen-specific CTL immunity in humans. These findings open the way towards the use of this antitumor strategy in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Anticoli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aricò
- FabioCell, Core Facilities, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Arenaccio
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Manfredi
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Chiozzini
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Olivetta
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Ferrantelli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Lattanzi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa D'Urso
- National Center for Animal Experimentation and Health, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Proietti
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ISS, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Federico
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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11
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PIF* promotes brain re-myelination locally while regulating systemic inflammation- clinically relevant multiple sclerosis M.smegmatis model. Oncotarget 2017; 8:21834-21851. [PMID: 28423529 PMCID: PMC5400627 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurologic disease diagnosis and treatment is challenging. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disease with few clinical forms and uncertain etiology. Current studies suggest that it is likely caused by infection(s) triggering a systemic immune response resulting in antigen/non-antigen-related autoimmune response in central nervous system (CNS). New therapeutic approaches are needed. Secreted by viable embryos, PreImplantation Factor (PIF) possesses a local and systemic immunity regulatory role. Synthetic PIF (PIF) duplicates endogenous peptide's protective effect in pre-clinical autoimmune and transplantation models. PIF protects against brain hypoxia-ischemia by directly targeting microglia and neurons. In chronic experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) model PIF reverses paralysis while promoting neural repair. Herein we report that PIF directly promotes brain re-myelination and reverses paralysis in relapsing remitting EAE MS model. PIF crosses the blood-brain barrier targeting microglia. Systemically, PIF decreases pro-inflammatory IL23/IL17 cytokines, while preserving CNS-specific T-cell repertoire. Global brain gene analysis revealed that PIF regulates critical Na+/K+/Ca++ ions, amino acid and glucose transport genes expression. Further, PIF modulates oxidative stress, DNA methylation, cell cycle regulation, and protein ubiquitination while regulating multiple genes. In cultured astrocytes, PIF promotes BDNF-myelin synthesis promoter and SLC2A1 (glucose transport) while reducing deleterious E2F5, and HSP90ab1 (oxidative stress) genes expression. In cultured microglia, PIF increases anti-inflammatory IL10 while reducing pro-inflammatory IFNγ expression. Collectively, PIF promotes brain re-myelination and neuroprotection in relapsing remitting EAE MS model. Coupled with ongoing, Fast-Track FDA approved clinical trial, NCT#02239562 (immune disorder), current data supports PIF's translation for neurodegenerative disorders therapy.
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12
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Riccardo F, Réal A, Voena C, Chiarle R, Cavallo F, Barutello G. Maternal Immunization: New Perspectives on Its Application Against Non-Infectious Related Diseases in Newborns. Vaccines (Basel) 2017; 5:vaccines5030020. [PMID: 28763018 PMCID: PMC5620551 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines5030020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The continuous evolution in preventive medicine has anointed vaccination a versatile, human-health improving tool, which has led to a steady decline in deaths in the developing world. Maternal immunization represents an incisive step forward for the field of vaccination as it provides protection against various life-threatening diseases in pregnant women and their children. A number of studies to improve prevention rates and expand protection against the largest possible number of infections are still in progress. The complex unicity of the mother-infant interaction, both during and after pregnancy and which involves immune system cells and molecules, is an able partner in the success of maternal immunization, as intended thus far. Interestingly, new studies have shed light on the versatility of maternal immunization in protecting infants from non-infectious related diseases, such as allergy, asthma and congenital metabolic disorders. However, barely any attempt at applying maternal immunization to the prevention of childhood cancer has been made. The most promising study reported in this new field is a recent proof of concept on the efficacy of maternal immunization in protecting cancer-prone offspring against mammary tumor progression. New investigations into the possibility of exploiting maternal immunization to prevent the onset and/or progression of neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood malignancies, are therefore justified. Maternal immunization is presented in a new guise in this review. Attention will be focused on its versatility and potential applications in preventing tumor progression in neuroblastoma-prone offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Aline Réal
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Claudia Voena
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
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13
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Martin SD, Coukos G, Holt RA, Nelson BH. Targeting the undruggable: immunotherapy meets personalized oncology in the genomic era. Ann Oncol 2015; 26:2367-74. [PMID: 26371284 PMCID: PMC4658541 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to recent advances in genomic technologies, personalized oncology is poised to fundamentally alter cancer therapy. In this paradigm, the mutational and transcriptional profiles of tumors are assessed, and personalized treatments are designed based on the specific molecular abnormalities relevant to each patient's cancer. To date, such approaches have yielded impressive clinical responses in some patients. However, a major limitation of this strategy has also been revealed: the vast majority of tumor mutations are not targetable by current pharmacological approaches. Immunotherapy offers a promising alternative to exploit tumor mutations as targets for clinical intervention. Mutated proteins can give rise to novel antigens (called neoantigens) that are recognized with high specificity by patient T cells. Indeed, neoantigen-specific T cells have been shown to underlie clinical responses to many standard treatments and immunotherapeutic interventions. Moreover, studies in mouse models targeting neoantigens, and early results from clinical trials, have established proof of concept for personalized immunotherapies targeting next-generation sequencing identified neoantigens. Here, we review basic immunological principles related to T-cell recognition of neoantigens, and we examine recent studies that use genomic data to design personalized immunotherapies. We discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead on the road to improving patient outcomes by incorporating immunotherapy into the paradigm of personalized oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Martin
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Victoria Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Michael Smith's Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - G Coukos
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne Hospital of the University of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - R A Holt
- Michael Smith's Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - B H Nelson
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Victoria Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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14
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Lanzardo S, Conti L, Rooke R, Ruiu R, Accart N, Bolli E, Arigoni M, Macagno M, Barrera G, Pizzimenti S, Aurisicchio L, Calogero RA, Cavallo F. Immunotargeting of Antigen xCT Attenuates Stem-like Cell Behavior and Metastatic Progression in Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2015; 76:62-72. [PMID: 26567138 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-1208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to therapy and lack of curative treatments for metastatic breast cancer suggest that current therapies may be missing the subpopulation of chemoresistant and radioresistant cancer stem cells (CSC). The ultimate success of any treatment may well rest on CSC eradication, but specific anti-CSC therapies are still limited. A comparison of the transcriptional profiles of murine Her2(+) breast tumor TUBO cells and their derived CSC-enriched tumorspheres has identified xCT, the functional subunit of the cystine/glutamate antiporter system xc(-), as a surface protein that is upregulated specifically in tumorspheres. We validated this finding by cytofluorimetric analysis and immunofluorescence in TUBO-derived tumorspheres and in a panel of mouse and human triple negative breast cancer cell-derived tumorspheres. We further show that downregulation of xCT impaired tumorsphere generation and altered CSC intracellular redox balance in vitro, suggesting that xCT plays a functional role in CSC biology. DNA vaccination based immunotargeting of xCT in mice challenged with syngeneic tumorsphere-derived cells delayed established subcutaneous tumor growth and strongly impaired pulmonary metastasis formation by generating anti-xCT antibodies able to alter CSC self-renewal and redox balance. Finally, anti-xCT vaccination increased CSC chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in vivo, indicating that xCT immunotargeting may be an effective adjuvant to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Macagno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barrera
