| 1. |
- Essand, Magnus, et al.
(author)
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Oncolytic Viruses for the Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors
- 2011
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In: Hormone and Metabolic Research. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0018-5043 .- 1439-4286. ; 43:12, s. 877-883
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Oncolytic viruses are emerging as anticancer agents, and they have also shown great promise for use against neuroendocrine tumors. Many viruses have a natural tropism for replication in tumor cells. Others can be genetically engineered to selectively kill tumor cells. Viruses have some advantages as therapeutic agents over current cytotoxic drugs and small molecules. They replicate in tumor cells and thereby increase in number over time leading to increased dosage. They are immunogenic and can alter the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and activate immune effector cells. They have also been shown to be able to kill drug-resistant cancer stem cells. This article reviews the recent literature on oncolytic viruses used so far for neuroendocrine tumors and indicates important issues to focus on in the future.
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| 2. |
- Fletcher, Erika A. K., et al.
(author)
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Extracorporeal human whole blood in motion, as a tool to predict first-infusion reactions and mechanism-of-action of immunotherapeutics
- 2018
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In: International Immunopharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1567-5769 .- 1878-1705. ; 54, s. 1-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- First infusion reactions along with severe anaphylactic responses can occur as a result of systemic administration of therapeutic antibodies. The underlying mechanisms by which monoclonal antibodies induce cytokine release syndrome (CRS) can involve direct agonistic effects via the drug target, or a combination of target-engagement along with innate receptor interactions. Despite the wide variety of pathways and cells that can play a role in CRS, many currently used assays are devoid of one or more components that must be present for these responses to occur. One assay that has not been assessed for its capacity to predict CRS is the modified Chandler loop model. Herein we evaluate a plethora of commercially available monoclonal antibodies to evaluate the modified Chandler loop model's potential in CRS prediction. We demonstrate that in a 4-hour loop assay, both the superagonistic antibodies, anti-CD3 (OKT3) and anti-CD28 (ANC28.1), display a clear cytokine response with a mixed adaptive/innate cytokine source. OKT3 induce TNFα and IFN-γ release in 20 out of 23 donors tested, whereas ANC28.1 induce TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ release in all donors tested (n = 18–22). On the other hand, non-agonistic antibodies associated with no or low infusion reactions in the clinic, namely cetuximab and natalizumab, neither induce cytokine release nor cause false positive responses. A TGN1412-like antibody also display a clear cytokine release with an adaptive cytokine profile (IFN-γ and IL-2) and all donors (n = 9) induce a distinct IL-2 response. Additionally, the value of an intact complement system in the assay is highlighted by the possibility to dissect out the mechanism-of-action of alemtuzumab and rituximab. The loop assay can either complement lymph node-like assays or stand-alone to investigate drug/blood interactions during preclinical development, or for individual safety screening prior to first-in-man clinical trial.
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| 3. |
- Fletcher, Erika, et al.
(author)
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Extracorporeal human whole blood in motion, as a tool to predict first-infusion reactions and mechanisms-of-action of immunotherapeutics : CRS prediction in human whole blood
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- First infusion reactions along with severeanaphylactic responses can occur as a result of systemic administration oftherapeutic antibodies. The underlying mechanisms by which monoclonal antibodiesinduce cytokine release syndrome (CRS) can involve direct agonistic effects viathe drug target, or a combination of target-engagement along with innatereceptor interactions. Despite the wide variety of pathways and cells that canplay a role in CRS, many currently used assays are devoid of one or morecomponents that must be present for these responses to occur. To date, oneassay that has not been used for studying CRS is the Chandler loop model. Thismodel is commonly used to study surface/blood interface interactions and has alsobeen used to study the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR). Herein we use a modified Chandler loopmodel with a heparin conjugate lining the inner surface of the loops to studyCRS. This allows for an assay harboring immune cells, intact cascade systemsalong with endogenous antibodies. Here, we evaluated a plethora of commerciallyavailable monoclonal antibodies to assess the capacity of the Chandler loopmodel for CRS prediction. We demonstrated that in a 4-hour loop assay both thesuperagonistic antibodies, anti-CD3 (OKT3) and anti-CD28 (ANC28.1), displayed aclear cytokine response with a mixed adaptive/innate cytokine source. OKT3 induced TNFα and IFN-g release in 20 out of23 donors tested, whereas ANC28.1 induced TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-g release in all donors tested (n=18-22). On theother hand, non-agonistic antibodies associated with no or low infusionreactions in the clinic, namely cetuximab and natalizumab, neither induced cytokinerelease nor caused false positive responses. A TGN1412-like antibody alsodisplayed a clear cytokine release with an adaptive cytokine profile (IFN-g and IL-2) and all donors (n=9) inducing adistinct IL-2 response. Additionally, the value of an intact complement systemin the assay was highlighted by the possibility to dissect out themechanism-of-action (MOA) of alemtuzumab and rituximab. The loop assay can eithercomplement lymph node-like assays or stand-alone to investigate drug/bloodinteractions during preclinical development, or for individual safety screeningprior to a first-in-man clinical trial.
