A folic acid-modified non-viral vector combines gene therapy with chemotherapy to reverse cancer chemotherapy resistance

2021 ◽  
pp. 101277
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
Wen Nie ◽  
Yuzhu Hu ◽  
Yangmei Shen ◽  
Yunzhu Lin ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
pp. 113710
Author(s):  
Tao Wang ◽  
Xun Zhu ◽  
Hyun Yi ◽  
Jun Gu ◽  
Shue Liu ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7545
Author(s):  
Myriam Sainz-Ramos ◽  
Idoia Gallego ◽  
Ilia Villate-Beitia ◽  
Jon Zarate ◽  
Iván Maldonado ◽  
...  

Efficient delivery of genetic material into cells is a critical process to translate gene therapy into clinical practice. In this sense, the increased knowledge acquired during past years in the molecular biology and nanotechnology fields has contributed to the development of different kinds of non-viral vector systems as a promising alternative to virus-based gene delivery counterparts. Consequently, the development of non-viral vectors has gained attention, and nowadays, gene delivery mediated by these systems is considered as the cornerstone of modern gene therapy due to relevant advantages such as low toxicity, poor immunogenicity and high packing capacity. However, despite these relevant advantages, non-viral vectors have been poorly translated into clinical success. This review addresses some critical issues that need to be considered for clinical practice application of non-viral vectors in mainstream medicine, such as efficiency, biocompatibility, long-lasting effect, route of administration, design of experimental condition or commercialization process. In addition, potential strategies for overcoming main hurdles are also addressed. Overall, this review aims to raise awareness among the scientific community and help researchers gain knowledge in the design of safe and efficient non-viral gene delivery systems for clinical applications to progress in the gene therapy field.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 771
Author(s):  
Julen Rodríguez-Castejón ◽  
Ana Alarcia-Lacalle ◽  
Itziar Gómez-Aguado ◽  
Mónica Vicente-Pascual ◽  
María Ángeles Solinís Aspiazu ◽  
...  

Fabry disease (FD) is a monogenic X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme α-Galactosidase A (α-Gal A). It is a good candidate to be treated with gene therapy, in which moderately low levels of enzyme activity should be sufficient for clinical efficacy. In the present work we have evaluated the efficacy of a non-viral vector based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) to increase α-Gal A activity in an FD mouse model after intravenous administration. The SLN-based vector incremented α-Gal A activity to about 10%, 15%, 20% and 14% of the levels of the wild-type in liver, spleen, heart and kidney, respectively. In addition, the SLN-based vector significantly increased α-Gal A activity with respect to the naked pDNA used as a control in plasma, heart and kidney. The administration of a dose per week for three weeks was more effective than a single-dose administration. Administration of the SLN-based vector did not increase liver transaminases, indicative of a lack of toxicity. Additional studies are necessary to optimize the efficacy of the system; however, these results reinforce the potential of lipid-based nanocarriers to treat FD by gene therapy.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 586
Author(s):  
Liam Cole ◽  
Diogo Fernandes ◽  
Maryam T. Hussain ◽  
Michael Kaszuba ◽  
John Stenson ◽  
...  

Viruses are increasingly used as vectors for delivery of genetic material for gene therapy and vaccine applications. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are a class of viral vector that is being investigated intensively in the development of gene therapies. To develop efficient rAAV therapies produced through controlled and economical manufacturing processes, multiple challenges need to be addressed starting from viral capsid design through identification of optimal process and formulation conditions to comprehensive quality control. Addressing these challenges requires fit-for-purpose analytics for extensive characterization of rAAV samples including measurements of capsid or particle titer, percentage of full rAAV particles, particle size, aggregate formation, thermal stability, genome release, and capsid charge, all of which may impact critical quality attributes of the final product. Importantly, there is a need for rapid analytical solutions not relying on the use of dedicated reagents and costly reference standards. In this study, we evaluate the capabilities of dynamic light scattering, multiangle dynamic light scattering, and SEC–MALS for analyses of rAAV5 samples in a broad range of viral concentrations (titers) at different levels of genome loading, sample heterogeneity, and sample conditions. The study shows that DLS and MADLS® can be used to determine the size of full and empty rAAV5 (27 ± 0.3 and 33 ± 0.4 nm, respectively). A linear range for rAAV5 size and titer determination with MADLS was established to be 4.4 × 1011–8.7 × 1013 cp/mL for the nominally full rAAV5 samples and 3.4 × 1011–7 × 1013 cp/mL for the nominally empty rAAV5 samples with 3–8% and 10–37% CV for the full and empty rAAV5 samples, respectively. The structural stability and viral load release were also inferred from a combination of DLS, SEC–MALS, and DSC. The structural characteristics of the rAAV5 start to change from 40 °C onward, with increasing aggregation observed. With this study, we explored and demonstrated the applicability and value of orthogonal and complementary label-free technologies for enhanced serotype-independent characterization of key properties and stability profiles of rAAV5 samples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eftiola Pojani ◽  
Daniela Barlocco

