Immuno-toxicological evaluation of her1 cancer vaccine in non-human primates: a 6-month subcutaneous study.

Purpose: A vaccine composition based on the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (HER1-ECD) and the combination of VSSP (very small size proteoliposomes) and Montanide ISA 51 adjuvants when used by intramuscular route, demonstrated promising results in preclinical studies. However, in order to avoid potential adverse events due to the use of Montanide, it is proposed to modify the vaccine formulation by using VSSP (very small size proteoliposomes) adjuvant alone, and to evaluate the quality of subcutaneously induced immune response. This study aimed to assess the immunotoxicological effects of HER1 vaccine in Cercopithecus aethiops.Materials and methods: Fifteen monkeys were randomized into four groups: Negative Control (Tris/NaCl, s.c.), Positive Control (200 µg HER1-ECD/VSSP/Montanide ISA-51 VG, i.m), Low Dose (200 µg HER1-ECD/VSSP/Tris NaCl, s.c.) and High Dose (800 µg HER1-ECD/VSSP/Tris NaCl, s.c). All monkeys received 7 doses and were daily inspected for clinical signs. Body weight, rectal temperature, cardiac and respiratory rates were measured during the study, and electrocardiographical and ophthalmological studies were performed. Humoral and cellular immune response and clinical pathology parameters were analyzed.Results: Animal's survival in the study was 100% (n = 15). Administration site reactions were observed in the Positive Control animals (n = 4). HER1 vaccine administered subcutaneously (High Dose Group) achieved good IgG antibody titers although lower than the Positive Control group, but with higher ability to inhibit HER1 phosphorylation. Conclusions: This suggests that the alternative of eliminating the use of Montanide in the HER1 vaccine preparation and the using subcutaneous route is feasible.

Carcinogenic effect of human tumor-derived cell-free filtrates in nude mice.

Cancer remains a worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Investigational research efforts have included the administration of tumor-derived extracts to healthy animals. Having previously demonstrated that the administration of non-transmissible, human cancer-derived homogenates induced malignant tumors in mice, here, we examined the consequences of administering 50 or 100 µg of protein of crude homogenates from mammary carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and melanoma samples in 6 inoculations per week during 2 months. The concurrent control mice received homogenates of healthy donor-skin cosmetic surgery fragments. Mammary carcinoma homogenate administration did not provoke the deterioration or mortality of the animals. Multiple foci of lung adenocarcinomas with a broad expression of malignity histomarkers coexisting with small cell-like carcinomas were found. Disseminated cells, positive to classic epithelial markers, were detected in lymphoid nodes. The administration of pancreatic tumor and melanoma homogenates progressively deteriorated animal health. Pancreatic tumor induced poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas and pancreatic islet hyperplasia. Melanoma affected lungs with solid pseudopapillary adenocarcinomas. Giant atypical hepatocytes were also observed. The kidney exhibited dispersed foci of neoplastic cells within a desmoplastic matrix. Nuclear overlapping with hyperchromatic nuclei, mitotic figures, and prominent nuclear atypia was identified in epidermal cells. None of these changes were ever detected in the control mice. Furthermore, the incubation of zebrafish embryos with breast tumor homogenates induced the expression of c-Myc and HER-2 as tumor markers, contrasting to embryos exposed to healthy tissue-derived material. This study confirms and extends our hypothesis that tumor homogenates contain and may act as vectors for "malignancy drivers," which ultimately implement a carcinogenesis process in otherwise healthy mice.

Evaluación de formulaciones inmunoterapéuticas experimentales en el modelo hibrido murino de Reaccion del Injerto contra el Hospedador / Evaluation of experimental immunotherapeutic formulations in the hybrid murine model of Graft-versus-Host Reaction

Introducción: La Enfermedad del Injerto Contra el Hospedador es la complicación más frecuente de los Trasplantes de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas y de todos los trasplantes que contengan células inmunocompetentes alogénicas, el 100 por ciento la padecen y cerca del 30 por ciento mueren por su causa; una proporción alta de casos son esteroide-refractarios, asimismo otras medidas inmunosupresoras modernas fracasan. En los campos de la Inmunoterapia y la Vaccinología también existe una escasez preocupante de inmunomoduladores de origen biológico potentes, efectivos, seguros y de amplio espectro. Existe un modelo híbrido murino de gran utilidad metodológica para estudios experimentales. Objetivo: Evaluar dos formulaciones novedosas de origen biotecnológico, una de ellas inmunopotenciadora y otra inmunosupresora, desarrolladas como cocleatos. Material y Métodos: Mediante Microscopia Electrónica y RT-PCR se caracterizaron las formulaciones como nanopartículas y su capacidad de regular la expresión del ARNm de linfoquinas definitorias de sus perfiles, respectivamente. Empleando el modelo de Enfermedad del Injerto Contra el Hospedador en ratón híbrido F1 (CBAxC57BL), se evaluó su carácter inmunomodulador in vivo . Resultados: Partiendo de los proteoliposomas de Neisseria meningitidis, se obtuvieron dos formulaciones en forma de cocleatos, ambas con diámetros de partícula inferior a 100nm. La Formulación 1mostró un perfil proinflamatorio con potente capacidad de aumentar el IFNγ y el TNFα y potenció el Índice de Bazo hasta 2,05 en el modelo EICH con p=0,0002. La Formulación 2 mostró un perfil supresor-regulatorio con potente capacidad de aumentar la IL-10 y el TGFβ y además de suprimir la producción de TNFα. En el modelo usado, esta formulación, suprimió el Índice de Bazo de manera dosis dependiente y con alta significación estadística. Se corroboró el conocido perfil de seguridad y ausencia de reactogenicidad de ambas formulaciones. Conclusiones: Ambas formulaciones tienen potencial aplicación en los campos de la terapia de Enfermedad del Injerto Contra el Hospedador en otras patologías y en Vaccinología. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente trabajo fundamentan la conveniencia de continuar el desarrollo farmacéutico y completar la preclínica de ambas formulaciones(AU)

