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Middelburg J, Sluijter M, Schaap G, Göynük B, Lloyd K, Ovcinnikovs V, Zom GG, Marijnissen RJ, Groeneveldt C, Griffioen L, Sandker GGW, Heskamp S, van der Burg SH, Arakelian T, Ossendorp F, Arens R, Schuurman J, Kemper K, van Hall T. T-cell stimulating vaccines empower CD3 bispecific antibody therapy in solid tumors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:48. [PMID: 38167722 PMCID: PMC10761684 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44308-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
CD3 bispecific antibody (CD3 bsAb) therapy is clinically approved for refractory hematological malignancies, but responses in solid tumors have been limited so far. One of the main hurdles in solid tumors is the lack of sufficient T-cell infiltrate. Here, we show that pre-treatment vaccination, even when composed of tumor-unrelated antigens, induces CXCR3-mediated T-cell influx in immunologically 'cold' tumor models in male mice. In the absence of CD3 bsAb, the infiltrate is confined to the tumor invasive margin, whereas subsequent CD3 bsAb administration induces infiltration of activated effector CD8 T cells into the tumor cell nests. This combination therapy installs a broadly inflamed Th1-type tumor microenvironment, resulting in effective tumor eradication. Multiple vaccination formulations, including synthetic long peptides and viruses, empower CD3 bsAb therapy. Our results imply that eliciting tumor infiltration with vaccine-induced tumor-(un)related T cells can greatly improve the efficacy of CD3 bsAbs in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Middelburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Sluijter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby Schaap
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Büşra Göynük
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Christianne Groeneveldt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa Griffioen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gerwin G W Sandker
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Heskamp
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tsolere Arakelian
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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2
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Speetjens FM, Welters MJP, Slingerland M, van Poelgeest MIE, de Vos van Steenwijk PJ, Roozen I, Boekestijn S, Loof NM, Zom GG, Valentijn ARPM, Krebber WJ, Meeuwenoord NJ, Janssen CAH, Melief CJM, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, van der Burg SH, Gelderblom H, Ossendorp F. Intradermal vaccination of HPV-16 E6 synthetic peptides conjugated to an optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand shows safety and potent T cell immunogenicity in patients with HPV-16 positive (pre-)malignant lesions. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005016. [PMID: 36261215 PMCID: PMC9582304 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amplivant is a molecularly optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand that can be covalently conjugated to tumor peptide antigens. In preclinical models, amplivant-adjuvanted synthetic long peptides (SLPs) strongly enhanced antigen presentation by dendritic cells, T cell priming and induction of effective antitumor responses. The current study is a first-in-human trial to investigate safety and immunogenicity of amplivant conjugated to human papillomavirus (HPV) 16-SLP. METHODS A dose escalation phase I vaccination trial was performed in 25 patients treated for HPV16 positive (pre-)malignant lesions. Amplivant was conjugated to two SLPs derived from the two most immunodominant regions of the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein. The vaccine, containing a mix of these two conjugates in watery solution without any other formulation, was injected intradermally three times with a 3-week interval in four dose groups (1, 5, 20 or 50 µg per conjugated peptide). Safety data were collected during the study. Peptide-specific T cell immune responses were determined in blood samples taken before, during and after vaccination using complementary immunological assays. RESULTS Toxicity after three amplivant-conjugated HPV16-SLP vaccinations was limited to grade 1 or 2, observed as predominantly mild skin inflammation at the vaccination site and sometimes mild flu-like symptoms. Adverse events varied from none in the lowest dose group to mild/moderate vaccine-related inflammation in all patients and flu-like symptoms in three out of seven patients in the highest dose group, after at least one injection. In the lowest dose group, vaccine-induced T cell responses were observed in the blood of three out of six vaccinated persons. In the highest dose group, all patients displayed a strong HPV16-specific T cell response after vaccination. These HPV16-specific T cell responses lasted until the end of the trial. CONCLUSIONS Amplivant-conjugated SLPs can safely be used as an intradermal therapeutic vaccine to induce robust HPV16-specific T cell immunity in patients previously treated for HPV16 positive (pre-) malignancies. Increased vaccine dose was associated with a higher number of mild adverse events and with stronger systemic T cell immunity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT02821494 and 2014-000658-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M Speetjens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marij J P Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Inge Roozen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Boekestijn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nikki M Loof
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Rob P M Valentijn
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico J Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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3
