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Elsner L, Heimann L, Geisler A, Dieringer B, Knoch KP, Hinze L, Klingel K, Solimena M, Kurreck J, Fechner H. Fast Track Adaptation of Oncolytic Coxsackie B3 Virus to Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells - a Method to Personalize Virotherapy. Biol Proced Online 2024; 26:11. [PMID: 38664647 PMCID: PMC11044309 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-024-00237-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of oncolytic viruses (OV) in cancer treatment depends on their ability to successfully infect and destroy tumor cells. However, patients' tumors vary, and in the case of individual insensitivity to an OV, therapeutic efficacy is limited. Here, we present a protocol for rapid generation of tumor cell-specific adapted oncolytic coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) with enhanced oncolytic potential and a satisfactory safety profile. This is achieved by combining directed viral evolution (DVE) with genetic modification of the viral genome and the use of a microRNA-dependent regulatory tool. METHODS The oncolytic CVB3 variant PD-H was adapted to the refractory colorectal carcinoma cell line Colo320 through serial passaging. XTT assays and virus plaque assays were used to determine virus cytotoxicity and virus replication in vitro. Recombinant PD-H variants were generated through virus mutagenesis. Apoptosis was detected by Western blots, Caspase 3/7 assays, and DAPI staining. The therapeutic efficacy and safety of the adapted recombinant OV PD-SK-375TS were assessed in vivo using a subcutaneous Colo320 xenograft mouse model. RESULTS PD-H was adapted to the colorectal cancer cell line Colo320 within 10 passages. Sequencing of passage 10 virus P-10 revealed a heterogenous virus population with five nucleotide mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions. The genotypically homogeneous OV PD-SK was generated by inserting the five detected mutations of P-10 into the genome of PD-H. PD-SK showed significantly stronger replication and cytotoxicity than PD-H in Colo320 cells, but not in other colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Increase of apoptosis induction was detected as key mechanisms of Colo320 cell-specific adaptation of PD-SK. For in vivo safety PD-SK was engineered with target sites of the miR-375 (miR-375TS) to exclude virus replication in normal tissues. PD-SK-375TS, unlike the PD-H-375TS not adapted homolog suppressed the growth of subcutaneous Colo320 tumors in nude mice without causing any side effects. CONCLUSION Taken together, here we present an optimized protocol for the rapid generation of tumor cell-specific adapted oncolytic CVB3 based on the oncolytic CVB3 strain PD-H. The protocol is promising for the generation of personalized OV for tumor therapy and has the potential to be applied to other OV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Elsner
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisanne Heimann
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Geisler
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Babette Dieringer
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Knoch
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden and German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Helmholtz Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Luisa Hinze
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Klingel
- Cardiopathology, Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstr. 8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michel Solimena
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden and German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Helmholtz Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Kurreck
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Fechner
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Joo HY, Baek H, Ahn CS, Park ER, Lee Y, Lee S, Han M, Kim B, Jang YH, Kwon H. Development of a novel, high-efficacy oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 platform equipped with two distinct retargeting modalities. Mol Ther Oncol 2024; 32:200778. [PMID: 38596302 PMCID: PMC10941007 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