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefania Pizzimenti
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele Adolfo Calogero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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15
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Jacca S, Rolih V, Quaglino E, Franceschi V, Tebaldi G, Bolli E, Rosamilia A, Ottonello S, Cavallo F, Donofrio G. Bovine herpesvirus 4-based vector delivering a hybrid rat/human HER-2 oncoantigen efficiently protects mice from autochthonous Her-2 + mammary cancer. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1082705. [PMID: 27141335 PMCID: PMC4839386 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1082705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) oncogene is a major target for the immunotherapy of breast cancer. Following up to the therapeutic success achieved with Her-2-targeting monoclonal antibodies, immune-prophylactic approaches directed against Her-2 have also been investigated taking into account, and trying to overcome, Her-2 self-tolerance. Perhaps due to safety (and efficacy) concerns, the least explored anti-Her-2 active immunization strategy so far has been the one relying on viral-vectored vaccine formulations. Taking advantage of the favorable properties of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) in terms of safety and ease of manipulation as well as its previously documented ability to transduce and confer immunogenicity to heterologous antigens, we tested the ability of different recombinant HER-2-BoHV-4 immunogens to 8break tolerance and elicit a protective, anti-mammary tumor antibody response in HER-2 transgenic BALB-neuT mice. All the tested constructs expressed the HER-2 transgenes at high levels and elicited significant cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice upon administration via either DNA vaccination or viral infection. In BALB-neuT mice, instead, only the viral construct expressing the membrane-bound chimeric form of Her-2 protein (BoHV-4-RHuT-gD) elicited a humoral immune response that was more intense and earlier-appearing than that induced by DNA vaccination. In keeping with this observation, two administrations of BoHV-4-RHuT-gD effectively protected BALB-neuT mice from tumor formation, with 50% of vaccinated animals tumor-free after 30 weeks from immunization compared to 100% of animals exhibiting at least one palpable tumor in the case of animals vaccinated with the other BoHV-4-HER-2 constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jacca
- Department of Medical-Veterinary Science, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Tebaldi
- Department of Medical-Veterinary Science, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Alfonso Rosamilia
- Department of Medical-Veterinary Science, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Simone Ottonello
- Department of Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical-Veterinary Science, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
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16
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Lollini PL, Cavallo F, Nanni P, Quaglino E. The Promise of Preventive Cancer Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 3:467-89. [PMID: 26343198 PMCID: PMC4494347 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines3020467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Years of unsuccessful attempts at fighting established tumors with vaccines have taught us all that they are only able to truly impact patient survival when used in a preventive setting, as would normally be the case for traditional vaccines against infectious diseases. While true primary cancer prevention is still but a long-term goal, secondary and tertiary prevention are already in the clinic and providing encouraging results. A combination of immunopreventive cancer strategies and recently approved checkpoint inhibitors is a further promise of forthcoming successful cancer disease control, but prevention will require a considerable reduction of currently reported toxicities. These considerations summed with the increased understanding of tumor antigens allow space for an optimistic view of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, Torino 10126, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, Torino 10126, Italy.
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17
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Barutello G, Curcio C, Spadaro M, Arigoni M, Trovato R, Bolli E, Zheng Y, Ria F, Quaglino E, Iezzi M, Riccardo F, Holmgren L, Forni G, Cavallo F. Antitumor immunization of mothers delays tumor development in cancer-prone offspring. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1005500. [PMID: 26155401 PMCID: PMC4485839 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1005500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immunization is successfully applied against some life-threatening infectious diseases as it can protect the mother and her offspring through the passive transfer of maternal antibodies. Here, we sought to evaluate whether the concept of maternal immunization could also be applied to cancer immune-prevention. We have previously shown that antibodies induced by DNA vaccination against rat Her2 (neu) protect heterozygous neu-transgenic female (BALB-neuT) mice from autochthonous mammary tumor development. We, herein, seek to evaluate whether a similar maternal immunization can confer antitumor protection to BALB-neuT offspring. Significantly extended tumor-free survival was observed in BALB-neuT offspring born and fed by mothers vaccinated against neu, as compared to controls. Maternally derived anti-neu immunoglobulin G (IgG) was successfully transferred from mothers to newborns and was responsible for the protective effect. Vaccinated mothers and offspring also developed active immunity against neu as revealed by the presence of T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against the neu immunodominant peptide. This active response was due to the milk transfer of immune complexes that were formed between the neu extracellular domain, shed from vaccine-transfected muscle cells, and the anti-neu IgG induced by the vaccine. These findings show that maternal immunization has the potential to hamper mammary cancer in genetically predestinated offspring and to develop into applications against lethal neonatal cancer diseases for which therapeutic options are currently unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Barutello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Claudia Curcio
- Aging Research Centre; "Gabriele d'Annunzio" University ; Chieti, Italy
| | - Michela Spadaro
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Trovato
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Yujuan Zheng
- Department of Oncology and Pathology; Cancer Centre Karolinska; Karolinska Institutet ; Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Ria
- Institute of General Pathology; Catholic University Sacro Cuore ; Roma, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Aging Research Centre; "Gabriele d'Annunzio" University ; Chieti, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Lars Holmgren
- Department of Oncology and Pathology; Cancer Centre Karolinska; Karolinska Institutet ; Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Guido Forni
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino ; Torino, Italy
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18
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Marino M, Maiuri MT, Di Sante G, Scuderi F, La Carpia F, Trakas N, Provenzano C, Zisimopoulou P, Ria F, Tzartos SJ, Evoli A, Bartoccioni E. T cell repertoire in DQ5-positive MuSK-positive myasthenia gravis patients. J Autoimmun 2014; 52:113-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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Cavallo F, Aurisicchio L, Mancini R, Ciliberto G. Xenogene vaccination in the therapy of cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2014; 14:1427-42. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.927433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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20
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Microenvironment, oncoantigens, and antitumor vaccination: lessons learned from BALB-neuT mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:534969. [PMID: 25136593 PMCID: PMC4065702 DOI: 10.1155/2014/534969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene is amplified in approximately 20% of human breast cancers and is associated with an aggressive clinical course and the early development of metastasis. Its crucial role in tumor growth and progression makes HER2 a prototypic oncoantigen, the targeting of which may be critical for the development of effective anticancer therapies. The setup of anti-HER2 targeting strategies has revolutionized the clinical outcome of HER2+ breast cancer. However, their initial success has been overshadowed by the onset of pharmacological resistance that renders them ineffective. Since the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in drug resistance, the design of more effective anticancer therapies should depend on the targeting of both cancer cells and their TME as a whole. In this review, starting from the successful know-how obtained with a HER2+ mouse model of mammary carcinogenesis, the BALB-neuT mice, we discuss the role of TME in mammary tumor development. Indeed, a deeper knowledge of antigens critical for cancer outbreak and progression and of the mechanisms that regulate the interplay between cancer and stromal cell populations could advise promising ways for the development of the best anticancer strategy.
