Dose of Adenoviral Vectors Expressing Interleukin-2 Plays an Important Role in Combined Gene Therapy with Cytosine Deaminase/5–Fluorocytosine: Preclinical Consideration

Using a syngeneic murine model, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of combined gene therapy using adenoviral vectors expressing murine interleukin-2 (AdmIL-2) and Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (AdCD). In a subcutaneous tumor model, tumor-bearing mice were treated with an intratumoral injection of adenoviral vectors and received an intraperitoneal administration of 5–fluorocytosine (5–FC). Only the mice treated with AdCD (2×10⁸ pfu) and an intermediate dose of AdmIL-2 (1×10⁶ pfu) survived significantly longer than mice treated with AdCD alone ( P <0.01). Moreover, 40% of these treated mice obtained complete remission from tumor-bearing status. The cytotoxicity of splenocytes obtained from the treated mice was related to the survival period. Tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay showed that the cell-mediated cytotoxic response was specific for parental tumor cells. In a hepatic metastasis model, mice treated with an intravenous administration of both AdCD (2×l0⁸ pfu) and an intermediate dose of AdmIL-2 (1×10⁶ pfu) demonstrated the most significant reduction of metastatic foci and the longest survival following a 5–FC administration. These results suggest that gene therapy combined with AdmIL-2 and AdCD may be a promising strategy for clinical application and, in addition, that translation of combined gene therapy from murine models into the clinical setting will require careful attention to the variables of cytokine expression levels in the design of clinical trials and in the evaluation of treatment efficacy.     

Enhanced antitumoral effect of adenovirus-mediated cytosine deaminase gene therapy by induction of antigen-presenting cells through stem cell factor/granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene transfer

Suicide gene therapy has been studied intensively for the treatment of cancer. A limited antitumoral effect was obtained by intratumoral injection of adenovirus harboring Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase gene (AdCD) in tumor-bearing mice followed by continuous administration of 5-fluorocytosine (5FC). To address the drawbacks of the limited potential for the induction of antitumoral immunity by CD suicide gene therapy, we hypothesized that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) might contribute to the efficient induction of an antitumoral immune response in tumor-bearing mice undergoing suicide gene therapy. We preinjected the mice with murine stem cell factor (SCF)-encoding adenovirus (AdSCF) and murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-encoding adenovirus (AdGM-CSF); after 7 days, the mice were inoculated with CT26 colon adenocarcinoma. AdCD was injected intratumorally into tumor-bearing mice followed by 5FC administration. The results showed that AdSCF/AdGM-CSF treatment could increase the number, surface molecule expression, and function of APCs efficiently. A more significant growth inhibition of established tumors and a prolongation of the survival period were observed in tumor-bearing mice after AdSCF/AdGM-CSF pretreatment in combination with AdCD/5FC therapy when compared with mice treated with AdSCF or AdGM-CSF in combination with AdCD/5FC, or AdCD/5FC alone (P < .01). Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity was induced efficiently after the combined therapy, and mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-4, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-2 was present in the tumor mass after combined therapy, suggesting that a more potent antitumoral response was induced by enhanced APCs. Our results demonstrated that AdSCF/AdGM-CSF pretreatment could activate APCs, and that these APCs could present the tumor antigens released from AdCD/5FC-killed tumor cells and activate the antitumoral response of the host, thus increasing the therapeutic efficiency of suicide gene therapy.     

