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Carpenter EL, Van Decar S, Adams AM, O'Shea AE, McCarthy P, Chick RC, Clifton GT, Vreeland T, Valdera FA, Tiwari A, Hale D, Kemp Bohan P, Hickerson A, Smolinsky T, Thomas K, Cindass J, Hyngstrom J, Berger AC, Jakub J, Sussman JJ, Shaheen MF, Yu X, Wagner TE, Faries M, Peoples GE. Prospective, randomized, double-blind phase 2B trial of the TLPO and TLPLDC vaccines to prevent recurrence of resected stage III/IV melanoma: a prespecified 36-month analysis. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006665. [PMID: 37536936 PMCID: PMC10401209 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006665] [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] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine is made by ex vivo priming matured autologous dendritic cells (DCs) with yeast cell wall particles (YCWPs) loaded with autologous tumor lysate (TL). The tumor lysate, particle only (TLPO) vaccine uses autologous TL-loaded YCWPs coated with silicate for in vivo DC loading. Here we report the 36-month prespecified analyses of this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial investigating the ability of the TLPO and TLPLDC (±granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)) vaccines to prevent melanoma recurrence in high-risk patients. METHODS Patients with clinically disease-free stage III/IV melanoma were randomized 2:1 initially to TLPLDC versus placebo (n=124) and subsequently TLPO versus TLPLDC (n=63). All patients were randomized and blinded; however, the placebo control arm was replaced in the second randomization scheme with another novel vaccine; some analyses in this paper therefore reflect a combination of the two randomization schemes. Patients receiving the TLPLDC vaccine were further divided by their method of DC harvest (with or without G-CSF pretreatment); this was not randomized. The use of standard of care checkpoint inhibitors was not stratified between groups. Safety was assessed and Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses compared disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS After combining the two randomization processes, a total of 187 patients were allocated between treatment arms: placebo (n=41), TLPLDC (n=103), or TLPO (n=43). The allocation among arms created by the addition of patients from the two separate randomization schemes does not reflect concurrent randomization among all treatment arms. TLPLDC was further divided by use of G-CSF in DC harvest: no G-CSF (TLPLDC) (n=47) and with G-CSF (TLPLDC+G) (n=56). Median follow-up was 35.8 months. Only two patients experienced a related adverse event ≥grade 3, one each in the TLPLDC+G and placebo arms. DFS was 27.2% (placebo), 55.4% (TLPLDC), 22.9% (TLPLDC+G), and 60.9% (TLPO) (p<0.001). OS was 62.5% (placebo), 93.6% (TLPLDC), 57.7% (TLPLDC+G), and 94.6% (TLPO) (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS The TLPO and TLPLDC (without G-CSF) vaccines were associated with improved DFS and OS in this clinical trial. Given production and manufacturing advantages, the efficacy of the TLPO vaccine will be confirmed in a phase 3 trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02301611.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Spencer Van Decar
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexandra M Adams
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anne E O'Shea
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Patrick McCarthy
- General Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert Connor Chick
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Guy Travis Clifton
- Surgery, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Surgical Oncology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy Vreeland
- Surgery, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Surgical Oncology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Franklin A Valdera
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ankur Tiwari
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Diane Hale
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
- Surgery, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Phillip Kemp Bohan
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Annelies Hickerson
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Todd Smolinsky
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Katryna Thomas
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jessica Cindass
- Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John Hyngstrom
- Surgical Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute Cancer Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Adam C Berger
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - James Jakub
- Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Sussman
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Montaser F Shaheen
- Medical Oncology, University of Arizona Medical Center-University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Xianzhong Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Mark Faries
- Surgical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Adams AM, Carpenter EL, Clifton GT, Vreeland TJ, Chick RC, O’Shea AE, McCarthy PM, Kemp Bohan PM, Hickerson AT, Valdera FA, Tiwari A, Hale DF, Hyngstrom JR, Berger AC, Jakub JW, Sussman JJ, Shaheen MF, Yu X, Wagner TE, Faries MB, Peoples GE. Divergent clinical outcomes in a phase 2B trial of the TLPLDC vaccine in preventing melanoma recurrence and the impact of dendritic cell collection methodology: a randomized clinical trial. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:697-705. [PMID: 36045304 PMCID: PMC9433518 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03272-8] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b trial of the tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine was conducted in patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma. Dendritic cells (DCs) were harvested with and without granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). This analysis investigates differences in clinical outcomes and RNA gene expression between DC harvest methods. METHODS The TLPLDC vaccine is created by loading autologous tumor lysate into yeast cell wall particles (YCWPs) and exposing them to phagocytosis by DCs. For DC harvest, patients had a direct blood draw or were pretreated with G-CSF before blood draw. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive TLPLDC or placebo. Differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RNA-seq analysis was performed on the total RNA of TLPLDC + G and TLPLDC vaccines to compare gene expression between groups. RESULTS 144 patients were randomized: 103 TLPLDC (47 TLPLDC/56 TLPLDC + G) and 41 placebo (19 placebo/22 placebo + G). Median follow-up was 27.0 months. Both 36-month DFS (55.8% vs. 24.4% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.010) and OS (94.2% vs. 69.8% vs. 70.9%, p = 0.024) were improved in TLPLDC compared to TLPLDC + G or placebo, respectively. When compared to TLPLDC + G vaccine, RNA-seq from TLPLDC vaccine showed upregulation of genes associated with DC maturation and downregulation of genes associated with DC suppression or immaturity. CONCLUSIONS Patients receiving TLPLDC vaccine without G-CSF had improved OS and DFS. Outcomes remained similar between patients receiving TLPLDC + G and placebo. Direct DC harvest without G-CSF had higher expression of genes linked to DC maturation, likely improving clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Adams
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Carpenter
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Guy T. Clifton
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Timothy J. Vreeland
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Robert C. Chick
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Anne E. O’Shea
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Patrick M. McCarthy
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Phillip M. Kemp Bohan
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Annelies T. Hickerson
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Franklin A. Valdera
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Ankur Tiwari
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Diane F. Hale
- grid.416653.30000 0004 0450 5663Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - John R. Hyngstrom
- grid.479969.c0000 0004 0422 3447Department of Surgery, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Adam C. Berger
- grid.516084.e0000 0004 0405 0718Department of Surgery, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - James W. Jakub
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Sussman
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Montaser F. Shaheen
- grid.134563.60000 0001 2168 186XDepartment of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | - Xianzhong Yu
- grid.26090.3d0000 0001 0665 0280Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC USA
| | | | - Mark B. Faries
- Department of Surgery, The Angeles Clinic, Santa Monica, CA USA
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Hickerson AT, Clifton GT, Brown TA, Cindass JL, Myers JW, Vreeland TJ, Hale DF, Peace KM, Jackson DO, Herbert G, Yu X, Wagner TE, Peoples GE. Abstract CT208: Prior vaccination with the autologous Tumor Lysate Particle Loaded Dendritic Cell (TLPLDC) Vaccine may impact clinical outcomes in melanoma patients treated with systemic therapies and re-vaccination. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-ct208] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Melanoma is an immunogenic cancer, yet only 50-60% of tumors respond to current immunotherapy. The autologous tumor lysate, particle loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine may potentiate an immune response by stimulating T-cells. We are conducting a phase IIb double-blinded randomized trial of TLPLDC to prevent recurrence after resection. Patients who recurred were offered enrollment in an open-label TLPLDC vaccine trial along with standard therapy. Here, we describe characteristics and clinical outcomes of recurred patients that continued on open label TLPLDC vaccination.
Methods: Patients with resected no evidence of disease (NED) stage III/IV melanoma were randomized to TLPLDC vs. empty yeast cell wall particle (YCWP) loaded DC in a 2:1 fashion. TLPDC is created by loading autologous tumor lysate into YCWP. This is then introduced ex vivo to the patient’s DC for phagocytosis. 1-1.5x106TLPLDCs are given via intradermal injection monthly x4 followed by boosters at 6 and 9 months. Patients who recurred after receiving TLPLDC (vaccine group, VG) or after empty YCWP (control group, CG) on the trial (primary endpoint) were offered open label TLPLDC vaccination with same dosing schedule along with standard therapy as determined by the patient’s treatment team. Disease status is measured by RECIST criteria.
Results: To date, 23 (14 VG and 11 CG) patients have enrolled and been vaccinated, with median follow up (fu) of 7.86 months (mo). The patients received the following additional therapies: surgery, gamma-knife, check point inhibitor, radiation, TVEC, BRAF/MEK, and imantinib. No related toxicities > grade 2 were observed. Of 14 VG patients, 5 were NED when re-enrolled, 9 had measurable disease (MD). Of these, 11 have followed up data, 9 (82%) show disease control (5/5 NED patients remain NED, 4/6 with MD show SD), while 2 (18%) have progressed. Of 9 CG patients, 4 were NED and 5 had measurable disease at time of re-enrollment. Of these, 8 have followed up, 5 (62%) show disease control (2/4 NED remain NED, 1/4 with MD shows regression, 2/4 SD), while 3 (38%) have progressed (2/4 NED, 1/3 with MD).
Conclusion: Open label administration of TLPLPDC vaccine after recurrence is demonstrated as a safe therapy and shows potential clinical benefit when combined SOC therapy. Further study is warranted to determine if prior exposure to TLPLDC may provide clinical benefit after the first episode of disease recurrence.
Citation Format: Annelies T. Hickerson, Guy T. Clifton, Tommy A. Brown, Jessica L. Cindass, John W. Myers, Timothy J. Vreeland, Diane F. Hale, Kaitlin M. Peace, Doreen O. Jackson, Garth Herbert, Xianzhong Yu, Thomas E. Wagner, George E. Peoples. Prior vaccination with the autologous Tumor Lysate Particle Loaded Dendritic Cell (TLPLDC) Vaccine may impact clinical outcomes in melanoma patients treated with systemic therapies and re-vaccination [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT208.
