CANCER THERAPY
20210332382 · 2021-10-28
Assignee
Inventors
- Tuuli Ranki (Helsinki, FI)
- Sari Pesonen (Helsinki, FI)
- Petri Priha (Helsinki, FI)
- Erkko Ylösmäki (Helsinki, FI)
- Vincenzo Cerullo (Helsinki, FI)
- Beatriz Martins (Helsinki, FI)
Cpc classification
C12N7/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C12N2710/10332
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61K39/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
C12N15/86
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61P35/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
C12N15/86
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61P35/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
C07K16/28
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Abstract
The invention concerns a modified oncolytic adenovirus; a pharmaceutical composition comprising same; and a method of treating cancer using same.
Claims
1. A modified adenovirus comprising: at least one of the following polypeptides attached covalently or non-covalently onto the viral capsid without having been genetically encoded by said adenoviral vector i) VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT [SEQ ID NO:1]; ii) YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA [SEQ ID NO:2]; or iii) a polypeptide that is at least 90% identical therewith.
2. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said polypeptide is poly-lysine extended using at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 lysines.
3. The modified adenovirus according to claim 2 wherein said lysines are attached at the amino end of the polypeptide.
4. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said polypeptide is KKKKKK(KKK)-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT) [SEQ ID NO:7]; and/or KKKKKK(KKK)-YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA [SEQ ID NO:8]; alternatively: KKKKKK-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT [SEQ ID NO:4]; and/or KKKKKK-YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA [SEQ ID NO:5].
5. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said adenovirus is human adenovirus and/or said adenovirus is of serotype 5.
6. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said adenovirus comprises modifications in E1 and/or E3 and/or E4 and/or L3 genes including insertion of tumour specific promoters, at least one gene deletion and the insertion of at least one transgene.
7. (canceled)
8. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said adenovirus is further modified to include an Ad5/3 chimeric substitution, wherein the serotype 5 adenoviral fiber knob region is replaced with a serotype 3 adenovirus fiber knob region.
9. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said adenovirus is further modified to include a E1A gene deletion wherein the deletion is of at least those nucleotides encoding amino acids 122-129, and/or said adenovirus is further modified to include partial or complete deletion of the 14.7 k gene.
10. (canceled)
11. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein said adenovirus is further modified to include the insertion of at least one transgene that encodes a co-stimulatory molecule.
12. The modified adenovirus according to claim 11 wherein said virus includes at least two transgenes wherein one of said transgenes encodes a co-stimulatory molecule that activates the innate immune system and the other encodes a co-stimulatory molecule that activates the adaptive immune system.
13. The modified adenovirus according to claim 12 wherein said virus includes transgenes encoding CD40L and/or OX40L.
14. The modified adenovirus according to claim 13 wherein said transgenes are human.
15. The modified adenovirus according to claim 13 wherein said OX40L, is situated in the E3B region, replacing a gene 14.7K deletion, and/or wherein said CD40L molecule is inserted immediately downstream from OX40L using a 2A processing site.
16. (canceled)
17. The modified adenovirus according to claim 1 wherein the peptide to virus ratio is in the range from 1 to 5 μg per 3E+9 Virus Particles.
18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one modified adenovirus according to claim 1 in combination with a suitable carrier.
19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18 wherein said composition is formulated for intratumoral, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intravenous, intrapleural, intravesicular, intradermal, intracavitary or peritoneal injection, or an oral administration.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. A method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of at least one adenovirus according to claim 1.
23. The method of treating cancer according to claim 22 wherein the at least one adenovirus is administered with a cell checkpoint modulator.
24. The method of treating cancer according to claim 23 wherein the checkpoint modulator is an anti-PD1 molecule, an anti-PD-L1 molecule or an anti-CTLA-4 molecule.
25. The method according to claim 22 wherein said cancer includes any one or more of the following cancers: nasopharyngeal cancer, synovial cancer, hepatocellular cancer, renal cancer, cancer of connective tissues, melanoma, lung cancer, bowel cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, colorectal cancer, brain cancer, throat cancer, oral cancer, liver cancer, bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, choriocarcinoma, gastrinoma, pheochromocytoma, prolactinoma, T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, neuroma, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, adrenal cancer, anal cancer, bile duct cancer, bladder cancer, ureter cancer, oligodendroglioma, neuroblastoma, meningioma, spinal cord tumor, bone cancer, osteochondroma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, cancer of unknown primary site, carcinoid, carcinoid of gastrointestinal tract, fibrosarcoma, breast cancer, Paget's disease, cervical cancer, esophagus cancer, gall bladder cancer, head cancer, eye cancer, neck cancer, kidney cancer, Wilms' tumor, liver cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, skin cancer, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, endocrine pancreatic cancer, glucagonoma, parathyroid cancer, penis cancer, pituitary cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, retinoblastoma, small intestine cancer, stomach cancer, thymus cancer, thyroid cancer, trophoblastic cancer, hydatidiform mole, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, vagina cancer, vulva cancer, acoustic neuroma, mycosis fungoides, insulinoma, carcinoid syndrome, somatostatinoma, gum cancer, heart cancer, lip cancer, meninges cancer, mouth cancer, nerve cancer, palate cancer, parotid gland cancer, peritoneum cancer, pharynx cancer, pleural cancer, salivary gland cancer, tongue cancer and tonsil cancer.