CD自杀基因联合淋巴细胞趋化因子基因疗法的肿瘤治疗作用及免疫机理研究

本研究以腺病毒作为载体,将大肠杆菌胞嘧啶脱氨酶(CD)基因与小鼠淋巴细胞趋化因子(Ltn)基因体内联合转染,观察了其抗肿瘤效应并分析了免疫机理.小鼠皮下接种结肠腺癌CT26细胞后3天,肿瘤局部注射表达Ltn的重组腺病毒AdLtn和表达CD的重组腺病毒AdCD,然后连续10天给予5一氟胞嘧啶(5-FC)300mg/kg进行治疗,结果表明,联合治疗组荷瘤小鼠皮下肿瘤结节的生长受到明显抑制,小鼠存活期明显长于单用AdLtn治疗组或单用AdCD/5-FC治疗组.经联合治疗后小鼠脾细胞的NK活性和对(37结肠腺癌细胞的CTL杀伤活性明显增强.瘤体细胞FACS分析结果表明,经联合基因治疗后,肿瘤组织CD4~ 、CD8~ 细胞浸润增加,结肠腺癌细胞表达H-2Kd和B7-1分子明显增加.提示经CD自杀基因和Ltn基因联合治疗后,肿瘤细胞免疫原性增加.本研究结果表明联合应用自杀基因和Ltn基因治疗可以提高机体对肿瘤细胞免疫的应答,增加机体的抗肿瘤作用,是肿瘤基因治疗中一条新的途径.     

联合自杀基因与IL-2基因转移疗法的抗肿瘤效果及其抗肿瘤免疫应答的诱导作用

单用自杀基因疗法或单用细胞因子基因疗法抗肿瘤效果不理想,本研究中我们观察了大肠杆菌胞嘧啶脱胺酶(CD)基因与白细胞介素2(IL-2)基因联合转移对荷瘤小鼠的治疗效果及其对抗肿瘤免疫的诱导作用。复制荷瘤小鼠模型后在荷瘤部位注射表达CD基因的重组腺病毒(AdCD)及表达小鼠IL-2基因的重组腺病毒(AdIL2),并连续10天、每天1次腹腔注射5氟胞嘧啶(5FC)对荷瘤小鼠进行治疗。结果表明,AdCD/5FC/AdIL2联合基因治疗能显著抑制荷瘤小鼠皮下肿瘤的生长,并明显延长其生存期(P<0.01)。联合基因治疗组小鼠肿瘤细胞发生明显的坏死,瘤内及瘤周有大量的炎性细胞浸润,瘤内CD4~ 和CD8~ T细胞明显增加,脾细胞NK和CIL杀伤活性明显高于单用AdCD/5FC、对照病毒AdLacZ/5FC或PBS组。实验结果表明,联合应用自杀基因与细胞因子基因治疗可更有效诱导机体的抗肿瘤免疫反应,从而更显著地抑制荷瘤小鼠肿瘤的生长。     

腺病毒介导的胞嘧啶脱氨酶自杀基因联合IL—2基因疗法的肿瘤治 …

以腺病毒作为载体,将大肠杆菌胞嘧啶脱氨酶基因与小鼠ＩＬ－２基因联合转移,研究其体内抗肿瘤作用及免疫机理。方法小鼠皮下接种黑色素瘤Ｂ１６Ｆ１０细胞后３天,肿瘤局部 注射表达ＩＬ－２的重要腺病毒ＡｄＩＬ－２和表达的ＣＤ的重组腺病毒ＡｄＣＤ,然后连续０天给予５－氟胞嘧啶３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ进行治疗。     

大肠杆菌CD自杀基因转染诱导肿细胞凋亡及旁观者效应的研究

以重组腺病毒AdCD为载体将大肠杆菌胞嘧啶脱氨酶(CD)基因体外传染小鼠红白血病细胞FBL3,结果显示,转染了CD基因的FBL3细胞对5-氟胞嘧啶(5-FC)的敏感性显著提高,进一步研究发现,AdCD/5-FC系统可以诱导肿瘤细胞发生凋亡;将经AdCD/5-FC处理过的FBL3细胞上清倍比稀释后,加入到野生型FBL3细胞中,发现当上清仅占6.25％时,即对野生型FBL3细胞发挥明显的杀伤作用,提示旁观者效应在AdCD介导的细胞毒作用中起着重要的作用。本实验还观察了CD基因体内转染后的杀伤效果,荷瘤小鼠局部注射AdCD并连续10天给予5-FC(300mg/kg)治疗后,小鼠皮下肿瘤结节的生长受到明显抑制。     

