Treatment of breast cancer stem cells with oncolytic herpes simplex virus

Cancer stem cells have recently been isolated from several different solid tumors. In breast cancer, the CD44(+)CD24(-/low) population is considered to comprise stem-like cells. The identification of cancer stem cells has provided new targets for the development of therapeutics. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) are an effective strategy for killing breast cancer cells and treating breast tumors in preclinical models. Here, we examined the efficacy of the oHSV G47Δ in killing breast cancer stem cells. Human breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 and human primary breast cancer cells were cultured in suspension under conditions conducive to the growth of stem cells. They generated mammospheres, which had cancer stem cell properties. The proportion of CD44(+)CD24(-/low) cells in these mammospheres exceeded 95%, as determined by flow cytometry. The mammospheres were found to be highly tumorigenic when implanted subcutaneously in nude BALB/c mice. G47Δ contains the LacZ gene, and X-gal staining of infected cells in vitro and in vivo showed the replication and spread of the virus. G47Δ was found to be highly cytotoxic to the CD44(+)CD24(-/low) population in vitro, even when injected at low multiplicities of infection, and G47Δ treatment in vivo significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with mock treatment. This study demonstrates that oHSV is effective against breast cancer stem cells and could be a beneficial strategy for treating breast cancer patients.     

In vivo induction of antitumor immunity and protection against tumor growth by injection of CD154-expressing tumor cells

As they should enhance tumor-specific antigen presentation by dendritic cells, tumor cell lines genetically modified to express CD154 molecules have been used in an attempt to induce protective antitumor immunity. Two murine models were used: the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I negative melanoma B16F10 and the MHC class I positive mammary adenocarcinoma TS/A. CD154 or mock-transfected B16F10 or TS/A cells were injected subcutaneously into H-2-compatible B6D2 mice. CD154 expression by tumor cells induced a complete rejection (in the TS/A model) or a striking reduction (in the B16F10 model) of modified tumors growth, but also a significant protection against the growth of mock tumor cells injected simultaneously, either mixed with the CD154-expressing tumor cells, or in the other flank of mice. Thirty days after CD154-expressing tumor rejection, splenic lymphocytes from surviving tumor-free mice were able to inhibit tumor proliferation in vitro and significant amounts of IFN-gamma were detected in the sera of these mice. Growth kinetics of mock and CD154-expressing tumors in immunocompetent versus nude mice suggest that T lymphocytes and natural killer cells responses are implicated in this antitumor immunity. The injection of CD154-expressing tumor cell induced an antitumor protective response, both locally and distant from the injection site. The effect was most pronounced in MHC class I expressing TS/A tumor model.     

Arming tumor-reactive T cells with costimulator B7-1 enhances therapeutic efficacy of the T cells

T cells ectopically expressing costimulators are pathogenic and contribute to autoimmunity against self-antigens. Given that tumor antigens are often self-antigen or mutated self-antigens, we hypothesize that neoexpressing a costimulator on tumor-reactive T cells may likewise enhance their reactivity to tumor. To test this hypothesis, we have expressed B7-1 on OT-1 CD8+ T-cell receptor transgenic T cells via protein transfer (or protein "painting"). Na?ve OT-1 T cells, after being painted with B7-1, can self-costimulate themselves, elicit enhanced proliferative and CTL responses to E.G7-ovalbumin tumor cells (expressing a cognate antigen), and become resistant to CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell-mediated suppression. Importantly, these T cells, when coimplanted with E.G7-ovalbumin tumor cells into a syngeneic host, are three to nine times more potent than are control T cells (mock painted with human IgG) in inhibiting tumor growth. Further, on transfer into mice bearing established E.G7-ovalbumin tumors, B7-1-painted ex vivo-amplified OT-1 T cells induced complete tumor regression in 65% of treated mice, whereas the control T cells did so in only 28% of treated mice. Finally, on transfer into mice bearing less immunogenic 4T1 breast tumors, B7-1-painted tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells improved the survival of treated mice to a greater extent than did the control T cells. Hence, this study establishes that arming tumor-reactive T cells with a costimulator can enhance their antitumor efficacy.     