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21
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Macagno M, Bandini S, Stramucci L, Quaglino E, Conti L, Balmas E, Smyth MJ, Lollini PL, Musiani P, Forni G, Iezzi M, Cavallo F. Multiple roles of perforin in hampering ERBB-2 (Her-2/neu) carcinogenesis in transgenic male mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:5434-41. [PMID: 24790144 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Perforin (pfp)-mediated cytotoxicity is one of the principal immunosurveillance mechanisms involved in the fight against cancer. However, its importance in spontaneous epithelial cancer is still poorly defined. In this study, we use a realistic mouse model that displays many features that are equivalent to human pathology to evaluate the role of pfp-dependent immunosurveillance by comparing tumor progression in rat ERBB-2 (neu) transgenic, pfp-proficient (neu(+)/pfp(+)) or pfp-deficient (neu(+)/pfp(-)) BALB/c male mice. Adult neu(+)/pfp(+) males developed poorly differentiated salivary carcinomas, whereas neu(+)/pfp(-) males displayed their salivary carcinomas noticeably earlier and showed zones of more highly differentiated tumor, indicating that pfp-mediated immunosurveillance is able not only to delay the growth kinetic of an aggressive epithelial tumor, but also to shape its histology. The role of pfp-mediated immunosurveillance appeared to be of even more dramatic importance against the less aggressive male mammary carcinomas. In neu(+)/pfp(+) males, the incidence of mammary carcinomas was a sporadic and late event. In contrast, in neu(+)/pfp(-) males their incidence was four-fold higher. This higher cancer incidence was associated with a 2-fold higher occurrence of persisting mammary remnants, a major risk factor for mammary cancer in male mice, and one that would appear to be due to pfp's previously unidentified involvement in male mammary gland rejection during embryogenesis. This work thus provides further proof of the complex role that the immune system plays in the body and gives new insight into the pathogenesis of epithelial tumors, demonstrating that the penetrance and malignancy of a tumor may be dramatically affected by pfp-dependent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Macagno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Silvio Bandini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stramucci
- Aging Research Center, G. D'Annunzio University Foundation, 66013 Chieti, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Elisa Balmas
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia; and
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Musiani
- Aging Research Center, G. D'Annunzio University Foundation, 66013 Chieti, Italy
| | - Guido Forni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Aging Research Center, G. D'Annunzio University Foundation, 66013 Chieti, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
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De Giovanni C, Nicoletti G, Quaglino E, Landuzzi L, Palladini A, Ianzano ML, Dall'Ora M, Grosso V, Ranieri D, Laranga R, Croci S, Amici A, Penichet ML, Iezzi M, Cavallo F, Nanni P, Lollini PL. Vaccines against human HER2 prevent mammary carcinoma in mice transgenic for human HER2. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:R10. [PMID: 24451168 PMCID: PMC3979148 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The availability of mice transgenic for the human HER2 gene (huHER2) and prone to the development of HER2-driven mammary carcinogenesis (referred to as FVB-huHER2 mice) prompted us to study active immunopreventive strategies targeting the human HER2 molecule in a tolerant host. Methods FVB-huHER2 mice were vaccinated with either IL-12-adjuvanted human HER2-positive cancer cells or DNA vaccine carrying chimeric human-rat HER2 sequences. Onset and number of mammary tumors were recorded to evaluate vaccine potency. Mice sera were collected and passively transferred to xenograft-bearing mice to assess their antitumor efficacy. Results Both cell and DNA vaccines significantly delayed tumor onset, leading to about 65% tumor-free mice at 70 weeks, whereas mock-vaccinated FVB-huHER2 controls developed mammary tumors at a median age of 45 weeks. In the DNA vaccinated group, 65% of mice were still tumor-free at about 90 weeks of age. The number of mammary tumors per mouse was also significantly reduced in vaccinated mice. Vaccines broke the immunological tolerance to the huHER2 transgene, inducing both humoral and cytokine responses. The DNA vaccine mainly induced a high and sustained level of anti-huHER2 antibodies, the cell vaccine also elicited interferon (IFN)-γ production. Sera of DNA-vaccinated mice transferred to xenograft-carrying mice significantly inhibited the growth of human HER2-positive cancer cells. Conclusions Anti-huHER2 antibodies elicited in the tolerant host exert antitumor activity.
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Riccardo F, Bolli E, Macagno M, Arigoni M, Cavallo F, Quaglino E. Chimeric DNA Vaccines: An Effective Way to Overcome Immune Tolerance. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2014; 405:99-122. [PMID: 25294003 DOI: 10.1007/82_2014_426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The fact that cancer immunotherapy is considered to be a safe and successful weapon for use in combination with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments means that it has recently been chosen as Breakthrough of the Year 2013 by Science editors. Anticancer vaccines have been extensively tested, in this field, both in preclinical cancer models and in the clinic. However, tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are often self-tolerated molecules and cancer patients suffer from strong immunosuppressive effects, meaning that the triggering of an effective anti-tumor immune response is difficult. One possible means to overcome immunological tolerance to self-TAAs is of course the use of vaccines that code for xenogeneic proteins. However, a low-affinity antibody response against the self-homologous protein expressed by cancer cells is generally induced by xenovaccination. This issue becomes extremely limiting when working with tumors in which the contribution of the humoral rather than the cellular immune response is required if tumor growth is to be hampered. A possible way to avoid this problem is to use hybrid vaccines which code for chimeric proteins that include both homologous and xenogeneic moieties. In fact, a superior protective anti-tumor immune response against ErbB2+ transplantable and autochthonous mammary tumors was observed over plasmids that coded for the fully rat or fully human proteins when hybrid plasmids that coded for chimeric rat/human ErbB2 protein were tested in ErbB2 transgenic mice. In principle, these findings may become the basis for a new rational means of designing effective vaccines against TAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Macagno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.
