Systemically targeted cancer immunotherapy and gene delivery using transmorphic particles

Abstract Immunotherapy is a powerful tool for cancer treatment, but the pleiotropic nature of cytokines and immunological agents strongly limits clinical translation and safety. To address this unmet need, we designed and characterised a systemically targeted cytokine gene delivery system through tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Paladd Asavarut, Sajee Waramit, Keittisak Suwan, Gert J K Marais, Aitthiphon Chongchai, Surachet Benjathummarak, Mariam Al‐Bahrani, Paula Vila‐Gomez, Matthew Williams, Prachya Kongtawelert, Teerapong Yata, Amin Hajitou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2022-08-01
Series:EMBO Molecular Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.202115418
Description
Summary:Abstract Immunotherapy is a powerful tool for cancer treatment, but the pleiotropic nature of cytokines and immunological agents strongly limits clinical translation and safety. To address this unmet need, we designed and characterised a systemically targeted cytokine gene delivery system through transmorphic encapsidation of human recombinant adeno‐associated virus DNA using coat proteins from a tumour‐targeted bacteriophage (phage). We show that Transmorphic Phage/AAV (TPA) particles provide superior delivery of transgenes over current phage‐derived vectors through greater diffusion across the extracellular space and improved intracellular trafficking. We used TPA to target the delivery of cytokine‐encoding transgenes for interleukin‐12 (IL12), and novel isoforms of IL15 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) for tumour immunotherapy. Our results demonstrate selective and efficient gene delivery and immunotherapy against solid tumours in vivo, without harming healthy organs. Our transmorphic particle system provides a promising modality for safe and effective gene delivery, and cancer immunotherapies through cross‐species complementation of two commonly used viruses.
ISSN:1757-4676
1757-4684