Description
[0062] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following wherein:
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METHODS AND MATERIALS
[0076] Peptides:
[0077] Peptides were selected with acetate counter ion, which is a suitable salt form for human patients. The peptides were manufactured by PepScan.
[0078] The specific peptides intended for clinical use in PeptiCRAd are from: [0079] MAGE-A3 protein (amino acids 161-180, sequence KKKKKK(KKK)-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT) 20-mer peptides with either 6 (SEQ ID NO: 4) or 9 (SEQ ID NO: 7) lysine tail extending from the amino terminus [0080] NY-ESO-1 protein (amino acids 91-110, sequence KKKKKK(KKK)-YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA) 20-mer peptide with 6 (SEQ ID NO: 5) or 9 (SEQ ID NO: 8) lysine tail extending from the amino terminus [0081] NY-ESO-1 protein (amino acids 81-100, sequence KKKKKK(KKK)-RGPESRLLEFYLAMPFATPM) 20-mer peptide with 6 (SEQ ID NO: 6) or 9 (SEQ ID NO: 9) lysine tail extending from the amino terminus
[0082] Adenovirus Used in PeptiCRAd Preparations:
[0083] Adenovirus delta 24, serotype 5 virus with a modified knob from serotype 3 adenovirus (AdV 5/3). This model virus is not exactly the virus intended for clinical use, but it has an identical virus capsid. The difference between the model virus and the clinical virus is the clinical virus will ideally include genetic inserts coding for CD40L and OX40L, which have no contribution to the virus capsid and the attributes studied herein.
[0084] PeptiCRAd Complex Formation:
[0085] Individual peptides were diluted in water or 0.5% saline to reach a peptide stock concentration of 5 ug/μ1. Virus stock in A195-buffer (1.45E+12 VP/ml) was diluted in water to reach a concentration of 1 E+9 VP/μl. Virus—peptide complex was prepared by mixing 1 or 3 μl of virus dilution (equating 1 E+9 or 3E+9 VPs) with variable volume of peptide(s) to reach a targeted peptide to virus ratio.
[0086] (PeptiCRAd, individual peptides); two individual aliquots of viruses were separately coated with single peptides. These two separate single peptide coated PeptiCRAds (NY-ESO-1 Complex and MAGE-A3 Complex) are then combined immediately before tumor injection. The separately coated viruses can also be given as separate injections Alternatively, NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 peptides are first mixed together and this peptide mixture is then used for PeptiCRAd complex formation.
[0087] Zetasizer Measurements for the Complex Size and Charge:
[0088] The zetasizer measurements were performed immediately after complex formation, 15 minutes after mixing the components or after letting the complex stay still at room temperature (RT) approximately for 1.5 hours. The virus-peptide complexes were first diluted by adding 7000 of water to samples and then transferred to measurement cuvette. Hydrodynamic diameter (nm) was measured followed by measurement of zeta potential (mV). These parameters were measured three times and the average size and zeta potential were recorded.
[0089] Immunological Potency of PeptiCRAd-1 Peptides:
[0090] CD8+ T-cells from melanoma patients with known NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 T-cell activities were pre-stimulated with unmodified peptides (SEQ ID NO: 2 NY-ESO-1 91-110: YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA or SEQ ID NO: 1 MAGE-A3 161-180: VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT). Recognition of poly-lysine extended peptides (SEQ ID NO: 5 NY-ESO-1 91-110: KKKKKKYLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA or SEQ ID NO: 4 MAGE-A3 161-180: KKKKKKVFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT) was studied by standard IFN-gamma ELISPOT method. The following ELISPOT protocol was used in the experiments: CD4+/CD8+ T-cells purified, with MACS® cell separation column (Miltenyi Biotech, Lund, Sweden), were pre-sensitized with peptide-pulsed (10 μg/ml) irradiated autologous PBMCs depleted of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells (25000 cells/well). Pre-sensitized CD4+/CD8+ T-cells were tested on day 10-12 in IFNγ ELISPOT assay for recognition of peptide-pulsed (1 μg/ml) autologous antigen-presenting cells (EBV-transformed B cells or DCs). After 16 hours of incubation (37C.°) the number of cytokine-producing antigen-specific T-cells was evaluated using AID EliSpot Reader Classic ELR 07 (Autoimmun Diagnostika GmbH, Strassberg, Germany).