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24
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Marchini C, Kalogris C, Garulli C, Pietrella L, Gabrielli F, Curcio C, Quaglino E, Cavallo F, Amici A. Tailoring DNA Vaccines: Designing Strategies Against HER2-Positive Cancers. Front Oncol 2013; 3:122. [PMID: 23675574 PMCID: PMC3653119 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial role of HER2 in epithelial transformation and its selective overexpression on cancer tissues makes it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapies such as passive immunotherapy with Trastuzumab. There are, however, a number of concerns regarding the use of monoclonal antibodies which include resistance, repeated treatments, considerable costs, and side effects that make active immunotherapies against HER2 desirable alternative approaches. The efficacy of anti-HER2 DNA vaccination has been widely demonstrated in transgenic cancer-prone mice, which recapitulate several features of human breast cancers. Nonetheless, the rational design of a cancer vaccine able to trigger a long-lasting immunity, and thus prevent tumor recurrence in patients, would require the understanding of how tolerance and immunosuppression regulate antitumor immune responses and, at the same time, the identification of the most immunogenic portions of the target protein. We herein retrace the findings that led to our most promising DNA vaccines that, by encoding human/rat chimeric forms of HER2, are able to circumvent peripheral tolerance. Preclinical data obtained with these chimeric DNA vaccines have provided the rationale for their use in an ongoing Phase I clinical trial (EudraCT 2011-001104-34).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Marchini
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino Camerino, Macerata, Italy
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25
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Gabrielli F, Salvi R, Garulli C, Kalogris C, Arima S, Tardella L, Monaci P, Pupa SM, Tagliabue E, Montani M, Quaglino E, Stramucci L, Curcio C, Marchini C, Amici A. Identification of relevant conformational epitopes on the HER2 oncoprotein by using Large Fragment Phage Display (LFPD). PLoS One 2013; 8:e58358. [PMID: 23555577 PMCID: PMC3610777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a new phage-display based approach, the Large Fragment Phage Display (LFPD), that can be used for mapping conformational epitopes on target molecules of immunological interest. LFPD uses a simplified and more effective phage-display approach in which only a limited set of larger fragments (about 100 aa in length) are expressed on the phage surface. Using the human HER2 oncoprotein as a target, we identified novel B-cell conformational epitopes. The same homologous epitopes were also detected in rat HER2 and all corresponded to the epitopes predicted by computational analysis (PEPITO software), showing that LFPD gives reproducible and accurate results. Interestingly, these newly identified HER2 epitopes seem to be crucial for an effective immune response against HER2-overexpressing breast cancers and might help discriminating between metastatic breast cancer and early breast cancer patients. Overall, the results obtained in this study demonstrated the utility of LFPD and its potential application to the detection of conformational epitopes on many other molecules of interest, as well as, the development of new and potentially more effective B-cell conformational epitopes based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Gabrielli
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Roberto Salvi
- Faculté de Médecine, Biothérapie du Diabète, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France
| | - Chiara Garulli
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Cristina Kalogris
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Serena Arima
- Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Luca Tardella
- Department of Statistical Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Monaci
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Serenella M. Pupa
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Montani
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Curcio
- Aging Research Centre, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchini
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
- * E-mail: (CM); (AA)
| | - Augusto Amici
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
- * E-mail: (CM); (AA)
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Nicolò C, Di Sante G, Procoli A, Migliara G, Piermattei A, Valentini M, Delogu G, Cittadini A, Constantin G, Ria F. M tuberculosis in the adjuvant modulates time of appearance of CNS-specific effector T cells in the spleen through a polymorphic site of TLR2. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55819. [PMID: 23409051 PMCID: PMC3569447 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DC deliver information regulating trafficking of effector T cells along T-cell priming. However, the role of pathogen-derived motives in the regulation of movement of T cells has not been studied. We hereinafter report that amount of M tuberculosis in the adjuvant modulates relocation of PLP139-151 specific T cells. In the presence of a low dose of M tuberculosis in the adjuvant, T cells (detected by CDR3 BV-BJ spectratyping, the so-called "immunoscope") mostly reach the spleen by day 28 after immunization ("late relocation") in the SJL strain, whereas T cells reach the spleen by d 14 with a high dose of M tuberculosis ("early relocation"). The C57Bl/6 background confers a dominant "early relocation" phenotype to F1 (SJL×C57Bl/6) mice, allowing early relocation of T cells in the presence of low dose M tuberculosis. A single non-synonymous polymorphism of TLR2 is responsible for "early/late" relocation phenotype. Egress of T lymphocytes is regulated by TLR2 expressed on T cells. Thus, pathogens engaging TLR2 on T cells regulate directly T-cell trafficking, and polymorphisms of TLR2 condition T-cell trafficking upon a limiting concentration of ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Nicolò
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Di Sante
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Procoli
- Institute of Gynecology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Migliara
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Piermattei
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Delogu
- Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Achille Cittadini
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriela Constantin
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Ria
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Sugiura D, Denda-Nagai K, Takashima M, Murakami R, Nagai S, Takeda K, Irimura T. Local effects of regulatory T cells in MUC1 transgenic mice potentiate growth of MUC1 expressing tumor cells in vivo. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44770. [PMID: 23028615 PMCID: PMC3444443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MUC1 transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mice have widely been used as model recipients of cancer immunotherapy with MUC1. Although MUC1.Tg mice have previously been shown to be immunologically tolerant to MUC1, the involvement of regulatory T (Treg) cells in this phenotype remains unclear. Here, we showed that numbers of Treg cells in MUC1-expressing tumors were greater in MUC1.Tg mice than in control C57BL/6 (B6) mice, and that the growth of tumor cells expressing MUC1, but not that of control cells, in MUC1. Tg mice was faster than in B6 mice. The MUC1.Tg mice appeared to develop MUC1-specific peripheral tolerance, as transferred MUC1-specific T cells were unable to function in MUC1.Tg mice but were functional in control B6 mice. The suppressive function of CD4+CD25high cells from MUC1.Tg mice was more potent than that of cells from control B6 mice when Treg cell activity against MUC1-specific T cells was compared in vitro. Therefore, the enhanced growth of MUC1-expressing tumor cells in MUC1.Tg mice is likely due to the presence of MUC1-specific Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Sugiura
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Denda-Nagai
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (KDN); (TI)
| | - Mitsuyo Takashima
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Murakami
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigenori Nagai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Takeda
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Irimura
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (KDN); (TI)