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Speetjens FM, Welters MJP, Slingerland M, de Vos van Steenwijk P, Roozen IC, Boekestijn S, Loof N, Zom GG, Valentijn R, Krebber WJ, Melief CJM, Filippov DV, Gelderblom H, van der Burg SH, Ossendorp F. Phase I trial to determine safety and immunogenicity of amplivant, a synthetic toll-like receptor 2 ligand, conjugated to two HPV16 E6 synthetic long peptides. J Clin Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.2614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
2614 Background: Therapeutic vaccines based on synthetic long peptides (SLPs) have a great potential for immunotherapy of cancer patients as these SLPs include both human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II epitopes and no patient selection for HLA types is required. The antigen-induced immune response can be strengthened with immune stimulating additives. Amplivant (AV) is a synthetic Toll-like receptor 2 ligand which can be directly conjugated to tumor peptide antigens. In preclinical studies, AV-conjugation to antigens led to both enhanced antigen presentation by dendritic cells and T-cell priming and caused superior induction of effective anti-tumor responses. Moreover, AV-conjugated SLPs showed a 100 times higher immune response compared to unconjugated SLP. The current study is a first-in-human trial to investigate safety and immunogenicity of AV-conjugated human papillomavirus (HPV)16-SLPs. Methods: A dose escalation phase I trial was performed in 24 patients with HPV16 positive (pre-) malignant lesions. AV was conjugated to two SLPs derived from the most immunodominant regions of the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein. Four dose groups (1, 5, 20 or 50 μg of each peptide) in 6 patients each were studied. The vaccine was injected three times intradermally in DMSO / water with a three-week interval. Adverse events (AE) were collected according to CTCAE v4.0 up to 26 weeks. Peptide-specific T-cell immune responses were determined in blood samples taken before and after vaccination using complementary immunological assays (proliferation assay, IFNγ-ELISPOT and cytokine bead array). Results: Toxicity after three AV-conjugated HPV16-SLP vaccinations was limited to CTCAE grade 1 or 2, with predominantly inflammation at the vaccination site and sometimes flu-like symptoms, which generally resolved within one day. Dose increase resulted from no AE in the lowest dose group to mild/moderate AE in all vaccinated persons in the highest dose group. In the lowest dose group, minor vaccine-induced T-cell responses were observed in three of six vaccinated persons. In the highest dose group, all patients displayed a strong HPV16-specific T-cell response after vaccination. The induced T-cell response against HPV16 lasted until the end of the trial. Conclusions: This first-in-human study showed that AV conjugated to SLPs can safely be used as an intradermal therapeutic vaccine. AV-conjugated HPV16-SLP was able to induce robust HPV16-specific T-cell immunity in patients treated for HPV16 positive (pre-) malignancies without any other vaccine adjuvant or formulation. Increase in dose resulted in both a higher number of mild adverse events as well as stronger T-cell immunity. Clinical trial information: NCT02821494.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M. Speetjens
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marij JP Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peggy de Vos van Steenwijk
- GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Inge C.F.M. Roozen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sanne Boekestijn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Nikki Loof
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Rob Valentijn
- Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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4
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Dou Y, Jansen DTSL, van den Bosch A, de Man RA, van Montfoort N, Araman C, van Kasteren SI, Zom GG, Krebber WJ, Melief CJM, Woltman AM, Buschow SI. Design of TLR2-ligand-synthetic long peptide conjugates for therapeutic vaccination of chronic HBV patients. Antiviral Res 2020; 178:104746. [PMID: 32081741 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104746] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccination is a promising new treatment strategy for patients with a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We have previously shown that a prototype HBV-core protein derived SLP was capable of boosting CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in the presence of a TLR2-ligand in chronic HBV patients ex vivo. For optimal efficacy of a therapeutic vaccine in vivo, adjuvants can be conjugated to the SLP to ensure delivery of both the antigen and the co-stimulatory signal to the same antigen-presenting cell (APC). Dendritic cells (DCs) express the receptor for the adjuvant and are optimally equipped to efficiently process and present the SLP-contained epitopes to T cells. Here, we investigated TLR2-ligand conjugation of the prototype HBV-core SLP. Results indicated that TLR2-ligand conjugation reduced cross-presentation efficiency of the SLP-contained epitope by both monocyte-derived and naturally occurring DC subsets. Importantly, cross-presentation was improved after optimization of the conjugate by either shortening the SLP or by placing a valine-citrulline linker between the TLR2-ligand and the long SLP, to facilitate endosomal dissociation of SLP and TLR2-ligand after uptake. HBV-core SLP conjugates also triggered functional patient T cell responses ex vivo. These results provide an import step forward in the design of a therapeutic SLP-based vaccine to cure chronic HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Dou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Diahann T S L Jansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aniek van den Bosch
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Can Araman
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and the Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sander I van Kasteren
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and the Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Andrea M Woltman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sonja I Buschow