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Herbert GS, Vreeland TJ, Clifton GT, Greene JM, Jackson DO, Hardin MO, Hale DF, Berry JS, Nichol P, Yin S, Yu X, Wagner TE, Peoples GE. Initial phase I/IIa trial results of an autologous tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine in patients with solid tumors. Vaccine 2018; 36:3247-3253. [PMID: 29724512 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.04.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/06/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tumor vaccines use various strategies to generate immune responses, commonly targeting generic tumor-associated antigens. The tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine is produced from DC loaded with autologous tumor antigens, creating a patient-specific vaccine. Here, we describe initial phase I/IIa trial results. METHODS This trial includes patients with any stage solid tumors, ECOG ≤1, and >4 months life-expectancy. A personalized vaccine is created using 1 mg of tumor and 120 ml blood (to isolate DC). Primary vaccination series (PVS) is four monthly inoculations. Patients are followed per standard of care (SOC). Endpoints include safety and tumor response (RECIST v1.1). RESULTS 44 patients were enrolled and vaccinated consisting of 31 late stage patients with residual/measurable disease, and 13 disease-free patients after SOC therapies. While 4 patients progressed before completing the PVS, 12/31 (39%) demonstrated clinical benefit (2 complete responses, 4 partial responses, 6 stable disease). In the adjuvant setting, 46% of late stage patients remain disease free at a median of 22.5 months. CONCLUSIONS The TLPLDC vaccine is scalable, generates a personalized DC vaccine, and requires little autologous tumor tissue and few DC. The vaccine is safe, with primarily grade 0-2 toxicities, and nearly 40% clinical benefit rate in varied tumors, warranting further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN81339386, Registered 2/17/2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garth S Herbert
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr., Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States.
| | - Timothy J Vreeland
- Womack Army Medical Center, 2817 Reilly Rd, Ft. Bragg, NC 28310, United States
| | - Guy T Clifton
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr., Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
| | - Julia M Greene
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr., Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
| | - Doreen O Jackson
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr., Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
| | - Mark O Hardin
- Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Jackson Ave, Ft. Lewis, WA 98431, United States
| | - Diane F Hale
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Dr., Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
| | - John S Berry
- Womack Army Medical Center, 2817 Reilly Rd, Ft. Bragg, NC 28310, United States
| | - Pauline Nichol
- Orbis Health Solutions, 111 Smith Hines Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
| | - Sook Yin
- Orbis Health Solutions, 111 Smith Hines Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
| | - Xianzhong Yu
- Clemson University Biological Sciences Dept, 101 Barre Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - Thomas E Wagner
- Orbis Health Solutions, 111 Smith Hines Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
| | - George E Peoples
- Cancer Vaccine Development Program, 110 E. Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
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Hardin MO, Vreeland TJ, Clifton GT, Hale DF, Herbert GS, Greene JM, Jackson DO, Berry JE, Nichols P, Yin S, Yu X, Wagner TE, Peoples GE. Tumor lysate particle loaded dendritic cell vaccine: preclinical testing of a novel personalized cancer vaccine. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:373-382. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: We developed a novel approach to efficiently deliver autologous tumor antigens to the cytoplasm of dendritic cells (DC) using yeast cell wall particles (YCWP). Materials and Methods: Loading of YCWP, leakage of protein from loaded YCWP and cytoplasmic delivery of YCWP content was assessed using fluorescent-tagged experiments. Spectrophotometric analysis compared the epitope-specific T-cell responses following antigen presentation via YCWP versus exogenous loading. The in vivo effectiveness of tumor lysate (TL) particle loaded DC (TLPLDC) vaccine was assessed using murine melanoma models. Results: In fluorescence-tagged experiments, YCWP efficiently delivered antigen to the cytoplasm of DC. TLPLDC loading was more effective than conventional exogenous loading of DC. Finally, in murine melanoma models, TLPLDC outperformed an analogous dendritoma vaccine. Conclusion: The TLPLDC vaccine is commercially scalable and holds the potential of producing personalized vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark O Hardin
- Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, WA 98431, USA
| | - Timothy J Vreeland
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guy T Clifton
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Diane F Hale
- Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Garth S Herbert
- Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Julia M Greene
- Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Doreen O Jackson
- Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - John E Berry
- Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | | | - Sook Yin
- Perseus PCI, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Xianzhong Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
| | | | - George E Peoples
- Orbis Health Solutions, Greenville, SC 29607, USA
- Cancer Vaccine Development Program, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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Peace KM, Vreeland TJ, Clifton GT, Hale DF, Jackson DO, Berry JS, Trappey AF, Herbert GS, Hardin MO, Nichol PT, Yin SL, Yu X, Wagner TE, Peoples GE. Abstract CT036: Early trial results of an autologous tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine in ovarian cancer patients. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-ct036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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
Abstract
Introduction: Late-stage ovarian cancer remains difficult to treat with 1-year disease free survival rates of roughly 55% and 40% in patients (pts) with stage III and IV disease, respectively1. To date, the majority of ovarian cancer vaccines have targeted specific tumor-associated antigens with little benefit. Our vaccine approach harnesses the most potent antigen presenting cell in the body, the dendritic cell (DC), and exposes these cells to the full repertoire of tumor antigens from an individual’s cancer. Autologous tumor lysate (TL) is loaded into yeast cell wall particles (YCWP) that are naturally and efficiently taken up into the pt’s DC ex vivo. This process uses a small amount of blood and tumor and can be completed in 48 hours. The autologous TL, particle-loaded, DC (TLPLDC) vaccine is then injected intradermally (ID). This vaccine is being tested in multiple tumor types, and here we present the results in ovarian cancer.
Methods: Pts with stage III or IV ovarian cancer were identified prior to surgical intervention for enrollment and tumor acquisition. Pts were treated with standard of care therapy, then enrolled in the per protocol (PP) phase I/IIa trial if disease-free or in an open label treatment registry (OTR) if they had measureable residual disease. A tumor sample (>1mg) was collected at the time of surgery, and 120mL of blood (or 50mL after a single dose of Neupogen) was drawn to isolate the pt’s DC. TL was produced through freeze/thaw cycling and loaded into YCWP, which were introduced to DC for phagocytosis; thus creating an individualized TLPLDC vaccine for each pt. Each vaccine dose contained 1x106 TLPLDC, which was injected ID in the thigh. In the PP group, the primary vaccine series (PVS) consisted of monthly vaccination x3 followed by boosters at 6 and 12 months. In the OTR, the PVS consisted of monthly vaccination x4 followed by boosters every 3 months. Pts were monitored for toxicity and recurrence or progression of disease, respectively.
Results: A total of 15 pts have been treated to date, (PP: 8, OTR: 7 with 1 pt vaccinated on compassionate use). 100% of pts had successful creation of vaccine. Minimal toxicities (all ≤ grade 2) were reported. To date, in the OTR, 1 pt has shown a complete response, 1 has stable disease, and 4 have had progressive disease (PD; only 1 pt with PD completed the PVS). In the PP group, after a median follow up of 10.8 months, 3 pts (37%) have recurred (only 1 of these pts completed PVS), while 5 pts (63%) remain disease free.
Conclusions: We have shown that the TLPLDC vaccine can be made efficiently (requiring only a small amount of blood, tumor and time) and is safe and well-tolerated. Our results suggest that the vaccine is better suited for the adjuvant setting rather than pts with residual disease. This data provides justification for a larger clinical trial in stage III/IV ovarian cancer pts in the adjuvant setting.
1 Kurta M, et al. Prognosis and conditional disease-free survival among pts with ovarian cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(36):4102-12.