[0091] In Vivo Immunization
[0092] NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rγnull immunodeficient mice were humanized using hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+, HLA-B35+) isolated from human cord blood. A375 human melanoma tumors were implanted subcutaneously (2×10.sup.6 cells per 100 ul) and the animals were randomized into groups based on the humanization rate and the tumor size. The animals were treated either with PeptiCRAd-1 or the same virus without the peptide coating (VALO-C1) (virus dose 1×10.sup.8 for both groups; a suboptimal dose of 1×10.sup.7 was also tested for PeptiCRAd). Peptide vaccines (0.12 or 30 ug) were given intradermally with Poly-IC as an adjuvant.
[0093] The treatments started 25 days after randomization (DO) by a bolus dose of cyclophosphamide (1 mg/mouse i.v.). Treatments were given intratumorally (mock, virus and PeptiCRAd) or intradermally (peptide control) on days 1, 2, 3 and 12. Secondary tumors were implanted into the contralateral flank two days after the third treatment (day 5). No treatments for secondary tumors were given.
[0094] Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes (TILs) were analyzed for NY-ESO-1 YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA SEQ ID NO: 2 and MAGE-A3 VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT SEQ ID NO: 1 specific CD8+ T-cells by flow cytometry with dextramer analysis. Different immune cell subsets among PBMCs and TILs were assessed. The flow cytometric analysis was performed on Attune N×T Flow Cytometer (Life Technologies).
[0095] PBMC Mouse Model Immunization
[0096] 35 eight-week old NOD-Prkdcem26Cd52/IL-2Ry em26Cd22/NjuCrl immunodeficient mice (NCG) were engrafted with 2.Math.10.sup.6 SKMEL-2 tumor cells (HLA-B35+) on the right flank (Day 0). On day 13, 5×10.sup.6 HLA-B35+ human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from two different donors were injected intravenously. Intratumoral treatments with NYESO-1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and MAGE-A3 (SEQ ID NO: 1)—complexed 5/3 capsid and containing OX40L-expressing virus (“OX40L PeptiCRAd”) or a NYESO-1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and MAGE-A3 (SEQ ID NO: 1)—complexed 5/3 capsid containing OX40L- and CD40L-expressing virus (“PeptiCRAd”)—were initiated on Day 16 with a virus dose of 1×10.sup.9 VP complexed with each peptide. Concomitantly with the first PeptiCRAd treatment, 50′000 autologous plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells were injected intratumorally. On days 17, 18 (prime with the first treatment) and 25 (boost), the tumors were treated with intratumoral PeptiCRAd injections without addition of dendritic cells. The treatment schema is presented in
[0097] Virus-Peptide Complexing
[0098] Immobilization of virus particles and interactions between peptide coatings and virus particles immobilized on APTES functionalized silica sensor surfaces were measured with a Multi-parametric Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument equipped with a 2-channel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flow channel and 96-well plate autosampler assembly (MP-SPR 220A). Peptide coatings were as follows PEP1455=KKKKKK-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT (SEQ ID NO: 4); PEP1456=KKKKKKKKK-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT (SEQ ID NO: 7); PEP1508=KKKKKK-YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA (SEQ ID NO: 5). The temperature, flow speed and laser wavelength used for all SPR measurements were +20° C., 20 μl/min and 680 nm, respectively.
[0099] For measurements in water, an adenovirus with a 5/3 chimeric fiber (1.93×10.sup.11 VP/a) diluted in sterile water was immobilized for 12 min on the APTES sensor, and triplicate measurements were done for each sample. Sterile water was used also as the running buffer. For measurements in A195 buffer, the adenovirus was first diluted in PBS and immobilized for 12 min on the APTES sensor. After the immobilization, PBS was replaced by A195 as the running buffer, and measurements were done as triplicates.
[0100] For measurements in sterile water, peptide stock solutions were prepared by dissolving 5 mg of peptide in 1 ml of water (5 mg/ml) resulting in corresponding concentrations of 1.65 mM for 6K-MAGE-A3 (PEP1455), 1.46 mM for 9K-MAGE-A3 (PEP1456) and 1.66 mM for 6K-NY-ESO (PEP1508). Peptide samples were injected sequentially in increasing concentrations for 6 minutes followed by an 8 min flushing period with the running buffer in between each sample concentration. Peptide concentrations used were 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 μM.