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center (Eramus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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5
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Koopman LA, Terp MG, Zom GG, Janmaat ML, Jacobsen K, Gresnigt-van den Heuvel E, Brandhorst M, Forssmann U, de Bree F, Pencheva N, Lingnau A, Zipeto MA, Parren PW, Breij EC, Ditzel HJ. Enapotamab vedotin, an AXL-specific antibody-drug conjugate, shows preclinical antitumor activity in non-small cell lung cancer. JCI Insight 2019; 4:128199. [PMID: 31600169 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.128199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have shown promise in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the majority of patients fail or become resistant to treatment, emphasizing the need for novel treatments. In this study, we confirm the prognostic value of levels of AXL, a member of the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase family, in NSCLC and demonstrate potent antitumor activity of the AXL-targeting antibody-drug conjugate enapotamab vedotin across different NSCLC subtypes in a mouse clinical trial of human NSCLC. Tumor regression or stasis was observed in 17/61 (28%) of the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and was associated with AXL mRNA expression levels. Significant single-agent activity of enapotamab vedotin was validated in vivo in 9 of 10 AXL-expressing NSCLC xenograft models. In a panel of EGFR-mutant NSCLC cell lines rendered resistant to EGFR inhibitors in vitro, we observed de novo or increased AXL protein expression concomitant with enapotamab vedotin-mediated cytotoxicity. Enapotamab vedotin also showed antitumor activity in vivo in 3 EGFR-mutant, EGFR inhibitor-resistant PDX models, including an osimertinib-resistant NSCLC PDX model. In summary, enapotamab vedotin has promising therapeutic potential in NSCLC. The safety and preliminary efficacy of enapotamab vedotin are currently being evaluated in the clinic across multiple solid tumor types, including NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikkel G Terp
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kirstine Jacobsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Whi Parren
- Genmab, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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6
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Zom GG, Willems MMJHP, Meeuwenoord NJ, Reintjens NRM, Tondini E, Khan S, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, Codee JDC, Ossendorp F, Filippov DV. Dual Synthetic Peptide Conjugate Vaccine Simultaneously Triggers TLR2 and NOD2 and Activates Human Dendritic Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:1150-1161. [PMID: 30865430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous triggering of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) has previously been shown to synergistically activate monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages. We applied these properties in a T-cell vaccine setting by conjugating the NOD2-ligand muramyl-dipeptide (MDP) and TLR2-ligand Pam3CSK4 to a synthetic peptide derived from a model antigen. Stimulation of human DCs with the MDP-peptide-Pam3CSK4 conjugate led to a strongly increased secretion of pro-inflammatory and Th1-type cytokines and chemokines. We further show that the conjugated ligands retain their ability to trigger their respective receptors, while even improving NOD2-triggering. Also, activation of murine DCs was enhanced by the dual triggering, ultimately leading to effective induction of vaccine-specific T cells expressing IFNγ, IL-2, and TNFα. Together, these data indicate that the dual MDP-SLP-Pam3CSK4 conjugate constitutes a chemically well-defined vaccine approach that holds promise for the use in the treatment of virus infections and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion , Leiden University Medical Center , P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Marian M J H P Willems
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Nico J Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Niels R M Reintjens
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Elena Tondini
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion , Leiden University Medical Center , P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Selina Khan
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion , Leiden University Medical Center , P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codee
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion , Leiden University Medical Center , P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden , The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry , Leiden University , Einsteinweg 55 , 2333 CC Leiden , The Netherlands
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7
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Zom GG, Willems MMJHP, Khan S, van der Sluis TC, Kleinovink JW, Camps MGM, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, Melief CJM, Ossendorp F. Novel TLR2-binding adjuvant induces enhanced T cell responses and tumor eradication. J Immunother Cancer 2018; 6:146. [PMID: 30541631 PMCID: PMC6292168 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-018-0455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ligands for the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family can induce activation of cells of the innate immune system and are widely studied for their potential to enhance adaptive immunity. Conjugation of TLR2-ligand Pam3CSK4 to synthetic long peptides (SLPs) was shown to strongly enhance the induction of antitumor immunity. To further improve cancer vaccination, we have previously shown that the novel TLR2-L Amplivant (AV), a modified Pam3CSK4, potentiates the maturation effects on murine DCs. In the current study, we further assessed the immunological properties of AV. Methods Naïve mice were vaccinated with a conjugate of either