Citation Format: Kaitlin M. Peace, Timothy J. Vreeland, Guy T. Clifton, Diane F. Hale, Doreen O. Jackson, John S. Berry, Alfred F. Trappey, Garth S. Herbert, Mark O. Hardin, Pauline T. Nichol, Sook L. Yin, Xianzhong Yu, Thomas E. Wagner, George E. Peoples. Early trial results of an autologous tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine in ovarian cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT036. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-CT036
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Diane F. Hale
- 1San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, TX
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Greene JM, Schneble EJ, Jackson DO, Hale DF, Vreeland TJ, Flores M, Martin J, Herbert GS, Hardin MO, Yu X, Wagner TE, Peoples GE. A phase I/IIa clinical trial in stage IV melanoma of an autologous tumor-dendritic cell fusion (dendritoma) vaccine with low dose interleukin-2. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:383-92. [PMID: 26894495 PMCID: PMC11028476 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stage IV melanoma has high mortality, largely unaffected by traditional therapies. Immunotherapy including cytokine therapies and checkpoint inhibitors improves outcomes, but has significant toxicities. In this phase I/IIa trial, we investigated safety and efficacy of a dendritoma vaccine, an active, specific immunotherapy, in stage IV melanoma patients. METHODS Autologous tumor lysate and dendritic cells were fused creating dendritoma vaccines for each patient. Phase I patients were vaccinated every 3 months with IL-2 given for 5 days after initial inoculation. Phase IIa patients were vaccinated every 6 weeks with IL-2 given on days 1, 3 and 5 after initial inoculation. Toxicity and clinical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were enrolled and inoculated. All dendritoma and IL-2 toxicities were CONCLUSIONS The dendritoma vaccine has minimal toxicity profile with potential clinical benefit. There was OS advantage for NED stage IV patients, those receiving higher number of doses and increased frequency. Based on these results, we initiated a phase IIb trial utilizing improved dendritoma technology in the adjuvant setting for NED stage III/IV melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Greene
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erika J Schneble
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Doreen O Jackson
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Diane F Hale
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Timothy J Vreeland
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Madeline Flores
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Martin
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Garth S Herbert
- General Surgery Department, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mark O Hardin
- General Surgery Department, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Jackson Ave., Tacoma, 98431, WA, USA
| | | | | | - George E Peoples
- Cancer Vaccine Development Program, 600 Navarro Street, Suite 500, San Antonio, TX, 78205, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that play an important role in stimulating an immune response of both CD4(+) T helper cells and CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). As such, DCs have been studied extensively in cancer immunotherapy for their capability to induce a specific anti-tumor response when loaded with tumor antigens. However, when the most relevant antigens of a tumor remain to be identified, alternative approaches are required. Formation of a dentritoma, a fused DC and tumor cells hybrid, is one strategy. Although initial studies of these hybrid cells are promising, several limitations interfere with its clinical and commercial application. Here we present early experience in clinical trials and an alternative approach to manufacturing this DC/tumor cell hybrid for use in the treatment of late stage and metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika J Schneble
- a San Antonio Military Medical Center; Department of General Surgery ; San Antonio , TX USA
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9
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Abstract
Although the generation of hybrid cells by cell fusion plays a significant role in biotechnology and biomedicine, the low cell-fusion rates and the limitation of large-scale cell fusion for clinical applications of the two widely used approaches, polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-mediated cell fusion and electrofusion, hinder the application of this critical technology in certain key areas, including cancer immunotherapy. In the present study, a simple procedure that can not only significantly increase the heterologous cell fusion but is also capable of producing fused cells on a large scale is reported. A biotin-streptavidin-biotin (BSB) bridge was created by coating one to-be-fused cell with biotin and the other with biotin-streptavidin. The BSB bridge enhances cell-fusion rates induced with PEG fusion or electrofusion by 10–30% depending on the cell types when compared with cell fusions without the bridge. The procedure described increases heterologous cell pairing and eliminates the alignment step required for the majority of electrofusions. Notably, it can be used to make large-scale cell fusions for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Department of Biotechnology, Greenville Technical College, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
| | - Xianzhong Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | | | - Yanzhang Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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10
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De Lorenzo MS, Chen W, Baljinnyam E, Carlini MJ, La Perle K, Bishop SP, Wagner TE, Rabson AB, Vatner DE, Puricelli LI, Vatner SF. 'Reduced malignancy as a mechanism for longevity in mice with adenylyl cyclase type 5 disruption'. Aging Cell 2014; 13:102-10. [PMID: 23957304 PMCID: PMC3980454 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of adenylyl cyclase type 5 (AC5) knockout (KO) is a novel model for longevity. Because malignancy is a major cause of death and reduced lifespan in mice, the goal of this investigation was to examine the role of AC5KO in protecting against cancer. There have been numerous discoveries in genetically engineered mice over the past several decades, but few have been translated to the bedside. One major reason is that it is difficult to alter a gene in patients, but rather a pharmacological approach is more appropriate. The current investigation employs a parallel construction to examine the extent to which inhibiting AC5, either in a genetic knockout (KO) or by a specific pharmacological inhibitor protects against cancer. This study is unique, not only because a combined genetic and pharmacological approach is rare, but also there are no prior studies on the extent to which AC5 affects cancer. We found that AC5KO delayed age-related tumor incidence significantly, as well as protecting against mammary tumor development in AC5KO × MMTV-HER-2 neu mice, and B16F10 melanoma tumor growth, which can explain why AC5KO is a model of longevity. In addition, a Food and Drug Administration approved antiviral agent, adenine 9-β-D-arabinofuranoside (Vidarabine or AraAde), which specifically inhibits AC5, reduces LP07 lung and B16F10 melanoma tumor growth in syngeneic mice. Thus, inhibition of AC5 is a previously unreported mechanism for prevention of cancers associated with aging and that can be targeted by an available pharmacologic inhibitor, with potential consequent extension of lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S. De Lorenzo
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Research Institute; New Jersey Medical School; Rutgers University; The State University of New Jersey; 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB G609 Newark NJ 07103 USA
| | - Wen Chen
- Clemson University; Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Erdene Baljinnyam
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Research Institute; New Jersey Medical School; Rutgers University; The State University of New Jersey; 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB G609 Newark NJ 07103 USA
| | - María J. Carlini
- Instituto de Oncología ‘Ángel H. Roffo’; Av. San Martín 5481 C1417DTB Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Krista La Perle
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; The Ohio State University; 470 Veterinary Medicine Academic Building, 1900 Coffey Road Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Sanford P. Bishop
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Research Institute; New Jersey Medical School; Rutgers University; The State University of New Jersey; 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB G609 Newark NJ 07103 USA
| | | | - Arnold B. Rabson
- RWJMS; Rutgers; The State University of New Jersey; 89 French Street, 4th Floor New Brunswick NJ 08901 USA
| | - Dorothy E. Vatner
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Research Institute; New Jersey Medical School; Rutgers University; The State University of New Jersey; 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB G609 Newark NJ 07103 USA
| | - Lydia I. Puricelli
- Instituto de Oncología ‘Ángel H. Roffo’; Av. San Martín 5481 C1417DTB Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Stephen F. Vatner
- Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Research Institute; New Jersey Medical School; Rutgers University; The State University of New Jersey; 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB G609 Newark NJ 07103 USA
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11
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Zhao Z, Holle L, Song W, Wei Y, Wagner TE, Yu X. Antitumor and anti-angiogenic activities of Scutellaria barbata extracts in vitro are partially mediated by inhibition of Akt/protein kinase B. Mol Med Rep 2011; 5:788-92. [PMID: 22160152 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2011.694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Akt pathway is considered a pivotal player in regulating cell survival, growth, migration and angiogenesis. Disruption of normal Akt/PKB/PTEN signaling frequently occurs in numerous types of human cancers. Therefore, this signaling pathway is regarded as an important target for effective cancer therapeutic strategies. In the present study, methanol extracts from Scutellaria barbata (S. barbata) were determined to be Akt/protein kinase B inhibitory, after screening a panel of 40 traditional Chinese herbs with the Fast Activated Cell-based ELISA (FACE) assay. S. barbata extracts were found to suppress the phosphorylation levels of Akt. This inhibition was Akt kinase-specific as it had no effect on PI3K, the upstream kinase of Akt, whereas the levels of phosphorylated Bad and FHKR, the two downstream targets of Akt, changed as the levels of Akt changed. S. barbata extracts also exhibited cytotoxicity against LoVo and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, this extract inhibited the process of in vitro angiogenesis of HUVECs on Matrigel. S. barbata may be a suitable alternative source with which to isolate small molecules for use as Akt kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Zhao
- Embryo Engineering Key Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, PR China
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12
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Guellich A, Gao S, Hong C, Yan L, Wagner TE, Dhar SK, Ghaleh B, Hittinger L, Iwatsubo K, Ishikawa Y, Vatner SF, Vatner DE. Effects of cardiac overexpression of type 6 adenylyl cyclase affects on the response to chronic pressure overload. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2010; 299:H707-12. [PMID: 20562336 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00148.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Adenylyl cyclase (AC) type 5 (AC5) and AC type 6 (AC6) are the two major AC isoforms in the heart. Cardiac overexpression of AC6 has been shown to be protective in response to several interventions. In this investigation, we examined the effects of chronic pressure overload in AC6 transgenic (TG) mice. In the absence of any stress, AC6 TG mice exhibited enhanced contractile function compared with their wild-type (WT) littermates, i.e., increased (P < 0.05) left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) (75 +/- 0.9 vs. 71 +/- 0.5%) and LV dP/dt (7,850 +/- 526 vs. 6,374 +/- 315 mmHg/s). Forskolin (25 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 5 min) increased LVEF more (P < 0.05) in AC6 TG mice (14.8 +/- 1.0%) than in WT mice (7.7 +/- 1.0%). Also, isoproterenol (0.04 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 5 min) increased LVEF more (P < 0.05) in AC6 TG mice (18.0 +/- 1.2%) than in WT mice (11.6 +/- 2.1%). Pressure overload, induced by 4 wk of transverse aortic constriction (TAC), increased the LV weight-to-body weight ratio and myocyte cross-sectional area similarly in both groups, but reduced LVEF more in AC6 TG mice (22%) compared with WT mice (9%), despite the higher starting level of LVEF in AC6 TG mice. LV systolic wall stress increased more in AC6 TG mice than in WT mice, which could be responsible for the reduced LVEF in AC6 TG mice with chronic pressure overload. In addition, LV dP/dt was no longer elevated in AC6 TG mice after TAC compared with WT mice. LV end-diastolic diameter was also greater (P < 0.05) in AC6 TG mice (3.8 +/- 0.07 mm) than in WT mice (3.6 +/- 0.05 mm) after TAC. Thus, in contrast to other interventions previously reported to be salutary with cardiac AC6 overpression, the response to chronic pressure overload was not; actually, AC6 TG mice fared worse than WT mice. The mechanism may be due to the increased LV systolic wall stress in AC6 TG mice with chronic pressure overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Guellich
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
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13
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Branham-O'Connor M, Li J, Kotturi HSR, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Fusion induced reversal of dendritic cell maturation: an altered expression of inflammatory chemokine and chemokine receptors in dendritomas. Oncol Rep 2010; 23:545-550. [PMID: 20043120] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy employs several ways to engage tumor antigens. We have demonstrated in both pre-clinical animal studies and early clinical trials that dendritomas, highly purified hybrids between dendritic cells (DC) and tumor cells, are superior activators of anti-tumor immunity. It has been argued, however, that DC vaccines may be dysfunctional in lymph node migration. In the present study we examined inflammatory chemokine and chemokine receptor expression as well as other maturation induced genes in dendritomas produced from either immature or mature DCs in order to shed light on their capacity to migrate from injection sites to draining lymph nodes and elicit an appropriate immune response. RNA microarray analysis was used to identify gene expression profiles for inflammatory chemokines and receptors and other maturation induced genes within dendritomas, lysate-pulsed dendritic cells, immature DCs and mature DCs. Gene regulation was confirmed with relative quantification, real-time RT-PCR in a separate experiment. We found that fusion of immature DCs to tumor cells initiates maturation with respect to inflammatory chemokines, chemokine receptors and other maturation induced genes in a similar pattern as LPS matured DCs. Interestingly, we saw a reversed gene profile when mature DCs were fused to tumor cells. LPS matured DCs displayed the chemokine repertoire expected with DC maturation; however, once fused to tumor cells, these chemokines and other maturation induced genes reverted to levels comparable to immature DCs. It appears that mature DCs used for dendritoma production result in a de-mature genotype. Our results indicate that dendritomas from immature DC/tumor cell fusions may be more effective in migration from injection site to draining lymph nodes and, therefore, would be more effective in stimulating anti-tumor immunity.