Enhancement of Anti-tumor Activity of Newcastle Disease Virus by the Synergistic Effect of Cytosine Deaminase

This study was conducted to investigate enhancement of anti-tumor effects of the lentogenic Newcastledisease virus Clone30 strain (NDV rClone30) expressing cytosine deaminase (CD) gene against tumor cells andin murine groin tumor-bearing models. Cytotoxic effects of the rClone30-CD/5-FC on the HepG2 cell line wereexamined by an MTT method. Anti-tumor activity of rClone30-CD/5-FC was examined in H22 tumor-bearingmice. Compared to the rClone30-CD virus treatment alone, NDV rClone30-CD/5-FC at 0.1 and 1 MOIs exertedsignificant cytotoxic effects (P<0.05) on HepG2 cells. For treatment of H22 tumor-bearing mice, recombinantNDV was injected together with 5-FC given by either intra-tumor injection or tail vein injection. When 5-FCwas administered by intra-tumor injection, survival for the rClone30-CD/5-FC-treated mice was 4/6 for 80 daysperiod vs 1/6 , 0/6 and 0/6 for the mice treated with rClone30-CD, 5-FC and saline alone, respectively. When5-FC was given by tail vein injection, survival for the rClone30-CD/5-FC-treated mice was 3/6 vs 2/6 , 0/6 and0/6 for the mice treated with rClone30-CD, 5-FC or saline alone, respectively. In this study, NDV was used forthe first time to deliver the suicide gene for cancer therapy. Incorporation of the CD gene in the lentogenic NDVgenome together with 5-FC significantly enhances cell death of HepG2 tumor cells in vitro, decreases tumorvolume and increases survival of H22 tumor-bearing mice in vivo.     

腺病毒介导的胞嘧啶脱氨酶自杀基因联合IL-2基因疗法的肿瘤治疗作用及免疫机理分析

目的以腺病毒作为载体，将大肠杆菌胞嘧啶脱氨酶（ＣＤ）基因与小鼠ＩＬ－２基因联合转移，研究其体内抗肿瘤作用及免疫机理。方法小鼠皮下接种黑色素瘤Ｂ１６Ｆ１０细胞后３天，肿瘤局部注射表达ＩＬ－２的重组腺病毒ＡｄＩＬ－２和表达ＣＤ的重组腺病毒ＡｄＣＤ，然后连续１０天给予５－氟胞嘧啶（５－Ｆｃ）３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ进行治疗。结果联合治疗组荷瘤小鼠皮下肿瘤结节的生长明显受到抑制，小鼠存活期明显长于ＡｄＩＬ－２、ＡｄＣＤ／５－Ｆｃ、ＡｄｌａｃＺ／５－Ｆｃ或ＰＢＳ组。经联合治疗后，小鼠脾细胞的ＮＫ活性和ＣＴＬ杀伤活性明显增强；肿瘤瘤体内ＣＤ４、ＣＤ８细胞浸润增加；肿瘤细胞表达Ｈ－２Ｋｂ和Ｂ７－１分子明显增加。结论联合应用自杀基因和ＩＬ－２基因治疗，一方面可以明显抑制荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长，另一方面可以提高机体对肿瘤细胞免疫应答，增加机体的抗肿瘤作用，是肿瘤基因治疗中一条行之有效的途径。     

Enzyme/prodrug gene therapy for human colon cancer cells using adenovirus-mediated transfer of the Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase gene driven by a CAG promoter associated with 5-fluorocytosine administration

Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD), which is a prokaryotic enzyme, converts nontoxic prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the toxic chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). To investigate an enzyme/prodrug gene therapy for colorectal cancer, using adenoviral gene transfer of the E. coli CD gene associated with administration of 5-FC, we constructed replication-defective adenovirus vectors expressing the E. coli CD gene or lacZ gene driven by a CAG promoter (composed of a cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer and a chicken beta-actin promotor). The present study demonstrated that an adenoviral gene transfer system using a CAG promoter induced sufficient gene expression of CD to confer the cytotoxicity of 5-FC to HT29 human colon cancer cells by converting it into 5-FU even at an moi of one. Furthermore, experimental gene therapy using intratumoral injection of the CD-expressing adenovirus with systemical administration of 5'-FC successfully suppressed the growth of established HT29 subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. These results suggest that enzyme/prodrug gene therapy using the adenoviral gene transfer of the E. coli CD gene with concomitant administration of 5-FC may be an effective strategy in the local control of colorectal cancer.     

Macrophages transduced with an adenoviral vector expressing interleukin 12 suppress tumor growth and metastasis in a preclinical metastatic prostate cancer model

We investigated the efficacy of intratumoral injection of macrophages transduced with murine IL-12 recombinant adenoviral vector (AdmIL-12) using the orthotopic 178-2 BMA mouse prostate cancer model. AdmIL-12-transduced macrophages secreted IL-12 in vitro and demonstrated increased surface expression of MHC classes I and II as well as F4/80 antigen compared with uninfected macrophages or those infected with an adenoviral vector containing beta-galactosidase (Adbetagal) in control macrophages. AdmIL-12-transduced macrophages injected into orthotopic 178-2 BMA tumors in vivo induced significant suppression of primary tumor growth and spontaneous lung metastases compared with controls. These antitumor and antimetastatic effects were comparable with those resulting from direct orthotopic delivery of the AdmIL-12 vector. Mice with orthotopic tumors treated with AdmIL-12-transduced macrophages survived significantly longer than controls. Analysis of tumors demonstrated significantly increased infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in those injected with AdmIL-12-transduced macrophages compared with controls. Splenocyte-derived cytotoxic natural killer cell activity was enhanced on day 2 after AdmIL-12-transduced macrophage injection, and on day 14, tumor-specific T-lymphocyte activities were increased compared with control, Adbetagal-infected macrophages. Trafficking studies confirmed that intratumorally injected, AdmIL-12-transduced macrophages could migrate to draining lymph nodes. Overall, this novel approach to prostate cancer therapy demonstrates antitumor immune responses that provide effective antimetastatic activities in preclinical studies.     

Intratumoral coinjection of two adenoviral vectors expressing functional interleukin-18 and inducible protein-10, respectively,synergizes to facilitate regression of established tumors

We have constructed two recombinant adenoviral vectors AdVIP-10 and AdVIL-18 expressing the functional chemokine IFN-gamma inducible protein (IP)-10 and cytokine interleukin (IL)-18, respectively. Injection of either AdVIP-10 or AdVIL-18 subcutaneously into tumor nodules derived from the J558 murine myeloma cell line delayed some tumor growth but it was not curative in all cases. Coinjection of these two vectors at the same tumor nodule not only significantly suppressed the tumor growth, but also cured established tumors in 8 of 10 (80% tumor free) mice. The latter treatment stimulated T-cell infiltration into tumors in association with tumor necrosis formation, induced a type 1 immune response and induced the activation of J558 tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Moreover, the antitumor activity of IP-10 and IL-18 combined gene therapy was significantly diminished in mice with depletion of either CD4(+) (50% tumor free) or CD8(+) (40% tumor free) T cells, and completely lost (0% tumor free) in T cell-deficient nude and IFN-gamma knockout mice, indicating the critical roles of T cells and IFN-gamma in this therapeutical model. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that the combined use of two adenoviral vectors expressing IP-10 and IL-18, respectively, synergize to facilitate regression of established tumors. These observations also suggest the potential use of double-recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing chemokines and immunomodulatory cytokines in cancer gene therapy.     

Tumor-infiltrating macrophages are involved in suppressing growth and metastasis of human prostate cancer cells by INF-beta gene therapy in nude mice.