: Histone acetylation balance is one epigenetic mechanism controlling gene expression associated with disease progression. It has been observed that histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC-10) isozyme contributes to the chemotherapy resistance; in addition, the poor clinical outcome observed in patients with aggressive solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma, has been associated with its overexpression. Moreover, HDAC-10 selective inhibition suppresses the autophagic response, thus providing an improved risk-benefit profile compared to cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy drugs. On these bases, HDAC-10 is becoming an emerging target for drug design. Due to the rapid progress in the development of next-generation HDAC inhibitors, this review article aims to provide an overview on novel selective or dual HDAC-8/10 inhibitors, as new leads for cancer chemotherapy, able to avoid the severe side-effects of several actual approved “pan” HDAC inhibitors. A literature search was conducted in MedLine, PubMed, Caplus, SciFinder Scholar databases from 2015 to the present. Since the disclosure that the HDAC-6 inhibitor Tubastatin A was able to bind HDAC-10 efficiently, several related analogues were synthesized and tested. Both tricyclic (25-30) and bicyclic (31-42) derivatives were considered. The best pharmacological profile was shown by 36 (HDAC-10 pIC50 = 8.4 and pIC50 towards Class I HDACs from 5.2–6.4). In parallel, based on the evidence that high levels of HDAC-8 are a marker of poor prognosis in neuroblastoma treatment, dual HDAC-8/10 inhibitors were designed. The hydroxamic acid TH34 (HDAC-8 and 10 IC50 = 1.9 µM and 7.7 µM, respectively) and the hybrid derivatives 46d, 46e and 46g were the most promising both in terms of potency and selectivity. Literature surveys indicate several structural requirements for inhibitory potency and selectivity towards HDAC-10, e.g., electrostatic and/or hydrogen bond interactions with E274 and complementarity to the P(E,A) CE motif helix.


Author(s):  
Stacey B. Foti ◽  
Shelley J. Russek ◽  
Amy R. Brooks-Kayal ◽  
Thomas J. McCown
Keyword(s):  

Bioimpacts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-146
Author(s):  
Mohammad A Rafi ◽  
Paola Luzi ◽  
David A Wenger

Introduction: Krabbe disease (KD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the galactocerebrosidase (GALC) gene resulting in neuro-inflammation and defective myelination in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Most infantile patients present with clinical features before six months of age and die before two years of age. The only treatment available for pre-symptomatic or mildly affected individuals is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In the animal models, combining bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with gene therapy has shown the best results in disease outcome. In this study, we examine the outcome of gene therapy alone. Methods: Twitcher (twi) mice used in the study, have a W339X mutation in the GALC gene. Genotype identification of the mice was performed shortly after birth or post-natal day 1 (PND1), using polymerase chain reaction on the toe clips followed by restriction enzyme digestion and electrophoresis. Eight or nine-day-old affected mice were used for gene therapy treatment alone or combined with BMT. While iv injection of 4 × 1013 gc/kg of body weight of viral vector was used originally, different viral titers were also used without BMT to evaluate their outcomes. Results: When the standard viral dose was increased four- and ten-fold (4X and 10X) without BMT, the lifespans were increased significantly. Without BMT the affected mice were fertile, had the same weight and appearance as wild type mice and had normal strength and gait. The brains showed no staining for CD68, a marker for activated microglia/macrophages, and less astrogliosis than untreated twi mice. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that, it may be possible to treat human KD patients with high dose AAVrh10 without blood stem cell transplantation which would eliminate the side effects of HSCT.


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