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14
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Holle L, Song W, Holle E, Wei Y, Li J, Wagner TE, Yu X. In vitro- and in vivo-targeted tumor lysis by an MMP2 cleavable melittin-LAP fusion protein. Int J Oncol 2009; 35:829-35. [PMID: 19724919 DOI: 10.3892/ijo_00000396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the main treatment options for cancer, but the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs is severely limited due to their systemic toxicity. Therefore, the need for a more targeted approach in tumor treatment is obvious. A tumor-activated agent would decrease systemic toxicity as well as increase the efficacy of the treatment. It has previously been shown that the latency of pro-TGF-beta is conferred by dimerization of two latency-associated peptides (LAP) that form a protective shield, which is cleaved off upon activation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). It has also been shown that the fusion of this LAP peptide with other cytokines can confer their latency. In the present study, a recombinant adenovirus with a fusion gene encoding a tumor-activated pro-cytolytic peptide was made in which the LAP domain of TGF-beta was fused with melittin, a potent cytolytic toxin, with an MMP2 cleavage site in between the two. In vitro studies show that the melittin-MMP2-LAP recombinant adenovirus can be activated by MMP2 which leads to the release of free melittin to lyse the target cells. In vivo studies show approximately a 70% decrease in B16 tumor volume in melittin-MMP2-LAP recombinant adenovirus-treated mice as compared to control mice. No significant systemic toxicity was observed in the treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Holle
- Oncology Research Institute of the Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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15
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Kotturi HSR, Li J, Branham-O'Connor M, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. In vitro and in vivo delivery of novel anticancer fusion protein MULT1E/FasTI via adenoviral vectors. Cancer Gene Ther 2009; 17:164-70. [DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2009.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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16
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Zhang X, Li J, Wong DKW, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Fermented Noni Exudate-treated dendritic cells directly stimulate B lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation. Oncol Rep 2009; 21:1147-1152. [PMID: 19360287] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Noni juice as a folk medicine has been used for over two thousand years. Recently, some active ingredients of Noni juice have been successfully isolated and intensively studied. Because dendritic cells (DCs) are central regulators both in priming innate and adaptive immune responses and in maintaining self tolerance, in the current study we treated DCs with fermented Noni Exudate (fNE) in order to explore their function in regulating other immune cells. It was shown that fNE-treated DCs stimulate proliferation of splenocytes, among which, B cells are the major responsive cell group. The proliferative response of B cells to fNE-treated DCs is cell contact-dependent, CD40L-independent; and the adhesion feature of DCs was enhanced to form large DC-B conjugation cluster. Moreover, it was demonstrated that fNE-treated DCs promote B cell differentiation and Ig class switching. These results lay a foundation for the further exploration of fNE as a biological response modifier in the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhai Zhang
- Oncology Research Institute of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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17
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Li J, Stickel SL, Bouton-Verville H, Burgin KE, Yu X, Wong DKW, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Fermented Noni exudate (fNE): a mediator between immune system and anti-tumor activity. Oncol Rep 2008; 20:1505-1509. [PMID: 19020734] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The anti-tumor activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice (Noni) has been previously reported. However, the mechanism behind this activity remains unknown. In the present study, we studied the anti-tumor activity of fermented Noni exudate (fNE) and demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of this material significantly increased the percentages of granulocytes and NK cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneum, and spleen. Furthermore, in preventive and treatment settings, fNE injection induced complete tumor rejection in normal C57BL/6J mice, partial tumor rejection in C57 nude mice lacking functional lymphocytes, and no tumor rejection in NK cell deficient beige mice. Over 85% of the C57BL/6J mice that received fNE survived the first tumor injection and rejected up to 5 x 10(6) tumor cells when re-challenged. The anti-tumor activity remains in the heat-inactivated and filtrated supernatant of fNE. These data demonstrate that fNE appears to be able to stimulate the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system to reject tumor cells. NK cells respond quickly and appear to be among the major players of the innate immune system, while the adaptive immune system reacts later with a retained memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Oncology Research Institute of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Clemson, SC 29605, USA
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18
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Li J, King AV, Stickel SL, Burgin KE, Zhang X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Whole tumor cell vaccine with irradiated S180 cells as adjuvant. Vaccine 2008; 27:558-64. [PMID: 19027812 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 11/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Whole tumor cell vaccines have been widely studied and remain promising cancer immunotherapies. In the present study, we discovered that vaccination with irradiated mouse sarcoma S180 tumor cells stimulated robust antitumor immunity to autologous tumor cells in both syngenic and allogenic mice. The antitumor activity requires both T and B cells, but not NK cells. When a mouse lung carcinoma (TC-1) whole tumor cell vaccine was combined with the S180 vaccine, the antitumor immunity against live TC-1 tumor cells is significantly enhanced compared to a TC-1 whole cell vaccine alone. This antitumor immunity not only prevents live tumor challenge but also eradicates existing tumor cells. A similar phenomenon was also observed when S180 vaccine was combined with LL2 Lewis lung carcinoma tumor cells. Therefore, S180 vaccine may serve as an adjuvant for other whole tumor cell vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC 29605, United States
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19
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Kotturi HSR, Li J, Branham-O'Connor M, Stickel SL, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Tumor cells expressing a fusion protein of MULT1 and Fas are rejected in vivo by apoptosis and NK cell activation. Gene Ther 2008; 15:1302-10. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2008.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Wei YC, Sticca RP, Li J, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Jakubchak S, Bouton-Verville H, Williamson J, Meyer K, Evans L, Martin J, Stephenson JJ, Trocha S, Smith S, Wagner TE. Combined treatment of dendritoma vaccine and low-dose interleukin-2 in stage IV renal cell carcinoma patients induced clinical response: A pilot study. Oncol Rep 2007; 18:665-71. [PMID: 17671717] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination using dendritic/tumor cell hybrids represents a novel and promising cancer immunotherapy. We have developed a technology that can instantly purify the hybrids (dendritomas) from the fusion mixture of dendritic cells (DCs) and tumor cells. Our animal studies and a phase I study of stage IV melanoma patients demonstrated that dendritoma vaccination could be conducted without major toxicity and induced tumor cell-specific immunological and clinical responses. In this pilot study, ten stage IV renal cell carcinoma patients were studied. Dendritomas were made from autologous DCs and tumor cells and administered by subcutaneous injection. After initial vaccination, three escalating doses of IL-2 (3, 6, and 9 million units each) were followed within five days. This treatment regimen was tolerated well without severe adverse events directly related to the dendritoma vaccine. Most adverse events were related to IL-2 administration or pre-existing disease. Patient-specific immune responses were evaluated by flow cytometric measurement of interferon-gamma-producing T-cells before and after vaccination in response to stimulation with tumor antigens. Nine out of nine patients eligible for the analysis showed an increase of IFN-gamma-expressing CD4+ T cells after vaccination(s); while five out of eight patients eligible for the analysis showed an increase of IFN-gamma-expressing CD8+ T cells. Clinical responses were documented in 40% of the patients, three with stabilization of disease and one with a partial response documented by a reduction in tumor size. This pilot study demonstrated that dendritoma vaccines could be administered safely to patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, while producing both clinical and immunologic evidence of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhang C Wei
- Oncology Research Institute and the Cancer Treatment Center, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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Li J, Theofanous L, Stickel S, Bouton-Verville H, Burgin KE, Jakubchak S, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Transfer of in vitro expanded T lymphocytes after activation with dendritomas prolonged survival of mice challenged with EL4 tumor cells. Int J Oncol 2007; 31:193-7. [PMID: 17549421] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer after in vitro expansion represents an attractive cancer immunotherapy. The majority of studies so far have been focusing on the expansion of tumor infiltrated lymphocytes (TIL) and some have shown very encouraging results. Recently, we have developed a unique tumor immune response activator, dendritomas, by fusion of dendritic cells and tumor cells. Animal studies and early clinical trials have shown that dendritomas are able to activate tumor specific immune responses. In this study, we hypothesized that naïve T cells can be primed with dendritomas and expanded in vitro to develop an adoptive transfer therapy for patients who do not have solid tumors, such as leukemia. T cells were isolated and purified from lymph nodes of mice. The cells were then incubated with dendritomas made from syngeneic DCs and tumor cells and expanded in vitro using Dynabeads mouse CD3/CD28 T cell expander for approximately three weeks. The in vitro primed and expanded T cells showed tumor cell specific CTL activity and increased secretion of IFN-gamma. Tumor bearing mice receiving the in vitro expanded T cells survived significantly longer than control mice. Furthermore, the depletion of regulator T cells enhanced the survival of the mice that received the adoptive transfer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC, USA
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22
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Wei Y, Sticca RP, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Li J, Williamson J, Evans L, Smith SJ, Stephenson JJ, Wagner TE. Dendritoma vaccination combined with low dose interleukin-2 in metastatic melanoma patients induced immunological and clinical responses. Int J Oncol 2006; 28:585-93. [PMID: 16465362] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A pilot clinical trial using dendritomas, purified hybrids from the fusion of dendritic/tumor cells combined with a low dose of IL-2, in metastatic melanoma patients was conducted in order to determine its safety and potential immunological and clinical responses. Ten metastatic melanoma patients were enrolled into this study. Dendritoma vaccines were created by fusing dendritic cells stained with green fluorescent dye with irradiated autologous tumor cells stained with red fluorescent dye and purifying the hybrids using immediate fluorescent-activated cell sorting. Initial vaccine was given subcutaneously and followed by IL-2 in serially elevated doses from 3-9 million units/m2 for 5 days. Repeated vaccinations were administered without IL-2, at 3-month intervals for a maximum of 5 times. Immune reactions were measured by the increase of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) expressing T cells. Vaccine doses ranged from 250,000 to 1,000,000 dendritomas. There was no grade 2 or higher toxicity directly attributable to the vaccine. All patients experienced toxicity due to IL-2 administration (9-grade 2, 3-grade 3, 1-grade 4). Eight of nine evaluable patients demonstrated immunologic reactions by increased IFN-gamma expressing T cells. One patient developed partial response at 12 weeks after the first vaccine. Nine months later, this patient achieved a complete response. In addition, two patients had stable disease for 9 and 4 months, respectively; one patient had a mixed response. Our findings demonstrated that dendritoma vaccines with a low dose of IL-2 can be safely administered to patients with metastatic melanoma and induce immunological and clinical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhang Wei