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| 4. |
- Hess, Timo, et al.
(author)
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Dissecting the genetic heterogeneity of gastric cancer
- 2023
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In: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier. - 2352-3964. ; 92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is clinically heterogenous according to location (cardia/non-cardia) and histopathology (diffuse/intestinal). We aimed to characterize the genetic risk architecture of GC according to its subtypes. Another aim was to examine whether cardia GC and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and its precursor lesion Barrett's oesophagus (BO), which are all located at the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ), share polygenic risk architecture.Methods: We did a meta-analysis of ten European genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of GC and its subtypes. All patients had a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. For the identification of risk genes among GWAS loci we did a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) study from gastric corpus and antrum mucosa. To test whether cardia GC and OAC/BO share genetic aetiology we also used a European GWAS sample with OAC/BO.Findings: Our GWAS consisting of 5816 patients and 10,999 controls highlights the genetic heterogeneity of GC according to its subtypes. We newly identified two and replicated five GC risk loci, all of them with subtype-specific association. The gastric transcriptome data consisting of 361 corpus and 342 antrum mucosa samples revealed that an upregulated expression of MUC1, ANKRD50, PTGER4, and PSCA are plausible GC-pathomechanisms at four GWAS loci. At another risk locus, we found that the blood-group 0 exerts protective effects for non-cardia and diffuse GC, while blood-group A increases risk for both GC subtypes. Furthermore, our GWAS on cardia GC and OAC/BO (10,279 patients, 16,527 controls) showed that both cancer entities share genetic aetiology at the polygenic level and identified two new risk loci on the single-marker level.Interpretation: Our findings show that the pathophysiology of GC is genetically heterogenous according to location and histopathology. Moreover, our findings point to common molecular mechanisms underlying cardia GC and OAC/BO.
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| 5. |
- Hillerdal, Victoria, et al.
(author)
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Systemic treatment with CAR-engineered T cells against PSCA delays subcutaneous tumor growth and prolongs survival of mice
- 2014
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In: BMC Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2407. ; 14, s. 30-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Adoptive transfer of T cells genetically engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has successfully been used to treat both chronic and acute lymphocytic leukemia as well as other hematological cancers. Experimental therapy with CAR-engineered T cells has also shown promising results on solid tumors. The prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a protein expressed on the surface of prostate epithelial cells as well as in primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells and therefore a promising target for immunotherapy of prostate cancer. Methods:We developed a third-generation CAR against PSCA including the CD28, OX-40 and CD3 zeta signaling domains. T cells were transduced with a lentivirus encoding the PSCA-CAR and evaluated for cytokine production (paired Student's t-test), proliferation (paired Student's t-test), CD107a expression (paired Student's t-test) and target cell killing in vitro and tumor growth and survival in vivo (Log-rank test comparing Kaplan-Meier survival curves).Results:PSCA-CAR T cells exhibit specific interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 secretion and specific proliferation in response to PSCA-expressing target cells. Furthermore, the PSCA-CAR-engineered T cells efficiently kill PSCA-expressing tumor cells in vitro and systemic treatment with PSCA-CAR-engineered T cells significantly delays subcutaneous tumor growth and prolongs survival of mice.Conclusions:Our data confirms that PSCA-CAR T cells may be developed for treatment of prostate cancer.