[0101] For measurements in A195 buffer, peptide stock solutions were prepared by dissolving 340 μg of the corresponding peptides in A195 media to form 100 μM sample solutions, which were then used as a stock for preparing peptide sample solutions with lower concentrations. Peptide samples were injected sequentially in increasing concentrations for 10 minutes followed by a 15 min flushing period with the running buffer in between each sample concentration. Peptide concentrations used were 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μM.
[0102] The calculations for estimating the number of peptides bound per viral particle were based on utilizing geometrical calculations of the estimated number of viral particles immobilized on the SPR sensor surface and the maximum number of peptides adsorbed determined by SPR measurements.
[0103] Results and Discussion
[0104] Effect of Net Charge of Peptide on Complex Formation
[0105] The MAGE-A3 peptide has a net charge of −3, 9 without a lysine tail. The three acidic amino acids rendering the negative charges are located close to the amino terminus (amino acids 5, 8 and 10). We investigated if the negative net charge of the peptide has to be compensated with a longer positive lysine tail (9 instead of 6 lysines) to achieve proper binding of peptides on the virus surface. Effect of lysine tail length on complex formation and stability of the complex was evaluated by determining zeta potential and average complex size of peptide coated virus samples containing 1 E+9 virus particles complexed with 20 or 40 μg of either peptide. The zetasizer measurements were performed immediately after complex formation, 15 minutes after mixing the components and after letting the complex stay still at room temperature (RT) approximately for 1.5 hours. Results are presented in table 1.
[0106] The size and zeta potential results show that complexes with MAGE-A3 peptide are formed regardless of length of the lysine tail suggesting that the negatively charged amino acids at least in the specific position of the peptide chain do not compromise complex formation. The longer lysine tail gave complexes with approximately 10% larger size and a bit lower zeta potential than corresponding peptide with the shorter lysine tail. Based on size of the complexes of freshly prepared samples and after keeping the samples for 1.5 hours at RT, complexes with either lysine tail were stable. In freshly prepared complexes the size was not affected by the amount of peptide used in complex formation but in samples kept for 1.5 h the results are a bit incoherent. In conclusion, it was decided to use six lysine tail peptides in subsequent zetasizer studies.
[0107] Effect of 6K-MAGE-A3-Peptide to Virus Ratio on Size and Zeta Potential of Complexes
[0108] Peptide to virus particles ratios of 15, 30, 45 and 60 μg of peptide per 3E+9 virus particles were prepared to evaluate effect of ratio on the complex formation and stability (freshly prepared complexes vs. complexes kept at RT for 2 hours) based on determination of size and zeta potential of complexes.
[0109] The results in table 2 show a trend that the lower the peptide to virus ratio within the tested range the smaller the size of the complex, suggesting that an optimum ratio could be determined that results in peptide-virus complexes composed of single virus or composed of small aggregates formed of a couple of viruses. Complexes were also quite stable at least for two hours with zeta potential around +30 mV.
[0110] An attempt was made to determine the optimal peptide to virus ratio with 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide as indicated in table 3. The complex size results suggest that as low as 1-5 μg of 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide per 3E+9 virus particles equaling to a molar ratio range from 6.6E+4 to 3.3E+5 result in a stable complex. But with lower ratio the complexes tend to aggregate.
[0111] Effect of Virus Coating with 6K-MAGE-A3 Peptide on Infectivity
[0112] Ability of the complexed virus to infect tumor cells is one important aspect of the mechanism of action of PeptiCRAd. That is why the effect of peptide coating on virus infectivity was evaluated by preparing complexes with different peptide to virus ratios and by determining infectivity of the complex on A549 cells based on immunocytochemistry assay (ICC). The results in table 4 show that using a relevant peptide to virus ratio of approximately 1 μg, 62% of the infectivity of the virus only sample was retained, suggesting that virus coating does not affect infectivity dramatically.
[0113] Stability of 6K-MAGE-A3-PeptiCRAd at Different Temperatures
[0114] To evaluate stability of 6K-MAGE-A3-PeptiCRAd at different temperatures, complexes were prepared by mixing either 15 or 30 μg of 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide per 3E+9 VPs and by storing the samples at different conditions. Stability was tested by zetasizer from samples stored at RT, +5, −20, −80° C. for 18-20 hours. The results are presented in table 5. Average hydrodynamic diameter remained quite stable during the storage at different temperatures ranging from 165 nm to 276 nm suggesting that no considerable aggregation had occurred at any temperature tested. Zeta potential was above the level of +30 mV in every sample indicating good stability. The smallest particle size was attained after storage at −20° C. but also storage at +4° C. seemed to be favorable to prevent aggregation.
