Development of a Potency Assay for Nous-209, a Multivalent Neoantigens-Based Genetic Cancer Vaccine.

Quality control testing of vaccines, including potency assessment, is critical to ensure equivalence of clinical lots. We developed a potency assay to support the clinical advancement of Nous-209, a cancer vaccine based on heterologous prime/boost administration of two multivalent viral vector products: GAd-209 and MVA-209. These consist of a mix of four Adeno (Great Ape Adenovirus; GAd) and four Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vectors respectively, each containing a different transgene encoding a synthetic polypeptide composed of antigenic peptide fragments joined one after the other. The potency assay employs quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-Q-PCR) to quantitatively measure the transcripts from the four transgenes encoded by each product in in vitro infected cells, enabling simultaneous detection. Results showcase the assay's robustness and biological relevance, as it effectively detects potency loss in one component of the mixture comparably to in vivo immunogenicity testing. This report details the assay's setup and validation, offering valuable insights for the clinical development of similar genetic vaccines, particularly those encoding synthetic polypeptides.

Vector Aided Microenvironment programming (VAMP): reprogramming the TME with MVA virus expressing IL-12 for effective antitumor activity.

BACKGROUND: Tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a critical hurdle in cancer immunotherapy, given its ability to suppress antitumor immunity. Several efforts are made to overcome this hostile TME with the development of new therapeutic strategies modifying TME to boost antitumor immunity. Among these, cytokine-based approaches have been pursued for their known immunomodulatory effects on different cell populations within the TME. IL-12 is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that demonstrates striking immune activation and tumor control but causes severe adverse effects when systemically administered. Thus, local administration is considered a potential strategy to achieve high cytokine concentrations at the tumor site while sparing systemic adverse effects. METHODS: Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector is a potent inducer of pro-inflammatory response. Here, we cloned IL-12 into the genome of MVA for intratumoral immunotherapy, combining the immunomodulatory properties of both the vector and the cargo. The antitumor activity of MVA-IL-12 and its effect on TME reprogramming were investigated in preclinical tumor models. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis was performed to assess changes in the TME in treated and distal tumors and the effect on the intratumoral T-cell receptor repertoire. RESULTS: Intratumoral injection of MVA-IL-12 resulted in strong antitumor activity with the complete remission of established tumors in multiple murine models, including those resistant to checkpoint inhibitors. The therapeutic activity of MVA-IL-12 was associated with very low levels of circulating cytokine. Effective TME reprogramming was demonstrated on treatment, with the reduction of immunosuppressive M2 macrophages while increasing pro-inflammatory M1, and recruitment of dendritic cells. TME switch from immunosuppressive into immunostimulatory environment allowed for CD8 T cells priming and expansion leading to tumor attack. CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral administration of MVA-IL-12 turns immunologically 'cold' tumors 'hot' and overcomes resistance to programmed cell death protein-1 blockade.

Selective targeting of HDAC1/2 elicits anticancer effects through Gli1 acetylation in preclinical models of SHH Medulloblastoma.

SHH Medulloblastoma (SHH-MB) is a pediatric brain tumor characterized by an inappropriate activation of the developmental Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. SHH-MB patients treated with the FDA-approved vismodegib, an Hh inhibitor that targets the transmembrane activator Smoothened (Smo), have shown the rapid development of drug resistance and tumor relapse due to novel Smo mutations. Moreover, a subset of patients did not respond to vismodegib because mutations were localized downstream of Smo. Thus, targeting downstream Hh components is now considered a preferable approach. We show here that selective inhibition of the downstream Hh effectors HDAC1 and HDAC2 robustly counteracts SHH-MB growth in mouse models. These two deacetylases are upregulated in tumor and their knockdown inhibits Hh signaling and decreases tumor growth. We demonstrate that mocetinostat (MGCD0103), a selective HDAC1/HDAC2 inhibitor, is a potent Hh inhibitor and that its effect is linked to Gli1 acetylation at K518. Of note, we demonstrate that administration of mocetinostat to mouse models of SHH-MB drastically reduces tumor growth, by reducing proliferation and increasing apoptosis of tumor cells and prolongs mouse survival rate. Collectively, these data demonstrate the preclinical efficacy of targeting the downstream HDAC1/2-Gli1 acetylation in the treatment of SHH-MB.

The energy sensor AMPK regulates Hedgehog signaling in human cells through a unique Gli1 metabolic checkpoint.

Hedgehog signaling controls proliferation of cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs) and its aberrant activation is a leading cause of Medulloblastoma, the most frequent pediatric brain tumor. We show here that the energy sensor AMPK inhibits Hh signaling by phosphorylating a single residue of human Gli1 that is not conserved in other species. Studies with selective agonists and genetic deletion have revealed that AMPK activation inhibits canonical Hh signaling in human, but not in mouse cells. Indeed we show that AMPK phosphorylates Gli1 at the unique residue Ser408, which is conserved only in primates but not in other species. Once phosphorylated, Gli1 is targeted for proteasomal degradation. Notably, we show that selective AMPK activation inhibits Gli1-driven proliferation and that this effect is linked to Ser408 phosphorylation, which represents a key metabolic checkpoint for Hh signaling. Collectively, this data unveil a novel mechanism of inhibition of Gli1 function, which is exclusive for human cells and may be exploited for the treatment of Medulloblastoma or other Gli1 driven tumors.

Non-canonical Hedgehog/AMPK-Mediated Control of Polyamine Metabolism Supports Neuronal and Medulloblastoma Cell Growth.

Developmental Hedgehog signaling controls proliferation of cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs), and its aberrant activation is a leading cause of medulloblastoma. We show here that Hedgehog promotes polyamine biosynthesis in GCPs by engaging a non-canonical axis leading to the translation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). This process is governed by AMPK, which phosphorylates threonine 173 of the zinc finger protein CNBP in response to Hedgehog activation. Phosphorylated CNBP increases its association with Sufu, followed by CNBP stabilization, ODC translation, and polyamine biosynthesis. Notably, CNBP, ODC, and polyamines are elevated in Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma, and genetic or pharmacological inhibition of this axis efficiently blocks Hedgehog-dependent proliferation of medulloblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Together, these data illustrate an auxiliary mechanism of metabolic control by a morphogenic pathway with relevant implications in development and cancer.