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| 6. |
- Jin, Chuan, 1986-, et al.
(author)
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Tat‐PTD‐modified Oncolytic Adenovirus Driven by the SCG3 Promoter and ASH1 Enhancer for Neuroblastoma Therapy
- 2013
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In: Human Gene Therapy. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1043-0342 .- 1557-7422. ; 24:8, s. 766-775
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Secretogranin III (SGC3) belongs to the granin family and is highly expressed in endocrine and neural tissues. The human SCG3 promoterhas not yet been characterized. We identified that a 0.5 kb DNA fragment upstream of the SCG3 gene can selectively drivetransgene expression in neuroblastoma cell lines. The strength of transgene expression was further increased and specificity maintained,by addition of the human achaete‐scute complex homolog 1 (ASH1) enhancer. We developed an oncolytic serotype 5‐basedadenovirus, where the SCG3 promoter and ASH1 enhancer drive E1A gene expression. The virus was further modified with a cellpenetratingpeptide (Tat‐PTD) in the virus capsid, which we have previously shown results in increased adenovirus transductionefficiency of many neuroblastoma cell lines. The virus, Ad5PTD(ASH1‐SCG3‐E1A), shows selective and efficient killing of neuroblastomacell lines in vitro, including cisplatin‐, etoposide‐ and doxorubicin‐insensitive neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, it delays tumorgrowth and thereby prolonged survival for nude mice harboring subcutaneous human neuroblastoma xenograft. In conclusion, wereport a novel oncolytic adenovirus with potential use for neuroblastoma therapy.
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| 7. |
- Leja, Justyna, et al.
(author)
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A novel chromogranin-A promoter-driven oncolytic adenovirus for midgut carcinoid therapy
- 2007
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In: Clinical Cancer Research. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 13:8, s. 2455-2462
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The use of replication-selective oncolytic adenoviruses is an emerging therapeutic approach for cancer, which thus far has not been employed for carcinoids. We therefore constructed Ad[CgA-E1A], a novel replication-selective oncolytic adenovirus, where the chromogranin A (CgA) promoter controls expression of the adenoviral E1A gene. Experimental Design: The Ad[CgA-E1A] virus was evaluated for E1A protein expression, replication ability, and cytolytic activity in various cell lines. It was also evaluated for treatment of xenografted human carcinoid tumors in nude mice. To use Ad[CgA-E1A] for the treatment of carcinoid liver metastases, it is important that normal hepatocytes do not support virus replication to minimize hepatotoxicity. We therefore evaluated CgA protein expression in normal hepatocytes. We also evaluated CgA gene expression in normal hepatocytes and microdissected tumor cells from carcinoid metastases. Results: We found that Ad[CgA-E1A] replicates similarly to wild-type virus in tumor cells with neuroendocrine features, including the BON carcinoid cell line and the SH-SY-5Y neuroblastoma cell lines, whereas it is attenuated in other cell types. Thus, cells where the CgA promoter is active are selectively killed. We also found that Ad[CgA-E1A] is able to suppress fast-growing human BON carcinoid tumors in nude mice. Furthermore, CgA is highly expressed in microdissected cells from carcinoid metastases, whereas it is not expressed in normal hepatocytes. Conclusion: Ad[CgA-E1A] is an interesting agent for the treatment of carcinoid liver metastases in conjunction with standard therapy for these malignancies.
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| 8. |
- Leja, Justyna, et al.
(author)
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Double-detargeted oncolytic adenovirus shows replication arrest in liver cells and retains neuroendocrine cell killing ability
- 2010
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 5:1, s. e8916-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:We have previously developed an oncolytic serotype 5 adenovirus (Ad5) with chromogranin-A (CgA) promoter-controlled E1A expression, Ad[CgA-E1A], with the intention to treat neuroendocrine tumors, including carcinoids. Since carcinoids tend to metastasize to the liver it is important to fully repress viral replication in hepatocytes to avoid adenovirus-related liver toxicity. Herein, we explore miRNA-based regulation of E1A expression as a complementary mechanism to promoter-based transcriptional control.METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Ad[CgA-E1A-miR122], where E1A expression is further controlled by six tandem repeats of the target sequence for the liver-specific miR122, was constructed and compared to Ad[CgA-E1A]. We observed E1A suppression and replication arrest of the miR122-detargeted adenovirus in normal hepatocytes, while the two viruses killed carcinoid cells to the same degree. Repeated intravenous injections of Ad[CgA-E1A] induced liver toxicity in mice while Ad[CgA-E1A-miR122] injections did not. Furthermore, a miR122-detargeted adenovirus with the wild-type E1A promoter showed reduced replication in hepatic cells compared to wild-type Ad5 but not to the same extent as the miR122-detargeted adenovirus with the neuroendocrine-selective CgA promoter.CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:A combination of transcriptional (promoter) and post-transcriptional (miRNA target) regulation to control virus replication may allow for the use of higher doses of adenovirus for efficient tumors treatment without liver toxicity.
