Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K48/00—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/191—Tumor necrosis factors [TNF], e.g. lymphotoxin [LT], i.e. TNF-beta
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide

Definitions

• the present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells, and more particularly, relates to compositions and methods for treating tumors by using expression vectors that expresses an apoptosis-signaling ligand such as Fas ligand (Apo-1 ligand) and TRAIL (Apo-2 ligand).
• an apoptosis-signaling ligand such as Fas ligand (Apo-1 ligand) and TRAIL (Apo-2 ligand).
• Fas Fas ligand
• TRAIL Apo-2 ligand
• Expression of the apoptosis-signaling ligand induces apoptosis in cells expressing an apoptosis-mediating receptor such as Fas (receptor for Fas ligand), and DR4 or DR5 (receptor for TRAIL).
• cancerous tumors a major treatment for cancerous tumors is surgical removal of the affected areas of the tissue, organ, or gland.
• the current treatment for breast cancer is focused on removal of the diseased mammary gland, followed by combination of chemo- and radiation therapy.
• high recurrence rates are a major obstacle to the complete eradication of cancerous cells. It is believed that although the cancer cells in the malignant tumors can be removed surgically, cancerous cells that have invaded the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes frequently cause tumor recurrence.
• One reason for frequent tumor recurrence may be that during the development of the primary cancer, complete removal of all the cancer cells by surgical procedures is extremely difficult. The remaining cancer cells often remain quiescent for extended periods of time, which is termed tumor dormancy.
• the apoptotic process has important roles in regulating the development of tissues, the sizes and shapes of organs, and the life span of cells.
• apoptosis accounts for most or all of the PCD responsible for tissue modeling in vertebrate development for the physiological cell death in the course of normal tissue turn over.
• Apoptosis is also responsible for the extensive elimination of cells of the B and T cell lineages during negative selection in the immune response.
• Apoptosis acts as a safeguard to prevent overgrowth of cells and tissues.
• the development of defects in PCD mechanisms can extend the life span of a cell and can contribute to neoplastic cell expransion.
• defects in PCD can contribute to carcinogenesis by permitting genetic instability and accumulation of gene mutations promoting resistance to immune-based destruction and conferring resistance to cytotoxic drugs and radiation. These manifestations indeed are seen in malignant cells not responding to these therapies.
• irradiation, chemotherapy and the appropriate hormone therapy all induce apoptosis to some extent in tumor cells, higher doses of the drugs or radiation may be required for suppressing the growth of cancer cells, which, in turn, can cause severe side effects on patients.
• the present invention provides novel methods and compositions for treating cancer, in particular, solid tumors, by expressing apoptosis- signaling ligands such as FasL and TRAIL in a site-specific and controlled manner.
• apoptosis- signaling ligands such as FasL and TRAIL
• the present invention provides a method for inducing death in cells that express an apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the method comprises: introducing an expression vector into a group of cells comprising cells that express an apoptosis- mediating receptor.
• the expression vector comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding an apoptosis-signaling ligand whose expression is preferably regulated by a conditional promoter in the vector.
• the cells into which the expression vector is introduced express the apoptosis- signaling ligand when conditions are suitable to activate the conditional promoter.
• the expressed apoptosis-signaling ligand induces cell death in those cells which express the apoptosis-mediating receptor through interaction between the apoptosis-signaling ligand and the apoptosis- mediating receptor.
• the apoptosis-mediating receptor may be a membrane-bound receptor such as the receptor for Fas ligand, Fas, and the receptors of TRAIL, DR4 and DR5.
• the apoptosis-mediating receptor may be a receptor for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) although TNF may have higher systemic toxicity than Fas and TRAIL.
• TNF tumor necrosis factor
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand can be any protein that is capable of binding to the apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand is an antibody that is capable of binding to Fas (or DR4/DR5) and signals Fas (or DR4/DR5)-mediated apoptosis in cells expressing Fas (or DR4/DR5).
• the antibody may be expressed as a single-chain antibody by an expression vector of the present invention and binds to its cognate antigen on the apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand is a membrane protein such as FasL and TRAIL.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand may be TNF although TNF may have higher systemic toxicity than Fas and TRAIL.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand may be a non- membrane-bound protein that can induce apoptosis when expressed intracellularly.
• Examples of such an intracellular apoptosis-signaling ligand include, but are not limited to, Bax, Bad, Ba , and Bik.
• the expression vector may be a plasmid.
• the plasmid can be transfected into cancer cells via liposome-mediated delivery or other methods of transfection.
• the expression vector is a viral vector.
• the viral vector may be an adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, vaccinia, retrovirus, or herpes simplex virus vector.
• the expression vector is an adenoviral vector.
• the adenoviral vector may be replication competent or replication incompetent, depending on the dosage of the apoptosis-signaling ligand to be administered into the tumor site.
• the expression of the apoptosis-signaling ligand is regulated by a conditional promoter in the expression vector.
• the conditional promoter may be a tissue-specific promoter such as a prostate-specific promoter, a breast-specific promoter, a pancreas-specific promoter, a colon- specific promoter, a brain-specific promoter, a kidney-specific promoter, a bladder-specific promoter, a lung-specific promoter, a liver-specific promoter, a thyroid-specific promoter, a stomach-specific promoter, an ovary-specific promoter, and a cervix-specific promoter.
• prostate-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, prostate specific antigen (PSA) promoter and its mutants ⁇ PSA, ARR2PB and probasin (PB) promoters, gp91-phox gene promoter, and prostate-specific kallikrein (hKLK2) promoter.
• PSA prostate specific antigen
• PB probasin
• hKLK2 prostate-specific kallikrein
• liver-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, liver albumin promoter, alpha-fetoprotein promoter, a r antitrypsin promoter, and transferrin transthyretin promoter.
• colon-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, carbonic anhydrase I promoter and carcinoembrogen's antigen promoter.
• ovary- or placenta-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, estrogen-responsive promoter, aromatase cytochrome P450 promoter, cholesterol side chain cleavage P450 promoter, 17 alpha-hydroxylase P450 promoter.
• breast-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, G.I. erb-B2 promoter, erb-B3 promoter, ⁇ -casein, ⁇ -lacto- globulin, and WAB (whey acidic protein) promoter.
• lung-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, surfactant protein C Uroglobin (cc-10, Cllacell 10 kd protein) promoter.
• Examples of the skin-specific promoter include, but are not limited to,
• K-14-keratin promoter human keratin 1 or 6 promoter, and loicrin promoter.
• the brain-specific promoter include, but are not limited to, glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter, mature astrocyte specific protein promoter, myelin promoter, and tyrosine hydroxylase promoter.
• the pancreas-specific promoter include, but are not limited villin promoter, glucagon promoter, and Insulin Islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) promoter.
• the thyroid-specific promoter include, but are not limited to, thyroglobulin promoter, and calcitonin promoter.
• bone-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, Alpha 1 (I) collagen promoter, osteocalcin promoter, and bone sialoglycoprotein promoter.
• kidney-specific promoter examples include, but are not limited to, renin promoter, liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase promoter, and erythropoietin (epo) promoter.
• conditional promoter may be an inducible promoter which is activated or suppressed in the presence of an inducing agent, such as tetracycline and its derivatives or analogs (e.g. doxycycline), steroid such as glucocorticoid, estrogen, androgen, and progestrone.
• an inducing agent such as tetracycline and its derivatives or analogs (e.g. doxycycline), steroid such as glucocorticoid, estrogen, androgen, and progestrone.
• the method further comprises creating the conditions suitable to activate the conditional promoter, such as delivering to the group of cells tetracycline or deoxycycline, and delivering to the group of cells a steroid selected from the group consisting of glucocorticoid, estrogen, androgen, and progestrone .
• the expression vector further comprises a reporter gene.
• the expression vector may express the reporter gene as a fusion protein with the apoptosis-signaling ligand.
• the expression vector may express the reporter gene as a single protein bicistronically with the apoptosis-signaling ligand via a mechanism of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or splicing donor/acceptor sites.
• the reporter gene preferably encodes a fluorescent protein such as green, yellow and blue fluorescent proteins, and more preferably green fluorescent protein (GFP).
• the expression vector further comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding a regulatory protein.
• the regulatory protein may be expressed as a fusion protein with the apoptosis-signaling ligand, or expressed as a single protein from a different promoter on the expression vector.
• the regulatory protein may be expressed as a single protein bicistronically with the apoptosis-signaling ligand via a mechanism of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or splicing donor/acceptor sites.
• IRS internal ribosome entry site
• the regulatory protein may be a protein that causes tissue-specific localization of the apoptosis-signaling ligand.
• the method of present invention can be used to treat tumors.
• the group of cells to be induced to undergo apoptosis are contained in a solid tumor.
• solid tumors include, but are not limited to, breast, prostate, brain, bladder, pancreas, rectum, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, head and neck, colon, stomach, bronchi and kidney tumors.
• the expression vector may be introduced into a tumor by using any pharmaceutically acceptable routes of administration.
• the expression vector may be administered into the group of tumor cells parenterally, intraperitoneally, intravenously, intraartierally, transdermally, sublingually, intramuscularly, rectally, transbuccally, intranasally, liposomally, via inhalation, vaginally, intraoccularly, via local delivery by catheter or stent, subcutaneously, intraadiposally, intraarticularly, intrathecally, or in a slow release dosage form.
• the expression vector is introduced into the tumor by direct injection of the expression vector into the tumor loci.
• the method can be performed ex vivo where the group of cells into which the expression vector is introduced are contained in a sample taken from a patient having cancer, or contained in contained in a cell culture.
• the expression vector may be introduced into a mixture of cells which express Fas and cells which do not express Fas.
• the expression vector may be introduced into cells which do not express Fas.
• the expression vector may be introduced into cells which do express Fas.
• the expression vector may be introduced into cells which cells which do not express Fas.
• Fas By a "bystander effect", those cancer cells expressing Fas near those cells transduced by the expression vector are killed via Fas-FasL interactions.
• the present invention provides an adenoviral expression vector that can be used to induce apoptosis of cancer cells.
• the adenoviral vector comprises: a conditional promoter, and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a membrane-bound ligand whose expression is regulated by the conditional promoter in the vector, the ligand signaling apoptosis in cells that express an apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the membrane-bound ligand can be any protein that is capable of binding to an apoptosis-mediating receptor on the surface of cancer cells.
• the membrane- bound protein is FasL or TRAIL.
• the membrane-bound protein may be TNF although TNF may have higher systemic toxicity than Fas and TRAIL.
• the adenoviral vector may be replication competent or replication incompetent, depending on the dosage of the the ligand to be administered into the tumor site.
• the expression of the ligand is regulated by a conditional promoter in the adenoviral expression vector.