Pam3CSK4 or AV and an SLP to assess specific T cell priming efficiency in vivo. The potency of AV and Pam3CSK4, either as free compounds or conjugated to different SLPs, to mature murine DCs was compared by stimulating murine dendritic cells overnight followed by ELISA and flow cytometry analysis. Murine tumor experiments were carried out by vaccinating mice carrying established HPV16 E6 and E7-expressing tumors and subsequently analyzing myeloid and lymphoid cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, tumor outgrowth after vaccination was monitored to enable comparison of the efficiency to induce antitumor immunity by Pam3CSK-SLP and AV-SLP conjugates. To enhance therapeutic efficacy, AV-SLP conjugate vaccination was combined with ablative therapies to assess whether synergism between such therapies would occur. Results SLPs conjugated to AV induce stronger DC maturation, in vivo T cell priming and antitumor immunity compared to conjugates with Pam3CSK4. Interestingly, AV-SLP conjugates modulate the macrophage populations in the tumor microenvironment, correlating with a therapeutic effect in an aggressive murine tumor model. The potency of AV-SLP conjugates in cancer vaccination operates optimally in combination with chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy. Conclusion These data allow further optimization of vaccination-based immunotherapy of cancer by use of the improved TLR2-ligand Amplivant. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-018-0455-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Selina Khan
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tetje C van der Sluis
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem Kleinovink
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G M Camps
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J M Melief
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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8
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Dou Y, van Montfoort N, van den Bosch A, de Man RA, Zom GG, Krebber WJ, Melief CJM, Buschow SI, Woltman AM. HBV-Derived Synthetic Long Peptide Can Boost CD4+ and CD8+ T-Cell Responses in Chronic HBV Patients Ex Vivo. J Infect Dis 2018; 217:827-839. [PMID: 29220492 PMCID: PMC5853453 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vaccination with synthetic long peptides (SLP) is a promising new treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB). SLP can induce broad T-cell responses for all HLA types. Here we investigated the ability of a prototype HBV-core (HBc)-sequence-derived SLP to boost HBV-specific T cells in CHB patients ex vivo. Methods HBc-SLP was used to assess cross-presentation by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) and BDCA1+ blood myeloid DC (mDC) to engineered HBV-specific CD8+ T cells. Autologous SLP-loaded and toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulated DC were used to activate patient HBc-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Results HBV-SLP was cross-presented by moDC, which was further enhanced by adjuvants. Patient-derived SLP-loaded moDC significantly increased autologous HBcAg18-27-specific CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells ex vivo. HBV-specific T cells were functional as they synthesized tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. In 6/7 of patients blockade of PD-L1 further increased SLP effects. Also, importantly, patient-derived BDCA1+ mDC cross-presented and activated autologous T-cell responses ex vivo. Conclusions As a proof of concept, we showed a prototype HBc-SLP can boost T-cell responses in patients ex vivo. These results pave the way for the development of a therapeutic SLP-based vaccine to induce effective HBV-specific adaptive immune responses in CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Dou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aniek van den Bosch
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sonja I Buschow
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea M Woltman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Willems MMJHP, Zom GG, Meeuwenoord N, Khan S, Ossendorp F, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, Codée JDC. Lipophilic Muramyl Dipeptide-Antigen Conjugates as Immunostimulating Agents. ChemMedChem 2015; 11:190-8. [PMID: 26059481 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is the smallest peptidoglycan fragment capable of triggering the innate immune system through interaction with the intracellular NOD2 receptor. To develop synthetic vaccine modalities composed of an antigenic entity (typically a small peptide) and a molecular adjuvant with well-defined activity, we previously assembled covalent MDP-antigen conjugates. Although these were found to be capable of stimulating the NOD2 receptor and were processed by dendritic cells (DCs) leading to effective antigen presentation, DC maturation--required for an apt immune response--could not be achieved with these conjugates. To improve the efficacy of these vaccine modalities, we equipped the MDP moiety with lipophilic tails, well-known modifications to enhance the immune-stimulatory activity of MDPs. Herein we report the design and synthesis of a lipophilic MDP-antigen conjugate and show that it is a promising vaccine modality capable of stimulating the NOD2 receptor, maturing DCs, and delivering antigen cargo into the MHC-I cross-presentation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian M J H P Willems
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nico Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Selina Khan
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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Willems MMJHP, Zom GG, Khan S, Meeuwenoord N, Melief CJM, van der Stelt M, Overkleeft HS, Codée JDC, van der Marel GA, Ossendorp F, Filippov DV. N-tetradecylcarbamyl lipopeptides as novel agonists for Toll-like receptor 2. J Med Chem 2014; 57:6873-8. [PMID: 25019313 DOI: 10.1021/jm500722p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