- Oncology Research Institute and the Cancer Treatment Center, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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23
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Li Y, Kim J, Li J, Liu F, Liu X, Himmeldirk K, Ren Y, Wagner TE, Chen X. Natural anti-diabetic compound 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-d-glucopyranose binds to insulin receptor and activates insulin-mediated glucose transport signaling pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 336:430-7. [PMID: 16137651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.08.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 08/09/2005] [Accepted: 08/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Insulin mimetics from natural sources are potential therapeutics that can act alone or supplement insulin and other anti-diabetic drugs in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. We recently reported the insulin-like glucose transport stimulatory activity of tannic acid (TA) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this study, we find that chemically synthesized 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (beta-PGG), one of the components of TA, as well as its natural anomer alpha-PGG possess activity. Mechanistic studies in adipocytes with alpha-PGG, the more potent of the two anomers, reveal that inhibitors that block the insulin-mediated glucose transport, including one that inhibits the insulin receptor (IR), also completely abolish the glucose transport activated by alpha-PGG. In addition, alpha-PGG induces phosphorylation of the IR and Akt, activates PI 3-kinase, and stimulates membrane translocation of GLUT 4. Receptor binding studies indicate that alpha-PGG binds to the IR and affects the binding between insulin and IR by reducing the maximum binding of insulin to IR without significantly altering the binding affinity of insulin to IR. Western blotting analysis of the products of a cross-linking reaction suggests that alpha-PGG may bind to IR at a site located on the alpha-subunit of the receptor. Animal studies demonstrate that PGG reduces blood glucose levels and improves glucose tolerance in diabetic and obese animals. Our results suggest that PGG may serve as a model for the development of new types of anti-diabetic and anti-metabolic syndrome therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsheng Li
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
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24
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Li J, Bouton-Verville H, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Jakubchak S, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Inhibition or promotion of tumor growth by granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor derived from engineered tumor cells is dose-dependent. Anticancer Res 2004; 24:2717-21. [PMID: 15517877] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been widely investigated as an adjuvant factor for tumor immunotherapy. However, the results are controversial with antitumor effects in some studies and a tumor growth promotion effect in others. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to determine whether there is a dose-dependent effect of GM-CSF on tumor growth, murine GM-CSF-expressing vector was constructed and transfected into TC-1 tumor cells and various clones stably expressing different levels of GM-CSF were obtained. The growth of these clones in vivo was studied. RESULTS Although these clones grow at a similar rate in vitro, their growth in vivo is dramatically different. Clones expressing high levels (>10,000 pg/ml) of GM-CSF grow significantly faster than the control (p <0.001); clones expressing low levels (<100 pg/ml) of GM-CSF grow significantly slower than the control (p<0.001); while clones expressing intermediate levels (1000-2000 pg/ml) of GM-SCF grow at a similar rate as the control (p >0. 05). The high levels of GM-CSF secreted by tumor cells induced granulocytosis and lymphopenia. The antitumor growth effect induced by low levels of GM-CSF is not due to the function of lymphocytes. CONCLUSION The inhibition or promotion of tumor growth by GM-CSF secreted from tumor cells is dose-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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Ji J, Li J, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Synergistic anti-tumor effect of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored IL-2 and IL-12. J Gene Med 2004; 6:777-85. [PMID: 15241785 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 12 (IL-12), and some other cytokines, play important roles in activating host immune responses against tumor growth. However, severe side effects caused by systemic high-dose administration of these cytokines limit their clinical application. In our previous study, local high doses of IL-2 were achieved by a GPI-anchoring technology; therefore, it will be interesting to know if this technology works for other cytokines. METHODS A fusion gene containing murine IL-12 and the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor signal sequence was generated and transfected into the murine melanoma tumor cell line B16F0 either alone or together with a vector encoding GPI-anchored IL-2. The GPI-anchored cytokine expression of the selected stable clones was assayed in vitro by ELISA and their anti-tumor effects were analyzed in vivo by tumor lymphocyte infiltration and tumor growth studies. RESULTS GPI-anchored IL-12 was successfully expressed on the cell surface as indicated by FACS analysis and IL-12 ELISA assay. The GPI-anchored IL-12 enhanced lymphocyte infiltration and significantly inhibited tumor growth. More importantly, when GPI-anchored IL-12 and GPI-anchored IL-2 were co-delivered, a synergistic anti-tumor effect was observed in both subcutaneous and intravenous tumor models. CONCLUSIONS GPI anchorage of cytokines represents a new approach to locally deliver high doses of cytokines without the severe adverse effects normally accompanied with systematic high-dose administration of these cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Ji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Barnett FH, Scharer-Schuksz M, Wood M, Yu X, Wagner TE, Friedlander M. Intra-arterial delivery of endostatin gene to brain tumors prolongs survival and alters tumor vessel ultrastructure. Gene Ther 2004; 11:1283-9. [PMID: 15164099 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an incurable malignant brain tumor, usually fatal within 1 year of diagnosis. Using a syngeneic rat 9L gliosarcoma model, we have developed a novel drug delivery method in which naked plasmid DNA is selectively targeted to brain tumors via intra-arterial injection. Using a plasmid encoding the antiangiogenic endostatin, transgene expression can be detected in tumor cells in vivo, and therapeutic efficacy is observed. Administration of this plasmid resulted in an 80% tumor volume reduction 1 week after treatment and enhanced survival time by up to 47%. Treated tumors exhibited a 40% decrease in the number of tumor vessels; ultrastructural analysis of remaining tumor vessels demonstrated a number of changes including markedly narrowed or collapsed lumens. We conclude that intra-arterial injection of plasmids selectively targets therapeutic genes to CNS neoplasms. This method of gene therapy holds promise for the treatment of these highly malignant brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- F H Barnett
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Li J, Ji J, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Barton LB, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Fusion protein from RGD peptide and Fc fragment of mouse immunoglobulin G inhibits angiogenesis in tumor. Cancer Gene Ther 2004; 11:363-70. [PMID: 15044960 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Targeting tumor vasculature represents an interesting approach for the treatment of solid tumors. The alpha v beta 3 integrins have been found to be specifically associated with angiogenesis in tumors. By using bacteriophage display technology, Ruoslahti et al found that a group of peptides containing the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) motif have high-binding affinity to the alpha v beta 3 integrins in tumors. In this study, we designed a fusion protein containing the RGD sequence and the Fc fragment of mouse IgG in order to target the Fc portion of IgG to the tumor vasculature to elicit an antiangiogenesis immune response. In vivo angiogenesis and tumor studies demonstrated that the fusion protein (RGD/mFc) inhibited tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth and improved overall survival. This approach may generate new therapeutic agents for solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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Li J, Franek KJ, Patterson AL, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Ji J, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Targeting foreign major histocompatibility complex molecules to tumors by tumor cell specific single chain antibody (scFv). Int J Oncol 2003; 23:1329-32. [PMID: 14532973] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Down-regulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is one of the major mechanisms that tumor cells adopted to escape immunosurveillance. Therefore, specifically coating tumor cells with foreign MHC may make tumor cells a better target for immune recognition and surveillance. In this study, we designed and generated a fusion protein, H2Kd/scPSMA, consisting of a single chain antibody against human prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the extracellular domain of mouse H-2Kd. The expression of this fusion protein in B16F0 mouse melanoma cells was confirmed by RT-PCR and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Our animal study showed that the expression of H2Kd/scPSMA in B16F0/PSMA5, a B16F0 cell line expressing human PSMA, significantly inhibited tumor growth as demonstrated in the pulmonary metastasis assay and tumor growth study and improved overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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Modliński JA, Ozil JP, Modlińska MK, Szarska A, Reed MA, Wagner TE, Karasiewicz J. Development of single mouse blastomeres enlarged to zygote size in conditions of nucleo-cytoplasmic synchrony. ZYGOTE 2002; 10:283-90. [PMID: 12463523 DOI: 10.1017/s096719940200401x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The following blastomeres were enlarged to the size of the zygote by one, two or three rounds of blastomere enucleation and electrofusion: (1) from the 2-cell stage (referred to as 2/1 embryos), (2) from the 4-cell stage (referred to as 4/1 embryos), (3) from the 8-cell stage (referred to as 8/1 embryos). Such single enlarged blastomeres developed into blastocysts in vivo in 55.5% (2/1), 28% (4/1) and 6.6% (8/1) of cases. Their mean cell numbers were 45.3, 24.5 and 13.0 in 2/1, 4/1 and 8/1 embryos, respectively. When a blastomere nucleus from another mouse strain (heterologous nucleus) was substituted for a blastomere's own (homologous) one, then fewer blastocysts were formed from 2/1 embryos (34.6%), but not from 4/1 and 8/1 embryos. Five young (10.4%) were born from 2/1 embryos with a homologous nucleus, and nine (8.3%) from 2/1 embryos with heterologous nuclei. Four young (7.1%) were born from 4/1 embryos with heterologous nuclei. No young were obtained from 8/1 embryos. Incorrect cavitation resulting in trophoblastic vesicles and false blastocyst formation was common in 4/1 embryos (18.7% of those with homologous nuclei and 41.3% with heterologous nuclei) and in 8/1 embryos (53.3% and 43.7%, respectively). The results show that neither enlargement to zygote size nor nucleo-cytoplasmic synchrony improve postimplantation development of 4- and 8-cell stage blastomeres when compared with less enlarged non-synchronous ones; therefore, it appears that an insufficient number of inner cell mass cells in blastocysts and not too small a size of isolated blastomeres precludes their postimplantation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek A Modliński