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the role of tumor-infiltrating macrophages in IFN-beta-induced host defense against prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Efficacy of adenovirus-mediated IFN-beta gene therapy against orthotopic xenografts of human prostate cancer was tested in macrophage-compromised nude mice. Immunohistochemistry and Northern blotting were used to elucidate mechanisms responsible for the IFN-beta gene therapy. RESULTS: PC-3MM2 human prostate cancer cells were inoculated into the prostates of nude mice. Intralesional injection of an adenoviral vector-encoding murine IFN-beta (AdmIFN-beta) but not control vector AdE/1 suppressed growth of PC-3MM2 tumors in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal reduction of tumor weight by approximately 85% at 2 x 10(9) plaque-forming units. The therapy prevented metastasis, eradicated established metastases in some mice, and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. The efficacy of AdmIFN-beta therapy was reduced significantly in mice treated with macrophage-selective anti-Mac-1 and anti-Mac-2 antibodies. Moreover, the i.p. injection of the antibodies restored the tumorigenicity of PC-3MM2 cells stably engineered with murine IFN-beta gene. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages, significantly increased in AdmIFN-beta-injected lesions, were depleted by the antibodies. The therapy stimulated expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase, down-regulated transforming growth factor-beta1 and interleukin-8, reduced microvessel density, and resulted in apoptosis of endothelial cells in the lesions. These effects of AdmIFN-beta were partially diminished in mice treated with the antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that macrophages play an important role in IFN-beta gene therapy and that intralesional delivery of the IFN-beta gene could be an effective therapy for clinically localized human prostate cancer.     

Evaluation of HSV-tk gene therapy in a rat model of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma by intratumoral and intrahepatic artery routes

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene followed by the administration of ganciclovir (GCV) into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-derived cell lines either in vitro or transplanted into nude mice has been shown to provide a potential strategy for HSV-tk-based gene therapy of HCC. We report herein an analysis of the antitumoral efficacy of two recombinant adenoviruses (Ads), Ad.CMVtk and Ad.AFPtk, in a relevant model of multifocal hepatic lesions induced in rats by a potent alkylating chemical carcinogen, diethylnitrosamine. Two routes of administration of the Ad were studied: intratumoral and intrahepatic artery injections. Both recombinant Ads, Ad.CMVtk and Ad.AFPtk, express the HSV-tk gene under the control of the early enhancer/promoter cytomegalovirus and alpha-fetoprotein regulatory gene sequences, respectively. The antitumor response was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and by autopsy and histological analysis following postmortem. Tumor growth cessation was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging in large tumor nodules of size 5-8 mm treated by intratumoral administration of 2x10(9) pfu Ad.CMVtk plus i.p. treatment with GCV. We also show an antitumor efficacy in small tumor nodules of size <3 mm treated with 2x10(9) pfu Ad.CMVtk plus GCV by the intrahepatic artery route, albeit associated with an adverse toxicity. In vivo targeting of the HSV-tk gene to diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC cells with the recombinant Ad.AFPtk suppresses the hepatic toxicity in the nontumoral liver. The lower antitumor response would argue for the use of multiple injections of such adenoviral constructs. These observations may lead to potential approaches for designing gene therapy destined for early treatment of dysplastic nodules or advanced HCC in cirrhosis.     

腺病毒介导的大肠杆菌CD自杀基因体内外对肿瘤杀伤作用的研究

编委会 Editorial Board名誉主编 Honorary Editor-in-chief吴孟超 Wu Meng chao(Second Military Medical University,Shanghai 200433学术顾问 Academic Advisers巴德年 Ba Denian(Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,Beijing 100730)刘新垣 Liu Xinyuan(Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Shanghai 200031)吴旻 WuMin(Cancer Institute,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,Beijing 100021)汤钊猷 Tang Zhaoyou(Shanghai Medical University,Shanghai 200032)主编 Editor-in-chief张友会 Zhang Youhui(Cancer Institute,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,Beijing,100021)副主编 Associate Editor-in-chief崔正言 Cul Zhenyan(Department of Immunology,Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences,Jinan 250001)钱振超 Qian Zhenchao(Department of Patho-physiology,Dalian Medical University,Dalian 116027)何球藻 He Qiuzao(Department of Immunology,Shanghai Medical University,Shanghai 200032)董志伟 Dong Zhiwei(Cancer Institute,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,Beijing 100021)常务副主编 Managing Editor-in-chief     