• the conditional promoter may be a tissue-specific promoter such as a prostate-specific promoter, a breast-specific promoter, a pancreas-specific promoter, a colon- specific promoter, a brain-specific promoter, a kidney-specific promoter, a bladder-specific promoter, a lung-specific promoter, a liver-specific promoter, a thyroid-specific promoter, a stomach-specific promoter, an ovary-specific promoter, and a cervix-specific promoter.
• the present invention provides an adenoviral expression vector for tight controlling expression of a target protein in response to tetracycline.
• the adenoviral expression vector comprises: a tetracycline-responsive element; a polynucleotide sequence encoding a transactivator protein which is capable of binding to the tetracycline- responsive element; and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a target protein whose expression is regulated by the binding of the transactivator protein to the tetracycline-responsive element.
• the tetracycline-responsive element and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the transactivator protein are positioned at opposite ends of the adenoviral vector.
• the tetracycline-responsive element is positioned in the E4 region of the adenoviral vector and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the transactivator protein is positioned in the E1 of the adenoviral vector.
• the adenoviral vector does not include the E3 region of adenovirus.
• the adenoviral vector does not include the E4 region of adenovirus except for the Orf6 of the E4 region.
• the expression of the target protein may be repressed in the presence of tetracycline or doxycycline. Alternatively, expression of the target protein may be activated in the presence of doxycycline.
• the target protein may be membrane-bound apoptosis signaling protein such as FasL and TRAIL.
• the viral expression vector may further comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding a reporter protein.
• the reporter protein and the target protein may be encoded as a fusion protein or expressed as a single protein bicistronically with the target protein via a mechanism of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or splicing donor/acceptor sites.
• the reporter gene preferably encodes a fluorescent protein such as green, yellow and blue fluorescent proteins, and more preferably green fluorescent protein (GFP).
• the expression vector further comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding a regulatory protein.
• the regulatory protein may be expressed as a fusion protein with the apoptosis-signaling ligand, or expressed as a single protein from a different promoter on the expression vector.
• the regulatory protein may be expressed as a single protein bicistronically with the apoptosis-signaling ligand via a mechanism of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or splicing donor/acceptor sites.
• IRS internal ribosome entry site
• the regulatory protein may be a protein that causes tissue-specific localization of the apoptosis-signaling ligand.
• adenoviral vector examples include, but are not limited to, pAd TET and Ad/FasL-GFP TET .
• the expression vectors of the present invention can also be used in combination with other anti-cancer agents such as chemotherapeutics (e.g. alkylating agents, antibiotic agents, antimetabolic agents, hormonal agents and plant-derived agents) and biologic agents (e.g. cytokines, cancer vaccines, and gene therapy delivering tumor suppressing genes).
• chemotherapeutics e.g. alkylating agents, antibiotic agents, antimetabolic agents, hormonal agents and plant-derived agents
• biologic agents e.g. cytokines, cancer vaccines, and gene therapy delivering tumor suppressing genes.
• co-administering to the cancer patient the expression vector encoding TRAIL and an anti-cancer drug such as doxorubicin should overcome the resistance by synergistically sensitizing the cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through suppression of apoptosis-inhibiting molecules or upregulation of pro- apoptosis molecules by the drug. Therefore, by using the combination therapy of the present invention, cancer patients may be treated with subtoxic amount of chemotherapeutics and yet achieve a better clinical efficacy without suffering from severe side effects associated with using high dosages of chemotherapeutics.
• FIGS 1A, 1 B, and 1 C schematically show the pLAd-C.tTA vector, the pRAd.T.GFsL vector, and the rAd/FasL-GFP TET vector, respectively.
• the pLAd-C.tTA vector is shown.
• This plasmid contains the leftmost 450 bp of Ad5 genome, followed by a strong CMVie enhancer/promoter and a tTA gene from pUHD15-1 inserted into the MCS.
• Adapter contains restriction sites Xba1 , Avr2 and Spe1 , all of which generate cohesive ends compatible with Xba1.
• E1 A poly A is utilized for efficient tTA expression.
• FIG. 1 B the pRAd.T.GFsL vector is shown.
• This plasmid contains Ad5 (sub360) sequences from the unique EcoR1 site (27333 bp) to the right ITR (35935 bp), with E3 and E4 deletions (the Orf ⁇ of E4 is retained).
• the diagram shows the structure of the regulatable FasL-GFP expression cassette, consisting of the TRE promoter, FasL-GFP fusion protein and bovine groth hormone (BGH) poly A. This cassette was inserted into a MCS at 35810 bp.
• In vitro assembly of the rAd/FasL-GFP TET vector is shown in Figure 1C. The region of the junction between the GFP and FasL reading frames is expanded. Other rAd vectors were generated using a similar strategy.
• Figure 2 is a graph showing a comparison of titers of rAd vectors with FasL activity in 293 and 293CrmA cells. Twelve-well plates were seeded with 10 4 293 or 293CrmA cells and infected with r-Ad/FasL, rAdFasL-GFP TET , or rAd/LacZ at MOI of 5 one day later. Fourty-eight hours post-transduction, cells were collected and lysed. Lysates were titrated and PFU/ml determined on 293CrmA cells. Results represent means and average errors of 2 sets of independent experiments.
• Figure 3 illustrates the construction of the TRAIL expression vector Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET which was constructed by using similar methods described in the legend of Figure 1 except that TRAIL and GFP genes are separated by an IRES which facilitates bicistronical expression of these two genes.
• Figure 4 shows different sensitivities of cancer cells to FasL- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
• Cancer cells A459, HeLa, LnCP, and C3A, were analyzed for susceptbility to adenovirus infection and sensitivity to FasL- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
• Cells were infected at MOI 10 with AdGFP (pannels in the first and the second columns from left), Ad/FasL- GFP TET (the third column) and Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET (the forth column).
• the susceptibility of adenovirus infection of the cells are represented by the number of GFP expression cells (the first collum), the morphology of the cells are shown in the bright-field view (second column). Morphology of the cells infected with Ad/FasL-GFP TET and Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET are shown in panels in the third and the forth colum, respectively.
• Figure 5 shows that TRAIL expression does not induce apoptosis in untransformed fibroblasts.
• TRAIL expression does not induce apoptosis in normal cells.
• low-passage human foreskin fibroblasts were infected with AdGFP, Ad/FasL-GFP TET , and Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET at MOI about 10.
• the bright-field veiw shows the normal morphology of fibroblasts transduced with AdGFP ( panel GFP hFF). Fibroblasts demonstrated poor infectability by adenovirus as shown by the low number of GFP expression cells (panel GFP).
• Figure 6 shows suppression of the growth of human breast turmors implanted in nude mice by injection of an adenoviral vector of the present invention (Ad/FasL-GFP TET vector) which comprises Fas ligand.
• Ad/FasL-GFP TET vector an adenoviral vector of the present invention
• Equal numbers of breast cancer cells were implanted in each side of six mice. Tumors on the right side of the mice were injected with the Ad/FasL-GFP TET vector, and tumors on the left side of the same mice were injected with a control vector, Ad/LacZ.
• Ad/LacZ a control vector
• the present invention provides novel methods and expression vectors for treating cancer, in particular, solid tumors, by expressing apoptosis-signaling ligands such as FasL and TRAIL in a site-specific and controlled manner.
• apoptosis-signaling ligands such as FasL and TRAIL
• the controlled expression of these apoptosis- signaling ligands should significantly reduce cytotoxicity associated with uncontrolled, systemic administration of these ligands.
• an expression vector such as an adenoviral vector carrying genes encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand (e.g. FasL and TRAIL) can be introduced into the tumor site via many pharmaceutically acceptable routes of administration.
• the cells transduced by the adenovirus expresses the ligand, preferably, as a membrane-bound protein.
• the apoptosis- signaling ligand e.g. TRAIL
• an apoptosis-mediating receptor e.g. DR4 and DR5
• the event triggers multiple apoptosis pathways in which the apoptosis signal is amplified by expression of multiple apoptotic enzymes such as proteases and endonucleases. Since the interactions between the ligand and the receptor can occur between two cells, the tumor cells that are not transduced by adenovirus can be induced to undergo apoptosis due to a "bystander effect". This effect may be due to specific interactions between the apoptosis-signaling ligand expressed in cells transduced by the adenovirus and the apoptosis-mediating receptor expressed on the surface of the untransduced tumor cells.
• the efficiency of cell killing should be higher than those approaches involving direct injection of the ligand as a protein or cells expressing the ligand.
• a conditional promoter such as a tissue-specific or an inducible promoter.
• the adenoviral vector encoding the ligand can be directly injected into the tumor site and locally transfers the ligand into the tumor cells.
• the adenoviral vector can be replication competent or replication incompetent.
• the adenovirus transduces the tumor cells which, as a result, expresses high levels of the ligand locally.
• the apoptosis signal is amplified by expression of multiple proteins and enzymes along the pathways of the ligand-induced apoptosis.
• massive tumor cells can be eradicated with minimum injuries to surrounding healthy tissues.
• this approach provided by the present invention is like a "molecular surgery" which is more precise and safer than conventional approaches involving undiscriminating, uncontrolled administration of cancer therapeutics.
• the present invention provides a method for . inducing death in cells that express an apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the mode of death may be necrosis, apoptosis or combination of both.
• the method comprises: introducing an expression vector into a group of cells comprising cells that express an apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the expression vector comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding an apoptosis-signaling ligand whose expression is preferably regulated by a conditional promoter in the vector.
• the cells into which the expression vector is introduced express the apoptosis-signaling ligand when conditions are suitable to activate the conditional promoter.
• the expressed apoptosis-signaling ligand induces cell death in those cells which express the apoptosis-mediating receptor through interaction between the apoptosis-signaling ligand and the apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the apoptosis-mediating receptor may be a membrane-bound receptor such as the receptor for Fas ligand, Fas, and the receptors of TRAIL, DR4 and DR5.
• the apoptosis-mediating receptor may be a receptor for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) although TNF may have higher systemic toxicity than Fas and TRAIL.
• TNF tumor necrosis factor
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand can be any protein that is capable of binding to the apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand is an antibody that is capable of binding to Fas (or DR4/DR5) and signals Fas (or DR4/DR5)-mediated apoptosis in cells expressing Fas (or DR4/DR5).
• the antibody may be expressed as a single-chain antibody by an expression vector of the present invention and binds to its cognate antigen on the apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand is a membrane protein such as FasL and TRAIL.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand may be TNF although TNF may have higher systemic toxicity than Fas and TRAIL.
• the apoptosis-mediating receptor is death receptor that mediates programmed cells death upon binding with an apoptosis signaling ligand.