- Department of Experimental Embryology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Wolka Kosowska, Poland
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Ji J, Li J, Holmes LM, Burgin KE, Yu X, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Glycoinositol phospholipid-anchored interleukin 2 but not secreted interleukin 2 inhibits melanoma tumor growth in mice. Mol Cancer Ther 2002; 1:1019-24. [PMID: 12481424] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Whereas cancer immunotherapy with interleukin (IL) 2 and/or other cytokines has proved effective in activating immune responses against tumor cells, the major obstacle with the use of these cytokines in cancer patients is their severe side effects when delivered systemically at high doses. In an effort to overcome this problem, in the present study, a fusion protein containing human IL-2 and a glycoinositol phospholipid (GPI) anchor sequence of decay accelerating factor was generated. When expressed by transfected cells, these fusion proteins were presented on the cell surface in the GPI-anchored form as demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter and ELISA analyses. This GPI-anchored IL-2 is highly functional as indicated by significantly increased T-cell infiltration in tumor masses. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor cells isolated from experimental tumors indicated that a local high level of IL-2 was achieved by GPI-anchored IL-2. More importantly, when injected into mice i.v., the growth of these B16F0 melanoma cells that were engineered to express this fusion protein was significantly inhibited. In contrast, the inhibition of secreted IL-2 on tumor growth was not observable in this study. These studies may provide a novel approach to locally deliver high doses of cytokines for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Ji
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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Letsinger RL, Wagner TE. Regulation of Rate of Reaction of a Polyuridylic Acid Derivative by Use of Suppressor and Antisuppressor Molecules1,2. J Am Chem Soc 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/ja00961a049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Li J, Holmes LM, Franek KJ, Burgin KE, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Purified hybrid cells from dendritic cell and tumor cell fusions are superior activators of antitumor immunity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2001; 50:456-62. [PMID: 11761439 PMCID: PMC11034210 DOI: 10.1007/s002620100218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 05/09/2001] [Accepted: 06/28/2001] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The use of fusions between dendritic cells (DCs) and tumor cells as vaccines has been proved very effective in stimulating antitumor immune responses, both in animal studies and in early human clinical trials. Because of the difficulty of purifying the hybrid cells from the fusion, fusion mixtures were used in these studies. Recently, we developed a technique using fluorescent-dye staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting that enabled the hybrid cells to be instantly purified from the fusion mixture. In the present study, the hybrid cells were purified from a fusion between mouse DCs and B16F0 melanoma tumor cells using the new technique. The purified cells, named instant dendritomas (IDs) were then compared with fusion mixtures in stimulating antitumor immune responses. The results from cytotoxicity assays, interferon-gamma production and in vivo lung tumor metastasis demonstrated that IDs are more effective than fusion mixture in stimulating antitumor immunity. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the antitumor immunities activated by IDs from allogenic fusion or IDs from syngenic fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Li
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System, SC 29605, USA
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35
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Holmes LM, Li J, Sticca RP, Wagner TE, Wei Y. A rapid, novel strategy to induce tumor cell-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses using instant dentritomas. J Immunother 2001; 24:122-9. [PMID: 11265769] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The generation of fused cells between dendritic cells (DC) and tumor cells is a very effective approach for tumor antigen presentation in cancer immunotherapy. However, the application of this approach in clinical studies is limited by the need for established tumor cell lines and the time-consuming procedures for selecting and expanding the fused cells. In the current study, the authors report a rapid, novel approach to produce fused cells between DCs and primary tumor cells from patients with malignant melanoma. Peripheral blood DCs and a primary tumor cell culture were generated from the same patients, labeled with fluorescent green and red dyes, respectively, and fused. The fused cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Because the fused cells do not need to be expanded, these cell hybrids have been named instant dendritomas. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that instant dendritomas express the key molecules for antigen presentation (HLA-A, B, C; HLA-DR; CD80; and CD86). In vitro studies have shown that instant dendritomas effectively activated autologous CD8+ T lymphocytes to proliferate and secret interferon-gamma. More importantly, the activated CD8+ T lymphocytes effectively lysed the patients' primary tumor cells. This approach represents a practical clinical strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Holmes
- The Oncology Research Institute of the Greenville Hospital System, South Carolina 29605, USA
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Abstract
Human prolactin (hPRL) has been shown to be one of the important survival/growth factors that promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells in an autocrine/paracrine manner. In our recent studies, we demonstrated that a hPRL antagonist with a single amino acid substitution mutation (hPRL-G129R) was able to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation via induction of apoptosis (1). In this study three independent yet related experiments were carried out regarding the effects of hPRL-G129R in breast cancer cells. We investigated the possible mechanism(s) of hPRL-G129R induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. It is well documented that transforming growth factors (TGF) in conjunction with hormones such as estrogen and PRL play a major role in modulating the proliferation and apoptosis of mammary cells. We first investigated the relationships between hPRL/hPRL-G129R and TGFs. We show that hPRL is able to down-regulate TGF beta 1 (apoptotic factor) secretion and up-regulate TGF alpha (survival factor) secretion in a dose-dependent manner in T-47D cells. More importantly the hPRL antagonist up-regulates TGF beta 1 and down-regulates TGF alpha secretion. When hPRL-G129R was applied together with hPRL, it blocked the effects of hPRL. Secondly, we tested the possible involvement of caspases in hPRL-G129R induced apoptosis. We have shown that caspase-3 is activated by hPRL-G129R at a concentration of 250 ng/ml in T-47D breast cancer cells. Thirdly, we explored the additive effects of an anti-neoplastic drug, cisplatin, with the hPRL-G129R in T47D breast cancer cells. We show that cisplatin and hPRL-G129R when applied together resulted in about 40% growth inhibition in T-47D cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ramamoorthy
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29681, USA
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Walker K, Xie Y, Li Y, Zhu Q, Xu W, Wagner TE, Chen X. Cytoplasmic expression of ribozyme in zebrafish using a T7 autogene system. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2001; 3:1-6. [PMID: 11471539] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A cytoplasmic ribozyme expression system, based on codelivery of a ribozyme vector, a T7 autogene vector, and T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP), has been developed and used to generate a specific phenotype in zebrafish by targeting a no tail (ntl) mRNA. The expression of the no tail ribozyme sequence is under the control of a tandem of two promoters: The T7 promoter and an adenoviral va 1 (pol III) promoter. The coinjection of the ribozyme vector pT7vaRz, the T7 autogene vector pT7T7, and the T7 RNAP resulted in rapid synthesis of the ribozyme against the ntl mRNA in the cytoplasm of the injected zebrafish embryos, generating no tail phenotypes in up to 10-20% of the injected embryos. The phenotypic change rates have been found to be related to the concentrations of the plasmid vectors and T7 RNAP injected and to the ratios of the three injected components. This cytoplasmic ribozyme expression system may be useful for efficiently targeting other mRNA and for various biomedical applications. These potential applications may include rapid identification of biological functions of novel genes from zebrafish and humans based on partial gene sequence information and gene therapy of genetic and acquired diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Walker
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens 45701, USA
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Cataldo L, Chen NY, Yuan Q, Li W, Ramamoorthy P, Wagner TE, Sticca RP, Chen WY. Inhibition of oncogene STAT3 phosphorylation by a prolactin antagonist, hPRL-G129R, in T-47D human breast cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2000; 17:1179-85. [PMID: 11078803 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.17.6.1179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that a hPRL antagonist (hPRL-G129R) was able to inhibit PRL induced breast cancer cell proliferation through induction of apoptosis. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that the inhibitory effect of hPRL-G129R in breast cancer cells occurs, at least in part, through the inhibition of oncogene STAT3 activation. We first demonstrated that STAT5 and STAT3 could be activated by either hGH or hPRL in T-47D breast cancer cells. Although the patterns of STAT5 activation by hGH and hPRL are similar, we observed a nearly 10-fold greater efficacy of hPRL in STAT3 activation as compared to that of hGH. More importantly, we have demonstrated that activation of STAT3 by hPRL could be inhibited by hPRL-G129R. Since T-47D cells coexpress GHR and PRLR, an attempt was made to dissect the molecular events mediated through hGHR or hPRLR using mouse L-cells expressing a single population of receptors (hGHR or hPRLR). To our surprise, only STAT5, not STAT3 phosphorylation was observed in these L-cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that: a) STAT3 is preferably activated through hPRLR in T-47D cells; b) hPRL-G129R is effective in inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation; and c) the mechanism of STAT3 activation is different from that of STAT5.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cataldo
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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Li J, Holmes LM, Franek KJ, Wagner TE, Wei Y. Murine tyrosinase expressed by a T7 vector in bone marrow-derived dendritic progenitors effectively prevents and eradicates melanoma tumors in mice. Cancer Gene Ther 2000; 7:1448-55. [PMID: 11129287 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-mediated cancer immunotherapy is a very promising alternative approach to cancer treatment. In a previous study, we successfully transfected bone marrow-derived dendritic progenitors (BMDDPs) with a T7 vector--a nonviral, cytoplasmic-based autogene expression system--encoding a model tumor antigen, firefly luciferase, and subsequently stimulated the transfected cells to differentiate into DCs. When injected into experimental mice, those DCs generated a strong immune response against tumor cells bearing luciferase, which not only prevented occurrence of metastasis but also eradicated existing tumors. In the present study, we constructed a T7 vector encoding mouse tyrosinase, a well--known melanoma associated tumor antigen, and used it to transfect BMDDPs. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western analysis confirmed the expression of tyrosinase by DCs differentiated from transfected BMDDPs. Two immunizations of these DCs at a dose of 2 x 10(6) of each successfully prevented tumor growth. More importantly, one injection of 2 x 10(6) of these DCs into mice followed by five doses of recombinant human interleukin-2 administration effectively eradicated existing tumors as indicated by pulmonary metastasis assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Li
- Oncology Research Institute of Greenville Hospital System, South Carolina 29605, USA
