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Chembiochem : a European Journal of... Jun 2024Triacedimannose (TADM) is a synthetic trivalent acetylated glycocluster and a transmembrane macrophage activator independent of the mannose receptor. TADM induces...
Triacedimannose (TADM) is a synthetic trivalent acetylated glycocluster and a transmembrane macrophage activator independent of the mannose receptor. TADM induces Th1-type immune responses and suppresses Th2-type cytokines in acute and chronic allergic inflammation models in vivo. We, therefore, wanted to test whether TADM could also facilitate anti-tumour tissue responses similar to what has been observed for the immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4. A syngeneic mouse melanoma model was selected since metastatic melanoma has been successfully targeted by checkpoint inhibitors in the clinic. TADM inhibited the growth of B16 mouse melanoma tumours at levels comparable to an anti-PD-1 antibody. TADM-treated tumours encompassed significantly more apoptotic cells as measured by TUNEL staining, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) expression was increased in the spleens of TADM-treated mice compared to untreated controls. TADM-treated mice also demonstrated increased Ly6C low monocytes and neutrophils in the spleens. However, TADM-treated tumours showed no discernible differences in infiltrating immune cells. TADM can alone suppress the growth of melanoma tumours. TADM likely activates M1 type macrophages, type N1 neutrophils, and CD8+ and Th1 T cells, suppressing the type 2 immune response milieu of melanoma tumour with a strong type 1 immune response.
PubMed: 38864514
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400264 -
Stem Cells Translational Medicine Jun 2024Oncolytic adenoviruses have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for cancer therapy. However, systemic delivery of the viruses to metastatic tumors remains a...
Oncolytic adenoviruses have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for cancer therapy. However, systemic delivery of the viruses to metastatic tumors remains a major challenge. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess tumor tropism property and can be used as cellular vehicles for delivering oncolytic adenoviruses to tumor sites. Since telomerase activity is found in ~90% of human carcinomas, but undetected in normal adult cells, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) promoter can be exploited for regulating the replication of oncolytic adenoviruses. Here, we evaluated the antitumor effects of syngeneic murine MSCs loaded with the luciferase-expressing, telomerase-dependent oncolytic adenovirus Ad.GS2 (MSC-Ad.GS2) and Ad.GS2 alone on metastatic MBT-2 bladder tumors. MSCs supported a low degree of Ad.GS2 replication, which could be augmented by coculture with MBT-2 cells or tumor-conditioned medium (TCM), suggesting that viral replication is increased when MSC-Ad.GS2 migrates to tumor sites. MBT-2 cells and TCM enhanced viral replication in Ad.GS2-infected MSCs. SDF-1 is a stem cell homing factor. Our results suggest that the SDF-1/STAT3/TERT signaling axis in MSCs in response to the tumor microenvironment may contribute to the enhanced replication of Ad.GS2 carried by MSCs. Notably, we demonstrate the potent therapeutic efficacy of systemically delivered MSC-Ad.GS2 in pleural disseminated tumor and experimental metastasis models using intrapleural and tail vein injection of MBT-2 cells, respectively. Treatment with MSC-Ad.GS2 significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged the survival of mice bearing metastatic bladder tumors. Since telomerase is expressed in a broad spectrum of cancers, this therapeutic strategy may be broadly applicable.
PubMed: 38864209
DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szae039 -
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Jun 2024Despite the success of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) in the clinic, high rates of resistance to PARPi presents a challenge in the treatment of ovarian...