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Burkhardt UE, Sloots A, Jakobi V, Wei WZ, Cavallo F, Kloke BP, Wels WS. IL-15 augments antitumoral activity of an ErbB2/HER2 cancer vaccine targeted to professional antigen-presenting cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:1473-84. [PMID: 22331080 PMCID: PMC11029045 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Targeted delivery of tumor-associated antigens to professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) is being explored as a strategy to enhance the antitumoral activity of cancer vaccines. Here, we generated a cell-based system for continuous in vivo production of a CTLA-4-ErbB2 fusion protein as a therapeutic vaccine. The chimeric CTLA-4-ErbB2 molecule contains the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 for specific targeting to costimulatory B7 molecules on the surface of APC, genetically fused to residues 1-222 of human ErbB2 (HER2) as an antigenic determinant. In wild-type BALB/c mice, inoculation of syngeneic epithelial cells continuously secreting the CTLA-4-ErbB2 fusion vaccine in the vicinity of subcutaneously growing ErbB2-expressing renal cell carcinomas resulted in the rejection of established tumors, accompanied by the induction of ErbB2-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T cells. In contrast, treatment with CTLA-4-ErbB2 vaccine-secreting producer cells alone was insufficient to induce tumor rejection in ErbB2-transgenic WAP-Her-2 F1 mice, which are characterized by pronounced immunological tolerance to the human self-antigen. When CTLA-4-ErbB2 producer cells were modified to additionally secrete interleukin (IL)-15, antigen-specific antitumoral activity of the vaccine in WAP-Her-2 F1 mice was restored, documented by an increase in survival, and marked inhibition of the growth of established ErbB2-expressing, but not antigen-negative tumors. Our results demonstrate that continuous in vivo expression of an APC-targeted ErbB2 fusion protein results in antigen-specific immune responses and antitumoral activity in tumor-bearing hosts, which is augmented by the pleiotropic cytokine IL-15. This provides a rationale for further development of this approach for specific cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute E. Burkhardt
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Arjen Sloots
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Vera Jakobi
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wei-Zen Wei
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201 USA
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Björn-Philipp Kloke
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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29
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Nguyen-Hoai T, Baldenhofer G, Ahmed MS, Pham-Duc M, Gries M, Lipp M, Dörken B, Pezzutto A, Westermann J. CCL19 (ELC) improves TH1-polarized immune responses and protective immunity in a murine Her2/neu DNA vaccination model. J Gene Med 2012; 14:128-37. [PMID: 22228591 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA vaccination is an attractive approach for tumor vaccination because plasmid DNA (pDNA) can be used as a 'general vaccine' across major histocompatibility complex barriers. Coexpression of immunomodulatory molecules can help to amplify the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. CCL19 (ELC) is a CC chemokine with immunoregulatory properties, binding to the chemokine receptor CCR7 that is expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. In vivo, CCL19 is a key regulator for the interactions between DCs and T cells in regional lymph nodes. METHODS pDNA encoding Her2/neu and CCL19 was used as an intramuscular vaccine. Vaccination was performed in BALB/c mice, which were subsequently challenged with syngeneic Her2/neu(+) tumor cells. Groups of mice were immunized with pDNA(Her2/neu) plus pDNA(CCL19), pDNA(Her2/neu) plus pDNA(CCL19) plus pDNA(GM-CSF), pDNA(Her2/neu) plus pDNA(GM-CSF), pDNA(Her2/neu), pDNA(CCL19), pDNA(GM-CSF) or mock vector. Tumor protection by the vaccine and immune responses were monitored. RESULTS Coadministration of pDNA(Her2/neu) and pDNA(CCL19) led to substantial improvement of tumor protection by the vaccine and induced a TH1-polarized, Her2/neu-specific immune response. Forty-seven days after the tumor challenge, 58% of the mice coinjected with pDNA(Her2/neu) and pDNA(CCL19) remained tumor-free compared to 22% after vaccination with pDNA(Her2/neu) alone. Additional administration of pDNA(GM-CSF) led to further improvement of tumor protection and an amplification of Her2/neu-specific immune responses. CONCLUSIONS CCL19 is able to induce a TH-1 polarization of the anti-Her2/neu immune response, which can be further amplified by granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Clinical use of a pDNA(Her2/neu-CCL19 ± GM-CSF) vaccine might be promising in Her2/neu + breast cancer in the clinical situation of minimal residual disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam Nguyen-Hoai
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité-, University Medicine Berlin, Campus Berlin-Buch and Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Germany
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30
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Berta GN, Sprio AE, Iezzi M, Spadaro M, Cappia S, Salamone P, Di Scipio F, Mognetti B, Papotti M, Musiani P, Forni G, Cavallo F. A DNA vaccine against ERBB2 impairs chemical carcinogenesis in random-bred hamsters. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2011; 4:994-1001. [PMID: 21733823 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-10-0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines against oncoantigens halt early neoplastic lesions in several cancer-prone, genetically engineered mouse models, whereas their ability to prevent chemical carcinogenesis has not been explored. This is a significant issue, as exposure to chemical mutagens is responsible for a substantial percentage of cancers worldwide. Here, we show that the archetypal oncoantigen ERBB2 is transiently overexpressed in Syrian hamsters during the early stages of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA)-induced oral carcinogenesis. Repeated DNA vaccinations against ERBB2 significantly reduce the number, size, and severity of oral lesions in a manner directly proportional to the anti-ERBB2 antibody response. These results support the prospects of vaccines as a fresh strategy in the management of individuals at risk for exposure to defined carcinogenic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Berta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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Quaglino E, Riccardo F, Macagno M, Bandini S, Cojoca R, Ercole E, Amici A, Cavallo F. Chimeric DNA Vaccines against ErbB2+ Carcinomas: From Mice to Humans. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:3225-41. [PMID: 24212954 PMCID: PMC3759195 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3033225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Revised: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccination exploits a relatively simple and flexible technique to generate an immune response against microbial and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). Its effectiveness is enhanced by the application of an electrical shock in the area of plasmid injection (electroporation). In our studies we exploited a sophisticated electroporation device approved for clinical use (Cliniporator, IGEA, Carpi, Italy). As the target antigen is an additional factor that dramatically modulates the efficacy of a vaccine, we selected ErbB2 receptor as a target since it is an ideal oncoantigen. It is overexpressed on the cell membrane by several carcinomas for which it plays an essential role in driving their progression. Most oncoantigens are self-tolerated molecules. To circumvent immune tolerance we generated two plasmids (RHuT and HuRT) coding for chimeric rat/human ErbB2 proteins. Their immunogenicity was compared in wild type mice naturally tolerant for mouse ErbB2, and in transgenic mice that are also tolerant for rat or human ErbB2. In several of these mice, RHuT and HuRT elicited a stronger anti-tumor response than plasmids coding for fully human or fully rat ErbB2. The ability of heterologous moiety to blunt immune tolerance could be exploited to elicit a significant immune response in patients. A clinical trial to delay the recurrence of ErbB2+ carcinomas of the oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx is awaiting the approval of the Italian authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; E-Mails: (E.Q.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (S.B.); (R.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; E-Mails: (E.Q.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (S.B.); (R.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Marco Macagno
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; E-Mails: (E.Q.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (S.B.); (R.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Silvio Bandini
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; E-Mails: (E.Q.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (S.B.); (R.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Rodica Cojoca
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; E-Mails: (E.Q.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (S.B.); (R.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Elisabetta Ercole