To retarget oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) to cancer-specific antigens, we designed a novel, double-retargeted oHSV platform that uses single-chain antibodies (scFvs) incorporated into both glycoprotein H and a bispecific adapter expressed from the viral genome to mediate infection predominantly via tumor-associated antigens. Successful retargeting was achieved using a nectin-1-detargeted HSV that remains capable of interacting with herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), the second canonical HSV entry receptor, and is, therefore, recognized by the adapter consisting of the virus-binding N-terminal 82 residues of HVEM fused to the target-specific scFv. We tested both an epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)- and a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-specific scFv separately and together to target cells expressing one, the other, or both receptors. Our results show not only dose-dependent, target receptor-specific infection in vitro, but also enhanced virus spread compared with single-retargeted virus. In addition, we observed effective infection and spreading of the EpCAM double-retargeted virus in vivo. Remarkably, a single intravenous dose of the EpCAM-specific virus eliminated all detectable tumors in a subcutaneous xenograft model, and the same intravenous dose seemed to be harmless in immunocompetent FVB/N mice. Our findings suggest that our double-retargeted oHSV platform can provide a potent, versatile, and systemically deliverable class of anti-cancer therapeutics that specifically target cancer cells while ensuring safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Yoo Joo
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjung Baek
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chun-Seob Ahn
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ran Park
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngju Lee
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujung Lee
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihee Han
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bora Kim
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hoon Jang
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heechung Kwon
- Gencellmed Inc., Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Room 302 Research Building #3, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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3
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Menotti L. Virus Engineering and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16788. [PMID: 38069111 PMCID: PMC10706429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue highlights multiple facets of virus engineering, ranging from the dissection of the biological properties of individual viral functions in the context of safe genomic backbones, virus genetic modification for applications in gene therapy, oncolytic virotherapy and vaccine production, to the hurdles presented by quality control and the delivery of viruses for their final applications and finally to the simulation, prediction and validation of virus evolution [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Menotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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4
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Miguel Cejalvo J, Falato C, Villanueva L, Tolosa P, González X, Pascal M, Canes J, Gavilá J, Manso L, Pascual T, Prat A, Salvador F. Oncolytic Viruses: a new immunotherapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment? Cancer Treat Rev 2022; 106:102392. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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5
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Appolloni I, Alessandrini F, Menotti L, Avitabile E, Marubbi D, Piga N, Ceresa D, Piaggio F, Campadelli-Fiume G, Malatesta P. Specificity, Safety, Efficacy of EGFRvIII-Retargeted Oncolytic HSV for Xenotransplanted Human Glioblastoma. Viruses 2021; 13:1677. [PMID: 34578259 DOI: 10.3390/v13091677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a lethal primary brain tumor lacking effective therapy. The secluded onset site, combined with the infiltrative properties of this tumor, require novel targeted therapies. In this scenario, the use of oncolytic viruses retargeted to glioblastoma cells and able to spread across the tumor cells represent an intriguing treatment strategy. Here, we tested the specificity, safety and efficacy of R-613, the first oncolytic HSV fully retargeted to EGFRvIII, a variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor carrying a mutation typically found in glioblastoma. An early treatment with R-613 on orthotopically transplanted EGFRvIII-expressing human glioblastoma significantly increased the median survival time of mice. In this setting, the growth of human glioblastoma xenotransplants was monitored by a secreted luciferase reporter and showed that R-613 is able to substantially delay the development of the tumor masses. When administered as late treatment to a well-established glioblastomas, R-613 appeared to be less effective. Notably the uninfected tumor cells derived from the explanted tumor masses were still susceptible to R-613 infection ex vivo, thus suggesting that multiple treatments could enhance R-613 therapeutic efficacy, making R-613 a promising oncolytic HSV candidate for glioblastoma treatment.