• the receptor may be a cell- surface receptor that is membrane-bound, or resides in cytoplasm or nucleus.
• the apoptosis-mediating receptor is a cell membrane-associated receptor.
• a prominent example of such an apoptosis-mediating receptor belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily.
• TNF receptor superfamily is defined by the presence of related, cysteine-rich, extracellular domains.
• TNF receptors include, but are not limited to NTR/GFR (p75) such as NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4, TNF-R1 (CD120a), TNF-R2 (CD120b), Fas
• CD5/Apo-1 DR3 (TRAMP/WSL-1), DR4 (TRAIL-R1), DR5 (TRAIL-R2), DcR1 (TRAIL-R3), DcR2 (TRAIL-R4), CD30, CD40, Cd27, 4-1 BB (CD137), OX-40, LT- ⁇ R, human HVEM (herpes virus early mediator), OPG (osteoprotegerin)/OC1 F, and RANK. Ashkenazi and Dixit (1999) "Apoptosis control by death and decoy receptors" Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 11:255-260.
• All of the receptors are type I transmembrane proteins with an extracellular region composed of two-six cysteine rich domains that are about 25% identity among members and contribute to ligand binding. Fas, TNF-R1, TRAIL-DR4, DR5, TRAMP (DR3), CAR1 have similar cytoplasmic domains. Sequence comparison of the intracellular region of these receptors revealed a homologous, well-conserved region of about 80 amino acids called the death domain. Orlinck and Chao (1998) "TNF-related ligands and their receptors" Cell Signal 10:543-551. The death domain is required for the specific recruitment of cellular signaling molecules (adaptor proteins) that are implicated in apoptosis. Nagata (1997) "Apoptosis by death factor” Cell 88:355-365.
• the ligands that bind to the receptors in the TNF receptor superfamily include, but are not limited to, neorotrophins, TNF- ⁇ , Fas ligand (FasL/CD-95L/Apo-1L), TRAIL/Apo-2L, CD30L, CD40L, CD27L, 4-1 BBL, OX-40L, and lymphotoxin (LT) ⁇ , ⁇ . Except for LT- ⁇ , all ligands are synthesized as type II membrane proteins; their N-terminus is in the cytoplasm and their C-terminus extends into the extracellular region. Nagata (1997) "Apoptosis by death factor" Cell 88:355-365. A region of about 150 amino acid residues in the extracellular domain is 20-25% homologous among the TNF family members.
• a common feature of the ligands is that all active ligands are composed of three identical subunits (trimers) and activate their respective receptors by oligomerization. Schulze-Osthoff et al. (1998) "Apoptosis by death receptors" Eur. J. Biochem. 254;439-459. Although most members are found as membrane-bound molecules; specific metalloproteases are capable of generating soluble forms. The zinc- dependent metalloprotease for TNF-a called TACE is one example of such specific metalloproteases. Orlinck and Chao (1998) "TNF-related ligands and their receptors" Cell Signal 10:543-551.
• Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis in a preferred emobodiment, the apoptosis-signaling ligand is Fas ligand.
• controlled expression of Fas ligand by an expression vector in tumor site should induce apoptosis in cells expressing Fas through Fas-FasL interactions while minimizing side effects associated with undiscriminating attack of Fas ligand to those normal cells which also express Fas.
• Fas (APO-1, CD95), or the Fas ligand receptor, is a 45 kDa type I membrane protein and belongs to the TNF/nerve growth factor receptor superfamily. Bajorath, J. and A. Aruffo. (1997) "Prediction of the three- dimensional structure of the human Fas receptor by comparative molecular modeling" J. Comput Aided Mol Des 11 :3-8; and Watanabe- Fukunaga, R., C. I. Brannan, N. Itoh, S. Yonehara, N. G. Copeland, N. A. Jenkins and S. Nagata "The cDNA structure, expression, and chromosomal assignment of the mouse Fas antigen" J. Immunol. 148:1274-9.
• the ligand of Fas, FasL is a 40-kDa type II membrane protein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family. Takahashi, T., M. Tanaka, J. Inazawa, T. Abe, T. Suda and S. Nagata. (1994) "Human Fas ligand: gene structure, chromosomal location and species specificity" Int.
• FasL and certain anti-Fas antibodies
• FasL causes receptor oligomerization and sends a signal through a caspase pathway, resulting in rapid death of receptor-bearing cells through apoptosis.
• Fas is expressed in almost all cell types. When Fas binds to FasL, it activates the genetically programmed cell death through a cascade expression of interleukin-coupled enzymes (ICE) or caspases.
• ICE interleukin-coupled enzymes
• Chandler et al. 1998 "Different subcellular distribution of caspase-3 and caspase-7 following Fas-induced apoptosis in mouse liver” J. Biol. Chem. 273:10815-10818; Jones et al. (1998) "Fas-mediated apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes involves the processing and activation of caspases" Hepatology 27:1632-1642.
• Fas- induced apoptosis is normally mediated through cell-cell contact.
• a soluble form of FasL is also produced by some cells and has been shown to have a somewhat altered activity, depending on the target cell Tanaka. M., T. Itai, M. Adachi and S. Nagata (1998) "Downregulation of Fas ligand by shedding” [see comments]. Nat. Med. 4:31-6; and Tanaka, M., T. Suda, T. Takahashi and S. Nagata (1995) "Expression of the functional soluble form of human fas ligand in activated lymphocytes" EMBO. J. 14:1129-35.
• the present invention provides a method for inducing death of tumor cells expressing Fas (Fas + cells) by a vector- mediated gene transfer of a Fas ligand to the cells.
• the vector-transduced cell expressing the Fas ligand induces Fas + tumor cells to undergo apoptosis and die.
• the vector may be injected into the tumor with a syringe or a micropump, thus eliminating the need for conventional surgery to remove the tumor.
• FasL expressed by the cancer cells transduced by the vector There may be multiple mechanism by which FasL expressed by the cancer cells transduced by the vector.
• the cancer cell death may be induced in several ways: 1) FasL binds to Fas on adjacent tumor cells and induces their apoptosis; 2) FasL induces apoptosis of endothelial cells and destroys the blood vessels supplying the tumor; 3) expression of FasL on tumor cells induces apoptosis of surrounding tissues and deprives tumor cells of any nursery support; and 4) apoptosis prevents the release of positive factors that may reactivate quiescent tumor cells responsible for reoccurring cancers.
• Fas-FasL interaction is the major signaling event that activates several apoptosis pathways, following both p53-dependent and independent pathways.
• Callera et al. (1998) "Fas-mediated apoptosis with normal expression of bcl-2 and p53 in lymphocytes from aplastic anemia" Br. J. Haematol. 100:698-703.
• apoptosis signaling is amplified by more than one cascade of enzyme expressions, and the apoptosis does not depend on p53 or other cell-cycle checkpoint proteins.
• p53 gene therapy may be effective in about 50-60% of the tumor cells that have a p53 mutation. Iwaya et al. (1997) "A histologic grade and p53 immunoreaction as indicators of early recurrence of node-negative breast cancer” Jpn J Clin Oncol 27:6-12.
• FasL is generally a membrane-bound signaling protein rather than an intracellular protein, such as p53 and caspases. FasL expression on the cell surface transmits the apoptotic signal to surrounding cancer cells by a strong "bystander effect", and does not require delivering the therapeutic gene into all cancer cells. Therefore, the present invention fulfills the need for a non-surgical method of cancer treatment that provides significant improvement over current gene therapy methods, avoids the use of toxic drugs and helps prevent tumor recurrence.
• Fas ligand in a controlled manner, e.g. via a control of a tissue-specific or an inducible promoter, growth of tumors can be suppressed by selectively promoting apoptosis in tumors and systemic toxicity of Fas Ligand can be reduced.
• TRAIL or Apo-2 ligand
• FasL 281 amino acid, type II transmembrane protein and is most closely related to FasL (28% amino acid homology).
• FasL can kill many sensitive tumor cell lines in 4-8 h.
• TNF kill tumor cell lines in more than 24 h.
• the TRAIL receptors, DR4 and DR5 like the full-length Fas receptors, contain a death domain that possibly interacts with an adaptor molecule (e.g. FADD (Fas-associated death domain)-like adaptor) in order to mediate the apoptosis signal.
• FADD Fas-associated death domain
• TRAIL-mediated apoptosis involves the clustering of three DR4 or DR5 on the target cell surface by cross-linking the receptors with the ligand (TRAIL).
• TRAIL ligand
• an adaptor molecule similar to FADD is recruited to the DR4 or DR5 receptor cluster via death domain interactions.
• Chinnaiyan et al. (1996) "Signal transduction by DR3, a death-domain-containing receptor related to TNFR-1 and CD95" Science 274:990-992.
• the cross-linking of agonistic receptors DR4 and DR5 to TRAIL can be inhibited by the decoy receptors (DcR1 and DcR2). Sheridan et al.
• the TRAIL adaptor molecule similar to FADD possibly contains a death effector domain that binds to FLICE (capase-8), the aspartate- specific cysteine protease that initiates a caspase amplification cascade leading to the ultimate apoptotic phenotypes.
• FLICE capase-8
• the aspartate- specific cysteine protease that initiates a caspase amplification cascade leading to the ultimate apoptotic phenotypes.
• Muzio 1998 "Singling by proteolysis: death adaptors induce apoptosis" Int. J. Clin. Lab. Res. 28: 141-147.
• FLICE zymogen is brought together in close proximity by the FADD-like adaptor and is activated by by FLICE auto-cleavage.
• the FLICE activating complex that consists of TRAIL receptor-adaptor-FLICE is named as DISC (death inducing signaling complex).
• DISC death-inducing signaling complex
• the FLICE enzyme subsequently activates caspase-3 and other caspases by cleaving their zymogen forms. Martinez-Lorenzo et al. (1998)
• TRAIL expression has been detected in a wide variety of human tissues, with highest levels found in spleen, lung and prostate. Wiley et al. (1995) "Identification and characterization of a new member of the TNF family that induces apoptosis” Immunity 3:673-82. In the present invention, it is demonstrated that compared to normal cells cancer cells have selective sensitivities to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
• TRAIL TRAIL-mediated apoptosis
• LNCAP prostate
• HeLa cervical
• A549 lung
• C3A liver
• TRAIL induces apoptosis in a more tumor-specific manner, which, in turn, can have a less systemic toxicity when expressed in vivo.
• tumor cells are particularly sensitive to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
• healthy normal cells may express intracellular regulators such as FLICE-inhibitory proteins (FLIPs) that blocks the biochemical signaling pathways that lead to cell death.
• FLIPs FLICE-inhibitory proteins
• Griffith et al. 1998 "Intracellular regulation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human melanoma cells” J. Immunol. 161 :2833-2840.