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; E-Mails: (E.Q.); (F.R.); (M.M.); (S.B.); (R.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Augusto Amici
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; E-Mail:
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Poschke I, Mougiakakos D, Kiessling R. Camouflage and sabotage: tumor escape from the immune system. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:1161-71. [PMID: 21626032 PMCID: PMC11028815 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-011-1012-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The field of tumor immunology has made great progress in understanding tumor immune interactions. As a consequence a number of immuno-therapeutic approaches have been successfully introduced into the clinic and a large number of promising therapeutic strategies are investigated in ongoing clinical trials. Evaluation of anti-tumor immunity in such trials as well as in animal models has shown that tumor escape from immune recognition and tumor-mediated suppression of anti-tumor immunity can pose a significant obstacle to successful cancer therapy. Here, we review mechanisms of tumor immune escape and immune-subversion with a focus on the research interests in our laboratory: loss of MHC class I on tumor cells, increased oxidative stress, recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Poschke
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska R8:01, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Landuzzi L, Antognoli A, Nicoletti G, Croci S, Palladini A, Ianzano ML, Murgo A, Stivani V, Grosso V, Nanni P, De Giovanni C, Lollini PL. HER-2/neu tolerant and non-tolerant mice for fine assessment of antimetastatic potency of dendritic cell-tumor cell hybrid vaccines. Vaccine 2011; 29:4690-7. [PMID: 21569812 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.04.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Revised: 03/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Main obstacles to cancer vaccine efficacy are pre-existing antigenic load and immunoescape mechanisms, including tolerance against self tumor-associated antigens. Here we explored the role of tolerance in an antimetastatic vaccine approach based on dendritic cell-tumor cell (DC-TC) hybrids, thanks to the comparison between BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for and tolerant to rat HER-2/neu, with their non-tolerant strain of origin BALB/c. Allogeneic DC-TC hybrid vaccine displayed a high antimetastatic activity in non-tolerant mice, but was far less effective in tolerant mice, even with intensified vaccine schedule. Tolerant BALB-neuT mice revealed a reduced ability to mount polarized Th1 responses. A further attempt to increase the antimetastatic activity by using LPS-matured DC hybrids failed. Allogeneic LPS-matured DC-TC hybrids induced high IFN-γ levels, but concomitantly also the highest production of IL-4 and IL-10 suggesting activation of mechanisms sustaining regulatory cells able to blunt vaccine efficacy. Our data in tolerant versus non-tolerant hosts suggest that clinical translation of effective DC-based strategies could benefit from more extensive investigations in tolerant transgenic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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Orlandi F, Guevara-Patiño JA, Merghoub T, Wolchok JD, Houghton AN, Gregor PD. Combination of epitope-optimized DNA vaccination and passive infusion of monoclonal antibody against HER2/neu leads to breast tumor regression in mice. Vaccine 2011; 29:3646-54. [PMID: 21435405 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
HER2/neu is an oncogene amplified and over-expressed in 20-30% of breast adenocarcinomas. Treatment with the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has shown efficacy in combination with cytotoxic agents, although resistance occurs over time. Novel approaches are needed to further increase antibody efficacy. In this study, we provide evidence in a mouse breast cancer therapeutic tumor model that the combination of active immunization with a modified HER2/neu DNA vaccine and passive infusion of an anti-HER2/neu monoclonal antibody leads to significant regression of established tumors. Our data indicate that combination therapy with a HER2/neu DNA vaccine and trastuzumab may have clinical activity in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Orlandi
- The Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, United States
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Cavallo F, De Giovanni C, Nanni P, Forni G, Lollini PL. 2011: the immune hallmarks of cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:319-26. [PMID: 21267721 PMCID: PMC3042096 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0968-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ten years after the publication of the position paper “The hallmarks of cancer” (Hanahan and Weinberg Cell 100:57–70, 2000), it has become increasingly clear that mutated cells on their way to giving rise to a tumor have also to learn how to thrive in a chronically inflamed microenvironment, evade immune recognition, and suppress immune reactivity. Genetic and molecular definition of these three immune hallmarks of cancer offers the opportunity to learn how to deploy specific countermeasures to reverse the situation in favor of the immune system and, eventually, the patient. This new information could be channeled to address what seem to be the three major hallmarks for the immune control of cancer progression: effective procedures to activate immune reactivity; characterization of not-disposable oncoantigens; and counteraction of immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cavallo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy.
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Baxevanis CN, Voutsas IF, Gritzapis AD, Perez SA, Papamichail M. HER-2/neu as a target for cancer vaccines. Immunotherapy 2010; 2:213-26. [PMID: 20635929 DOI: 10.2217/imt.09.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel modality toward the treatment of HER-2/neu-positive malignancies, mostly including breast and, more recently prostate carcinomas, has been the use of vaccines targeting HER-2/neu extracellular and intracellular domains. HER-2/neu-specific vaccines have been demonstrated to generate durable T-cell anti-HER-2/neu immunity when tested in Phase I and II clinical trials with no significant toxicity or autoimmunity directed against normal tissues. Targeting of HER-2/neu in active immunotherapy may involve peptide and DNA vaccines. Moreover, active anti-HER-2/neu immunization could facilitate the ex vivo expansion of HER-2/neu-specific T cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of established metastatic disease. In addition, early data from trials examining the potential use of HER-2/neu-based vaccines in the adjuvant setting to prevent the relapse of breast cancer in high-risk patients have shown promising results. Future approaches include multiepitope preventive vaccines and combinatorial treatments for generating the most efficient protective anti-tumor immunity.
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Surface expression of MPT64 as a fusion with the PE domain of PE_PGRS33 enhances Mycobacterium bovis BCG protective activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice. Infect Immun 2010; 78:5202-13. [PMID: 20921146 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00267-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the current vaccine against tuberculosis, a recombinant strain of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) expressing a Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine candidate antigen (MPT64) in strong association with the mycobacterial cell wall was developed. To deliver the candidate antigen on the surface, we fused the mpt64 gene to the sequence encoding the PE domain of the PE_PGRS33 protein of M. tuberculosis (to create strain (H)PE-ΔMPT64-BCG), which we have previously shown to transport proteins to the bacterial surface. In a series of protection experiments in the mouse model of tuberculosis, we showed that (i) immunization of mice with (H)PE-ΔMPT64-BCG provides levels of protection significantly higher than those afforded by the parental BCG strain, as assessed by bacterial colonization in lungs and spleens and by lung involvement (at both 28 and 70 days postchallenge), (ii) rBCG strains expressing MPT64 provide better protection than the parental BCG strain only when this antigen is surface expressed, and (iii) the (H)PE-ΔMPT64-BCG-induced MPT64-specific T cell repertoire when characterized by β chain variable region-β chain joining region (BV-BJ) spectratyping indicates that protection is correlated with the ability to recruit gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting T cells carrying the BV8.3-BJ1.5 (172 bp) shared rearrangement. These results demonstrate that (H)PE-ΔMPT64-BCG is one of the most effective new vaccines tested so far in the mouse model of tuberculosis and underscore the impact of antigen cellular localization on the induction of the specific immune response induced by rBCG.