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Vatner DE, Yang GP, Geng YJ, Asai K, Yun JS, Wagner TE, Ishikawa Y, Bishop SP, Homcy CJ, Vatner SF. Determinants of the cardiomyopathic phenotype in chimeric mice overexpressing cardiac Gsalpha. Circ Res 2000; 86:802-6. [PMID: 10764415 DOI: 10.1161/01.res.86.7.802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mice with overexpressed cardiac Gsalpha develop cardiomyopathy, characterized by myocyte hypertrophy and extensive myocardial fibrosis. The cardiomyopathy likely involves chronically enhanced beta-adrenergic signaling, because it can be blocked with long-term propranolol treatment. It remains unknown whether the genotype of the myocyte is solely responsible for the progressive pathological changes. A chimeric population in the heart should answer this question. Accordingly, we developed a chimeric animal, which combined cells from a transgenic overexpressed Gsalpha parent and a Rosa mouse containing the LacZ reporter gene, facilitating identification of the non-Gsalpha cells, which express a blue color with exposure to beta-galactosidase. We studied these animals at 14 to 17 months of age (when cardiomyopathy should have been present), with the proportion of Gsalpha cells in the myocardium ranging from 5% to 88%. beta-Galactosidase staining of the hearts demonstrated Gsalpha and Rosa cells, exhibiting a mosaic pattern. The fibrosis and hypertrophy, characteristic of the cardiomyopathy, were not distributed randomly. There was a direct correlation (r=0.85) between the extent of myocyte hypertrophy (determined by computer imaging) and the quantity of Gsalpha cells. The fibrosis, determined by picric acid Sirius red, was also more prominent in areas with the greatest Gsalpha cell density, with a correlation of r=0.88. Thus, the overexpressed Gsalpha can exert its action over the life of the animal, resulting in a local picture of cardiomyopathic damage in discrete regions of the heart, where clusters of the overexpressed Gsalpha cells reside, sparing the clusters of normal cells derived from the normal Rosa parent.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Vatner
- Weis Center for Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Danville, PA 17822-2601, USA
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Wei Y, Li J, Chen WY, Yu X, Sticca RP, Wagner TE. Enhanced transgene expression and effective in vivo antitumor immune responses initiated by dendritic progenitors transfected with a nonviral T7 vector expressing a model tumor antigen. J Immunother 2000; 23:75-82. [PMID: 10687140 DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200001000-00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Genetic education of dendritic cells (DCs) with tumor-associated antigens is an encouraging development in DC-mediated tumor immunotherapy. In this study, to increase the transgene expression by DCs using nonviral vectors, a cytoplasmic T7 vector (T7T7/T7Luc) was used to transfect bone marrow-derived DCs with the firefly luciferase gene as a reporter and as a model tumor antigen. As a result, the luciferase activity of T7T7/T7Luc-transfected DCs was more than four times greater than that of DCs transfected with pCMVLuc, a commonly used nonviral vector. Furthermore, the luciferase activity was increased three times more when dendritic progenitor cells rather than mature DCs were transfected. In vivo tumor studies showed that T7T7/T7Luc-transfected DCs, which express high levels of luciferase (model tumor antigen), stimulated a stronger immune response than did pCMVLuc-transfected DCs, which express relatively low levels of luciferase, as indicated by the cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay. T7T7/T7Luc transfected DCs, when injected into recipient mice, evoked an antigen-specific immune response that can effectively eradicate implanted metastasis and prevent new tumor development by murine melanoma cells genetically modified to express luciferase. Therefore, the T7 system is a powerful nonviral vector that can be used to genetically educate DCs with tumor-associated antigens for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wei
- Oncology Research Institute, Greenville Hospital System Cancer Treatment Center, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
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Chen WY, Ramamoorthy P, Chen N, Sticca R, Wagner TE. A human prolactin antagonist, hPRL-G129R, inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation through induction of apoptosis. Clin Cancer Res 1999; 5:3583-93. [PMID: 10589775] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Human breast cancer is the predominant malignancy and the leading cause of cancer death in women from Western societies. The cause of breast cancer is still unknown. Recently, the association between human prolactin (hPRL) activity and breast cancer has been reemphasized. Biologically active hPRL has been found to be produced locally by breast cancer cells that contain high levels of PRL receptor. A high incidence of mammary tumor growth has also been found in transgenic mice overexpressing lactogenic hormones. More importantly, it has been demonstrated that the receptors for sex steroids and PRL are coexpressed and cross-regulated. In this study, we report that we have designed and produced a hPRL antagonist, hPRL-G129R. By using cell proliferation assays, we have demonstrated that: (a) hPRL and E2 exhibited an additive stimulatory effect on human breast cancer cell (T-47D) proliferation; (b) hPRL-G129R possessed an inhibitory effect on T-47D cell proliferation; and (c) when antiestrogen (4-OH-tamoxifen) and anti-PRL (hPRL-G129R) agents were added together, an additive inhibitory effect was observed. We further investigated the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of hPRL-G129R in four hPRLR positive breast cancer cell lines. We report that hPRL-G129R is able to induce apoptosis in all four cell lines in a dose-dependent manner as determined by the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. The apoptosis is induced within 2 h of treatment at a dose as low as 50 ng/ml. We hope that the hPRL antagonist could be used to improve the outcome of human breast cancer therapy in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Y Chen
- Oncology Research Institute, Cancer Center, Greenville Hospital System, South Carolina 29605, USA.
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43
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Asai K, Yang GP, Geng YJ, Takagi G, Bishop S, Ishikawa Y, Shannon RP, Wagner TE, Vatner DE, Homcy CJ, Vatner SF. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade arrests myocyte damage and preserves cardiac function in the transgenic G(salpha) mouse. J Clin Invest 1999; 104:551-8. [PMID: 10487769 PMCID: PMC408547 DOI: 10.1172/jci7418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic (TG) mice with cardiac G(salpha) overexpression exhibit enhanced inotropic and chronotropic responses to sympathetic stimulation, but develop cardiomyopathy with age. We tested the hypothesis that cardiomyopathy in TG mice with G(salpha) overexpression could be averted with chronic beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) blockade. TG mice and age-matched wild-type littermates were treated with the beta-AR blocker propranolol for 6-7 months, starting at a time when the cardiomyopathy was developing but was not yet severe enough to induce significant cardiac depression (9.5 months of age), and ending at a time when cardiac depression and cardiomyopathy would have been clearly manifest (16 months of age). Propranolol treatment, which can induce cardiac depression in the normal heart, actually prevented cardiac dilation and the depressed left ventricular function characteristic of older TG mice, and abolished premature mortality. Propranolol also prevented the increase in myocyte cross-sectional area and myocardial fibrosis. Myocyte apoptosis, already apparent in 9-month-old TG mice, was actually eliminated by chronic propranolol. This study indicates that chronic sympathetic stimulation over an extended period is deleterious and results in cardiomyopathy. Conversely, beta-AR blockade is salutary in this situation and can prevent the development of cardiomyopathy.
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MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclases/metabolism
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Blood Pressure
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/diagnostic imaging
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/pathology
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/prevention & control
- Cyclic AMP/biosynthesis
- Endomyocardial Fibrosis/diagnostic imaging
- Endomyocardial Fibrosis/genetics
- Endomyocardial Fibrosis/pathology
- Endomyocardial Fibrosis/prevention & control
- Enzyme Activation
- Female
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/biosynthesis
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Heart Rate
- Hypertrophy
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Myocardium/pathology
- Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Propranolol/therapeutic use
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/drug effects
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/physiology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Ultrasonography
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/diagnostic imaging
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/genetics
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/pathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/prevention & control
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Affiliation(s)
- K Asai
- Weis Center for Research, Penn State College of Medicine, Danville, Pennsylvania 17822, USA
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44
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Abstract
The yolk sac of an early mammalian embryo contains progenitors of hematopoietic cells and vascular endothelial cells. We established a cell line, YS4, from murine embryonic yolk sac 10 years ago. The line has been successfully cultured since then. To determine whether these long-term cultured yolk sac cells still have the potential to differentiate into endothelial cells, an in vitro model of yolk sac cell differentiation into tubeforming endothelial cells was established in the present study by culturing the yolk sac cells on basement membrane proteins (Matrigel). The results indicate that upon plating onto Matrigel, YS4 cells attach quickly, align in tandem, and form a complete network of capillary structures within 12 h. By using antibodies against the known components of Matrigel in a tube formation inhibition assay, we found that extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin, collagen IV, vitronectin, and fibronectin are the most important components in the Matrigel which induce the yolk sac cells to undergo endothelial differentiation. New basement membrane proteins are also required for the endothelial differentiation process, as indicated by the fact that base membrane protein synthesis inhibitor, D609, can block the differentiation process. Furthermore, our experiments revealed the involvement of several signal transduction pathways, such as protein kinase A, C and protein tyrosine kinase in this differentiation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Li
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biological Sciences of Ohio University, Konneker Research Laboratories, The Ridges, Athens, USA
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45
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Kim SJ, Yatani A, Vatner DE, Yamamoto S, Ishikawa Y, Wagner TE, Shannon RP, Kim YK, Takagi G, Asai K, Homcy CJ, Vatner SF. Differential regulation of inotropy and lusitropy in overexpressed Gsalpha myocytes through cAMP and Ca2+ channel pathways. J Clin Invest 1999; 103:1089-97. [PMID: 10194482 PMCID: PMC408254 DOI: 10.1172/jci4848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the mechanisms responsible for altered contractile and relaxation function in overexpressed Gsalpha myocytes. Although baseline contractile function (percent contraction) in Gsalpha mice was similar to that of wild-type (WT) mice, left ventricular myocyte contraction, fura-2 Ca2+transients, and Ca2+ channel currents (ICa) were greater in Gsalpha mice in response to 10(-8) M isoproterenol (ISO) compared with WT mice. The late phase of relaxation of the isolated myocytes and fura-2 Ca2+ transients was accelerated at baseline in Gsalpha but did not increase further with ISO. In vivo measurements using echocardiography also demonstrated enhanced relaxation at baseline in Gsalpha mice. Forskolin and CaCl2 increased contraction similarly in WT and Gsalpha mice. Rp-cAMP, an inhibitor of protein kinase, blocked the increases in contractile response and Ca2+ currents to ISO in WT and to forskolin in both WT and Gsalpha. It also blocked the accelerated relaxation in Gsalpha at baseline but not the contractile response to ISO in Gsalpha myocytes. Baseline measurements of cAMP and phospholambation phosphorylation were enhanced in Gsalpha compared with WT. These data indicate that overexpression of Gsalpha accelerates relaxation at end diastolic but does not affect baseline systolic function in isolated myocytes. However, the enhanced responses to sympathetic stimulation partly reflect increased Ca2+ channel activity; i.e the cellular mechanisms mediating these effects appear to involve a cAMP-independent as well as a cAMP-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Kim