• the lack of cytotoxic effects of TRAIL on normal cells may be due to expression of decoy receptors such as DcR1 and DcR2 which inhibit TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by competing with DR4 or DR5 for binding to TRAIL.
• TRAIL can be introduced into cancer cells by a conditional expresssion vector such as an adenoviral vector and induces apoptosis of cancer cells selectively. Since TRAIL exerts less toxicity to normal cells and its expression can be controlled site-specifically and dose-dependently, systemic toxicity of this ligand should be reduced.
• the expression vector that can be used to practice the methods of the present invention may be any gene-transferring vector.
• the expression vector may be a plasmid encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand (e.g. TRAIL).
• the plasmid can be transfected into cancer cells via liposome-mediated delivery or other methods of transfection.
• the expression vector is a viral vector.
• the viral vector may be an adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, vaccinia, retrovirus, or herpes simplex virus vector.
• the present invention provides an adenoviral vector that is preferably used to induce death of cancer cells in a site-specific and controlled manner.
• the expression of the apoptosis-signaling ligand may be controlled by using a tissue-specific promoter or an inducible promoter. Alternatively, the expression of the apoptosis-signaling ligand may be constitutive in the transduced cells.
• the adeniviral expression vector can be used for delivering the apoptosis-signaling ligand to a wide range of cell types both in vitro and in vivo.
• apoptosis-signaling can be tightly regulated, which not only facilitates production of adenoviral expression vectors encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand, but also provides a means for controlling expression of the ligand in vivo to minimize systemic toxicity.
• the present invention also provides means for easily and reliably quantitating the levels and cellular localization of exogenous apoptosis-signaling ligands.
• the adenoviral vector comprises: a conditional promoter, and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a membrane-bound ligand whose expression is regulated by the conditional promoter in the vector, the ligand signaling apoptosis in cells that express an apoptosis-mediating receptor.
• the adenoviral vector may be replication competent or replication incompetent, depending on the dosage of the apoptosis-signaling ligand to be administered into the tumor site.
• the membrane-bound ligand can be any protein that is capable of binding to an apoptosis-mediating receptor on the surface of cancer cells.
• the membrane-bound protein is FasL or TRAIL.
• the membrane-bound protein may be TNF although TNF may have higher systemic toxicity than Fas and TRAIL.
• the adenoviral vector may encode another type of apoptosis-signaling ligand such that when that the ligand is introduced into a cell, the transduced cell expresses the ligand intracellularly.
• the expression vector encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand can also encode another protein such as a regulatory protein, which may be used to regulate the expression of the ligand.
• the regulatory protein can cause the tissue-specific localization of the Fas ligand on the cell membrane, or alternatively cause the premature turn-over of the Fas ligand in non- target cells, or regulate the expression of the FasL via regulation of transcription and/or translation.
• the regulatory protein can also be encoded by another expression vector that is delivered to the cell, either concurrently or consecutively with the nucleic acid encoding the protein to be expressed.
• the two expression vectors can have different sequences, such as different promoters, such that they can be independently regulated, such as by the administration of a drug that selectively regulates the expression of one or both of the promoters, such as by the use of a steroid hormone, e.g. a glucocorticoid hormone that can regulate a promoter that is inducible by that hormone.
• a steroid hormone e.g. a glucocorticoid hormone that can regulate a promoter that is inducible by that hormone.
• Other steroid hormones that may be used include, but are not limited to, estrogen, androgen, and progestrone.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand may also be expressed as a fusion protein with another protein.
• This protein fused with the ligand may be used for such purposes as localization of the protein, activation or deactivation of the ligand, monitoring the location of the ligand, isolation of the ligand, and quantitating the amount of the ligand.
• the fusion protein comprises a Fas ligand and reporter protein such as a fluorescent protein (FP).
• reporter proteins include, but are not limited, the GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene, the YFP (yellow fluorescent protein) gene, BFP (blue fluorescent protein) gene, the CAT gene, the neo gene, the hygromycin gene, and so forth.
• GFP green fluorescent protein
• YFP yellow fluorescent protein
• BFP blue fluorescent protein
• CAT gene the neo gene
• hygromycin gene hygromycin gene
• the reporter gene may be expressed as a single protein bicistronically with the apoptosis-signaling ligand via a mechanism of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or splicing donor/acceptor sites.
• the expression vector may further encode a sequence that is capable of regulating the expression of the apoptosis-signaling ligand.
• the vector can contain a glucocorticoid regulatory element (GRE) such that glucocorticoid hormones can be used to regulate the expression of the Fas ligand.
• GRE glucocorticoid regulatory element
• RNA aptamer such as H10 and H19
• a drug such as Hoechst dye 33258
• the regulatory sequence comprises the Tet-operon or the lac operon, or any other operon that can function as a regulatory sequence in a eukaryotic cell.
• expression of apoptosis-signaling ligand is under the control of tetracycline-regulated gene expression system, wherein expression of the ligand is controlled by a tet- responsive element, wherein the ligand expression requires the interaction of the tet-responsive element and a tet transactivator.
• tight control of the ligand expression is achieved using an Ad vector in which the tet-responsive element and the transactivator element are built into the opposite ends of the same vector to avoid enhancer interference.
• Expression can be conveniently regulated by tetracycline or any derivative thereof, which includes, but is not limited to, doxycycline, in a dose-dependent manner.
• the vector efficiently delivers FasL-GFP gene to cells in vitro, and the expression level of the fusion protein may be modulated by the concentration of doxycycline in culture media.
• a regulatory system is particularly described herein.
• the promoter is a tissue-specific promoter which one skilled in the art will appreciate can confer tissue-specificity to the expression of the nucleic acid encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand such as FasL and TRAIL.
• the tissue-specific promoter may be a prostate- specific, a breast tissue-specific, a colon tissue-specific, a pancreas- specific a brain-specific, a kidney-specific, a liver-specific, a bladder- specific, a bone-specific, a lung-specific, a thyroid-specific a stomach- specific, an ovary-specific, or a cervix-specific promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a prostate-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to the PSA promoter, the ⁇ PSA promoter, the ARR2PB promoter, the PB promoter, gp91- phox gene promoter, and prostate-specific kallikrein (hKLK2) promoter.
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to MMTV promoter, G.I. erb-B2 promoter, erb-B3 promoter, ⁇ -casein, ⁇ -lacto-globulin, and WAB (whey acidic protein)
• the tissue-specific promoter is a liver-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to liver albumin promoter, alpha-fetoprotein promoter, ⁇ antitrypsin promoter, and transferrin transthyretin promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a brain-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, JC virus early promoter, tyrosine hydoxylase promoter, dopamine hydroxylase promoter, neuron specific enolase promoter, glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter, mature astrocyte specific protein promoter, and myelin promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a colon-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, the MUC1 promoter, carbonic anhydrase I promoter and carcinoembrogen's antigen promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is ovary- or placenta-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, estrogen- responsive promoter, aromatase cytochrome P450 promoter, cholesterol side chain cleavage P450 promoter, and 17 alpha- hydroxylase P450 promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a lung-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, surfactant protein C Uroglobin (cc-10, Cllacell 10 kd protein) promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a skin-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, K-14-keratin promoter, human keratin 1 or 6 promoter, and loicrin promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a pancreas-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, villin promoter, glucagon promoter, and Insulin Islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a thyroid-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, thyroglobulin promoter, and calcitonin promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a bone-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, Alpha 1 (I) collagen promoter, osteocalcin promoter, and bone sialoglycoprotein promoter.
• tissue-specific promoter is a kidney-specific promoter
• the promoter includes, but is not limited to, renin promoter, liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase promoter, and erythropoietin (epo) promoter.
• tissue specific promoters will be revealed by the human genome project and other endeavors of human gene discovery. These promoters will be useable as appropriate means to direct tissue specific expression from the expression vectors of the present invention. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill will readily know how to identify a promoter specific to a particular cell type. For example, by comparing the differential expression of genes in different tissue types, e.g., using gene chip technology, one can identify genes expressed only in one particular tissue type. These genes can then be isolated and sequenced, and their promoters may be isolated and tested in an animal model for the ability to drive tissue specific expression of a heterologous gene. Such methods are well within the ability of the one of ordinary skill in the art. An example of a method by which a tissue specific promoter may be identified may be found in Greenberg et al. (1994) Molecular Endocrinology 8: 230-239.
• the tissue-specificity may also be achieved by selecting an expression vector that has a high degree of tissue specificity.
• a vector that selectively infects mucosal cells, such as those associated with colon cancer can be chosen, and then optionally, used in combination with a specific delivery means, such as by the use of a suppository, to selectively deliver the nucleic acid encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand such as Fas and TRAIL to those desired cells.
• retroviral vector systems which can package a recombinant retroviral genome. See e.g., Pastan et al. (1988) "A retrovirus carrying an MDR1 cDNA confers multidrug resistance and polarized expression of P-glycoprotein in MDCK cells.” Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 85:4486; and Miller et al. (1986) "Redesign of retrovirus packaging cell lines to avoid recombination leading to helper virus production.” Mol. Cell Biol. 6:2895.
• the produced recombinant retrovirus can then be used to infect and thereby deliver to the infected cells a nucleic acid sequence encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand.
• the exact method of introducing the nucleic acid into mammalian cells is, of course, not limited to the use of retroviral vectors. Other techniques are widely available for this procedure including the use of adenoviral vectors (Mitani et al. "Transduction of human bone marrow by adenoviral vector.” Human Gene Therapy 5:941-948 (1994)), adenoassociated viral vectors (Goodman et al.
• the specific vector for delivering the nucleic acid encoding a Fas ligand comprises an adenovirus vector.
• the present invention also provides an expression vector for the regulatable expression for tightly controlling expression of a target protein (e.g. FasL and TRAIL).
• a target protein e.g. FasL and TRAIL
• the expression vector comprises: a transcription regulatory sequence; a polynucleotide sequence encoding a trans-acting regulator protein which is capable of binding to the transcription regulatory sequence; and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a target protein whose expression is regulated by the binding of the trans-acting regulator protein to the transcription regulatory sequence.
• the transcription regulatory sequence and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the trans-acting regulator protein may be positioned at opposite ends of the adenoviral vector.
• the transcription regulatory sequence is positioned in the E4 region of the adenoviral vector and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the trans-acting protein is positioned in the E1 of the adenoviral vector.
• the nucleic acid encoding the target protein is operatively linked to a transcription regulatory sequence.
• the expression of the target protein may be inducible, e.g. expression of FasL or a FasL fusion will not proceed unless the appropriate activator for the particular transcription regulatory sequence is present.