[0115] Effect of 6K-NY-ESO-1-Peptide (p81-100) to Virus Ratio on Size and Zeta Potential of Complexes Prepared in Water
[0116] Another clinically interesting peptide, NY-ESO-1-peptide, was studied in terms of complex formation attributes, size and zeta potential, determined by zetasizer measurements. The results are presented in table 6 a. Regarding the size of the complex, this particular peptide seemed to follow a sine-wave like curve, starting from smaller complex size at small peptide to virus ratio following an increase in complex size as the ratio gets bigger reaching a local maximum at 1 μg of peptide after which the complex size starts to decrease until 60 μg where the complex size reaches a minimum of 180 nm. Regarding stability of the complex the zeta potential results suggest that a higher peptide to virus ratio is favorable as compared to 6K-MAGE-A3. The NY-ESO-1 peptide has a native charge of—1 having two negative and two positive amino acid close to amino terminus (the acidic ones in location 4 and 9 and the basic one in location 1 and 6 of the peptide sequence). Rest of the sequence of NY-ESO-1 is quite hydrophobic as also is the case with MAGE-A3-peptide.
[0117] Effect of 6K-NY-ESO-1-Peptide (p91-110) to Virus Ratio on Size and Zeta Potential of Complexes Prepared in Water
[0118] 6K-NY-ESO-1-peptide (p91-110) was also studied in terms of complex formation attributes, size and zeta potential, determined by zetasizer measurements. The results are presented in table 6 b. Regarding the size of the complex, the peptide range from 0.5 to 1 μg results in only moderately aggregated complex, suggesting that the optimum ratio with this peptide resides somewhere between 1 and 5 μg per 3E+9 VPs. The corresponding zeta potential values remain close to zero suggesting that the stability of the complex might not be optimal with a tendency for aggregation.
[0119] The NY-ESO-1 peptide (p91-110) has a native charge of—1 having two negative and two positive amino acid close to carboxy terminus (the acidic ones in location 11 and 13 and the basic ones in location 16 and 17 of the peptide sequence). Rest of the sequence of NY-ESO-1 is quite hydrophobic. The location of positive charges close to C-terminus might enable also binding C-terminus to virus surface.
[0120] PeptiCRAd Coated with Both 6K-MAGE-A3- and 6K-NY-ESO-1 Peptides
[0121] Both clinically interesting peptides, NY-ESO-1- and MAGE-A3-peptide, were studied as mixtures in terms of complex formation attributes based on zetasizer measurements. The complexes were prepared both in water and in physiological NaCl (0.9%). The results are shown it table 7 a and b. The average size of the complex prepared by mixing equal amounts of each peptide with the virus was larger than average size of a complex prepared of 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide alone and smaller than size of a complex prepared of 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p81-100) alone. The average size of less than 300 nm suggests that only moderate aggregation occurred during complex formation. The complex could be prepared both in water and in 0.9% NaCl with comparable complex sizes.
[0122] The average size of a complex prepared by mixing equal amounts of 6K-MAGE-A3 and 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p91-110) with the virus was larger than average size of a complex prepared of 6K-MAGE-A3 and 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p81-100). In water the average size difference of complexes was about 1.8-fold but was reduced to 1.3-fold in physiological NaCl. The average size of 400 500 nm suggests that only moderate aggregation occurred during complex formation.
[0123] Effect of NY-ESO-1-Peptide to Virus Ratio on Size and Zeta Potential of Complexes Prepared in Physiological NaCl
[0124] Because the zetasizer size results of complexes formed with NY-ESO-1 peptide (p81 100) in water suggested a sine like behavior as a function of peptide concentration, we studied if the complex formation step in physiological salt solution would prevent possible non-specific interactions. Results are presented in table 8a. The results show that the complex size as a function of increasing peptide concentration followed a quite similar trend as the complex prepared in water. The complex size was larger but anyway quite consistent with peptide to virus ratio in range from 5 μg until 60 μg. The results suggest that an optimum peptide to virus ration could be found in range from 1 to 5 μg per 3E+9 VPs.