Challenge with mammary tumor cells expressing MHC class II and CD80 prevents the development of spontaneously arising tumors in MMTV-neu transgenic mice

The HER-2/Neu oncogene has been implicated in human and mouse breast cancer. Indeed, transgenic MMTV-neu mice expressing this oncogene from the mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat develop spontaneous mammary tumors and die within 1 year of life. We have expressed the class II transactivator (CIITA) and/or the costimulatory molecule CD80 (B7.1) in a mammary carcinoma cell line (MCNeuA) derived from these mice. Class II transactivator directs the expression of MHC class II and the machinery for antigen processing and presentation by this pathway. When injected into MMTV-neu mice, tumor cells expressing CD80 or CD80 and CIITA, were rejected completely. In addition, following the rejection of dual expressing cells, 75% of the mice were protected against the development of subsequent spontaneous tumors. Cells expressing only CD80 or CIITA were not as effective as antitumor vaccines in preventing the development of spontaneous tumors. Thus, converting cancer cells into antigen presenting cells could represent an effective immunotherapy for breast cancer.     

Therapeutic effiacy of T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptor derived from a mesothelin-specific scFv in orthotopic human pancreatic cancer animal models

Novel CAR T cells targeting mesothelin (MSLN) expressed on pancreatic cancer cells were developed to overcome the limit of the clinical efficacy of CAR T cell therapy for pancreatic cancer patients. Optimal single-chain variable fragments (scFv) binding to MSLN were selected based on the binding activity and the functional effectiveness of various scFv containing CAR-expressing T cells. Engineered MSLN CAR T cells showed successful anti-tumor activity specific to MSLN expression level. Furthermore, MSLN CAR T cells were evaluated for the anti-cancer efficacy in orthotopic mouse models bearing pancreatic cancer cells, MIA Paca-2, MSLN-overexpressed MIA Paca-2 or endogenously MSLN-expressing AsPC-1. Mice were randomized into control, mock treated, MS501 BBz treated, MS501 28z treated or MS501 28BBz treated group. Mice were monitored by weekly IVIS imaging and tumors were harvested and analyzed by immunohistochemical analyses. MSLN CAR T cells produced the therapeutic effect in orthotopic animal models with complete remission in significant number of mice. Histopathological analysis indicated that CD4+ and CD8+ MSLN CAR T cells infiltrated pancreatic tumor tissue and led to cancer cell eradication. Our results demonstrated the anti-tumor efficacy of MSLN CAR T cell therapy against pancreatic cancer, suggesting its therapeutic potential.     

Ex vivo delivery of suicide genes into melanoma cells using epidermal growth factor receptor-specific Fab immunogene.

The Fab fragment of monoclonal antibody B4G7 against human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was conjugated with cationic poly-L-lysine and the resulting conjugate was further complexed with reporter genes or therapeutic genes. This Fab/DNA complex was designated as "Fab immunogene." The Fab immunogene transfer in vitro was mediated through the EGF receptors in two melanoma cell lines. The frequency of cells expressing beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) reporter gene was approximately 1%. The induction of suicide effects after Fab immunogene transfer of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) or Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD) gene was quite remarkable, and the growth of melanoma cells was inhibited for over 7 days in the presence of ganciclovir (GCV) or 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Similarly, when melanoma cells treated in vitro with the Fab immunogene carrying TK or CD were transplanted into the back of nude mouse, subsequent systemic administration of GCV or 5-FC effectively suppressed the growth of tumors, indicating the occurrence of in vivo suicide effects.     

Polyoma tumor development in neonatally polyoma-virus-infected CD4−/− and CD8−/− single knockout and CD4−/−8−/− double knockout mice

CD4−/− or CD8−/− single knockout as well as CD4−/−8−/− double knockout mice were infected with polyoma virus as newborns or 1 week after birth. The animals were followed for tumor development and virus persistence. Double knockout mice developed tumors at a higher incidence (29%) than either the CD8−/− or CD4−/− single knockout mice (11% and 2%, respectively). Persistence of polyoma virus was examined by PCR in one third of all animals included in the study. Seven of the 17 CD4−/−8−/− double knockout mice gave positive evidence of virus persistence up to 6 months p.i. where virus DNA was present in most organs. Corresponding tests in single knockout mice gave positive results of persistent viral DNA in 2 of the 19 CD8−/− and 2 of the 7 CD4−/− mice. In the single knockout mice polyoma DNA could only be detected in a more limited variety of organs compared to the double knockouts. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