Despite the success of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) in the clinic, high rates of resistance to PARPi presents a challenge in the treatment of ovarian cancer, thus it is imperative to find therapeutic strategies to combat PARPi resistance. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of epigenetic modifiers euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferases 1/2 (EHMT1/2) reduces the growth of multiple PARPi-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor growth in a PARPi-resistant mouse model of ovarian cancer. We found that combinatory EHMT and PARP inhibition increases immunostimulatory double-stranded RNA formation and elicits several immune signaling pathways in vitro. Using epigenomic profiling and transcriptomics, we found that EHMT2 is bound to transposable elements, and that EHMT inhibition leads to genome-wide epigenetic and transcriptional derepression of transposable elements. We validated EHMT-mediated activation of immune signaling and upregulation of transposable element transcripts in patient-derived, therapy-naïve, primary ovarian tumors, suggesting potential efficacy in PARPi-sensitive disease as well. Importantly, using multispectral immunohistochemistry, we discovered that combinatory therapy increased CD8 T-cell activity in the tumor microenvironment of the same patient-derived tissues. In a PARPi-resistant syngeneic murine model, EHMT and PARP inhibition combination inhibited tumor progression and increased Granzyme B+ cells in the tumor. Together, our results provide evidence that combinatory EHMT and PARP inhibition stimulates a cell autologous immune response in vitro, is an effective therapy to reduce PARPi-resistant ovarian tumor growth in vivo, and promotes antitumor immunity activity in the tumor microenvironment of patient-derived ex vivo tissues of ovarian cancer.
PubMed: 38863225
DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-23-0613 -
Cell Death & Disease Jun 2024Necroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell suicide that critically depends on the kinase activity of Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3). Previous studies...
Necroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell suicide that critically depends on the kinase activity of Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3). Previous studies showed that immunization with necroptotic cells conferred protection against subsequent tumor challenge. Since RIPK3 can also promote apoptosis and NF-κB-dependent inflammation, it remains difficult to determine the contribution of necroptosis-associated release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in anti-tumor immunity. Here, we describe a system that allows us to selectively induce RIPK3-dependent necroptosis or apoptosis with minimal NF-κB-dependent inflammatory cytokine expression. In a syngeneic tumor challenge model, immunization with necroptotic cells conferred superior protection against subsequent tumor challenge. Surprisingly, this protective effect required CD4 T cells rather than CD8 T cells and is dependent on host type I interferon signaling. Our results provide evidence that death-dependent type I interferon production following necroptosis is sufficient to elicit protective anti-tumor immunity.
Topics: Necroptosis; Animals; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Interferon Type I; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Signal Transduction; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Neoplasms; Humans; NF-kappa B; Cell Line, Tumor; Apoptosis
PubMed: 38858387
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06801-8 -
Cell Reports. Medicine Jun 2024Despite the important breakthroughs of immune checkpoint inhibitors in recent years, the objective response rates remain limited. Here, we synthesize programmed cell...
Despite the important breakthroughs of immune checkpoint inhibitors in recent years, the objective response rates remain limited. Here, we synthesize programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibody-iRGD cyclic peptide conjugate (αPD-1-(iRGD)) through glycoengineering methods. In addition to enhancing tissue penetration, αPD-1-(iRGD) simultaneously engages tumor cells and PD-1 T cells via dual targeting, thus mediating tumor-specific T cell activation and proliferation with mild effects on non-specific T cells. In multiple syngeneic mouse models, αPD-1-(iRGD) effectively reduces tumor growth with satisfactory biosafety. Moreover, results of flow cytometry and single-cell RNA-seq reveal that αPD-1-(iRGD) remodels the tumor microenvironment and expands a population of "better effector" CD8 tumor infiltrating T cells expressing stem- and memory-associated genes, including Tcf7, Il7r, Lef1, and Bach2. Conclusively, αPD-1-(iRGD) is a promising antibody conjugate therapeutic beyond antibody-drug conjugate for cancer immunotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Mice; Tumor Microenvironment; Humans; Cell Line, Tumor; T-Lymphocytes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oligopeptides; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Immunoconjugates; Female; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
PubMed: 38843844
DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101590 -
PloS One 2024Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) is an immune inhibitory receptor on myeloid cells including macrophages and dendritic cells, which binds to CD47, a ubiquitous...
Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) is an immune inhibitory receptor on myeloid cells including macrophages and dendritic cells, which binds to CD47, a ubiquitous self-associated molecule. SIRPα-CD47 interaction is exploited by cancer cells to suppress anti-tumor activity of myeloid cells, therefore emerging as a novel immune checkpoint for cancer immunotherapy. In blood cancer, several SIRPα-CD47 blockers have shown encouraging monotherapy activity. However, the anti-tumor activity of SIRPα-CD47 blockers in solid tumors seems limited, suggesting the need for combination therapies to fully exploit the myeloid immune checkpoint in solid tumors. Here we tested whether combination of SIRPα-CD47 blocker with antibody-drug conjugate bearing a topoisomerase I inhibitor DXd (DXd-ADC) would enhance anti-tumor activity in solid tumors. To this end, DS-1103a, a newly developed anti-human SIRPα antibody (Ab), was assessed for the potential combination benefit with datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), DXd-ADCs targeting human trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, respectively. DS-1103a inhibited SIRPα-CD47 interaction and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis of Dato-DXd and T-DXd against human cancer cells. In a whole cancer cell vaccination model, vaccination with DXd-treated cancer cells led to activation of tumor-specific T cells when combined with an anti-mouse SIRPα (anti-mSIRPα) Ab, implying the benefit of combining DXd-ADCs with anti-SIRPα Ab on anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, in syngeneic mouse models, both Dato-DXd and T-DXd combination with anti-mSIRPα Ab showed stronger anti-tumor activity over the monotherapies. Taken together, this study provides a preclinical rationale of novel therapies for solid tumors combining SIRPα-CD47 blockers with DXd-ADCs.
Topics: CD47 Antigen; Animals; Receptors, Immunologic; Humans; Mice; Immunoconjugates; Antigens, Differentiation; Cell Line, Tumor; Female; Trastuzumab; Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Mice, Inbred BALB C
PubMed: 38843278
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304985 -
Cancer Immunology Research Jun 2024Despite clinical evidence of antitumor activity, the development of cytokine therapies has been hampered by a narrow therapeutic window and limited response rates. Two...
Despite clinical evidence of antitumor activity, the development of cytokine therapies has been hampered by a narrow therapeutic window and limited response rates. Two cytokines of high interest for clinical development are interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 12 (IL-12), which potently synergize to promote the activation and proliferation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. However, the only approved human IL-2 therapy, Proleukin, is rarely used in the clinic due to systemic toxicities, and no IL-12 product has been approved to date due to severe dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we describe CLN-617, a first-in-class therapeutic for intratumoral (IT) injection that co-delivers IL-2 and IL-12 on a single molecule in a safe and effective manner. CLN-617 is a single-chain fusion protein comprised of IL-2, leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2), human serum albumin (HSA), and IL-12. LAIR2 and HSA function to retain CLN-617 in the treated tumor by binding collagen and increasing molecular weight, respectively. We found that IT administration of a murine surrogate of CLN-617, mCLN-617, eradicated established treated and untreated tumors in syngeneic models, significantly improved response to anti-PD1 checkpoint therapy, and generated a robust abscopal response dependent on cellular immunity and antigen cross-presentation. CLN-617 is being evaluated in a clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT06035744).
PubMed: 38842347
DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-23-0636 -
Journal of Experimental & Clinical... Jun 2024Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was historically considered to be less responsive to radiation therapy (RT) compared to other cancer indications. However, advancements in...
BACKGROUND
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was historically considered to be less responsive to radiation therapy (RT) compared to other cancer indications. However, advancements in precision high-dose radiation delivery through single-fraction and multi-fraction stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) have led to better outcomes and reduced treatment-related toxicities, sparking renewed interest in using RT to treat RCC. Moreover, numerous studies have revealed that certain therapeutic agents including chemotherapies can increase the sensitivity of tumors to RT, leading to a growing interest in combining these treatments. Here, we developed a rational combination of two radiosensitizers in a tumor-targeted liposomal formulation for augmenting RT in RCC. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a tumor-targeted liposomal formulation combining the mTOR inhibitor everolimus (E) with the survivin inhibitor YM155 (Y) in enhancing the sensitivity of RCC tumors to radiation.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
We slightly modified our previously published tumor-targeted liposomal formulation to develop a rational combination of E and Y in a single liposomal formulation (EY-L) and assessed its efficacy in RCC cell lines in vitro and in RCC tumors in vivo. We further investigated how well EY-L sensitizes RCC cell lines and tumors toward radiation and explored the underlying mechanism of radiosensitization.