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6
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Ikeda H, Uchida H, Okubo Y, Shibata T, Sasaki Y, Suzuki T, Hamada-Uematsu M, Hamasaki R, Okuda K, Yamaguchi M, Kojima M, Tanaka M, Hamada H, Tahara H. Antibody Screening System Using a Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-Based Probe To Identify a Novel Target for Receptor-Retargeted Oncolytic HSVs. J Virol 2021; 95:e01766-20. [PMID: 33627393 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01766-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a promising tool for developing oncolytic virotherapy. We recently reported a platform for receptor-retargeted oncolytic HSVs that incorporates single-chain antibodies (scFvs) into envelope glycoprotein D (gD) to mediate virus entry via tumor-associated antigens. Therefore, it would be useful to develop an efficient system that can screen antibodies that might mediate HSV entry when they are incorporated as scFvs into gD. We created an HSV-based screening probe by the genetic fusion of a gD mutant with ablated binding capability to the authentic HSV entry receptors and the antibody-binding C domain of streptococcal protein G. This engineered virus failed to enter cells through authentic receptors. In contrast, when this virus was conjugated with an antibody specific to an antigen on the cell membrane, it specifically entered cells expressing the cognate antigen. This virus was used as a probe to identify antibodies that mediate virus entry via recognition of certain molecules on the cell membrane other than authentic receptors. Using this method, we identified an antibody specific to epiregulin (EREG), which has been investigated mainly as a secreted growth factor and not necessarily for its precursor that is expressed in a transmembrane form. We constructed an scFv from the anti-EREG antibody for insertion into the retargeted HSV platform and found that the recombinant virus entered cells specifically through EREG expressed by the cells. This novel antibody-screening system may contribute to the discovery of unique and unexpected molecules that might be used for the entry of receptor-retargeted oncolytic HSVs.IMPORTANCE The tropism of the cellular entry of HSV is dependent on the binding of the envelope gD to one of its authentic receptors. This can be fully retargeted to other receptors by inserting scFvs into gD with appropriate modifications. In theory, upon binding to the engineered gD, receptors other than authentic receptors should induce a conformational change in the gD, which activates downstream mechanisms required for viral entry. However, prerequisite factors for receptors to be used as targets of a retargeted virus remain poorly understood, and it is difficult to predict which molecules might be suitable for our retargeted HSV construct. Our HSV-based probe will allow unbiased screening of antibody-antigen pairs that mediate virus entry and might be a useful tool to identify suitable pairs for our construct and to enhance our understanding of virus-cell interactions during infection by HSV and possibly other viruses.
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7
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Menotti L, Avitabile E. Herpes Simplex Virus Oncolytic Immunovirotherapy: The Blossoming Branch of Multimodal Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218310. [PMID: 33167582 PMCID: PMC7664223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are smart therapeutics against cancer due to their potential to replicate and produce the needed therapeutic dose in the tumor, and to their ability to self-exhaust upon tumor clearance. Oncolytic virotherapy strategies based on the herpes simplex virus are reaching their thirties, and a wide variety of approaches has been envisioned and tested in many different models, and on a range of tumor targets. This huge effort has culminated in the primacy of an oncolytic HSV (oHSV) being the first oncolytic virus to be approved by the FDA and EMA for clinical use, for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The path has just been opened; many more cancer types with poor prognosis await effective and innovative therapies, and oHSVs could provide a promising solution, especially as combination therapies and immunovirotherapies. In this review, we analyze the most recent advances in this field, and try to envision the future ahead of oHSVs.
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8
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De Lucia M, Cotugno G, Bignone V, Garzia I, Nocchi L, Langone F, Petrovic B, Sasso E, Pepe S, Froechlich G, Gentile C, Zambrano N, Campadelli-Fiume G, Nicosia A, Scarselli E, D'Alise AM. Retargeted and Multi-cytokine-Armed Herpes Virus Is a Potent Cancer Endovaccine for Local and Systemic Anti-tumor Treatment. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2020; 19:253-264. [PMID: 33209980 PMCID: PMC7658578 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are novel anti-tumor agents with the ability to selectively infect and kill tumor cells while sparing normal tissue. Beyond tumor cytolysis, OVs are capable of priming an anti-tumor immune response via lysis and cross-presentation of locally expressed endogenous tumor antigens, acting as an “endovaccine.” The effectiveness of OVs, similar to other immunotherapies, can be hampered by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this study, we modified a previously generated oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) retargeted to the human HER2 (hHER2) tumor molecule and encoding murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12), by insertion of a second immunomodulatory molecule, murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF), to maximize therapeutic efficacy. We assessed the efficacy of this double-armed virus (R-123) compared to singly expressing GM-CSF and IL-12 oHSVs in tumor-bearing mice. While monotherapies were poorly effective, combination with α-PD1 enhanced the anti-tumor response, with the highest efficacy of 100% response rate achieved by the combination of R-123 and α-PD1. Efficacy was T cell-dependent, and the induced immunity was long lasting and able to reject a second contralateral tumor. Importantly, systemic delivery of R-123 combined with α-PD1 was effective in inhibiting the development of tumor metastasis. As such, this approach could have a significant therapeutic impact paving the way for further development of this platform in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria De Lucia
- Nouscom S.r.l., Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Irene Garzia
- Nouscom S.r.l., Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Nocchi
- Nouscom S.r.l., Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuele Sasso
- Nouscom S.r.l., Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pepe
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Guendalina Froechlich
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. aR.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Gentile
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. aR.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Zambrano
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. aR.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alfredo Nicosia
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. aR.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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9
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Tuzmen C, Cairns TM, Atanasiu D, Lou H, Saw WT, Hall BL, Cohen JB, Cohen GH, Glorioso JC. Point Mutations in Retargeted gD Eliminate the Sensitivity of EGFR/EGFRvIII-Targeted HSV to Key Neutralizing Antibodies. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 16:145-154. [PMID: 32042851 PMCID: PMC7000558 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Effective oncolytic virotherapy may require systemic delivery, tumor targeting, and resistance to virus-neutralizing (VN) antibodies. Since herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD) is the viral attachment/entry protein and predominant VN target, we examined the impact of gD retargeting alone and in combination with alterations in dominant VN epitopes on virus susceptibility to VN antibodies. We compared the binding of a panel of anti-gD monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that mimic antibody specificities in human HSV-immune sera to the purified ectodomains of wild-type and retargeted gD, revealing the retention of two prominent epitopes. Substitution of a key residue in each epitope, separately and together, revealed that both substitutions (1) blocked retargeted gD recognition by mAbs to the respective epitopes, and, in combination, caused a global reduction in mAb binding; (2) protected against fusion inhibition by VN mAbs reactive with each epitope in virus-free cell-cell fusion assays; and (3) increased the resistance of retargeted HSV-1 to these VN mAbs. Although the combined modifications of retargeted gD allowed bona fide retargeting, incorporation into virions was partially compromised. Our results indicate that stacking of epitope mutations can additively block retargeted gD recognition by VN antibodies but also that improvements in gD incorporation into virus particles may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Tuzmen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Tina M Cairns
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Doina Atanasiu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Huan Lou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wan Ting Saw
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie L Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Gary H Cohen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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10
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Kamimura K, Yokoo T, Abe H, Terai S. Gene Therapy for Liver Cancers: Current Status from Basic to Clinics. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121865. [PMID: 31769427 PMCID: PMC6966544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a key organ for metabolism, protein synthesis, detoxification, and endocrine function, and among liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, malignant tumors, and congenital disease, liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Conventional therapeutic options such as embolization and chemotherapy are not effective against advanced-stage liver cancer; therefore, continuous efforts focus on the development of novel therapeutic options, including molecular targeted agents and gene therapy. In this review, we will summarize the progress toward the development of gene therapies for liver cancer, with an emphasis on recent clinical trials and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-25-227-2207; Fax: +81-25-227-0776
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11
