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Wang F. Identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia for mRNA vaccine development. Clin Transl Oncol 2023. [PMID: 36781600 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03108-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive hematological malignancy, and there has not been any significant improvement in therapy of AML over the past several decades. The mRNA vaccines have become a promising strategy against multiple cancers, however, its application on AML remains undefined. In this study, we aimed to identify novel antigens for developing mRNA vaccines against AML and explore the immune landscape of AML to select appropriate patients for vaccination. METHODS Genomic data and gene mutation data were retrieved from TCGA, GEO and cBioPortal, respectively. GEPIA2 was used to analyze differentially expressed genes. The single cell RNA-seq database Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub (TISCH) was used to explore the association between the potential tumor antigens and the infiltrating immune cells in the bone marrow. Consensus clustering analysis was applied to identify distinct immune subtypes. The correlation between the abundance of antigen presenting cells and the expression level of antigens was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. The characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment in each subtype were investigated based on single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. RESULTS Five potential tumor antigens were identified for mRNA vaccine from the pool of overexpressed and mutated genes, including CDH23, LRP1, MEFV, MYOF and SLC9A9, which were associated with infiltration of antigen-presenting immune cells (APCs). AML patients were stratified into two immune subtypes Cluster1 (C1) and Cluster2 (C2), which were characterized by distinct molecular and clinical features. C1 subtype demonstrated an immune-hot and immunosuppressive phenotype, while the C1 subtype had an immune-cold phenotype. Furthermore, the two immune subtype showed remarkably different expression of immune checkpoints, immunogenic cell death modulators and human leukocyte antigens. CONCLUSION CDH23, LRP1, MEFV, MYOF and SLC9A9 were potential antigens for developing AML mRNA vaccine, and AML patients in immune subtype 1 were suitable for vaccination.
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Porciello N, Franzese O, D’Ambrosio L, Palermo B, Nisticò P. T-cell repertoire diversity: friend or foe for protective antitumor response? J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:356. [PMID: 36550555 PMCID: PMC9773533 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Profiling the T-Cell Receptor (TCR) repertoire is establishing as a potent approach to investigate autologous and treatment-induced antitumor immune response. Technical and computational breakthroughs, including high throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches and spatial transcriptomics, are providing unprecedented insight into the mechanisms underlying antitumor immunity. A precise spatiotemporal variation of T-cell repertoire, which dynamically mirrors the functional state of the evolving host-cancer interaction, allows the tracking of the T-cell populations at play, and may identify the key cells responsible for tumor eradication, the evaluation of minimal residual disease and the identification of biomarkers of response to immunotherapy. In this review we will discuss the relationship between global metrics characterizing the TCR repertoire such as T-cell clonality and diversity and the resultant functional responses. In particular, we will explore how specific TCR repertoires in cancer patients can be predictive of prognosis or response to therapy and in particular how a given TCR re-arrangement, following immunotherapy, can predict a specific clinical outcome. Finally, we will examine current improvements in terms of T-cell sequencing, discussing advantages and challenges of current methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicla Porciello
- grid.417520.50000 0004 1760 5276Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Ornella Franzese
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D’Ambrosio
- grid.417520.50000 0004 1760 5276Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Belinda Palermo
- grid.417520.50000 0004 1760 5276Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- grid.417520.50000 0004 1760 5276Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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3
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Bulte JWM, Shakeri-Zadeh A. In Vivo MRI Tracking of Tumor Vaccination and Antigen Presentation by Dendritic Cells. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:198-207. [PMID: 34581954 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cancer vaccination using tumor antigen-primed dendritic cells (DCs) was introduced in the clinic some 25 years ago, but the overall outcome has not lived up to initial expectations. In addition to the complexity of the immune response, there are many factors that determine the efficacy of DC therapy. These include accurate administration of DCs in the target tissue site without unwanted cell dispersion/backflow, sufficient numbers of tumor antigen-primed DCs homing to lymph nodes (LNs), and proper timing of immunoadjuvant administration. To address these uncertainties, proton (1H) and fluorine (19F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking of ex vivo pre-labeled DCs can now be used to non-invasively determine the accuracy of therapeutic DC injection, initial DC dispersion, systemic DC distribution, and DC migration to and within LNs. Magnetovaccination is an alternative approach that tracks in vivo labeled DCs that simultaneously capture tumor antigen and MR contrast agent in situ, enabling an accurate quantification of antigen presentation to T cells in LNs. The ultimate clinical premise of MRI DC tracking would be to use changes in LN MRI signal as an early imaging biomarker to predict the efficacy of tumor vaccination and anti-tumor response long before treatment outcome becomes apparent, which may aid clinicians with interim treatment management.