RESULTS
EY-L outperformed the corresponding single drug-loaded formulations E-L and Y-L in terms of containing primary tumor growth and improving survival in an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of RCC. EY-L also exhibited significantly higher sensitization of RCC cells towards radiation in vitro than E-L and Y-L. Additionally, EY-L sensitized RCC tumors towards radiation therapy in xenograft and murine RCC models. EY-L mediated induction of mitotic catastrophe via downregulation of multiple cell cycle checkpoints and DNA damage repair pathways could be responsible for the augmentation of radiation therapy.
CONCLUSION
Taken together, our study demonstrated the efficacy of a strategic combination therapy in sensitizing RCC to radiation therapy via inhibition of DNA damage repair and a substantial increase in mitotic catastrophe. This combination therapy may find its use in the augmentation of radiation therapy during the treatment of RCC patients.
Topics: Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Animals; Survivin; Humans; Mice; Cell Line, Tumor; Kidney Neoplasms; DNA Repair; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Mitosis; Imidazoles; DNA Damage; Everolimus; Naphthoquinones; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Liposomes; MTOR Inhibitors
PubMed: 38840237
DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03079-8 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024The decoctions of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. HAL) stalk pith have been used to treat advanced cancer, and polysaccharide of sunflower stalk pith (HSPP) was key...
The decoctions of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. HAL) stalk pith have been used to treat advanced cancer, and polysaccharide of sunflower stalk pith (HSPP) was key ingredient of the decoctions. To forage specially structured HSPP with anti-tumor effects and to uncover its mechanisms of anticancer activity, syngeneic mouse model of lung carcinoma metastasis was established and the HSPP was found to contain long-chain fatty acid. Encouragingly, the mean survival of the polysaccharide group (47.3 ± 12.8 d) and its sub-fractions group HSPP-4 (50.7 ± 13.0 d) was significantly increased compared with control group (38.7 ± 12.7 d) or positive control group (41.8 ± 13.4 d), (n = 20, P < 0.01 vs. the control group or positive control group). Furthermore, the HSPP exerted inhibitory effects on the tumor cells' metastasis. Eventually, it is postulated that the polysaccharide could inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis by reduction of TNF-α from the macrophage.
Topics: Helianthus; Animals; Polysaccharides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Mice; Cell Proliferation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Cell Line, Tumor; Signal Transduction; Humans; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 38838890
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132873 -
International Immunopharmacology Jul 2024The tumor microenvironment (TME) concept has been proposed and is currently being actively studied. The development of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the TME is known as...
The tumor microenvironment (TME) concept has been proposed and is currently being actively studied. The development of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the TME is known as desmoplasia and is observed in many solid tumors. It has also been strongly associated with poor prognosis and resistance to drug therapy. Recently, cellular senescence has gained attention as an effect of drug therapy on cancer cells. Cellular senescence is a phenomenon wherein proliferating cells become resistant to growth-promoting stimuli, secrete the SASP (senescence-associated phenotypic) factors, and stably arrest the cell cycle. These proteins are rich in pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2, CCL5, and matrix metalloproteinase 3. This study aimed to investigate the desmoplasia-like changes in the TME before and after cancer drug therapy in oral squamous cell carcinomas, evaluate the effect of anticancer drugs on the TME, and the potential involvement of cancer cell senescence. Using a syngeneic oral cancer transplant mouse model, we confirmed that cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) administration caused desmoplasia-like changes in cancer tissues. Furthermore, CDDP treatment-induced senescence in tumor-bearing mouse tumor tissues and cultured cancer cells. These results suggest CDDP administration-induced desmoplasia-like structural changes in the TME are related to cellular senescence. Our findings suggest that the administration of anticancer drugs alters the TME of oral cancer cells. Additionally, oral cancer cells undergo senescence, which may influence the TME through the production of SASP factors.
Topics: Animals; Mouth Neoplasms; Cisplatin; Humans; Cellular Senescence; Tumor Microenvironment; Antineoplastic Agents; Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype; Mice; Cell Line, Tumor; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cytokines; Male; Female
PubMed: 38838554
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112377