• the expression of the target protein may be repressible, i.e., expression of FasL or a FasL fusion will proceed unless the appropriate repressor for the particular transcription regulatory sequence is present.
• the trans-acting regulator protein interacts with the transcription regulatory sequence to affect transcription of the target protein. Where the transcription regulatory sequence is inducible, the trans-acting regulator protein is a trans-activator. Where the transcription regulatory sequence is repressible, the trans-acting factor is a trans-repressor.
• the transcription regulatory sequence is a tet responsive element (TRE), and the trans-acting factor is a tet-responsive transacting expression element (tTA).
• TRE tet responsive element
• tTA tet-responsive transacting expression element
• the invention utilizes the vector Ad/FasL-GFP TET
• Ad/FasL-GFP TET This is a replication-deficient adenoviral vector that expresses a fusion of murine FasL and green fluorescent protein (GFP). FasL-GFP retains full activity of wild-type FasL, at the same time allowing for easy visualization and quantification in both living and fixed cells.
• the fusion protein is under the control of tetracycline-regulated gene expression system. A tight control is achieved by creating this novel "double recombinant" Adenoviral vector, in which the tet- responsive element and the transactivator element are built into the opposite ends of the same vector to avoid enhancer interference.
• FasL-GFP fusion can be conveniently regulated by tetracycline or any derivative thereof, which includes, but is not limited to, doxycycline, in a dose-dependent manner.
• the vector efficiently delivers FasL-GFP gene to cells in vivo and in vitro, and the expression level of the fusion protein may be modulated by the concentration of doxycycline added to the culture media or administered to the subject.
• Ad/FasL- GFP TET is able to deliver FasL-GFP to transformed and primary cell lines, with the expression of the fusion protein in those cells regulated by varying the level of doxycycline in the media. Amounts of FasL-GFP can be easily detected and quantified through the fluorescence of its GFP component, and correlated with the levels of apoptosis in the target and neighboring cells.
• the present invention provides an expression vector for tightly controlling expression of a target protein in response to tetracycline or a tetracycline derivative.
• the expression vector comprises: a tetracycline-responsive element; a polynucleotide sequence encoding a transactivator protein which is capable of binding to the tetracycline-responsive element; and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a target protein whose expression is regulated by the binding of the transactivator protein to the tetracycline-responsive element.
• the vector is a viral vector.
• the viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
• the tetracycline-responsive element and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the transactivator protein are positioned at opposite ends of the adenoviral vector.
• the tetracycline-responsive element is positioned in the E4 region of the adenoviral vector and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the transactivator protein is positioned in the E1 of the adenoviral vector.
• the adenoviral vector does not include the E3 region of adenovirus.
• the adenoviral vector does not include the E4 region of adenovirus except for the Orf6 of the E4 region.
• the expression of the target protein may be repressed in the presence of tetracycline or doxycycline. Alternatively, expression of the target protein may be activated in the presence of doxycycline.
• the vector may also be any other type of viral vector, including but not limited to an adeno-associated viral vector, a vaccinia viral vector or a retroviral vector.
• the expression vector may further comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding a reporter protein.
• the reporter protein and the target protein may be encoded as a fusion protein or expressed as a single protein bicistronically with the target protein via a mechanism of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or splicing donor/acceptor sites. .
• IRES internal ribosome entry site
• the reporter gene preferably encodes a fluorescent protein such as green, yellow and blue fluorescent proteins, and more preferably green fluorescent protein (GFP).
• a fluorescent protein such as green, yellow and blue fluorescent proteins, and more preferably green fluorescent protein (GFP).
• an adenoviral vector can be constructed for expression of a fusion protein, FasL-GFP, by ligating pLAd-C.tTA and pRAd-TGFsL to a portion of the Ad5 genome (snb 360) to produce the vector Ad/Fas L-GFP TET as described below and as shown in Figures 1 A- C.
• Expression a target protein other than the FasL-GFP fusion can be regulated by using a similar adenoviral vector (designated pAd TET ) with the FasL-GFP fusion sequence replaced by the polynucleotide encoding the target sequence.
• the vector pAd TET can be constructed by removing the FasL-GFP fusion sequence from vector pRAd-TGFsL, inserting the target sequence into this site, and ligating the resulting vector to pLAd-C.tTA, in the same way as described for the production of the vector Ad/FasL-GFP TET in Figure 1A-C.
• the vector pAd TET can be utilized to express an unlimited variety of heterologous proteins for which tight regulation is desired.
• the expression vector may further comprise a selectable marker which can be used to screen for those cells which contain the vector and which express the selectable marker. In this manner, one can readily separate those cells containing the nucleic acid or the vector and expressing the selectable marker from those cells either containing the nucleic acid or the vector but not expressing the selectable marker, and from those cells not containing the nucleic acid or the vector.
• the specific selectable marker used can of course be any selectable marker which can be used to select against eukaryotic cells not containing and expressing the selectable marker. The selection can be based on the death of cells not containing and expressing the selectable marker, such as where the selectable marker is a gene encoding a drug resistance protein.
• a drug resistance gene for eukaryotic cells is a neomycin resistance gene.
• Cells expressing a neomycin resistance gene are able to survive in the presence of the antibiotic G418, or Geneticin7, whereas those eukaryotic cells not containing or not expressing a neomycin resistance gene are selected against in the presence of G418.
• selectable markers such as the hph gene which can be selected for with the antibiotic Hygromycin B, or the E. coli Ecogpt gene which can be selected for with the antibiotic Mycophenolic acid. The specific selectable marker used is therefore variable.
• the selectable marker can also be a marker that can be used to isolate those cells containing and expressing the selectable marker gene from those not containing and/or not expressing the selectable marker gene by a means other than the ability to grow in the presence of an antibiotic.
• the selectable marker can encode a protein which, when expressed, allows those cells expressing the selectable marker encoding the marker to be identified.
• the selectable marker can encode a luminescent protein, such as a luciferase protein or a green fluorescent protein, and the cells expressing the selectable marker encoding the luminescent protein can be identified from those cells not containing or not expressing the selectable marker encoding a luminescent protein.
• the selectable marker can be a sequence encoding a protein such as chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT).
• CAT chloramphenicol acetyl transferase
• the expression vectors of the present invention can be constructed by using recombinant DNA technologies.
• the regulatable adenoviral vector described above may be derived from adenvirus type 5 and modified to include heterologous sequences encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand (e.g. Fas and TRAIL) and the transcription regulatory sequence.
• the apoptosis-signaling ligand e.g. Fas and TRAIL
• nucleic acid sequence encoding an apoptosis-signaling ligand, and optionally, additional sequences such as one or more transcrition regulatory sequence.
• One method of obtaining the nucleic acid is by constructing the nucleic acid by synthesizing a recombinant DNA molecule. For example, oligonucleotide synthesis procedures are routine in the art and oligonucleotides coding for a particular protein or regulatory region are readily obtainable through automated DNA synthesis.
• a nucleic acid for one strand of a double-stranded molecule can be synthesized and hybridized to its complementary strand.
• Double-stranded molecules coding for relatively large proteins or regulatory regions can be synthesized by first constructing several different double-stranded molecules that code for particular regions of the protein or regulatory region, followed by ligating these DNA molecules together.
• Cunningham, et al. (1989) "Receptor and Antibody Epitopes in Human Growth Hormone Identified by Homolog-Scanning Mutagenesis” Science, Vol. 243, pp. 1330-1336 have constructed a synthetic gene encoding the human growth hormone gene by first constructing overlapping and complementary synthetic oligonucleotides and ligating these fragments together. See also, Ferretti et al. (1986) Proc. Nat.
• An example of another method of obtaining a nucleic acid encoding an apoptosis-signaling ligand is to isolate the corresponding wild-type nucleic acid from the organism in which it is found and clone it in an appropriate vector.
• a DNA or cDNA library can be constructed and screened for the presence of the nucleic acid of interest. Methods of constructing and screening such libraries are well known in the art and kits for performing the construction and screening steps are commercially available (for example, Stratagene Cloning Systems, La Jolla, CA).
• the nucleic acid can be directly cloned into an appropriate vector, or if necessary, be modified to facilitate the subsequent cloning steps.
• Such modification steps are routine, an example of which is the addition of oligonucleotide linkers which contain restriction sites to the termini of the nucleic acid.
• General methods are set forth in Sambrook et al., "Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989). Once isolated, one can alter selected codons using standard laboratory techniques, PCR for example.
• Yet another example of a method of obtaining a nucleic acid encoding an apoptosis-signaling ligand is to amplify the corresponding wild-type nucleic acid from the nucleic acids found within a host organism containing the wild-type nucleic acid and clone the amplified nucleic acid in an appropriate vector.
• the amplification step may be combined with a mutation step, using primers not completely homologous to the target nucleic acid for example, to simultaneously amplify the nucleic acid and alter specific positions of the nucleic acid.
• a replication- incompetent adenoviral vector encoding an apoptosis-signaling ligand can be constructed.
• a complex adenoviral vector encoding TRAIL can be constructed and used to infect tumor cells.
• the vector that further comprises GFP which is expressed bicistronically with TRAIL is designated Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET .
• the vector, Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET is a complex adenoviral vector that expresses multiple genes and regulatory mechanisms. Construction of the adenoviral vectors is diagramed in Figure 3. The sequence encoding TRAIL and GFP separated by an IRES is cloned into the right- end (E4 region) of the type 5 adenovirus genome using a shuttle vector, resulting in a shuttle vector pRAdTRE-TRAIL/GFP. The pRAdTRE- TRAIL/GFP shuttle vector contains the right end of the adenoviral genome including the right long terminal repeats R-TR.
• Another shuttle vector, pLAd-C.tTA contains a tetracycline transactivator gene tTA in the E1 region of the type 5 adenovirus genome.
• the vector pLAd-C.tTA also contains the left end of the adenoviral genome including the left long terminal repeats L-TR and the adenoviral packaging signal ⁇ .
• the vectors pRAdTRE-TRAIL/GFP and pLAd-C.tTA are both linearized and ligated to the backbone of the adenovirus to form the recombinant adenoviral vector, Ad.TRAIL/GFP TET .
• the expression vector encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand may be introduced into a tumor by using any pharmaceutically acceptable routes of administration.
• the expression vector may be administered into a group of tumor cells parenterally, intraperitoneally, intravenously, intraartierally, transdermally, sublingually, intramuscularly, rectally, transbuccally, intranasally, liposomally, via inhalation, vaginally, intraoccularly, via local delivery by catheter or stent, subcutaneously, intraadiposally, intraarticularly, intrathecally, or in a slow release dosage form.
• this aspect of the methods can comprise either a stable or a transient introduction of the sequence encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand (e.g. FasL and TRAIL) into the cell.