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Ye L, Wang L, Yang J, Hu P, Zhang C, Tong S, Liu Z, Tian D. Identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes in lower grade gliomas for mRNA vaccine development. J Transl Med 2021; 19:352. [PMID: 34404444 PMCID: PMC8369324 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an important part of tumor immunotherapy for adjunct, therapeutic tumor vaccines have been effective against multiple solid cancers, while their efficacy against lower grade glioma (LGG) remains undefined. Immunophenotyping of tumors is an essential tool to evaluate the immune function of patients with immunodeficiency or autoimmunity. Therefore, this study aims to find the potential tumor antigen of LGG and identify the suitable population for cancer vaccination based on the immune landscape. METHOD The genomic and clinical data of 529 patients with LGG were obtained from TCGA, the mRNA_seq data of normal brain tissue were downloaded from GTEx. Differential expression gene and mutation analysis were performed to screen out potential antigens, K-M curves were carried out to investigate the correlation between the level of potential antigens and OS and DFS of patients. TIMER dataset was used to explore the correlation between genes and immune infiltrating cells. Immunophenotyping of 529 tumor samples was based on the single-sample gene sets enrichment analysis. Cibersort and Estimate algorithm were used to explore the tumor immune microenvironment characteristics in each immune subtype. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) clustered immune-related genes and screened the hub genes, and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the hub modules related to immune subtype in the WGCNA. RESULTS Selecting for the mutated, up-regulated, prognosis- and immune-related genes, four potential tumor antigens were identified in LGG. They were also significantly positively associated with the antigen-presenting immune cells (APCs). Three robust immune subtypes, IS1, IS2 and IS3, represented immune status "desert", "immune inhibition", and "inflamed" respectively, which might serve as a predictive parameter. Subsequently, clinicopathological features, including the codeletion status of 1p19q, IDH mutation status, tumor mutation burden, tumor stemness, etc., were significantly different among subtypes. CONCLUSION FCGBP, FLNC, TLR7, and CSF2RA were potential antigens for developing cancer vaccination, and the patients in IS3 were considered the most suitable for vaccination in LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Ji'an Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Shi'ao Tong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhennan Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China
| | - Daofeng Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
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Miederer M, Pektor S, Miederer I, Bausbacher N, Keil IS, Hefesha H, Haas H, Sahin U, Diken M. Iodine-124 PET quantification of organ-specific delivery and expression of NIS-encoding RNA. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:14. [PMID: 33569663 PMCID: PMC7876195 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00753-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background RNA-based vaccination strategies tailoring immune response to specific reactions have become an important pillar for a broad range of applications. Recently, the use of lipid-based nanoparticles opened the possibility to deliver RNA to specific sites within the body, overcoming the limitation of rapid degradation in the bloodstream. Here, we have investigated whether small animal PET/MRI can be employed to image the biodistribution of RNA-encoded protein.