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Jahanban‐Esfahlan R, Seidi K, Majidinia M, Karimian A, Yousefi B, Nabavi SM, Astani A, Berindan‐Neagoe I, Gulei D, Fallarino F, Gargaro M, Manni G, Pirro M, Xu S, Sadeghi M, Nabavi SF, Shirooie S. Toll‐like receptors as novel therapeutic targets for herpes simplex virus infection. Rev Med Virol 2019; 29:e2048. [DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rana Jahanban‐Esfahlan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
- Drug Applied Research CenterTabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Khaled Seidi
- Immunology Research CenterTabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Maryam Majidinia
- Solid Tumor Research CenterUrmia University of Medical Sciences Urmia Iran
| | - Ansar Karimian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research InstituteBabol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Molecular Medicine Research CenterTabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of MedicineTabriz University of Medical Science Tabriz Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research CenterBaqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Akram Astani
- Department of MicrobiologyShahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Yazd Iran
| | - Ioana Berindan‐Neagoe
- MEDFUTURE ‐Research Center for Advanced Medicine“Iuliu‐Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‐Napoca Romania
- Research Centerfor Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine“Iuliu‐Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‐Napoca Romania
- Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental PathologyThe Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă” Cluj‐Napoca Romania
| | - Diana Gulei
- MEDFUTURE ‐Research Center for Advanced Medicine“Iuliu‐Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‐Napoca Romania
| | | | - Marco Gargaro
- Department of Experimental MedicineUniversity of Perugia Italy
| | - Giorgia Manni
- Department of Experimental MedicineUniversity of Perugia Italy
| | - Matteo Pirro
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Perugia Italy
| | - Suowen Xu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research InstituteUniversity of Rochester Rochester NY USA
| | - Mahmoud Sadeghi
- Department of Transplantation ImmunologyUniversity of Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| | - Seyed Fazel Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research CenterBaqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Samira Shirooie
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of PharmacyKermanshah University of Medical Sciences Kermanshah Iran
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12
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Goswami R, Subramanian G, Silayeva L, Newkirk I, Doctor D, Chawla K, Chattopadhyay S, Chandra D, Chilukuri N, Betapudi V. Gene Therapy Leaves a Vicious Cycle. Front Oncol 2019; 9:297. [PMID: 31069169 PMCID: PMC6491712 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genetic code encrypted in thousands of genes holds the secret for synthesis of proteins that drive all biological processes necessary for normal life and death. Though the genetic ciphering remains unchanged through generations, some genes get disrupted, deleted and or mutated, manifesting diseases, and or disorders. Current treatment options—chemotherapy, protein therapy, radiotherapy, and surgery available for no more than 500 diseases—neither cure nor prevent genetic errors but often cause many side effects. However, gene therapy, colloquially called “living drug,” provides a one-time treatment option by rewriting or fixing errors in the natural genetic ciphering. Since gene therapy is predominantly a viral vector-based medicine, it has met with a fair bit of skepticism from both the science fraternity and patients. Now, thanks to advancements in gene editing and recombinant viral vector development, the interest of clinicians and pharmaceutical industries has been rekindled. With the advent of more than 12 different gene therapy drugs for curing cancer, blindness, immune, and neuronal disorders, this emerging experimental medicine has yet again come in the limelight. The present review article delves into the popular viral vectors used in gene therapy, advances, challenges, and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Goswami
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Gayatri Subramanian
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Liliya Silayeva
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Isabelle Newkirk
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Deborah Doctor
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Karan Chawla
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Saurabh Chattopadhyay
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Dhyan Chandra
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Nageswararao Chilukuri
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Venkaiah Betapudi