New analogues (UPam) of triacylated lipopeptide Pam3CysSK4, a popular agonist of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), were designed making use of the cocrystal structure of a TLR2 heterodimer (with TLR1) with Pam3CysSK4. Twenty-two UPam derivatives that feature an N-tetradecylcarbamyl chain to mimic the native N-palmitoyl moiety and various small amino acids residues at the penultimate N-terminal position were prepared via solid-phase synthesis. In vitro evaluation of immunostimulatory properties revealed new potent TLR2 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian M J H P Willems
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University , P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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11
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Zom GG, Filippov DV, van der Marel GA, Overkleeft HS, Melief CJ, Ossendorp F. Two in one: improving synthetic long peptide vaccines by combining antigen and adjuvant in one molecule. Oncoimmunology 2014; 3:e947892. [PMID: 25610736 DOI: 10.4161/21624011.2014.947892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aiming to increase the potency of synthetic long peptide (SLP)-based cancer vaccines, the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligand Pam3CSK4 was conjugated in a chemically defined fashion to SLPs harbouring both cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and T helper epitopes. We recently showed that these SLP-conjugates induce strong antitumor immunity in murine cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center ; Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry; University of Leiden ; Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hermen S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry; University of Leiden ; Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center ; Leiden, The Netherlands
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12
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Willems MMJHP, Zom GG, Meeuwenoord N, Ossendorp FA, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, Codée JDC, Filippov DV. Design, automated synthesis and immunological evaluation of NOD2-ligand-antigen conjugates. Beilstein J Org Chem 2014; 10:1445-53. [PMID: 24991299 PMCID: PMC4077378 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.10.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The covalent attachment of an innate immune system stimulating agent to an antigen can provide active vaccine modalities capable of eliciting a potent immune response against the incorporated antigen. Here we describe the design, automated synthesis and immunological evaluation of a set of four muramyl dipeptide-peptide antigen conjugates. Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) represents a well-known ligand for the intracellular NOD2 receptor and our study shows that covalently linking an MDP-moiety to an antigenic peptide can lead to a construct that is capable of stimulating the NOD2 receptor if the ligand is attached at the anomeric center of the muramic acid. The constructs can be processed by dendritic cells (DCs) and the conjugation does not adversely affect the presentation of the incorporated SIINFEKL epitope on MHC-I molecules. However, stimulation of the NOD2 receptor in DCs was not sufficient to provide a strong immunostimulatory signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian M J H P Willems
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, P. O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nico Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry A Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, P. O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Zom GG, Khan S, Britten CM, Sommandas V, Camps MGM, Loof NM, Budden CF, Meeuwenoord NJ, Filippov DV, van der Marel GA, Overkleeft HS, Melief CJM, Ossendorp F. Efficient induction of antitumor immunity by synthetic toll-like receptor ligand-peptide conjugates. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:756-64. [PMID: 24950688 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-13-0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chemical conjugates comprising synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands (TLR-L) covalently bound to antigenic synthetic long peptides (SLP) are attractive vaccine modalities, which can induce robust CD8(+) T-cell immune responses. Previously, we have shown that the mechanism underlying the power of TLR-L SLP conjugates is improved delivery of the antigen together with a dendritic cell activation signal. In the present study, we have expanded the approach to tumor-specific CD4(+) as well as CD8(+) T-cell responses and in vivo studies in two nonrelated aggressive tumor models. We show that TLR2-L SLP conjugates have superior mouse CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-cell priming capacity compared with free SLPs injected together with a free TLR2-L. Vaccination with TLR2-L SLP conjugates leads to efficient induction of antitumor immunity in mice challenged with aggressive transplantable melanoma or lymphoma. Our data indicate that TLR2-L SLP conjugates are suitable to promote integrated antigen-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-cell responses required for the antitumor effects. Collectively, these data show that TLR2-L SLP conjugates are promising synthetic vaccine candidates for active immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | - Selina Khan
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | - Cedrik M Britten
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | - Vinod Sommandas
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | - Marcel G M Camps
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | - Nikki M Loof
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | - Christina F Budden
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre
| | | | | | | | | | - Cornelis J M Melief
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre; ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre;
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