[0125] The zetasizer average size results of complexes formed with NY-ESO-1 peptide (p91-110) in water suggested increasing aggregation with peptide to virus ratios higher that 1 μg, resulting in complex size larger than 3000 nm. We studied if the complex formation step in physiological salt solution would prevent aggregation. Results are presented in table 8 b and show that the complex size as a function of increasing peptide concentration was quite constant within a range of 200 400 nm. Thus, physiological NaCl in the liquid phase during complex formation could prevent aggregation quite dramatically as can be seen in
[0126] Immunological Potency of PeptiCRAd-1 Peptides
[0127] Poly-lysine extended NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 peptides trigger IFN-gamma production in cancer patient derived antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells upon in vitro stimulation as effectively as unmodified peptides (
[0128] PeptiCRAd Elicits Peptide Specific Immune Response in a Humanized Mouse Model
[0129] All active treatments (peptide alone, virus without peptide coating [VALO-C1], and virus with NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 peptide coating [PeptiCRAd]) increased the number of immune cells in primary tumors in comparison to mock treated animals. Both VALO-C1 and PeptiCRAd-1 treated animals showed more T-cells (CD3, CD4, CD8) in primary tumors in comparison to peptide vaccine or mock treated animals post treatment, while the number of overall infiltrating immune cells (CD45) was similar in all groups (
[0130] Furthermore, the number of T regulatory cells (CD3+/CD4+/FoxP3+) was smaller in VALO-C1 and PeptiCRAd-1 treated primary tumors in comparison to primary tumors from peptide vaccine or mock treated animals (
[0131] Unlike VALO-C1 treated animals, PeptiCRAd-1 treated animals showed more CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in untreated secondary tumors than in treated primary tumors, suggesting that tumor-targeting via peptide-coating of the virus was critically important for the induction of an effect in distant untreated tumors (Table 9). Furthermore, PeptiCRAd-1 treated animals had more NYESO-specific CD8+ T-cells in blood post priming (mean=4.3% of total CD8+ cells) in comparison to OV treated (mean=0.6%) or peptide vaccine treated (mean=0.6%) animals (
[0132] PeptiCRAd Elicits Peptide-Specific Immune Response in a PBMC Mouse Model
[0133] Treatments with NY-ESO-1- and MAGE-A3-complexed PeptiCRAd resulted in tumor growth arrest in humanized mouse melanoma model even when the treatment was started for large, well established tumors (
[0134] An Adenovirus with a 5/3 Chimeric Capsid can be Complexed with NY-ESO-I and MAGE-A3 Peptides in Optimal Complexing Conditions
[0135] The interactions between peptide coating and adenovirus particles (AdV) was studied using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. The main aims were 1) to determine the binding dynamics of NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 peptides with viruses in different media (sterile water and A195-media, a commonly used media for virus preparations), 2) to estimate how many peptide molecules one virus particle can bind in each media and 3) to assess the stability of the peptide-virus complexes. Peptide coatings were as follows PEP1455=KKKKKK-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT (SEQ ID NO: 4); PEP1456=KKKKKKKKK-VFGIELMEVDPIGHLYIFAT (SEQ ID NO: 7); PEP1508=KKKKKK-YLAMPFATPMEAELARRSLA (SEQ ID NO: 5).
[0136] The SPR response for AdV particles in sterile water is ˜0.7°, which corresponds to a 50% of viruses covering the detection area (1.4° corresponds to 100% coverage) (Table 10), giving an estimate that 5×10.sup.7 virus particles are adsorbed within the detection area. When the AdV particles were run in A195 buffer, the SPR response was ˜1.2°, which corresponds to a coverage of 86% of the detection surface (
[0137] Peptides 1455 and 1508 seem to adsorb better on the immobilized virus particles in sterile water than in A195 media (
[0138] Based on the results, PEP1455 was not completely soluble in A195 buffer and it seems that PEP1456 is a more potential modification in terms of solubility and coating efficiency, as judged by peptide to virus ratio in A195 buffer. Results indicate that peptide virus complexes can be prepared using an Adenovirus construct with a 5/3-chimeric capsid and 6/9K-peptides in an appropriate buffer environment. The complexes are quite stable without the free peptide environment as shown by SPR results. Further, the peptide to virus particle ratio is a peptide sequence-specific factor and also depends on the presence of optimal conditions for complex formation.
SUMMARY
[0139] With the three tested peptides, one 6K-MAGE-A3 and two 6K-NY-ESO-1, complex size seems to be dependent on peptide to virus ratio and seems to be a peptide specific property that has to be determined for each peptide and each combination of peptides and virus. Aggregation and possible non-specific interactions during complex formation can be prevented to some extent by preparing the complex in physiological salt solution instead of water in case of 6K-NY-ESO-1 (p91-110) but with 6K-NY-ESO-1 (p81-100) this was not the case, suggesting a peptide specific behavior.