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease is the most frequent complication of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants and all transplants containing allogeneic immunocompetent cells; 100 percent of patients suffer from this complication and about 30 percent die for this particular cause. A high proportion of cases are steroid-refractory; likewise, other modern immunosuppressive measures fail. In the fields of Immunotherapy and Vaccinology, there is also a worrying shortage of powerful, effective, safe and broad spectrum immunomodulators of biological origin. There is a hybrid murine model of great methodological utility for experimental studies. Objective: To evaluate two novel formulations of biotechnological origin: an immunopotentiator formulation and an immunosuppressive one, which were developed as cochleates. Material and Methods: The formulations assayed by Electron Microscopy and RT-PCR were characterized as nanoparticles and for their capacity to regulate lymphokine mRNA expression profile, respectively. The immunomodulatory character was evaluated in vivo using Graft-versus-host disease in (CBAxC57BL) F1 hybrid mice. Results: Starting from the proteoliposomes derived from Neisseria meningitides, two cochleate formulations were obtained, both with particle diameters below 100 nm. Formulation 1 showed a proinflammatory profile with potent capacity to increase IFNγ and TNFα, and potentiated the Spleen Index up to 2.05 in the GVDH model with p = 0.0002. Formulation 2 showed a suppressor/regulatory profile with potent capacity to increase IL-10 and TGFβ and suppress the production of TNFα. In the model used, this formulation suppressed the Spleen Index in a dose-dependent manner with high statistical significance. The known safety profile and absence of reactogenicity of both formulations was corroborated. Conclusions: Both formulations have potential application in the fields of GVHD therapy and other pathologies as well as in Vaccinology. The results obtained in the present work suggest the usefulness to continue with the pharmaceutical development and complete the preclinical studies of both formulations(AU)

Ensayo de toxicidad a dosis repetidas durante 28 días del extracto acuoso de Cecropia peltata L. (yagruma) en ratas Cenp: SPRD / Toxicity assay at repeated doses of Cecropia peltata L. (yagruma) aqueous extract in Cenp: SPRD rats during 28 days

El extracto acuoso de Cecropia peltata es elaborado a partir de la planta denominada comúnmente yagruma o guarumo en Cuba. Este se emplea en la elaboración de tabletas con acción broncodilatadora. A la planta se le atribuyen propiedades antiasmáticas, antiblenorrágicas, analgésicas y cicatrizantes por solo citar algunas. El ensayo se realizó para evaluar las características tóxicas del extracto acuoso y sus efectos tóxicos en ratas. Se administró por vía oral, una dosis de 1000 mg de sólidos totales/kg de peso corporal durante 28 días. Los animales se observaron diariamente para detectar signos de toxicidad. Al finalizar el tratamiento se realizaron exámenes de hematología, de química sanguínea y la necropsia, para hacer el examen anatomopatológico e histopatológico correspondiente. Se pudo concluir que no se afectaron los indicadores hematológicos y de química sanguínea por causa del extracto ensayado. Tampoco hubo afectaciones en el peso corporal y el consumo de alimento. Los resultados obtenidos con el análisis histopatológico corroboraron todo lo antes expuesto.

The aqueous extract of Cecropia peltata is made from a plant commonly called yagruma or guarumo in Cuba. This extract is used in the manufacture of tablets with bronchodilator action. This plant has antiasthmatic, antiblennorrheal, analgesic, and healing effects, among others. The assay was carried out to assess the toxic features of this aqueous extract and its toxic effects in rats. An oral dose of 1000 mg of total solids/kg of body weight was administered for 28 days. The animals were daily observed to detect signs of toxicity. At the end of the treatment hematology and blood chemistry tests were done and necropsy was performed to make the corresponding anatomopathological and histopathological examination. No affectations were reported in body weight and food consumption. The results attained by the histopathological examination confirmed all the above.

Ensayo de toxicidad a dosis repetidas del extracto acuoso de Morinda royoc L. en ratas Cenp: SPRD / Toxicity trial at repeated doses of the aqueous extract of Morinda royoc L. in Cenp: SPRD rats

Se elaboró un extracto acuoso a partir de la planta denominada comúnmente en Cuba Garañón, el cual se emplea en la elaboración de un producto que tiene acción estimulante, revitalizadora, antiestrés e incrementa la líbido. Este producto se emplea en Cuba como suplemento dietético. El ensayo se realizó en ratas Sprague-Dawley para evaluar las características tóxicas del extracto acuoso y determinar los efectos tóxicos que pudieran producirse. Se administró por vía oral, una dosis de 1000 mg/kg de peso corporal durante 28 días. Los animales se observaron diariamente para detectar signos de toxicidad. Al finalizar el tratamiento se realizaron exámenes de hematología, química sanguínea y la necropsia de los animales para realizar el examen anatomopatológico e histopatológico correspondiente. Se pudo concluir que no se afectaron los indicadores hematológicos y de química sanguínea por causa de la sustancia ensayada. Tampoco hubo afectaciones en el peso corporal y el consumo de alimento. Los resultados obtenidos con el análisis histopatológico corroboraron todo lo antes expuesto