Carcinoembryonic antigen-specific suicide gene therapy of cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine enhanced by the cre/loxP system in the orthotopic gastric carcinoma model

Tumor-specific gene delivery is crucial to achieving successful effects in suicide gene therapy. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) promoter has been widely used for this purpose, but the expression level of tumor-specific promoters such as CEA promoter is generally low. In the previous study, we used the Cre/loxP system and showed that LacZ expression by the CEA promoter was remarkably enhanced and maintained its specificity using the Cre/loxP regulation system. In this study, the Cre/loxP system was first applied to augmentation of selective expression of the cytosine deaminase (CD) gene as a suicide gene therapy in CEA-producing cells. The double infection with AxCEANCre expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the CEA promoter and AxCALNLCD expressing the CD gene under the control of the CAG promoter by the Cre switching system rendered CEA-producing tumor cells 13-fold more sensitive to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) compared with the single infection with AxCEACD expressing CD gene driven by the CEA promoter. The therapeutic efficacy of the enhanced CD/5-FC suicide gene therapy was evaluated in orthotopic implantation models of human gastric carcinoma. Adenovirus vectors (1 x 10(9) plaque-forming units) were administered i.p. into mice three times, and then 5-FC was administered i.p. for the next 10 days. Tumor volume and weight in mice treated with AxCEANCre and AxCALNLCD/5-FC were significantly reduced as compared with those in mice treated not only with Mock (AxCALacZ) but also with AxCEACD/5-FC (P < 0.0001). This beneficial effect on tumor burden was also reflected in the overall survival. The survival periods of the mice treated with AxCEANCre and AxCALNLCD/5-FC were longer than those of mice treated with Mock or AxCEACD/5-FC (P < 0.01). These results suggested that application of the Cre/loxP system could provide a new approach for enhanced selective suicide gene therapy of CD/5-FC for the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma.     

Eradication of primary murine fibrosarcomas and induction of systemic immunity by adenovirus-mediated interferon beta gene therapy.

We determined whether an adenoviral vector-mediated murine IFN-beta gene therapy could eradicate established s.c. tumors produced by murine UV-2237m fibrosarcoma cells. The tumor cells were highly susceptible to infection by adenoviral vectors. Cells infected with 10 or 100 multiplicity of infection of AdCIFN-beta, an adenoviral vector encoding murine IFN-beta driven by the human cytomegalovirus promoter, expressed high levels of steady-state IFN-beta mRNA and produced 500 or 7,000 units of IFN-beta activity/10(6) cells/24 h, respectively. Infection of tumor cells with 30 multiplicity of infection of AdCIFN-beta (but not control AdCLacZ vector) inhibited in vitro tumor cell proliferation by 40-45%. Intralesional injection of 5 x 10(8) plaque-forming units of AdCIFN-beta (but not AdLacZ) eradicated established s.c. fibrosarcomas in syngeneic mice but not fibrosarcomas in nude mice. Mice cured of the disease developed systemic immunity against rechallenge with UV-2237m cells but not against another syngeneic tumor, the K-1735 M2 melanoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that tumors injected with AdCIFN-beta contained more macrophages and CD4+ and CD8+ cells than did tumors injected with AdCLacZ or saline. Most cells in the PBS- and AdCLacZ-treated tumors stained positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and few cells stained for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling. In sharp contrast, AdCIFN-beta-treated tumors contained few proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and many terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling-positive cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that IFN-beta gene therapy delivered by adenoviral vectors can be effective against fibrosarcomas.