[0140] The complex formation with 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide did not deteriorate infectivity of the virus significantly with 62% of infectivity remaining when using a relevant peptide to virus ratio.
[0141] Based on MAGE-A3 complex stability results the optimal storage conditions for the complex seems to be either +4° C. or −20° C.
[0142] PeptiCRAd with peptide coating(s) is superior to naked oncolytic adenovirus (VALO-C1) or standard peptide vaccination in triggering systemic tumor-targeted CD8+ T-cell responses and infiltration of CD8+ TILs into untreated distant tumors. The data suggest that PeptiCRAd improves the tumor targeting specificity of a standard oncolytic virus.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average diameter and zeta potential of peptide-virus- complexes prepared by mixing virus and peptide in proportions of 1E+9 virus particles with 20 or 40 μg of MAGE-A3-peptides with 6 or 9 lysine tail. Hydrodynamic Zeta Sample diameter (nm) Potential (mV) Ad5/3 + 6K-MAGE-A3, 20 μg 181.1 30.3 Ad5/3 + 6K-MAGE-A3, 40 μg 178.9 34.2 Ad5/3 + 6K-MAGE-A3, 20 μg 1.5 h 222.3 28.2 Ad5/3 + 6K-MAGE-A3, 40 μg 1.5 h 185.6 31.1 Ad5/3 + 9K-MAGE-A3, 20 μg 200.5 20.7 Ad5/3 + 9K-MAGE-A3, 40 μg 197.4 24.0 Ad5/3 + 9K-MAGE-A3, 20 μg 1.5 h 212.0 28.6 Ad5/3 + 9K-MAGE-A3, 40 μg 1.5 h 310.9 30.4
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide- virus-complexes measured immediately or after 2 hours from preparation by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with different amounts of 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide as indicated in the table. Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only 15′ 125.3 −19.6 Ad5/3 virus only 2 h 179.5 −15.2 Ad5/3 + 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 15′ 143.2 28.2 Ad5/3 + 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 2 h 160.9 28.4 Ad5/3 + 30 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 15′ 172.4 31.3 Ad5/3 + 30 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 2 h 153.0 31.5 Ad5/3 + 45 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 15′ 151.9 31.1 Ad5/3 + 45 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 2 h 201.6 34.9 Ad5/3 + 60 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 15′ 165.8 35.2 Ad5/3 + 60 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 2 h 207.5 54.1
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential results of peptide-virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with different amounts of 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide. Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 125.3 −19.5 Ad5/3 + 0.1 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 3078.7 0.4 Ad5/3 + 0.5 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 235.8 20.4 Ad5/3 + 0.75 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 262.6 20.2 Ad5/3 + 1 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 194.2 35.6 Ad5/3 + 5 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 186.2 23.4 Ad5/3 + 10 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 185.2 27.7 Ad5/3 + 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, 15′ 164.6 30.3
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Infectivity of PeptiCRAd complexes prepared using different MAGE-A3-peptide to virus (3E+9 vp) ratios. Sample Infectivity titer (ICC) Ad5/3 virus only in water 100% +0.1 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 65% +1.1 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 62% +15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3 22%
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential results of peptide-virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with 15 μg or 30 μg of 6K-MAGE-A3 peptide after keeping at different temperatures for 18-20 hours. Z-Ave d. ZP Average d. Sample (nm) (mV) (nm) Ad5/3 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, RT 252.0 33.5 Ad5/3 30 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, RT 226.8 33.4 239.4 Ad5/3 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, +4° C. 179.8 31.5 Ad5/3 30 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, +4° C. 248.8 32.8 214.3 Ad5/3 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, −20° C. 152.6 33.0 Ad5/3 30 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, −20° C. 177.8 36.0 165.2 Ad5/3 15 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, −80° C. 306.3 32.3 Ad5/3 30 μg 6K-MAGE-A3, −80° C. 245.5 33.9 275.9
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 a Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide- virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with different amounts of 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p81-100). Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 132.5 −26.6 +0.1 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 466.3 −23.4 +1 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 594.9 1.8 +15 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 553.8 20.6 +30 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 265.1 24.9 +60 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 179.6 26.6 +120 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 344.4 31.9