异位hCGβ基因免疫诱导的特异性抗肿瘤免疫应答

目的　观察异位hCGβ基因免疫诱导的肿瘤特异性免疫应答及其抗肿瘤作用 ,为肿瘤的免疫生物治疗寻求新途径。方法　构建含hCGβ编码基因的质粒TR4 2 1 hCGβ ,对BALB/c小鼠实施基因免疫 ,并以空质粒为对照。采用ELISA法和3 H TdR掺入法分别检测免疫小鼠血清中特异性抗hCGβ IgG抗体及其对肿瘤细胞体外生长的抑制作用 ;特异抗原体外刺激免疫小鼠脾细胞后 ,用3 H TdR掺入法和3 H TdR释放法分别检测其特异性增殖活性和细胞毒活性 ;皮下接种SP2 /0 hCGβ细胞攻击免疫小鼠 ,以成瘤率及实体瘤重量评估体内抗瘤效果。结果　全部TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒免疫小鼠均产生高水平的抗hCGβ IgG抗体 ,该抗体可抑制肿瘤细胞的体外生长 ,与对照血清相比 ,差异有显著差性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;hCGβ蛋白、灭活SP2 /0 hCGβ细胞以及两者混合均能刺激TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒免疫小鼠脾细胞的体外增殖 (SI值分别为 1.5 3、1.81和 2 .0 5 ) ,与空质粒免疫小鼠相比 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ;特异抗原刺激的TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒免疫小鼠脾细胞对SP2 /0 hCGβ细胞的细胞毒活性明显高于SP2 /0细胞(P <0 .0 1) ;空质粒免疫小鼠接种SP2 /0 hCGβ细胞后成瘤率为 10 0 % ,瘤重达 3.37g ,而TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒免疫小鼠的成瘤率为 16 .6 6 % ,瘤重为     

Oncogenic transformation of murine lymphoid cells by in vitro infection with Abelson leukemia virus.

Spleen cell cultures stimulated to DNA synthesis by antigen or mitogen were infected with Abelson virus, a C-type RNA virus inducing nonthymic lymphomas in mice. After 3 days the cells were transferred to mice and caused 100 percent incidence of lymphomas in as few as 29 days. That a number of the tumors were of donor origin, as shown by female karyotypes in recipient male mice, indicated that cells infected by virus in vitro were transformed. The process depended upon both virus and stimulation of lymphocytes in culture. Lymphoid tumors did not develop in mice receiving cells from virus-infected cultures not exposed to antigen or mitogen.     

HPV16型重组疫苗的构建及其抗肿瘤效果

背景与目的大量研究表明,宫颈癌的发生与高危型人乳头状瘤病毒(humanpapillomavirus,HPV)的感染密切相关,其中以HPV16为主。本研究以非复制型重组痘苗病毒为载体,构建共表达HPV16L1、L2、E67蛋白的重组非复制型痘苗病毒,并检测其免疫效果。方法以痘苗病毒为载体,利用同源重组技术构建共表达HPV16L1、L2、E67基因的重组痘苗病毒NTVJE67CKL1L2。用该病毒免疫C57BL/6小鼠后,检测其特异性抗体和特异性的细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(cytotoxicTlymphocyte,CTL);以TC-1肿瘤细胞攻击经免疫后的小鼠,观察其免疫保护效果。结果经斑点杂交结果显示重组病毒基因组中有L1、L2、E6、E7基因插入;经Westernblot检测,重组病毒能稳定表达HPV16L1、L2、E67蛋白。动物实验结果表明,NTVJE67CKL1L2在C57BL/6小鼠体内可诱发L1、L2、E67特异性抗体产生;可诱发产生针对TC-1细胞的特异性的CTL反应;加强免疫后的小鼠能耐受1×104个TC-1肿瘤细胞的攻击。结论非复制型重组痘苗病毒NTVJE67CKL1L2可以作为对HPV16相关肿瘤及其癌前病变进行免疫治疗的候选疫苗。     

Fusion vaccine therapy by IL-2-gene-transduced dendritic cells and tumor cells

We evaluated the usefulness of fusion vaccine prepared from IL-2-gene-transduced splenic dendritic cells (DCs) and fibrosarcoma tumor cells (QRsP) in treating of lung metastasis. The IL-2 or LacZ gene was transferred into spleen-derived DCs using an adenoviral vector. Irradiated QRsP tumor cells were fused with IL-2 gene transduced DCs (fusion/IL-2) or LacZ gene transduced DCs (fusion/LacZ) by polyethyleneglycol. These fusion cells expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II, CD86, CD11c and CD8alpha. IFN-gamma and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity of splenic lymphocytes in mice vaccinated with fusion cells increased significantly as compared with those of DC or tumor cells vaccinated mice. CTL levels in fusion/IL-2-vaccinated mice were higher than that in fusion/LacZ-vaccinated mice. The number of lung metastasis in the fusion/IL-2 or fusion/LacZ-vaccineatd mice was significantly lower than that in mice vaccinated with DCs, tumor or PBS. The introduction of the IL-2 gene into fusion cells produced more potent therapeutic effects. Our results suggest that the fusion cells prepared from IL-2 gene transduced spleen derived DCs and tumor cells have the ability to induce therapeutic effect against lung metastasis.     

