Strengthening the pillars of cancer immunotherapy
Author: Ligtenberg, Maarten Alexander
Date: 2015-08-28
Location: Cancer Center Karolinska, R8:00, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna
Time: 09.00
Department: Inst för onkologi-patologi / Dept of Oncology-Pathology
View/ Open:
Thesis (4.658Mb)
Abstract
The treatment of disease in cancer patients by harnessing the potent mechanisms that exist
within the immune system is not a novel approach, and has been first attempted more than a
century ago. During the major part of this century cancer immunotherapy has been relegated
to the periphery of standard care for patients. Within the last few years a dramatic shift has
occurred in the treatment of cancer, and patients are now the recipients of drugs and
therapies that aim to modulate and modify their immunity towards cancer. These treatments
fall into one of two categories; either the therapy is passive immunotherapy or active
immunotherapy. The first is based on the premise of introducing specific immunity in the
form of cytokines, monoclonal antibodies or tumor specific T cells into the tumor-bearing
patient. Active immunotherapy aims at inducing an in vivo tumor specific response, typically
through various means of vaccination to activate specific immunity. We have directed our
efforts at strengthening the pillar of passive immunotherapy through harnessing our
understanding of the tumor microenvironment. Tumors generate large amounts of reactive
oxygen species which adversely effect anti-tumor effector T cells. One approach to mitigate
the effects of reactive oxygen intermediates is by co-expressing high levels of catalase in
tumor-redirected T cells that express chimeric antigen receptors. Increased levels of
catalase neutralize the negative effects of oxidative stress on T cells and allows them to
survive, proliferative and perform their cytolytic functions whereas typically they would
become anergic. In addition, these cells are able to protect bystander T and NK cells from
oxidative stress mediated dysfunction. This strategy of attenuating the negative effects
derived from the tumor microenvironment can potentially increase the efficacy of chimeric
antigen receptor based passive immunotherapy. To strengthen the pillar of active
immunotherapy we attempted to identify, enhance and broaden the potential targets of DNA
based vaccine delivery. Vaccines, that activate immunity against tumor antigens, have the
potential to revolutionize the field of cancer treatment. DNA vaccines in particular remain an
interesting platform for activating tumor specific immunity. The delivery of DNA vaccines into
the skin, where professional antigen presenting cells that can be readily primed are present,
can induce recruitment of tumor specific T cells as well as antibody producing B cells. We
found that dermal DNA vaccination relies heavily on NF-κB activation but surprisingly not on
the IRF. IRF induces the production of type I interferon which are strong activators of
antiviral activity in immune cells. This is particularly relevant for inducing anti-tumor
responses, which are mediated in large part by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. To harness this
mechanism we delivered a genetically encoded intracellular DNA sensing molecule, DAI,
which increased type I interferon molecule production as well as matured skin resident
dendritic cells. This led to increased anti-tumor T cell activity as well as provided long-term
protection from tumor re-challenge by generating more abundant tumor specific memory T
cells. Generation of vaccine responses against cancer requires targeting antigens expressed
by the tumor. To increase the potential targets available to cancer immunotherapists we
explored the capacity of eliciting an immunological response against oncofetal tumor antigen
Cripto-1. Delivery of DNA vaccine encoding full length Cripto-1 into the dermis of mice
generated a cellular as well as humoral response that was able to inhibit the growth of
transplanted tumors as well as decreased metastatic burden.
The pillars of cancer immunotherapy rest upon foundations laid by a myriad of immunologists and cancer biologists. By protecting adoptively transferred tumor specific lymphocytes and furthering the understanding, as well as boosting the immunogenicity of classical and novel tumor antigen encoding DNA vaccines, we hope to improve the outcomes of cancer immunotherapy.
The pillars of cancer immunotherapy rest upon foundations laid by a myriad of immunologists and cancer biologists. By protecting adoptively transferred tumor specific lymphocytes and furthering the understanding, as well as boosting the immunogenicity of classical and novel tumor antigen encoding DNA vaccines, we hope to improve the outcomes of cancer immunotherapy.
List of papers:
I. LIGTENBERG MA , Mougiakakos D, Mukhopadhyay M, Witt K, Lladser A, Chmielewski M, Riet T, Abken H, Kiessling R. Co-expressed catalase protects chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T cells as well as bystander cells from oxidative stress-induced loss of anti-tumor activity. [Manuscript]
II. LIGTENBERG MA , Rojas-Colonelli N, Kiessling R, Lladser A. NF-κB activation during intradermal DNA vaccination is essential for eliciting tumor protective antigen-specific CTL responses. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2013, 9:10, 2189-2195
Fulltext (DOI)
Pubmed
View record in Web of Science®
III. Lladser A, Mougiakakos D, Tufvesson H, LIGTENBERG MA , Quest AFG, Kiessling R and Ljungberg K. DAI (DLM-1/ZBP1) as a Genetic Adjuvant for DNA Vaccines That Promotes Effective Antitumor CTL Immunity. Molecular Therapy, 2011, 19:3, 594-601
Fulltext (DOI)
Pubmed
View record in Web of Science®
IV. LIGTENBERG MA , Witt K, Conti L, Lanzardo S, Tufvesson-Stiller H, Ostling J, Sette A, Rolny C, Lladser A, Cavallo F, Kiessling R. Vaccination against tumor-associated antigen Cripto-1 elicits a protective immune response to metastatic melanoma and breast cancer stem cells. [Manuscript]
I. LIGTENBERG MA , Mougiakakos D, Mukhopadhyay M, Witt K, Lladser A, Chmielewski M, Riet T, Abken H, Kiessling R. Co-expressed catalase protects chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T cells as well as bystander cells from oxidative stress-induced loss of anti-tumor activity. [Manuscript]
II. LIGTENBERG MA , Rojas-Colonelli N, Kiessling R, Lladser A. NF-κB activation during intradermal DNA vaccination is essential for eliciting tumor protective antigen-specific CTL responses. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2013, 9:10, 2189-2195
Fulltext (DOI)
Pubmed
View record in Web of Science®
III. Lladser A, Mougiakakos D, Tufvesson H, LIGTENBERG MA , Quest AFG, Kiessling R and Ljungberg K. DAI (DLM-1/ZBP1) as a Genetic Adjuvant for DNA Vaccines That Promotes Effective Antitumor CTL Immunity. Molecular Therapy, 2011, 19:3, 594-601
Fulltext (DOI)
Pubmed
View record in Web of Science®
IV. LIGTENBERG MA , Witt K, Conti L, Lanzardo S, Tufvesson-Stiller H, Ostling J, Sette A, Rolny C, Lladser A, Cavallo F, Kiessling R. Vaccination against tumor-associated antigen Cripto-1 elicits a protective immune response to metastatic melanoma and breast cancer stem cells. [Manuscript]
Institution: Karolinska Institutet
Supervisor: Kiessling, Rolf
Issue date: 2015-08-03
Rights:
Publication year: 2015
ISBN: 978-91-7676-015-4
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