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 b Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide- virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with different amounts of 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p91-110). Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 169 −18 +0.1 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 118 −3 +0.5 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 205 −1 +1 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 202 0 +5 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 1409 6 +15 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 1772 11 +30 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 3167 14 +60 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 2449 16 +120 μg 6K-NY-ESO-1 2346 18
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 a Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide- virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with 1 μg of both 6K-NY-ESO-1-peptide (p81-100) and MAGE- A3-peptide either in water or in physiological NaCl (0.9%). Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 132.9 −25.0 Ad5/3 + 1 ug 6K-MAGE-A3 + 272.9 10.9 1 ug 6K-NY-ESO-1 in water Ad5/3 virus only in NaCl 115.9 −23.3 Ad5/3 + 1 ug 6K-MAGE-A3 + 301.3 26.7 1 ug 6K-NY-ESO-1 in NaCl
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 7 b Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide- virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with 1 μg of both 6K-NY-ESO-1-peptide (p91-110) and 6K- MAGE-A3-peptide either in water or in physiological NaCl (0.9%). Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 132.9 −25.0 Ad5/3 + 1 μg MAGE-A3 + 1 487.2 19.7 μg NY-ESO-1 in water Ad5/3 virus only in NaCl 115.9 −23.3 Ad5/3 + 1 μg MAGE-A3 + 1 383.5 27.2 μg NY-ESO-1 in NaCl
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 8 a Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide-virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with different amounts of 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p81-100) in physiological NaCl (0.9%). Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 198.8 −25.5 Ad5/3 virus only in NaCl 128.1 −22.2 +0.1 μg 132.3 −22.2 +1 μg 2149.0 0.1 +5 μg 350.4 16.3 +15 μg 419.7 22.5 +30 μg 471.2 23.5 +60 μg 464.6 26.1 +120 μg 832.8 29.3
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 8 b Average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of peptide-virus-complexes prepared by mixing 3E+9 virus particles with different amounts of 6K-NY-ESO-1 peptide (p91-110) in physiological NaCl (0.9%). Sample Z-Ave d. (nm) ZP (mV) Ad5/3 virus only in water 129.8 −20.9 Ad5/3 virus only in NaCl 203.5 −19.5 +0.1 μg 211.7 −13.7 +1 μg 217.2 −2.0 +5 μg 244.9 1.1 +15 μg 337.4 5.7 +30 μg 401.2 4.9 +60 μg 373.4 4.7 +120 μg 239.0 4.2
[0143] Table 9. The animals treated with PeptiCRAd showed more CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells in untreated distant tumors than in treated primary tumors, suggesting that the PeptiCRAd treatment enables more efficient antigen presentation and subsequent T cell homing to distant tumors compared to OV. Results are depicted as ratio of the number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in untreated to treated tumors ±SEM.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 10 The results based on the SPR measurements for virus and virus-peptide -complex. Adsorbed Number of Adsorbed Number of Peptides Mass/ Peptides virus SPR viruses SPR Area Mass M.sub.w Moles Number of adsorbed/ Interaction response Radius on sensor response Peptide Peptide Peptide peptide peptides virus media (Δ°) (nm) surface Peptide (Δ°) (ng/cm.sup.2) (ng) (g/mol) (mol) adsorbed particle Min Water 0.7 100 49999841 PEP1455 0.0674 40.44 0.32 3033.7 1.04708E−13 6.30549E+10 1261 Water 0.7 100 49999841 PEP1456 0.029 17.4 0.14 3418.3 3.99833E−14 2.40779E+10 482 Water 0.7 100 49999841 PEP1508 0.0184 11.04 0.09 3007.7 2.88319E−14 1.73626E+10 347 Max Water 0.7 100 49999841 PEP1455 0.1532 91.92 0.72 3033.7 2.38E−13 1.43324E+11 2866 Water 0.7 100 49999841 PEP1456 0.1303 78.18 0.61 3418.3 1.79649E−13 1.08185E+11 2164 Water 0.7 100 49999841 PEP1508 0.0386 23.16 0.18 3007.7 6.04844E−14 3.64237E+10 728 Min A195 1.2 100 85714013 PEP1455 0.0174 10.44 0.08 3033.7 2.70313E−14 1.62783E+10 190 A195 1.2 100 85714013 PEP1456 0.2762 165.72 1.30 3418.3 3.80806E−13 2.29322E+11 2675 A195 1.2 100 85714013 PEP1508 0.012 7.2 0.06 3007.7 1.88034E−14 1.13234E+10 132 Max A195 1.2 100 85714013 PEP1455 0.078 46.8 0.37 3033.7 1.21175E−13 72971496170 851 A195 1.2 100 85714013 PEP1456 0.3712 222.72 1.75 3418.3 5.11786E−13 3.08197E+11 3596 A195 1.2 100 85714013 PEP1508 0.044 26.4 0.21 3007.7 6.89459E−14 4.15192E+10 484