Antitumor immunity after vaccination with B lymphoma cells overexpressing a triad of costimulatory molecules

BACKGROUND: The costimulatory molecules B7-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and leukocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) play pivotal roles in the activation of T cells. We investigated whether in vivo vaccination with lymphoma cells infected with a recombinant, nonreplicating fowlpox (FP) virus encoding this triad of costimulatory molecules (TRICOM) could stimulate lymphoma-specific immunity. METHODS: TRICOM-infected A20 B lymphoma cells were analyzed for expression of B7-1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3. Mice (10 per group) were vaccinated with irradiated A20 cells infected with either the TRICOM vector or the wild-type FP virus (WT-FP), challenged with live A20 tumor cells, and followed for survival. Mice with established A20 tumors were also treated with irradiated TRICOM-infected A20 cells. Survival curves were compared with the log-rank statistic. The mechanism of the antitumor effect was studied by in vivo depletion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and in vitro cytotoxicity assays. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: A20 tumor cells infected with TRICOM expressed high levels of B7-1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3. Mice vaccinated with irradiated TRICOM-infected A20 cells had prolonged survival relative to mice vaccinated with WT-FP-infected cells (80% versus 20% survival at 110 days; P<.001). In mice with established tumors, tumor growth was slower in those treated with TRICOM-infected tumor cells than in those treated with WT-FP-infected cells, and this treatment provided a survival advantage (P<.001). Depletion of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells reduced the antitumor immunity provided by the tumor cell-TRICOM vaccine, and lymphocytes from vaccinated mice displayed in vitro cytotoxic activity toward A20 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing expression of costimulatory molecules on B lymphoma cells by infection with a recombinant FP virus encoding B7-1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3 stimulates antitumor immune responses in vivo and may provide a novel strategy for treating patients with B-cell malignancies.     

Targeting tumor antigens to secreted membrane vesicles in vivo induces efficient antitumor immune responses

Expression of non-self antigens by tumors can induce activation of T cells in vivo, although this activation can lead to either immunity or tolerance. CD8+ T-cell activation can be direct (if the tumor expresses MHC class I molecules) or indirect (after the capture and cross-presentation of tumor antigens by dendritic cells). The modes of tumor antigen capture by dendritic cells in vivo remain unclear. Here we examine the immunogenicity of the same model antigen secreted by live tumors either in association with membrane vesicles (exosomes) or as a soluble protein. We have artificially addressed the antigen to secreted vesicles by coupling it to the factor VIII-like C1C2 domain of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFG-E8)/lactadherin. We show that murine fibrosarcoma tumor cells that secrete vesicle-bound antigen grow slower than tumors that secrete soluble antigen in immunocompetent, but not in immunodeficient, host mice. This growth difference is due to the induction of a more potent antigen-specific antitumor immune response in vivo by the vesicle-bound than by the soluble antigen. Finally, in vivo secretion of the vesicle-bound antigen either by tumors or by vaccination with naked DNA protects against soluble antigen-secreting tumors. We conclude that the mode of secretion can determine the immunogenicity of tumor antigens and that manipulation of the mode of antigen secretion may be used to optimize antitumor vaccination protocols.     

A DNA vaccine expressing tyrosinase-related protein-2 induces T-cell-mediated protection against mouse glioblastoma

A mouse glioblastoma cell line, termed GL261, was shown to express high levels of proteins involved in melanin biosynthesis such as the tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which is commonly overexpressed in melanoma cells. Mice injected with GL261 cells developed a CD8(+) T-cell response to TRP-2 and a DNA vaccine expressing human (h)TRP-2 induced CD8(+) T cells that recognized TRP-2 expressed by GL261 cells indicating that this melanoma-associated antigen may be suited for active immunotherapy of glioblastoma. Mice vaccinated with a DNA vaccine expressing TRP-2 were partially protected against subcutaneous, intravenous, or intracerebral challenge with the glioblastoma cells. Vaccine-induced protection against intracerebral challenge required both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Vaccine efficacy was enhanced upon addition of IL-12 as a genetic adjuvant. These results indicate that this well-defined melanoma-associated antigen can induce an adaptive immune response, which limits the intracerebral progression of a glioblastoma.     

Mouse mammary tumor virus infections: viral expression and tumor risk.