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Leoni V, Vannini A, Gatta V, Rambaldi J, Sanapo M, Barboni C, Zaghini A, Nanni P, Lollini PL, Casiraghi C, Campadelli-Fiume G. A fully-virulent retargeted oncolytic HSV armed with IL-12 elicits local immunity and vaccine therapy towards distant tumors. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007209. [PMID: 30080893 PMCID: PMC6095629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) showed efficacy in clinical trials and practice. Most of them gain cancer-specificity from deletions/mutations in genes that counteract the host response, and grow selectively in cancer cells defective in anti-viral response. Because of the deletions/mutations, they are frequently attenuated or over-attenuated. We developed next-generation oHSVs, which carry no deletion/mutation, gain cancer-specificity from specific retargeting to tumor cell receptors-e.g. HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)-hence are fully-virulent in the targeted cancer cells. The type of immunotherapy they elicit was not predictable, since non-attenuated HSVs induce and then dampen the innate response, whereas deleted/attenuated viruses fail to contrast it, and since the retargeted oHSVs replicate efficiently in tumor cells, but spare other cells in the tumor. We report on the first efficacy study of HER2-retargeted, fully-virulent oHSVs in immunocompetent mice. Their safety profile was very high. Both the unarmed R-LM113 and the IL-12-armed R-115 inhibited the growth of the primary HER2-Lewis lung carcinoma-1 (HER2-LLC1) tumor, R-115 being constantly more efficacious. All the mice that did not die because of the primary treated tumors, were protected from the growth of contralateral untreated tumors. The long-term survivors were protected from a second contralateral tumor, providing additional evidence for an abscopal immunotherapeutic effect. Analysis of the local response highlighted that particularly R-115 unleashed the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, i.e. induced immunomodulatory cytokines, including IFNγ, T-bet which promoted Th1 polarization. Some of the tumor infiltrating cells, e.g. CD4+, CD335+ cells were increased in the tumors of all responders mice, irrespective of which virus was employed, whereas CD8+, Foxp3+, CD141+ were increased and CD11b+ cells were decreased preferentially in R-115-treated mice. The durable response included a breakage of tolerance towards both HER2 and the wt tumor cells, and underscored a systemic immunotherapeutic vaccine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Leoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Vannini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Gatta
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Julie Rambaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Sanapo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Catia Barboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Zaghini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Costanza Casiraghi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Petrovic B, Leoni V, Gatta V, Zaghini A, Vannini A, Campadelli-Fiume G. Dual Ligand Insertion in gB and gD of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses for Retargeting to a Producer Vero Cell Line and to Cancer Cells. J Virol 2018; 92:e02122-17. [PMID: 29263257 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02122-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses gain cancer specificity in several ways. Like the majority of viruses, they grow better in cancer cells that are defective in mounting the host response to viruses. Often, they are attenuated by deletion or mutation of virulence genes that counteract the host response or are naturally occurring oncolytic mutants. In contrast, retargeted viruses are not attenuated or deleted; their cancer specificity rests on a modified, specific tropism for cancer receptors. For herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based oncolytics, the detargeting-retargeting strategies employed so far were based on genetic modifications of gD. Recently, we showed that even gH or gB can serve as retargeting tools. To enable the growth of retargeted HSVs in cells that can be used for clinical-grade virus production, a double-retargeting strategy has been developed. Here we show that several sites in the N terminus of gB are suitable to harbor the 20-amino-acid (aa)-long GCN4 peptide, which readdresses HSV tropism to Vero cells expressing the artificial GCN4 receptor and thus enables virus cultivation in the producer noncancer Vero-GCN4R cell line. The gB modifications can be combined with a minimal detargeting modification in gD, consisting in the deletion of two residues, aa 30 and 38, and replacement of aa 38 with the scFv to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), for retargeting to the cancer receptor. The panel of recombinants was analyzed comparatively in terms of virus growth, cell-to-cell spread, cytotoxicity, and in vivo antitumor efficacy to define the best double-retargeting strategy. IMPORTANCE There is increasing interest in oncolytic viruses, following FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval of HSV OncovexGM-CSF, and, mainly, because they greatly boost the immune response to the tumor and can be combined with immunotherapeutic agents, particularly checkpoint inhibitors. A strategy to gain cancer specificity and avoid virus attenuation is to retarget the virus tropism to cancer-specific receptors of choice. Cultivation of fully retargeted viruses is challenging, since they require cells that express the cancer receptor. We devised a strategy for their cultivation in producer noncancer Vero cell derivatives. Here, we developed a double-retargeting strategy, based on insertion of one ligand in gB for retargeting to a Vero cell derivative and of anti-HER2 ligand in gD for cancer retargeting. These modifications were combined with a minimally destructive detargeting strategy. This study and its companion paper explain the clinical-grade cultivation of retargeted oncolytic HSVs and promote their translation to the clinic.
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