For this purpose, a reporter RNA coding for the sodium-iodide-symporter (NIS) was in vitro transcribed in cell lines and evaluated for expression. RNA-lipoplex nanoparticles were then assembled by complexing RNA with liposomes at different charge ratios, and functional NIS protein translation was imaged and quantified in vivo and ex vivo by Iodine-124 PET upon intravenous administration in mice. Results NIS expression was detected on the membrane of two cell lines as early as 6 h after transfection and gradually decreased over 48 h. In vivo and ex vivo PET/MRI of anionic spleen-targeting or cationic lung-targeting NIS-RNA lipoplexes revealed a visually detectable rapid increase of Iodine-124 uptake in the spleen or lung compared to control-RNA-lipoplexes, respectively, with minimal background in other organs except from thyroid, stomach and salivary gland. Conclusions The strong organ selectivity and high target-to-background acquisition of NIS-RNA lipoplexes indicate the feasibility of small animal PET/MRI to quantify organ-specific delivery of RNA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13550-021-00753-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Miederer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie Pektor
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabelle Miederer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nicole Bausbacher
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabell Sofia Keil
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hossam Hefesha
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) SE, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heinrich Haas
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) SE, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany.,Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) SE, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mustafa Diken
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany. .,Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) SE, Mainz, Germany.
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Ring SS, Królik M, Hartmann F, Schmidt E, Ali OH, Ludewig B, Kochanek S, Flatz L. Heterologous Prime Boost Vaccination Induces Protective Melanoma-Specific CD8 + T Cell Responses. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2020; 19:179-187. [PMID: 33209978 PMCID: PMC7658660 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer vaccination aims at inducing an adaptive immune response against tumor-derived antigens. In this study, we utilize recombinant human adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) and recombinant lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (rLCMV)-based vectors expressing the melanocyte differentiation antigen gp100. In contrast to single or homologous vaccination, a heterologous prime boost vaccination starting with a rAd5-gp100 prime immunization followed by a rLCMV-gp100 boost injection induces a high magnitude of polyfunctional gp100-specific CD8+ T cells. Our data indicate that an optimal T cell induction is dependent on the order and interval of the vaccinations. A prophylactic prime boost vaccination with rAd5- and rLCMV-gp100 protects mice from a B16.F10 melanoma challenge. In the therapeutic setting, combination of the vaccination with low-dose cyclophosphamide showed a synergistic effect and significantly delayed tumor growth. Our findings suggest that heterologous viral vector prime boost immunizations can mediate tumor control in a mouse melanoma model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra S Ring
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Michał Królik
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Erika Schmidt
- Department of Gene Therapy, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 8, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Omar Hasan Ali
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland.,Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Ludewig
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland.,Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kochanek
- Department of Gene Therapy, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 8, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lukas Flatz
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 95, 9007 St.Gallen, Switzerland
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Aurisicchio L, Fridman A, Mauro D, Sheloditna R, Chiappori A, Bagchi A, Ciliberto G. Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of V934/V935 hTERT vaccination in cancer patients with selected solid tumors: a phase I study. J Transl Med 2020; 18:39. [PMID: 32000810 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02228-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is an antigen that may represent a target for a novel anti-cancer strategy. A pilot, phase I study tested the safety and feasibility of a prime-boost immunization regimen based on V935, an adenoviral type 6 vector vaccine expressing a modified version of hTERT, administered alone or in combination with V934, a DNA plasmid that also expresses the same antigen and is delivered using the electroporation injection technique. Methods Treatments: Group #1 received two doses (low-dose: 0.5 × 109 vg, and high-dose: 0.5 × 1011 vg) of V935 followed by a 4-week observation period. Group #2 received three doses of V934-electroporation and two doses of V935 following a 4-week observation period. Doses were low-dose V934 (0.25 mg of plasmid) with low-dose V935 (0.5 × 109 vg); high-dose V934 (2.5 mg of plasmid) with high-dose V935 (0.5 × 1011 vg). Group #3 received five doses of V934-EP and two doses of V935: V934 was administered IM every 2 weeks for five doses. Following a 4-week observation period, V935 was administered IM every 2 weeks for two doses followed by a 4-week observation period. One (1) dose level was tested in treatment group #3: high-dose V934 (2.5 mg of plasmid), in combination with high-dose V935 (0.5 × 1011 vg). Immunogenicity