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Institute, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA
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46
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Abstract
-The stimulatory GTP-binding protein Gsalpha transmits signals from catecholamine receptors to activate adenylyl cyclase and thereby initiate a cascade leading to cardiac chronotropy and inotropy. Transgenic mice overexpressing the Gs alpha subunit (Gsalpha) selectively in their hearts exhibit increased cardiac contractility in response to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. However, with aging, these mice develop a cardiomyopathy. This study sought morphological and biochemical evidence that overexpression of Gsalpha is associated with increased myocyte apoptosis in the older animals and to determine whether such overexpression can promote apoptosis of isolated neonatal cardiac myocytes exposed to beta-adrenergic receptor agonists. In the hearts of 15- to 18-month-old Gsalpha transgenic mice, histochemistry and electron microscopy illustrated the existence of numerous myocytes with abnormal nuclei embedded in collagen-rich connective tissue. Terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL, for in situ labeling of DNA breaks) demonstrated that approximately 0.6% of myocyte nuclei contained fragmented DNA. Agarose gel electrophoresis provided further biochemical evidence of apoptosis by showing internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Cultured cardiac myocytes from newborn Gsalpha transgenic mice showed increased TUNEL staining and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation compared with wild-type controls when treated with the beta-agonist isoproterenol. Thus, enhanced activation of beta-adrenergic signaling by overexpression of Gsalpha in the hearts of transgenic mice induces apoptosis of cardiac myocytes. This represents a potential mechanism that may contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y J Geng
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Institute, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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47
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Vatner DE, Asai K, Iwase M, Ishikawa Y, Wagner TE, Shannon RP, Homcy CJ, Vatner SF. Overexpression of myocardial Gsalpha prevents full expression of catecholamine desensitization despite increased beta-adrenergic receptor kinase. J Clin Invest 1998; 101:1916-22. [PMID: 9576756 PMCID: PMC508778 DOI: 10.1172/jci1530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inotropic and chronotropic responses to catecholamines in young adult transgenic mice overexpressing myocardial Gsalpha are enhanced. One might predict that over the life of the animal, this chronically enhanced beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation would result in homologous catecholamine desensitization. To test this hypothesis, old transgenic Gsalpha mice and age-matched controls were studied physiologically in terms of responsiveness of left ventricular function (ejection fraction) to isoproterenol in vivo and in vitro in terms of beta-adrenergic receptor signaling. Old transgenic mice still responded to isoproterenol with augmented (P < 0.05) left ventricular ejection fraction (+44+/-3%) compared with age-matched controls (+24+/-1%). Although total beta-adrenergic receptor density was reduced in the old transgenic mice, and G protein receptor kinase 2 (beta-adrenergic receptor kinase) levels were increased, the fraction of receptors binding agonist with high affinity as well as isoproterenol- and G protein-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activities were enhanced. Thus, classical catecholamine desensitization is not effective in attenuation of persistently enhanced responses to sympathetic stimulation in mice overexpressing myocardial Gsalpha. To support this conclusion further, experiments were performed with chronic isoproterenol, which elicited effective desensitization in wild-type controls, but failed to elicit desensitization in overexpressed Gsalpha mice. The results of this study suggest that the lack of protective desensitization mechanisms may be responsible in part for the dilated cardiomyopathy which develops with chronic sympathetic stress over the life of these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Vatner
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Institute, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA
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48
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Chen X, Li Y, Xiong K, Aizicovici S, Xie Y, Zhu Q, Sturtz F, Shulok J, Snodgrass R, Wagner TE, Platika D. Cancer gene therapy by direct tumor injections of a nonviral T7 vector encoding a thymidine kinase gene. Hum Gene Ther 1998; 9:729-36. [PMID: 9551620 DOI: 10.1089/hum.1998.9.5-729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we described a nonviral cytoplasmic gene therapy vector system based on the T7 autogene concept. This system has been shown to achieve rapid and high levels of gene expression in a variety of animal cells and tissues. To test the utility of the system in vivo tumor ablation, a T7 cancer gene therapy plasmid vector, pT7T7/T7TK, was constructed. This nonviral vector contains a T7 autogene, T7T7, and a human herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene driven by a second T7 promoter (T7TK). When co-transfected with T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) into cultured human osteosarcoma 143B cells, abut 10-20% of the cells were found to express HSV-TK, and more than 90% of the cells were killed in the presence of 1 microM ganciclovir (GCV) within 4 days after DNA transfection. The increase in killing above the transfection frequency is due to a "bystander" effect among transfected and untransfected 143B cells. Direct injections of pT7T7/T7TK into 143B tumors grown in nude mice resulted in TK gene expression in tumor cells located near the injection sites as revealed by the immunohistochemical staining. Repeated tumor injections of the pT7T7/T7TK vector and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of GCV resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and in tumor shrinkage in 6 out of 10 treated nude mice. Three of those six tumors fully regressed shortly after the end of the GCV injections. All of the full tumor regressions were found to be permanent and no apparent tumor relapses were observed for the rest of the lives of the treated nude mice after the initial tumor ablations. These results, combined with the nonviral and rapid cytoplasmic gene expression features, suggest that the T7 vector may be a good candidate for cancer gene therapy and other medical and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Chen
- Progenitor Inc., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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49
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Uechi M, Asai K, Osaka M, Smith A, Sato N, Wagner TE, Ishikawa Y, Hayakawa H, Vatner DE, Shannon RP, Homcy CJ, Vatner SF. Depressed heart rate variability and arterial baroreflex in conscious transgenic mice with overexpression of cardiac Gsalpha. Circ Res 1998; 82:416-23. [PMID: 9506701 DOI: 10.1161/01.res.82.4.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we developed a transgenic mouse with cardiac-specific Gsalpha overexpression (TG mouse), which exhibits enhanced postsynaptic beta-adrenergic receptor signaling, ultimately developing a cardiomyopathy. The goal of the present study was to determine whether cardiac Gsalpha overexpression alters autonomic cardiovascular control, which could shed light on the mechanism responsible for the later development of cardiomyopathy. Mean arterial pressure was increased (P<.05) in conscious, chronically instrumented TG mice (123+/-1 mm Hg) compared with age-matched wild-type (WT) control mice (103+/-1 mm Hg). Respiratory frequency was increased (P<.05) in TG mice (269+/-26/min) compared with WT mice (210+/-20/min). By use of telemetric techniques, baseline heart rate (HR) was elevated (P<.05) in conscious, untethered TG mice (696+/-13 bpm) compared with WT mice (568+/-28 bpm). Intrinsic HR, after propranolol and atropine or after ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium, was not different between TG and WT mice. Both the normal minute-to-minute and circadian variations of HR observed in WT mice were markedly blunted in TG mice. HR variability was assessed by the time-domain and frequency-domain methods. At baseline, time-domain analysis indices were reduced (P<.05) in TG mice compared with WT mice. Although the low frequency (LF) component was higher (P<.05) than the high frequency (HF) component in WT mice, the LF component was less (P<.05) than the HF component in TG mice. In addition, arterial baroreflex regulation of HR was markedly blunted in TG mice in response to both nitroglycerin-induced hypotension and phenylephrine-induced hypertension. The reduced LF/HF ratio in TG mice was surprising in view of enhanced beta-adrenergic signaling and may be due to reduced neural tone secondary to the elevated arterial pressure or alterations in arterial baroreflex control. Dobutamine infusion in WT mice also resulted in depressed HR variability. The combination of elevated baseline HR, arterial pressure, and respiratory frequency suggests that enhanced beta-adrenergic signaling in TG mice results in reduced HR variability, in terms of both minute-to-minute variability and the lack of circadian variations in HR. The lack of normal HR variability in general and the failure of HR to decline, even during sleep, may actually be critical mechanisms contributing to the ultimate development of cardiomyopathy in these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Uechi
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Institute, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA
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50
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Abstract
In rodents, bovine (b) growth hormone (GH) binds only to GH receptors, while human (h) GH binds to both GH and PRL receptors. The phenotypic consequences of expression of bGH and hGH in transgenic mice are different and, in some cases, opposite. In the present study, site-directed in vitro mutagenesis of the bGH gene was used systematically to eliminate its differences from hGH at one, two, three or four suspected of conferring lactogenic activity: D11, H18, S57 and T60, respectively (corresponding to sites 12, 19, 57 and 60 of the bGH molecule). The resulting bGH analogues were expressed in cell lines and in transgenic mice. All of the seven bGH analogues produced retained their ability to bind to GH receptors and exhibited somatogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, none of them were able to bind to PRL receptors or to elicit detectable lactogenic response in vitro. Transgenic animals expressing any of the generated analogues were characterized by gigantism and splanchnomegaly. The effects of expression of each of the double, triple or quadruple mutants on the seminal vesicle weight resembled the effects of wild-type hGH and differed from the effects of expression of wild-type bGH. There were differences between the effects of the expression of different bGH analogues on plasma PRL levels and on the PRL response to pharmacological blockade of catecholamine synthesis. Plasma LH levels in ovariectomized females were suppressed by several of the analogues tested, an effect not seen in animals expressing wild-type bGH or hGH. Dopamine turnover in the median eminence of male mice was also altered in animals expressing different bGH analogues but not in those expressing wild-type bGH or hGH. In ovariectomized females, the effects of different bGH analogs on the turnover of dopamine and norepinephrine in the median eminence included changes resembling those detected in animals expressing hGH, as well as alterations differing from the effects of both bGH and hGH. The results indicate that biological actions of these bGH analogues cannot be characterized simply in terms of enhanced or reduced somatogenic or lactogenic activity and raise a possibility that different sites, domains or features of tri-dimensional structure of GH are involved in its actions on different cellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kopchick
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens 45701, USA
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