• the stably or the transiently introduced ligand-encoding sequence may or may not become integrated into the genome of the host.
• the precise procedure for introducing the expression vector into the cell may, of course, vary and may depend on the specific type or identity of the cell.
• Examples of methods for introducing an expression vector into a cell include, but are not limited to electroporation, cell fusion, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, calcium phosphate-mediated transfection, infection with a viral vector, microinjection, lipofectin-mediated transfection, liposome delivery, and particle bombardment techniques, including various procedures for "naked DNA" delivery.
• the method can be performed ex vivo where the group of cells into which the expression vector is introduced are contained in a sample taken from a patient having cancer, or contained in contained in a cell culture.
• the expression vector may be introduced into a mixture of cells which express Fas and cells which do not express Fas.
• the expression vector may be introduced into cells which do not express Fas.
• the expression vector may be introduced into cells which do express Fas.
• the expression vector may be introduced into cells which cells which do not express Fas.
• the various vectors and hosts used to express the apoptosis- signaling ligand may be used to express the ligand in cell culture or in vitro.
• an expression vector encoding a Fas ligand may be introduced into a tissue culture cell line, such as COS cells, and expressed in the cell culture.
• a tissue culture cell line such as COS cells
• one skilled in the art can select a cell type that may have a limited life in the host organism such that the host can effectively clear the cell expressing the the apoptosis- signaling ligand in a period of time such that any possible apoptotic effects on non-target surrounding cells or tissues can be minimized.
• cells from a subject may be removed from the subject, administered the expression vector encoding the apoptosis- signaling ligand, and then replaced into the subject.
• the cells can be manipulated to facilitate the uptake of the nucleic acid encoding the apoptosis-signaling ligand without unnecessary adverse effects on the subject.
• the various vectors and hosts used to express the apoptosis- signaling ligand may be used to express the nucleic acids in vivo.
• an expression vector encoding FasL may be introduced into cells of a eukaryotic host, preferably tumor cells, to treat Fas + tumor cells in situ.
• tissue can be treated by selectively administering the vector to the host.
• administering an adenovirus vector via an aerosol such as through the use of an inhaler can selectively administer the vector to the lungs.
• a suppository can be used to selectively administer the vector to cells of the colon.
• delivering the vector topically such as in a cream can selectively deliver the vector or nucleic acid to skin cells or the cervix.
• delivery of the expression vector can be manually facilitated through such methods as injection of the vector into the selected site.
• direct injection can be used to deliver the vector to specific brain and/or breast location.
• direct injection of the vector encoding a Fas ligand or TRAIL is used for delivery into breast tumor masses.
• apoptosis-signaling ligand can be administered to a cell or to a subject, most preferably, humans, to treat disease states, preferably cancer.
• the present vector whether alone, in combination with another compound or composition (e.g., a chemotherapy agent), or as part of a vector-based delivery system, may be administered parenterally (e.g., intravenously), by intramuscular injection, by intraperitoneal injection, topically, transdermally, or the like, although topical administration is typically preferred.
• nucleic acids, compositions, vectors, etc. may vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, weight and general condition of the subject, the severity of the disease or condition that is being treated, the particular compound or composition used, its mode of administration, and the like. Thus, it is not possible or necessary to specify an exact amount. However, an appropriate amount may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using methods well known in the art (see, e.g., Martin et al., 1989).
• composition of the present invention may be in pharmaceutical compositions in the form of solid, semi-solid or liquid dosage forms, such as, for example powders, liquids, suspension, lotions, creams, gels or the like, preferably in unit dosage form suitable for single administration of a precise dosage.
• the compositions can typically include an effective amount of the selected nucleic acid, composition, or vector in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, in addition, may include other medicinal agents, pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, diluents, etc.
• pharmaceutically acceptable is meant a material that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the material may be administered to an individual along with the selected nucleic acid, composition thereof, or vector without causing any undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the other components of the pharmaceutical composition in which it is contained.
• parenteral administration is generally characterized by injection e.g., by intravenous injection including regional perfusion through a blood vessel supplying the tissues(s) or organ(s) having the target cell(s).
• injectables can be ⁇ prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions.
• Parenteral administration can also employ the use of a slow release or sustained release system, such that a constant level of dosage is maintained (See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,710,795).
• the compound can be injected directly to the site of cells or tissues expressing a Fas + phenotype, or they can be injected such that they diffuse or circulate to the site of the Fas + phenotypic cells.
• Dosages will depend upon the mode of administration, the disease or condition to be treated, and the individual subject's condition.
• Dosages will also depend upon the material being administered, e.g., a nucleic acid, a vector comprising a nucleic acid, or another type of compound or composition. Such dosages are known in the art. Furthermore, the dosage can be adjusted according to the typical dosage for the specific disease or condition to be treated.
• culture cells of the target cell type can be used to optimize the dosage for the target cells in vivo, and transformation from varying dosages achieved in culture cells of the same type as the target cell type can be monitored. Often a single dose can be sufficient; however, the dose can be repeated if desirable. The dosage should not be so large as to cause adverse side effects. Generally, the dosage will vary with the age, condition, sex and extent of the disease in the patient and can be determined by one of skill in the art. The dosage can also be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of any complication. Examples of effective doses in non-human animals are provided in the Examples. Based on art accepted formulas, effective doses in humans can be routinely calculated from the doses provided and shown to be effective.
• the compound or composition For administration to a cell in a subject, the compound or composition, once in the subject, will of course adjust to the subjects body temperature.
• the compound or composition can be administered by any standard methods that would maintain viability of the cells, such as by adding it to culture medium (appropriate for the target cells) and adding this medium directly to the cells.
• any medium used in this method can be aqueous and non-toxic so as not to render the cells non-viable.
• it can contain standard nutrients for maintaining viability of cells, if desired.
• the complex can be added to, for example, a blood sample or a tissue sample from the patient, or to a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g., saline and buffered saline, and administered by any of several means known in the art.
• a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier e.g., saline and buffered saline
• Other examples of administration include inhalation of an aerosol, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, direct transfection of a nucleic acid sequence encoding the compound where the compound is a nucleic acid or a protein into, e.g., bone marrow cells prepared for transplantation and subsequent transplantation into the subject, and direct transfection into an organ that is subsequently transplanted into the subject.
• compositions are encapsulated, or rectal administration, particularly when the composition is in suppository form.
• a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes any material that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the material may be administered to an individual along with the selected complex without causing any undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the other components of the pharmaceutical composition in which it is contained.
• cells from the target tissue can be biopsied and optimal dosages for import of the complex into that tissue can be determined in vitro, as described herein and as known in the art, to optimize the in vivo dosage, including concentration and time length.
• culture cells of the same cell type can also be used to optimize the dosage for the target cells in vivo.
• intratumoral injection amounts and rates can be controlled using a controllable pump, such as a computer controlled pump or a micro- thermal pump, to control the rate and distribution of the nucleic acid or vector in the tumor or tissue.
• Example 4 demonstrates effective dosages of Ad/FasL-GFP TET used for in vivo treatment of both breast and brain tumors in mice.
• the nucleic acid, vector, or composition can be administered at any effective concentration.
• the expression vector of the present invention may be administered in a composition.
• the composition may further comprise other medicinal agents, pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, diluents, etc.
• the composition can comprise, in addition to the nucleic acid or vector, lipids such as liposomes, such as cationic liposomes (e.g., DOTMA, DOPE, DC-cholesterol) or anionic liposomes. Liposomes may further comprise proteins to facilitate targeting a particular cell, if desired.
• compositions comprising a nucleic acid or a vector and a cationic liposome can be administered to the blood afferent to a target organ or inhaled into the respiratory tract to target cells of the respiratory tract.
• liposomes see, e.g., Brigham et al. Am. J. Resp. Cell. Mot. Biol. 1 :95-100 (1989); Feigner et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 84:7413-7417 (1987); U.S. Pat. No.4,897,355.
• nucleic acid or a vector can be administered as a component of a microcapsule that can be targeted to specific cell types, such as macrophages, or where the diffusion of the compound or delivery of the compound from the microcapsule is designed for a specific rate or dosage.
• Fas is primarily a surface protein and a cell expressing FasL can be used to treat the Fas-expressing cell by the Fas-FasL induction of apoptosis.
• the cell expressing the FasL can interact with the Fas-expressing cell via interactions of the Fas and the FasL on the surface of the cells, and therefore treat Fas-expressing cells that the FasL-expressing cells can make contact with.
• the FasL-producing cells may also regulate the Fas-expressing cell by producing soluble FasL which then interacts with Fas and also induces apoptosis of the Fas-expressing cells.
• the interaction of the Fas and the FasL is typically a ligand- receptor binding, although the interaction may not have to be binding per se, but includes any cellular reaction which results from any interaction of the Fas and the FasL. Therefore any cellular apoptosis via Fas that results from the expression of a FasL by that same cell or a second cell which expresses a Fas ligand is hereby contemplated.
• any cell expressing Fas can be induced to undergo apoptosis using the methods of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is inducing Fas + tumor cells to undergo apoptosis using these methods. In this embodiment, these tumor cells can selectively be induced to undergo apoptosis and then die, thereby treating a tumor.
• the tumor is a solid tumor and the tumor is injected with a recombinant virus which can infect the cells of the tumor and thereby cause them to express FasL, and whereby the interaction of the FasL-expressing cells with the Fas-expressing cells causes the Fas + cells to undergo apoptosis.
• the Fas-expressing cells which are affected by the FasL- expressing cells are typically cells adjacent to the FasL-expressing cells since typically a cell-to-cell contact is necessary for the apoptotic signal be effectuated.
• the affected Fas cells can be removed from the immediate surroundings of the FasL-expressing cell, however, such as where the FasL-expressing cell has mobilized and/or where the FasL- expressing cell produces soluble FasL.
• the FasL-expressing cells can also cause their own death if those cells also are Fas + cells.
• the methods of the present invention can cause Fas + cells to die, but the tumor cells that now express the FasL also will die, thereby eliminating those tumor cells that might otherwise cause regression of the tumor.
• the present invention also provides a method which utilizes a combination therapy that combines expression of the apoptosis- signaling ligand with administration of anti-cancer agents. It is believed that by co-administering anti-cancer drugs, apoptosis of cancer cells can be enhanced or sensitized, especially in those cancer cells are resistant to FasL- or TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
• a major hurdle in treating cancer is the development of resistant tumor cells to drugs and the development of anti-apoptotic machinery which can spell over FasL or TRAIL sensitivity to apoptosis. It is desirable to administer subtoxic concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs and TRAIL (or Fas) on TRAIL (or Fas)-resistant tumor cells, which should result in maximum tumor suppression and minimum side effects associated with administration of high dosage of chemotherapeutics.