was measured by ELISPOT assay and three pools of peptides encompassing the sequence of hTERT. Results In total, 37 patients affected by solid tumors (prostate cancer in 38%) were enrolled. The safety profile of different regimens was good and comparable across groups, with no severe adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities or treatment discontinuations. As expected, the most common adverse events were local reactions. A significant increase in ELISPOT responses against hTERT peptide pool 2 was observed (p < 0.01), while no evidence of boosting was observed for peptide pools 1 and 3. This was also evident for group #1 and #2 separately. In patients with prostate cancer, there was a significant increase in ELISPOT response against hTERT peptide pool 2 following immunization (p < 0.01), regardless of previous therapy, immunosuppressing agents, or adenoviral type 6 titers at screening. Conclusion Our results suggest the safety and feasibility of V934/V935 hTERT vaccination in cancer patients with solid tumors Trial Registration Name of the registry: ClinicalTrial.gov Trial registration number: NCT00753415 Date of registration: 16 September 2008 Retrospectively registered URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT00753415&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=
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Chiang CLL, Kandalaft LE. In vivo cancer vaccination: Which dendritic cells to target and how? Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 71:88-101. [PMID: 30390423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of cancer immunotherapy has been revolutionized with the use of immune checkpoint blockade antibodies such as anti-programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Significant clinical benefits are observed in different cancer types with these treatments. While considerable efforts are made in augmenting tumor-specific T cell responses with these therapies, other immunotherapies that actively stimulate endogenous anti-tumor T cells and generating long-term memory have received less attention. Given the high cost of cancer immunotherapies especially with chimeric antigen receptor T cells, not many patients will have access to such treatments. The next-generation of cancer immunotherapy could entail in vivo cancer vaccination to activate both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses. This could potentially be achieved via in vivo targeting of dendritic cells which are an indispensable link between the innate and adaptive immunities. Dendritic cells highly expressed toll-like receptors for recognizing and eliminating pathogens. Synthetic toll-like receptors agonists could be synthesized at a low cost and have shown promise in preclinical and clinical trials. As different subsets of human dendritic cells exist in the immune system, activation with different toll-like receptor agonists could exert profound effects on the quality and magnitude of anti-tumor T cell responses. Here, we reviewed the different subsets of human dendritic cells. Using published preclinical and clinical cancers studies available on PubMed, we discussed the use of clinically approved and emerging toll-like receptor agonists to activate dendritic cells in vivo for cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we searched www.clinicaltrials.gov and summarized the active cancer trials evaluating toll-like receptor agonists as an adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Lai-Lai Chiang
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Lana E Kandalaft
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne CH-1066, Switzerland; Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Smilow Translational Research Center 8th Floor, 186B, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Pektor S, Hilscher L, Walzer KC, Miederer I, Bausbacher N, Loquai C, Schreckenberger M, Sahin U, Diken M, Miederer M. In vivo imaging of the immune response upon systemic RNA cancer vaccination by FDG-PET. EJNMMI Res 2018; 8:80. [PMID: 30112704 PMCID: PMC6093825 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-018-0435-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND [18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-2-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is commonly used in the clinic for diagnosis of cancer and for follow-up of therapy outcome. Additional to the well-established value in tumor imaging, it bears potential to depict immune processes in modern immunotherapies. T cells enhance their glucose consumption upon activation and are crucial effectors for the success of such novel therapies. In this study, we analyzed the T cell immunity in spleen after antigen-specific stimulation of T cells via highly innovative RNA-based vaccines using FDG-PET/MRI. For this purpose, we employed systemic administration of RNA-lipoplexes encoding the endogenous antigen of Moloney murine leukemia virus (gp70) which have been previously shown to induce potent innate as well as adaptive immune mechanisms for cancer immunotherapy. Feasibility of clinical imaging of increased splenic FDG uptake was demonstrated in a melanoma patient participating in a clinical phase 1 trial of a tetravalent RNA-lipoplex cancer vaccine. RESULTS We observed exclusive increase of glucose uptake in spleen compared to other organs thanks to liposome-mediated RNA targeting to this immune-relevant organ. In vivo and ex vivo FDG uptake analysis in the spleen of vaccinated mice correlated well with antigen-specific T cell activation. Moreover, the use of an irrelevant (antigen non-specific) RNA also resulted in enhanced FDG uptake early after vaccination through the activation of several other splenic cell populations. The glucose uptake was also dependent on the dose of RNA administered in line with the activation and frequencies of proliferating antigen-specific T cells as well as the general activation pattern of splenic cell populations. CONCLUSIONS Our preclinical results show rapid and transient vaccination-induced increase of FDG uptake within the spleen reflecting immune activation preceding T cell proliferation. FDG-PET/CT in patients is also capable to image this immune activation resulting in a new potential application of FDG-PET/CT to image immune processes in new immunological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Pektor