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Triulzi C, Vertuani S, Curcio C, Antognoli A, Seibt J, Akusjärvi G, Wei WZ, Cavallo F, Kiessling R. Antibody-Dependent Natural Killer Cell–Mediated Cytotoxicity Engendered by a Kinase-Inactive Human HER2 Adenovirus-Based Vaccination Mediates Resistance to Breast Tumors. Cancer Res 2010; 70:7431-41. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-0493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lekka E, Gritzapis AD, Perez SA, Tsavaris N, Missitzis I, Mamalaki A, Papamichail M, Baxevanis CN. Identification and characterization of a HER-2/neu epitope as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2010; 59:715-27. [PMID: 19904532 PMCID: PMC11030771 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-009-0791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our aim is to develop peptide vaccines that stimulate tumor antigen-specific T-lymphocyte responses against frequently detected cancers. We describe herein a novel HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope, encompassing amino acids 828-836 (residues QIAKGMSYL), which is naturally presented by various HER-2/neu (+) tumor cell lines. HER-2/neu(828-836), [HER-2(9(828))], possesses two anchor residues and stabilized HLA-A*0201 on T2 cells in a concentration-dependent Class I binding assay. This peptide was stable for 3.5 h in an off-kinetic assay. HER-2(9(828)) was found to be immunogenic in HLA-A*0201 transgenic (HHD) mice inducing peptide-specific and functionally potent CTL and long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. Most important, using HLA-A*0201 pentamer analysis we could detect increased ex vivo frequencies of CD8(+) T-lymphocytes specifically recognizing HER-2(9(828)) in 8 out of 20 HLA-A*0201(+) HER-2/neu (+) breast cancer patients. Moreover, HER-2(9(828))-specific human CTL recognized the tumor cell line SKOV3.A2 as well as the primary RS.A2.1.DR1 tumor cell line both expressing HER-2/neu and HLA-A*0201. Finally, therapeutic vaccination with HER-2(9(828)) in HHD mice was proven effective against established transplantable ALC.A2.1.HER tumors, inducing complete tumor regression in 50% of mice. Our data encourage further exploitation of HER-2(9(828)) as a promising candidate for peptide-based cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Lekka
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Saint Savas Cancer Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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40
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Rolla S, Ria F, Occhipinti S, Di Sante G, Iezzi M, Spadaro M, Nicolò C, Ambrosino E, Merighi IF, Musiani P, Forni G, Cavallo F. Erbb2 DNA vaccine combined with regulatory T cell deletion enhances antibody response and reveals latent low-avidity T cells: potential and limits of its therapeutic efficacy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:6124-32. [PMID: 20435927 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Rat (r)Erbb2 transgenic BALB-neuT mice genetically predestined to develop multiple invasive carcinomas allow an assessment of the potential of a vaccine against the stages of cancer progression. Because of rErbb2 expression in the thymus and its overexpression in the mammary gland, CD8(+) T cell clones reacting at high avidity with dominant rErbb2 epitopes are deleted in these mice. In BALB-neuT mice with diffuse and invasive in situ lesions and almost palpable carcinomas, a temporary regulatory T cells depletion combined with anti-rErbb2 vaccine markedly enhanced the anti-rErbb2 Ab response and allowed the expansion of latent pools of low-avidity CD8(+) T cells bearing TCRs repertoire reacting with the rErbb2 dominant peptide. This combination of a higher Ab response and activation of a low-avidity cytotoxic response persistently blocked tumor progression at stages in which the vaccine alone was ineffective. However, when diffuse and invasive microscopic cancers become almost palpable, this combination was no longer able to secure a significant extension of mice survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Rolla
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Local delivery of recombinant vaccinia virus encoding for neu counteracts growth of mammary tumors more efficiently than systemic delivery in neu transgenic mice. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2010; 59:1247-58. [PMID: 20364378 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0850-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant vaccinia virus has been widely employed as a cancer vaccine in several clinical trials. In this study we explored, employing BALB/c mice transgenic for the rat neu oncogene, the ability of the recombinant vaccinia virus neu (rV-neuT) vaccine to inhibit growth of neu+ mammary carcinomas and whether the efficacy of vaccination was dependent on: (a) carcinogenesis stage at which the vaccination was initiated; (b) number of vaccinations and (c) route of delivery (systemic vs. local). BALB-neuT mice were vaccinated one, two and three times by subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramammary gland (im.g.) injection with rV-neuT or V-wt (wild-type vaccinia virus) starting at the stage in which mouse mammary gland displays atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma. We demonstrated that vaccination using rV-neuT was more effective when started at an earlier stage of mammary carcinogenesis and after three vaccinations. The im.g. vaccination was more effective than the s.c. vaccination in inhibiting mammary carcinogenesis, eliciting anti-Neu antibodies, increasing anti-Neu IgG2a/G3 isotypes and inducing antibodies able to trigger mammary tumor cells apoptosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The better protective ability of rV-neuT im.g. vaccination was associated with its capacity to induce a superior degree of in vivo mammary cancer cells apoptosis. Our research suggests that intratumoral vaccination using recombinant vaccinia virus could be employed to increase the activity of a genetic cancer vaccine. This study may have important implications for the design of cancer vaccine protocols for the treatment of breast cancer and of accessible tumors using recombinant vaccinia virus.
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42
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Quaglino E, Mastini C, Amici A, Marchini C, Iezzi M, Lanzardo S, De Giovanni C, Montani M, Lollini PL, Masucci G, Forni G, Cavallo F. A Better Immune Reaction to Erbb-2 Tumors Is Elicited in Mice by DNA Vaccines Encoding Rat/Human Chimeric Proteins. Cancer Res 2010; 70:2604-12. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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43
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Gritzapis AD, Voutsas IF, Lekka E, Papamichail M, Baxevanis CN. Peptide Vaccination Breaks Tolerance to HER-2/neu by Generating Vaccine-Specific FasL+ CD4+ T Cells: First Evidence for Intratumor Apoptotic Regulatory T Cells. Cancer Res 2010; 70:2686-96. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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44
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Nicolò C, Sali M, Di Sante G, Geloso MC, Signori E, Penitente R, Uniyal S, Rinaldi M, Ingrosso L, Fazio VM, Chan BMC, Delogu G, Ria F. Mycobacterium smegmatisExpressing a Chimeric Protein MPT64-Proteolipid Protein (PLP) 139–151 Reorganizes the PLP-Specific T Cell Repertoire Favoring a CD8-Mediated Response and Induces a Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 184:222-35. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0804263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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45
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HER-2/neu (657-665) represents an immunogenic epitope of HER-2/neu oncoprotein with potent antitumor properties. Vaccine 2009; 28:162-70. [PMID: 19799847 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2009] [Revised: 09/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The HER-2/neu oncoprotein is a promising cancer vaccine target. We describe herein a novel HLA-A2.1-restricted epitope, encompassing amino acids 657-665 (AVVGILLVV), which is naturally presented by human breast and ovarian cell lines. HER-2/neu(657-665), [HER-2(9(657))], binds with high affinity to HLA-A2.1 molecules as revealed by a prediction algorithm (SYFPEITHI) and in functional assays. This peptide was found to be immunogenic in HLA-A2.1 transgenic (HHD) mice inducing peptide-specific CTL, which responded with increased IFNgamma production, degranulation, and in vitro as well as in vivo cytotoxicity. Most important, HER-2(9(657)) functioned as a therapeutic vaccine by enabling HHD mice to reject established transplantable tumors. Cured mice resisted tumor growth when re-challenged with the same tumor, demonstrating the capacity of HER-2(9(657)) to generate tumor-specific memory immune response. Finally, this peptide was also found to be immunogenic in PBMCs from HLA-A2.1(+) patients with HER-2/neu(+) breast cancer. Our data encourage further exploitation of HER-2(9(657)) as a promising candidate for peptide-based cancer vaccines.