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| 9. |
- Leja, Justyna, et al.
(author)
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Novel markers for enterochromaffin cells and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinomas
- 2009
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In: Modern Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0893-3952 .- 1530-0285. ; 22:2, s. 261-272
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The gene expression profile of metastasizing serotonin-producing neuroendocrine carcinomas, which arise from enterochromaffin cells in the jejunum and ileum, is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify genes and proteins, which are preferentially expressed by neuroendocrine carcinoma and enterochromaffin cells and therefore potential novel biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. Six carcinoma specimens and six normal ileal mucosas were profiled by Affymetrix microarrays. Advanced bioinformatics identified differentially and specifically expressed genes, which were validated by quantitative real-time-PCR on tumor cells extracted by laser capture microdissection and normal enterochromaffin cells extracted by immunolaser capture microdissection. We identified six novel marker genes for neuroendocrine carcinoma cells: paraneoplastic antigen Ma2 (PNMA2), testican-1 precursor (SPOCK1), serpin A10 (SERPINA10), glutamate receptor ionotropic AMPA 2 (GRIA2), G protein-coupled receptor 112 (GPR112) and olfactory receptor family 51 subfamily E member 1 (OR51E1). GRIA2 is specifically expressed by neuroendocrine carcinoma cells whereas the others are also expressed by normal enterochromaffin cells. GPR112 and OR51E1 encode proteins associated with the plasma membrane and may therefore become targets for antibody-based diagnosis and therapy. Hierarchical clustering shows high similarity between primary lesions and liver metastases. However, chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 14 (CXCL14) and NK2 transcription factor related locus 3 Drosophila (NKX2-3) are expressed to a lower level in liver metastases than in primary tumors and normal enterochromaffin cells, which implies a role in neuroendocrine carcinoma differentiation. In conclusion, this study provides a list of genes, which possess relatively specific expression to enterochromaffin and neuroendocrine carcinoma cells and genes with differential expression between primary tumors and metastases. We verified six novel marker genes that may be developed as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.
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| 10. |
- Leja, Justyna, et al.
(author)
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Oncolytic adenovirus modified with somatostatin motifs for selective infection of neuroendocrine tumor cells
- 2011
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In: Gene Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0969-7128 .- 1476-5462. ; 18:11, s. 1052-1062
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have previously described the oncolytic adenovirus, Ad(CgA-E1A-miR122), herein denoted Ad5(CgA-E1A-miR122) that selectively replicates in and kills neuroendocrine cells, including freshly isolated midgut carcinoid cells from liver metastases. Ad5(CgA-E1A-miR122) is based on human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) and infects target cells by binding to the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) and integrins on the cell surface. Some neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and neuroblastoma cells express low levels of CAR and are therefore poorly transduced by Ad5. However, they often express high levels of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). Therefore, we introduced cyclic peptides, which contain four amino acids (FWKT) and mimic the binding site for SSTRs in the virus fiber knob. We show that FWKT-modified Ad5 binds to SSTR2 on NET cells and transduces midgut carcinoid cells from liver metastases about 3-4 times better than non-modified Ad5 while it transduces normal hepatocytes at about 50% of Ad5. Moreover, FWKT-modified Ad5 overcomes neutralization in an ex vivo human blood loop model to greater extent than Ad5, indicating that fiber knob modification may prolong the systematic circulation time. We conclude that modification of adenovirus with the FWKT motif may be beneficial for NET therapy.
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