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lina Hilscher
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kerstin C. Walzer
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabelle Miederer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nicole Bausbacher
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Carmen Loquai
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mathias Schreckenberger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mustafa Diken
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Miederer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Galati D, Zanotta S. Hematologic neoplasms: Dendritic cells vaccines in motion. Clin Immunol 2017; 183:181-190. [PMID: 28870867 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are bone-marrow-derived immune cells accounted for a key role in cancer vaccination as potent antigen-presenting cells within the immune system. Cancer microenvironment can modulate DCs maturation resulting in their accumulation into functional states associated with a reduced antitumor immune response. In this regard, a successful cancer vaccine needs to mount a potent antitumor immune response able to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor milieu. As a consequence, DCs-based approaches are a safe and promising strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy in hematological malignancies, particularly in combinations with additional treatments. This review summarizes the most significant evidence about the immunotherapeutic strategies performed to target hematologic neoplasms including the tumoral associated antigens (TAA) pulsed on DCs, whole tumor cell vaccines or leukemia-derived DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Galati
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem-Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Hematology, National Cancer Institute, Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS, Via Mariano Semmola 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Serena Zanotta
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem-Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Hematology, National Cancer Institute, Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS, Via Mariano Semmola 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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11
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Murgueitio MS, Ebner S, Hörtnagl P, Rakers C, Bruckner R, Henneke P, Wolber G, Santos-Sierra S. Enhanced immunostimulatory activity of in silico discovered agonists of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:2680-2689. [PMID: 28734965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergent therapies in anticancer vaccination use Toll-like receptors (TLRs) agonists as dendritic cell (DC) vaccine adjuvants. DCs from the patient are isolated, stimulated with TLR agonists and tumor antigens ex vivo and then infused back into the patient. Although some TLR ligands have been tested in clinical trials, novel TLR agonists with improved immunomodulatory properties are essential to optimize treatment success. We report on the discovery of small-molecule TLR2 agonists, with favorable properties as synthetic adjuvants. METHODS We performed a shape- and featured-based similarity virtual screening against a commercially available compound library. The selected virtual hits were experimentally tested in TLR2-reporter cells and their activity in phagocytes and DCs was characterized. A binding model of the compounds to TLR2 (docking studies) was proposed. RESULTS Through a virtual screening approach against a library of three million compounds four virtual hits (AG1, AG2, AG3, AG4) were found to synergistically augment the NF-kB activation induced by the lipopeptide ligand Pam3CSK4 in luciferase reporter assays using HEK293-TLR2 cells. Biacore experiments indicated that AG1-AG4 are ago-allosteric modulators of TLR2 and AG2 bound TLR2 with high affinity (KD 0.8μM). The compounds induced TNF-α production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and they activated DCs as indicated by IL-12 production and upregulation of CD83/CD86. CONCLUSIONS Following a combined in silico/in vitro approach we have discovered TLR2-agonists (AG1-AG4) that activate human and mouse immune cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE We introduce four novel TLR2 ago-allosteric modulators that stimulate myeloid cell activity and constitute promising candidates as synthetic adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Murgueitio
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise Str. 2-4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - S Ebner
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - P Hörtnagl
- Central Institute of Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - C Rakers
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise Str. 2-4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - R Bruckner
- Section of Biochemical Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str.1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - P Henneke
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI) and Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Breisacher Straße 115, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - G Wolber
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise Str. 2-4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - S Santos-Sierra