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46
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A Novel Mouse Model for Evaluation and Prediction of HLA-A2-restricted CEA Cancer Vaccine Responses. J Immunother 2009; 32:744-54. [DOI: 10.1097/cji.0b013e3181aee1b6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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47
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Wei H, Wang S, Zhang D, Hou S, Qian W, Li B, Guo H, Kou G, He J, Wang H, Guo Y. Targeted delivery of tumor antigens to activated dendritic cells via CD11c molecules induces potent antitumor immunity in mice. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:4612-21. [PMID: 19584156 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-3321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CD11c is an antigen receptor predominantly expressed on dendritic cells (DC), to which antigen targeting has been shown to induce robust antigen-specific immune responses. To facilitate targeted delivery of tumor antigens to DCs, we generated fusion proteins consisting of the extracellular domain of human HER or its rat homologue neu, fused to the single-chain fragment variable specific for CD11c (scFv(CD11c)-HER2/neu). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Induction of cellular and humoral immune responses and antitumoral activity of the fusion proteins admixed with DC-activating CpG oligonucleotides (scFv(CD11c)-HER2/neu(CpG)) were tested in transplantable HER2/neu-expressing murine tumor models and in transgenic BALB-neuT mice developing spontaneous neu-driven mammary carcinomas. RESULTS Vaccination of BALB/c mice with scFv(CD11c)-HER2(CpG) protected mice from subsequent challenge with HER2-positive, but not HER2-negative, murine breast tumor cells, accompanied by induction of strong HER2-specific T-cell and antibody responses. In a therapeutic setting, injection of scFv(CD11c)-HER2(CpG) caused rejection of established HER2-positive tumors. Importantly, antitumoral activity of such a fusion protein vaccine could be reproduced in immunotolerant BALB-neuT mice, where scFv(CD11c)-neu(CpG) vaccination significantly protected against a subsequent challenge with neu-expressing murine breast tumor cells and markedly delayed the onset of spontaneous mammary carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS CD11c-targeted protein vaccines for in vivo delivery of tumor antigens to DCs induce potent immune responses and antitumoral activities and provide a rationale for further development of this approach for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Wei
- International Joint Cancer Institute and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering and Antibody, The Second Military Medical Universit, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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48
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Dharmapuri S, Aurisicchio L, Biondo A, Welsh N, Ciliberto G, La Monica N. Antiapoptotic Small Interfering RNA as Potent Adjuvant of DNA Vaccination in a Mouse Mammary Tumor Model. Hum Gene Ther 2009; 20:589-97. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2008.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar Dharmapuri
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, 00040 Pomezia, Italy
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, 00040 Pomezia, Italy
| | - Antonella Biondo
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, 00040 Pomezia, Italy
| | - Natalie Welsh
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, 00040 Pomezia, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, 00040 Pomezia, Italy
| | - Nicola La Monica
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, 00040 Pomezia, Italy
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Andreasson K, Tegerstedt K, Eriksson M, Curcio C, Cavallo F, Forni G, Dalianis T, Ramqvist T. Murine pneumotropic virus chimeric Her2/neu virus-like particles as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against Her2/neu expressing tumors. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:150-6. [PMID: 18839427 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) have increasingly attracted attention as DNA-free and safe antigen carriers in tumor immunotherapy, requiring only minute amounts of antigens. Previously, we have immunized with murine polyomavirus (MPyV) VLPs carrying human Her2/neu and prevented the outgrowth of a human Her2/neu expressing tumor in a transplantable tumor model as well as outgrowth of spontaneous rat Her2/neu carcinomas in BALB-neuT mice. Here, we examine if prophylactic and therapeutic protection could be obtained with murine pneumotropic virus (MPtV) VLPs, and study the cross-reactivity between human and rat Her2/neu. VLPs from MPyV and MPtV carrying human or rat Her2/neu were tested in two transplantable tumor models against a human Her2/neu positive (D2F2/E2) and a rat Her2/neu positive tumor cell line (TUBO). Rat Her2/neu-VLPs were also tested in BALB-neuT mice. Her2/neu-MPtVLPs were as efficient as prophylactic vaccines against D2F2/E2 and TUBO as those from MPyV. Homologous Her2/neu was better than heterologous, i.e. human Her2/neu-VLPs were better than rat Her2/neu-VLPs against D2F2/E2 and vice versa. Moreover, therapeutic immunization with human Her2/neu-VLPs together with CpG given up to 6 days after challenge protected against D2F2/E2. In BALB-neuT mice, rat Her2/neu-VLPs were less efficient than human Her2/neu-VLPs used in our previous study, implying that protection seen in that study was partly due to the use of human rather than rat Her2/neu. In conclusion, Her2/neu-MPtVLPs are effective both as prophylactic and therapeutic tumor vaccines. Homologous Her2/neu-VLPs are superior to heterologous in transplantable tumor models, while the opposite is true in BALB-neuT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalle Andreasson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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50
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Sloots A, Mastini C, Rohrbach F, Weth R, Curcio C, Burkhardt U, Jäger E, Forni G, Cavallo F, Wels WS. DNA vaccines targeting tumor antigens to B7 molecules on antigen-presenting cells induce protective antitumor immunity and delay onset of HER-2/Neu-driven mammary carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:6933-43. [PMID: 18980988 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-1257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Presentation of tumor antigens by professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) is critical for the induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses. To facilitate targeted delivery of tumor antigens to APC, we generated DNA vaccines that encode secreted fusion proteins consisting of the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 for binding to costimulatory B7 molecules on APC, fused to residues 1 to 222 of human ErbB2 (HER-2) or a corresponding 224 residues fragment of its rat homologue Neu. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Induction of humoral and cellular immune responses and antitumoral activity of the DNA vaccines were tested in murine tumor models with transfected renal carcinoma cells expressing the respective antigens and in transgenic BALB-neuT mice developing spontaneous Neu-driven mammary carcinomas. RESULTS Vaccination of BALB/c mice with CTLA-4-ErbB2(222) plasmid DNA markedly improved tumor-free survival on challenge with ErbB2-expressing Renca cells in comparison with untargeted ErbB2(222), accompanied by induction of stronger ErbB2-specific antibody and CTL responses. Likewise, a CTLA-4 vaccine carrying the unrelated NY-ESO-1 cancer-germline antigen was more effective than untargeted NY-ESO-1 in the protection of mice from challenge with NY-ESO-1-expressing tumor cells. Importantly, antitumoral activity of such a CTLA-4 fusion vaccine could be reproduced in immunotolerant BALB-neuT mice, where a corresponding CTLA-4-Neu(224) DNA vaccine markedly delayed the onset of spontaneous Neu-driven mammary carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that plasmid DNA vaccines for in vivo expression of tumor antigens targeted to APC induce potent immune responses and antitumoral activities, providing a rationale for further development of this approach for specific cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjen Sloots
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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