Concentrations of murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) antigen in the milk of individual naturally infected BALB/cfC3H and BALB/c mice given injections of MuMTV were related to their risk of developing a mammary tumor. Two distinct groups of MuMTV-infected mice were identified. One group exhibited high viral antigen levels in their milk (greater than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml), whereas the other group exhibited low viral antigen levels in their milk (less than or equal to 3 micrograms/ml). Mice that exhibited high levels developed tumors by 17 months of age, whereas those with low levels did not. Viral expression levels in mice having high risks of tumor development were also related to the length of the latency period preceding overt tumor development. The tumor risk potential of naturally infected mice was frequently that of their mothers. Various doses of MuMTV were injected into BALB/c mice, and the resulting infections differed in latency period, level of viral expression, and potential for neoplastic transformation.     

Immunization against the polyoma tumor-specific transplantation antigen (TSTA) with polyoma T-antigens

The relationship between the polyoma virus tumor-specific transplantation antigen (TSTA) and 2 of the virus proteins coded from the early region of polyomavirus was investigated. Mice were immunized with small T antigen and a truncated mutant of middle T antigen, both purified from genetically engineered Escherichia coli. The 2 proteins induced protective immunity against polyomavirus-induced tumors, but not against non-polyoma tumors, indicating that one or more of the polyoma T antigens are directly involved in a TSTA function.     

Enhancement of DNA vaccine potency by sandwiching antigen-coding gene between secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) and IgG Fc fragment genes

DNA vaccine has become an attractive approach for generating antigen-specific immunity. Targeting antigens to FcRs for IgG (FcgammaRs) on dendritic cells (DCs) has been demonstrated to enhance antigen presentation. Secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) has been shown to increase immune responses not only by promoting coclustering of T cells and DCs in the lymph nodes and spleen but also by regulating their immunogenic potential for the induction of T cell responses. In this study, using HPV 16 E7 as a model antigen, we constructed a chemotactic-antigen plasmid DNA vaccine (pSLC-E7-Fc) by linking SLC and Fc gene sequences to each end of E7 and evaluated its potency of eliciting specific immune response. We found that immunization with pSLC-E7-Fc generated much stronger E7-specific lymphocyte proliferative and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses than control DNA. All the mice receiving pSLC-E7-Fc prophylactic vaccination remained tumor free upon subcutaneous inoculation of TC-1 cells, while those given control DNA all developed tumors. These tumor-free mice were also protected against TC-1 rechallenge. Complete tumor regression with long-term survival occurred in 72% of mice given pSLC-E7-Fc as therapeutic vaccination. In experimental lung metastasis model wherein TC-1 cells were intravenously injected, therapeutic vaccination with pSLC-E7-Fc significantly reduced the number of tumor nodules in the lung. In vivo depletion with antibodies against CD4+or CD8+ T cells both resulted in complete abrogation of the pSLC-E7-Fc-induced immunotherapeutic effect. Our data indicate that the DNA vaccine constructed by the fusion of SLC and IgG Fc fragment genes to antigen-coding gene is an effective approach to induce potent anti-tumor immune response via both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells dependent pathways.     

Redirecting adaptive immunity against foreign antigens to tumors for cancer therapy

Immunotherapy for cancer is often limited by weak immunogenicity of tumor antigens. However, immune systems are usually strong and effective against foreign invading antigens. To test whether the destructive effect of adaptive immunity against foreign antigens can be redirected to tumors for cancer therapy, we immunized mice with adenovector expressing LacZ (Ad/CMV-LacZ). Subcutaneous syngeneic tumors were then established in the immunized animals or in na?ve animals. The immune response against adenovirus or LacZ was redirected to tumors by intratumoral injection of Ad/CMV-LacZ. We found that immunization and treatment with the adenovector dramatically reduced the tumor growth rate compared with intratumoral administration of adenovector in na?ve mice. Complete tumor regression was observed in about 50% of the immunized animals but not in the na?ve animals. Similar effects were observed when oncolytic vaccinia virus was used to immunize and treat tumors. Lymphocyte infiltration in tumors was dramatically increased in the immunized group when compared with other groups. Moreover, immunity against parental tumor cells was induced in the animals cured with immunization and treatment with Ad/CMV-LacZ, as evidenced by the lack of tumor growth when the mice were challenged with parental tumor cells. Taken together, these results suggest that redirecting adaptive immunity against foreign antigens is a potential approach for anticancer therapy and that pre-existing immunity could enhance virotherapy against cancers.