• the combination therapy of the present invention may overcome tumor resistance to Fas- or TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by multiple mechanisms of actions.
• Anticancer agents such as chemotherapeutic agents or cytokines may sensitize Fas- or TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by 1) suppression of anti-apoptotic molecules, and/or 2) upregulation of pro-apoptotic molecules.
• Bcl-x L and Bcl-2 major inhibitors of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, can be regulated by anti-cancer drugs.
• Paclitaxel a plant-derived anti-cancer drug that at low levels can reduce the activity of Bcl-2 by inducing phosphorylation of Bcl-2.
• drugs and cytokines can also upregulate the expression of pro-apoptotic molecules to lower the signaling threshold required for the induction of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
• expression of DR5 one of the death-inducing TRAIL receptors, can be induced by genotoxic drugs and TNF- ⁇ .
• the induction of DR5 appears to be regulated by both p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanims. Sheikh et al. (1998) "p53-dependent and independent regulation of the death receptor KILLER/DR5 gene expression in response to genotoxic stress and tumor necrosis factor alpha" Cancer Res. 58:1593-1598.
• caspases-1 , -2, -6, -8, and -9 can be upregulated by ⁇ -interferon.
• the upregulation of these caspases should enhance the sensitivity to apoptosis induced by expression of apoptosis-signaling ligand according to the present invention.
• anti-cancer agents may be co-administered with the expression vectors of the present invention.
• the anti- cancer agent include, but are not limited to, alkylating agents, antibiotic agents, antimetabolic agents, hormonal agents, plant-derived agents, and biologic agents.
• alkylating agents include, but are not limited to, bischloroethylamines (nitrogen mustards, e.g. chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, mechlorethamine, melphalan, uracil mustard), aziridines (e.g. thiotepa), alkyl alkone sulfonates (e.g. busulfan), nitrosoureas (e.g. carmustine, lomustine, streptozocin), nonclassic alkylating agents (altretamine, dacarbazine, and procarbazine), platinum compounds (carboplastin and cisplatin).
• nitrogen mustards e.g. chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, mechlorethamine, melphalan, uracil mustard
• aziridines e.g. thiotepa
• antibiotic agents include, but are not limited to, anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin and anthracenedione), mitomycin C, bleomycin, dactinomycin, plicatomycin.
• antimetabolic agents include, but are not limited to, fluorouracil (5-FU), floxuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate, leucovorin, hydroxyurea, thioguanine (6-TG), mercaptopurine (6-MP), cytarabine, pentostatin, fludarabine phosphate, cladribine (2-CDA), asparaginase, and gemcitabine.
• hormonal agents examples include synthetic estrogens (e.g. diethylstibestrol), antiestrogens (e.g. tamoxifen, toremifene, fluoxymesterol and raloxifene), antiandrogens (bicalutamide, nilutamide, flutamide), aromatase inhibitors (e.g., aminoglutethimide, anastrozole and tetrazole), ketoconazole, goserelin acetate, leuprolide, megestrol acetate and mifepristone.
• synthetic estrogens e.g. diethylstibestrol
• antiestrogens e.g. tamoxifen, toremifene, fluoxymesterol and raloxifene
• antiandrogens e.g., antiandrogens (bicalutamide, nilutamide, flutamide), aromatase inhibitors (e.g., aminogluteth
• plant-derived agents include, but are not limited to, vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, vinzolidine and vinorelbine), podophyllotoxins (e.g., etoposide (VP-16) and teniposide (VM-26)), camptothecin and its derivatives (e.g., 9-nitro-camptothecin and 9-amino-camptothecin), and taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel and docetaxel).
• vinca alkaloids e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, vinzolidine and vinorelbine
• podophyllotoxins e.g., etoposide (VP-16) and teniposide (VM-26)
• camptothecin and its derivatives e.g., 9-nitro-camptothecin and 9-amino-camptothecin
• taxanes e.g
• biologic agents include, but are not limited to, immuno-modulating proteins such as cytokines, monoclonal antibodies against tumor antigens, tumor suppressor genes, and cancer vaccines.
• interleukins that may be used in conjunction with the composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, interleukin 2 (lL-2), and interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 12 (IL-12).
• interferons that may be used in conjunction with CPT include, but are not limited to, interferon ⁇ , interferon ⁇ (fibroblast interferon) and interferon ⁇ (fibroblast interferon).
• cytokines include, but are not limited to erythropoietin (epoietin ⁇ ), granulocyte-CSF (filgrastin), and granulocyte, macrophage-CSF
• immuno-modulating agents other than cytokines include, but are not limited to bacillus Calmette-Guerin, levamisole, and octreotide.
• Example of monoclonal antibodies against tumor antigens that can be used in conjunction with CPT include, but are not limited to, HERCEPTIN® (Trastruzumab) and RITUXAN® (Rituximab).
• tumor suppressor genes include, but are not limited to, DPC-4, NF-1, NF-2, RB, p53, WT1, BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• cancer vaccines include, but are not limited to gangliosides (GM2), prostate specific antigen (PSA), -fetoprotein
• AFP carcinoembryonic antigen
• CEA carcinoembryonic antigen
• MART-1 melanoma associated antigens
• MART-1 gp100, MAGE 1 ,3 tyrosinase
• papillomavirus E6 and E7 fragments whole cells or portions/lysates of antologous tumor cells and allogeneic tumor cells.
• An adjuvant may be used to augment the immune response to TAAs.
• adjuvants include, but are not limited to, bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), endotoxin lipopolysaccharides, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (GKLH), interleukin-2 (IL-2), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and cytoxan, a chemotherapeutic agent which is believed to reduce tumor-induced suppression when given in low doses.
• BCG Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
• GKLH keyhole limpet hemocyanin
• IL-2 interleukin-2
• GM-CSF granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
• cytoxan a chemotherapeutic agent which is believed to reduce tumor-induced suppression when given in low doses.
• actinomycin D a drug that inhibits RNA synthesis and decreases expression of Bcl-x L may be used to sensitize TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells, for example, in cancer cells of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) that is associated with AIDS.
• KS Kaposi's sarcoma
• AIDS-KS Kaposi's sarcoma
• a number of modalities have been used for 15 years, cure or long-term complete remission from KS is unlikely with the currently available therapeutic modalities.
• Lee and Mitsuyasu (1996) "Chemotherapy of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma" Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. 10:1051-1068.
• Bcl-xand Bcl-x L are detected in AIDS-KS lesions, which may be attributed to resistance of KS cells to killing by chemotherapeutic drugs and NK cells.
• co- administering to KS patients the expression vector encoding TRAIL and one or more genotoxic drugs should over the resistance by synergistically sensitizing the cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through suppression of Bcl-xand Bcl-x L levels by the genotoxic drugs.
• doxorubicin may be used in combination of the expression vector expressing TRAIL to treat patients with prostate cancer.
• Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in American men and the survival rate of patients with advanced prostate cancer is currently low. Landis et al. "Cancer statitics" CA Cancer J. Clin. 49: 8-31. While surgery, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy can eradicate the majority of prostate cancer, relapse of advanced cancer metastasis can occur. Since the prostate cells that are hormone refractory are also insensitive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, these cells possibly develop resistance to all apoptotic programs induced by various stimuli as they progress to become more malignant.
• co-administrating a genotoxic drug with the expression vector encoding TRAIL should overcome the resistance by sensitizing prostate cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through suppression of apoptosis-inhibiting molecules or upregulation of pro-apoptotic molecules.
• the expression vectors of the present invention when expressing the apoptosis-signaling ligand for treating cancer (or other diseases), may be administered in conjunction with other therapeutic agents against the cancer (or the other diseases to be treated) before, during, or after the administration of the other therapeutic agent.
• These therapeutic agents can be administered at doses either known or determined to be effective and may be administered at reduced doses due to the presence of the apoptosis-signaling ligand expressed by the vector of the present invention.
• a recombinant adenovirus containing a nucleic acid encoding a murine Fas ligand was constructed. Additionally, a recombinant adenovirus was constructed containing a nucleic acid encoding a murine Fas ligand and also encoding the jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) such that a fusion protein was ultimately translated. This fusion protein was used to monitor the expression and localization of the protein in cultured cells and in animal tissues following transduction with the adenovirus vector.
• GFP jellyfish green fluorescent protein
• Example 2 Controlled Delivery of a FasL-GFP Fusion Protein with a Complex Adenoviral Vector
• FasL Fas ligand
• FasL-GFP green fluorescent protein
• a tight control is achieved by creating a novel A double recombinant Ad vector, in which the tet-responsive element and the transactivator element are built into the opposite ends of the same vector to avoid enhancer interference.
• Expression can be conveniently regulated by tetracycline or its derivatives in a dose-dependent manner.
• the vector was able to efficiently deliver FasL-GFP gene to cells in vitro, and the expression level of the fusion protein was modulated by the concentration of doxycycline in culture media. This regulation allows us to produce high titers of the vector by inhibiting FasL expression in a CrmA-expressing cell line. Induction of apoptosis was demonstrated in all cell lines tested.
• HeLa and 293 cells were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC CCL-2.1 and ATCC CRL-1573, respectively) and maintained as monolayers at 37 C under 5% CO2 in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM; Gibco BRL) supplemented with 10% bovine calf serum (BCS; HyClone) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (Cellgro).
• DMEM Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
• BCS bovine calf serum
• Cellgro penicillin/streptomycin
• Cultured rat myoblasts were maintained in H-21 (Cellgro) media supplemented with 20% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS; HyClone) and 1% each of penicillin/streptomycin and fungizone.
• FBS Fetal Bovine Serum
• Neo-positive clones were selected by adding G418 to the media at 0.4 g/L for 4 weeks, at the end of which time individual clones were picked up, propagated and assayed for CrmA expression by their resistance to FasL-induced apoptosis.
• Vectors pEGFP-1 and pEGFP1-C1 were obtained from Clontech. They contain a red-shifted variant of wild type green fluorescent protein (wt GFP) gene, with brighter fluorescence and "humanized” codon usage. (Zhang, G., V. Gurtu and S. R. Kain. 1996. "An enhanced green fluorescent protein allows sensitive detection of gene transfer in mammalian cells.” (Biochem Biophys Res Commun 227:707-11.) This protein will be referred to as "GFP" in this Example.
• the mouse FasL cDNA sequence available in Genbank, was in a Bluescript (Invitrogen) vector.
• Vectors pUHD10-3 and pUHD15-1 are available from Clontech.
• GFP-FasL fusion gene was constructed by inserting DNA coding for aa 11 to aa 279 of the murine Fas ligand in- frame downstream of the GFP sequence in pEGFP-C1 , to generate pC.GFsl.