- Section of Biochemical Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str.1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Schuler-Thurner B, Bartz-Schmidt KU, Bornfeld N, Cursiefen C, Fuisting B, Grisanti S, Heindl LM, Holbach L, Keserü M, Knorr H, Koch K, Kruse F, Meiller R, Metz C, Meyer-ter-Vehn T, Much M, Reinsberg M, Schliep S, Seitz B, Schuler G, Süsskind D, Viestenz A, Wagenfeld L, Zeschnigk M. [Immunotherapy of uveal melanoma: vaccination against cancer. Multicenter adjuvant phase 3 vaccination study using dendritic cells laden with tumor RNA for large newly diagnosed uveal melanoma]. Ophthalmologe 2016; 112:1017-21. [PMID: 26602097 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-015-0162-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanomas are the most common malignant tumors of the eye. With modern molecular biological diagnostic methods, such as chromosome 3 typing and gene expression analysis, these tumors can be categorized into highly aggressive (monosomy 3, class II) and less aggressive forms. This molecular biological stratification is primarily important for determining the risk of these tumors as no therapy is currently available that is able to prevent or delay metastases. A randomized study of patients with a poor prognosis (monosomy 3) is currently being carried out in order to determine whether a cancer vaccine prepared from autologous (patient's own) dendritic cells and uveal melanoma RNA can prevent or delay progression and further metastases of this extremely aggressive form of cancer. Inclusion in the uveal melanoma study, which hopes to provide a potential therapeutic option for patients, is only possible if patients are referred to an institution that is able to manufacture and provide this vaccination before the patient is operated on or treated with radiation. Untreated tumor material is necessary for producing the vaccine on an individualized patient basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Schuler-Thurner
- Experimentelle Immuntherapie, Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstr. 14, 90152, Erlangen, Deutschland.
| | | | - N Bornfeld
- Augenklinik, UK Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | - C Cursiefen
- Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, UK Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - B Fuisting
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, UK Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Deutschland
| | - S Grisanti
- Augenklinik, UK Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - L M Heindl
- Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, UK Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - L Holbach
- Augenklinik, UK Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - M Keserü
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, UK Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Deutschland
| | - H Knorr
- Augenklinik, UK Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - K Koch
- Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, UK Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - F Kruse
- Augenklinik, UK Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - R Meiller
- Augenklinik, UK Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - C Metz
- Augenklinik, UK Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | | | - M Much
- Augenklinik, JMU Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | | | - S Schliep
- Experimentelle Immuntherapie, Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstr. 14, 90152, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - B Seitz
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, UK des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
| | - G Schuler
- Experimentelle Immuntherapie, Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstr. 14, 90152, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - D Süsskind
- Augenklinik, UK Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland
| | - A Viestenz
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, UK des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
| | - L Wagenfeld
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, UK Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Deutschland
| | - M Zeschnigk
- Institut für Humangenetik, Ophthalmologische Onkologie und Genetik, UK Essen, Essen, Deutschland
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13
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Shipp C, Pawelec G. The fifteenth International Conference on Progress in Vaccination against Cancer (PIVAC-15), 6-8 October 2015, Tübingen, Germany: looking back on 15 years of progress. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 66:273-279. [PMID: 27557906 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Shipp
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, Waldhörnlestr. 22, 72072, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, Waldhörnlestr. 22, 72072, Tübingen, Germany
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14
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Abstract
Intranodal immunization with antigen-encoding naked mRNA has proven to be an efficacious and safe approach to induce antitumor immunity. Thanks to its unique characteristics, mRNA can act not only as a source for antigen but also as an adjuvant for activation of the immune system. The search for additional adjuvants that can be combined with mRNA to further improve the potency of the immunization revealed Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) ligand as a potent candidate. Systemic administration of the dendritic cell-activating FLT3 ligand prior to or along with mRNA immunization-enhanced priming and expansion of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells in lymphoid organs, T-cell homing into melanoma tumors, and therapeutic activity of the intranodally administered mRNA. Both compounds demonstrate a successful combination in terms of boosting the immune response. This chapter describes methods for intranodal immunization with naked mRNA by co-administration of FLT3 ligand, which leads to strong synergistic effects.
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15
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Rafi MA, Omidi Y. A prospective highlight on exosomal nanoshuttles and cancer immunotherapy and vaccination. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 5:117-22. [PMID: 26457248 PMCID: PMC4597158 DOI: 10.15171/bi.2015.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
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Introduction: Exosomes (EXOs) and ectosomes (ECTOs) are nanoscale membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from different cells mediating various cellular communications. EXOs are liberated based on the exocytosis of multivesicular bodies, while ECTOs are ubiquitously released from the plasma membranes.
Methods: Here, in this paper, we go over the extracellular vesicular machineries and concisely highlight their clinical importance in solid tumors and their possible applications in cancer immunotherapy/vaccination.
Results: In various types of cancers, these vesicles play central roles delivering cancer cell messages to the target cells, as a result both of them seem to provide a novel useful means for diagnosis and therapy of malignancies. Dendritic cell-derived exosomes (DEXOs) are able to activate the tumor antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) and hence induce antitumor responses in vivo. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), however, tumor cells seem to generate exosomes (the so-called oncosoems) that may act in favor of tumor progression.
Conclusions: As complex systems, these vesicular micro-/nano-machines convey important cellular messages dependent upon the cells/tissue setting(s). In addition to their potential in diagnosis of cancers, they have been exploited for cancer immunotherapy/vaccination. However, such treatment strategies need to be carefully designed to attain desired clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Rafi
- Department of Neurology, Sidney Kimmel College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvanian 19107, USA
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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16
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Alamino VA, Montesinos MM, Rabinovich GA, Pellizas CG. The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine reinvigorates dendritic cells and potentiates anti-tumor immunity. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1064579. [PMID: 26942081 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1064579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) cancer vaccines have shown limited clinical benefit. Thus, the identification of signals and molecular pathways that potentiate the immunogenicity of DCs has become a major challenge in cancer research. Our studies demonstrate that triiodothyronine endows DCs with enhanced ability to stimulate cytotoxic T-cell responses with implications in DC-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A Alamino
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET) and Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M M Montesinos
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET) and Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba, Argentina
| | - G A Rabinovich
- Laboratorio de Inmunopatología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET) and Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C G Pellizas
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET) and Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba, Argentina
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17
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Dewitte H, Van Lint S, Heirman C, Thielemans K, De Smedt SC, Breckpot K, Lentacker I. The potential of antigen and TriMix sonoporation using mRNA-loaded microbubbles for ultrasound-triggered cancer immunotherapy. J Control Release 2014; 194:28-36. [PMID: 25151979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer vaccines, where the patient's own immune system is harnessed to target and destroy tumor tissue, have emerged as a potent therapeutic strategy. In the development of such DC vaccines, it is crucial to load the DCs with tumor antigens, and to simultaneously activate them to become more potent antigen-presenting cells. For this, we report on microbubbles, loaded with both antigen mRNA as well as immunomodulating TriMix mRNA, which can be used for the ultrasound-triggered transfection of DCs. In vivo experiments with in vitro sonoporated DCs show the effective induction of antigen-specific T cells, resulting in specific lysis of antigen-expressing cells. Especially in a therapeutic setting, sonoporation with TriMix has an important added value, resulting in a significant reduction of tumor outgrowth and a marked increase in overall survival. What is more, complete tumor regression was observed in 30% of the antigen+TriMix DC vaccinated animals, which also displayed long-term antigen-specific immunological memory. As a result, DC sonoporation using microbubbles loaded with a combination of antigen and TriMix mRNA can elicit powerful immune responses in vivo, and might serve as a potential tool for further in vivo DC vaccination applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen Dewitte
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sandra Van Lint
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1050 Jette, Belgium.
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1050 Jette, Belgium.
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1050 Jette, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1050 Jette, Belgium.
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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