• the fusion gene from pC.GFsl was inserted into pUHD10-3 to produce p10-3.GFsl.
• Cowpox virus (Chordopoxvirinae) cytokine response modifier A (crmA; CPV-W2) cDNA in pcDNA3 vector is available from Genentech.
• the CrmA gene was excised from pcDNA3 and inserted into plRES-Neo vector (Clontech) to generate pCrmA-l- Neo.
• GFP, FasL, FasL-GFP and LacZ genes were cloned into the E1 shuttle vector, pLAd-CMV to generate pLAd-C.Gf, pLAd-C.Fsl, pLAd- C.GFsl and pLAd-C.Lz constructs, respectively (Fig. 1A).
• the Tet-OFF fusion activator protein expression cassette was extracted from pUHD15-1 and inserted into pLAd-CMVie to generate pLAd-C.tTA.
• the GFP-FasL fusion gene expression cassette was excised from p10- 3.GFsl and inserted into pRAd.mcs, a shuttle vector for transgene insertion between E4 and right ITR of Ad5. The resulting construct was called pRAd-T.GFsl (Fig. 1B).
• Ad/FasL-GFP TET vector The assembly of Ad/FasL-GFP TET vector is shown in Figure 1 C.
• the cells were collected and lysed in 200 ⁇ l of cell lysis buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.8), 1 mM EDTA, 2% SDS, 0.1% Bromophenol Blue, 1 mM PMSF (Sigma), 50 ⁇ g/ml leupeptin (Sigma), 2 ⁇ g/ml aprotinin (Sigma) and 1 ng/ml pepstatin (Sigma).
• the samples were boiled for 5 minutes and 1/10 of the original amount (10 6 cells) was loaded per lane of an 8% SDS-PAGE minigel (BioRad), which was run at 20 mA for 3 hours.
• Human recombinant FasL (C-terminal) was obtained from Santa Cruz Laboratories.
• the proteins were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane (Pharmacia Biotech) using a semi-dry gel transfer apparatus (BioRad).
• the membrane was blocked by incubation (2 hours at 37°C) in a solution containing 10 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.5), 140 mM NaCI, 3% (w/v) BSA, 5% (w/v) powdered milk, 0.2% (v/v) Tween-20 (Amresco, Solon, OH) and 0.02% (w/v) sodium azide (Sigma).
• the polyclonal rabbit anti-FasL antibody (Santa Cruz) was diluted 1 :100 with blocking solution and incubated with the membrane for 2 hours at ambient temperature.
• the blot was washed with 10 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.5) and 140 mM NaCI solution twice, then incubated with goat anti- rabbit IgG conjugated with HRPO (Caltag, Burlingame, CA) diluted 1 :10000.
• HRPO Caltag, Burlingame, CA
• the blot was developed in ECL reagent (Amersham Life Science) overnight and visualized with Kodak X-ray film.
• Detection of apoptosis Early detection of apoptosis in cultured adherent cells was accomplished by utilizing the In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, AP (Boehringer Mannheim) according to manufacturers instructions. This kit utilizes the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase- mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) process to incorporate fluorescein at free 3'-OH DNA ends and detect it with anti-fluorescein antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. After substrate reaction, stained cells can be visualized using light microscopy.
• TUNEL terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase- mediated dUTP nick end-labeling
• FasL-GFP Fas ligand-GFP
• transfection efficiencies between 10 and 25% were achieved as determined by X-Gal staining of cells transfected with pcDNA3-LacZ.
• Large numbers of HeLa cells transfected with vectors expressing either FasL or FasL-GFP showed typical apoptotic morphology (such as membrane blebbing and loss of adherence) and stained positive in the TUNEL assay.
• Very few cells transfected with a control plasmid underwent apoptosis. The numbers of apoptotic cells in wells transfected with FasL-GFP vector were reproducibly similar to those transfected with FasL vector, suggesting that the wild-type and fusion proteins have comparable activity.
• adenoviral vectors Construction and characterization of adenoviral vectors: Our goal was to produce large amounts of adenoviral vectors in which the FasL expression could be regulated. This regulation allows control of the levels of FasL expression in target cells and thus facilitates the study of its biological effects. In addition, amplification of rAd vectors constitutively expressing FasL or FasL-GFP in 293 cells would be expected to produce low titers because FasL expression causes apoptosis of the virus-producing cells.
• This strategy was based on the following considerations.
• this strategy delivers the entire tet-regulated expression system using a single vector, rather than using two Ad vectors as have been described previously.
• Use of a single vector allows a more efficient delivery to target cells as well as a more uniform regulation of protein expression.
• This strategy also achieves maximum possible separation between the enhancer elements of the CMVie promoter and the TRE promoter, in order to minimize background (unregulated) expression of FasL-GFP protein (Fig. 1B and 1C).
• a similar result was obtained with respect to the E1A enhancer elements, which are located within the Ad5 packaging signals Hearing, P. and T. Shenk. 1983.
• the adenovirus type 5 E1 A transcriptional control region contains a duplicated enhancer element. Cell 33:695-703. These elements have been reported to interact with some promoters cloned into the E1 region Shi, Q., Y. Wang and R. Worton. (1997) "Modulation of the specificity and activity of a cellular promoter in an adenoviral vector" Hum Gene Ther 8:403-10.
• the genomes of recombinant adenoviral vectors used in the present invention were assembled in vitro in large-scale ligation reactions as schematically diagrammed in Figure 1C. These genomes were then gel-purified and transfected into 293 cells and the resulting cultures were propagated until virus-induced CPE was observed. In the case of vectors expressing ⁇ -galactosidase or GFP, CPE occurred at significantly earlier time points than for vectors expressing FasL or FasL- GFP, indicating that adenoviral vector replication was likely deleteriously affected by FasL activity. Primary vector stocks were amplified according to established techniques, and recombinant adenoviral DNA was extracted and examined for structural integrity by restriction enzyme digests.
• the titers of Ad/FasL and Ad/FasL-GFP TET in 293 cells were typically 30 to 100-fold lower then titers of Ad/LacZ or Ad/GFP.
• Comparison of titers of Ad vectors with FasL activity demonstrated a substantial improvement (between 8- and 12-fold) in the yield of these vectors when they were produced in 293CrmA cells ( Figure 2).
• amplification of the control vector Ad/LacZ in either 293 or 293CrmA cells resulted in essentially the same yield.
• generation and amplification of all vectors with FasL activity was carried out in 293CrmA cells.
• Induction of apoptosis by adenovirus-mediated FasL expression we transduced HeLa cells with Ad/FasL-GFP TET at different MOI. At 24 hours post-transduction, cells were analyzed for apoptosis. Cells infected with Ad/FasL-GFP TET demonstrated typical apoptotic morphology. The numbers of apoptotic cells increased with the increasing vector titers. In contrast, plates transduced with the control vector Ad/LacZ at the same MOI did not generate apoptotic cells in excess of untransduced controls.
• the overall efficiency of transduction was determined by X-gal staining and shows increasing numbers of ⁇ - galactosidase-positive cells with increasing MOI. We have observed that the numbers of apoptotic cells are noticeably higher than those of the cells with detectable GFP fluorescence, or of the X-gal stained cells transduced at the same. Thus, apoptosis of cells not infected with the vector, but adjacent to the cells that are, is caused by the interactions of FasL on the surface of infected cells with Fas receptors on their neighbors.
• FasL-GFP fusion protein Detection and cellular localization of FasL-GFP fusion protein
• Wild-type FasL is a type II membrane protein.
• FasL-GFP fusion protein is also targeted to cellular membrane.
• This technique to observe the expression and cellular localization of our FasL-GFP fusion protein when expressed from rAd vector.
• expression of FasL-GFP causes apoptosis at protein levels close to the detection threshold of GFP. Therefore, the expression of FasL-GFP was analyzed in primary rat myoblasts, which we found to be relatively resistant to FasL-induced apoptosis.
• FasL-GFP fusion protein is directed to the cell surface, where it can interact with the Fas receptor in a manner analogous to that of wildtype FasL.
• FasL-GFP TET vector expression of FasL-GFP fusion protein is designed to be activated by the binding of the tetR-VP16 fusion protein (constituatively expressed from the same vector; see Fig. 1C) to the heptamer of tet-operators upstream of a minimal CMVie promoter. Gossen, M. and H. Bujard.
• FasL-GFP produced in transduced cells by using Western blot analysis.
• FasL activity i.e. the induction of apoptosis in Fas-positive target cells.
• Wells of HeLa cells were transduced with Ad/FasL-GFP TET at an MOI of 2 and cultured in the presence of various concentrations of doxycycline.
• Ad/FasL-GFP TET At 24 hours post- transduction, cells were analyzed for apoptotic phenotype. The results confirm that the induction of apoptosis in cells transduced with Ad/FasL- GFP TET can be regulated by doxycycline.
• doxycycline inhibits the binding of tTA to TRE and turns off FasL-GFP transcription in a dose-dependent manner.
• This system performed successfully in the context of adenoviral vector, such that the expression of FasL-GFP could be efficiently regulated by varying the doxycycline concentrations in cell culture medium.
• rAd vector that expresses a novel FasL-GFP fusion protein under the control of tetracycline-regulated gene expression system.
• This vector combines high titers and efficient transgene delivery to multiple types of dividing and non-dividing cells with convenient regulation of protein expression and easy detection of the fusion protein in both living and fixed cells.
• This vector is a valuable tool for treating disease through immunology, transplantation and cancer therapy.
• This example describes a type of bystander gene therapy utilizing a Fas Ligand-fusion gene approach that induces prostatic adenocarcinoma to undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death) through a paracrine/autocrine mechanism.
• This work provides a novel and potent therapy for treatment of prostate cancer (PCa).
• specificity for the prostate or any other tissue may be achieved using tissue-specific promoters to allow parenteral delivery of virus for treatment of metastatic disease.
• CD95L-fusion gene a Fas Ligand (CD95L-fusion gene) with a second generation adenovirus deleted for E1A, E3 and E4.
• CD95L expression is controlled by a Tet operator allowing for doxycycline regulation in vitro and in vivo.
• the CD95L used in this proposal is the mouse CD95L cDNA truncated by 10 amino acids at its N terminus and fused in frame with a four-amino acid linker to the C terminus of an enhanced GFP.
• Table 1 presents our data using five PCa cell lines and generally confirms literature reports (Hedlund et al. The Prostate 36:92-101 , 1998; and Rokhlin et al. Can. Res. 57:1758-1768, 1997) that demonstrate PCa cell lines are resistant to CH-11 agonist activity. In contrast, we now demonstrate sensitivity to AdGFP-FasL and C2- ceramide in all five PCa cell lines tested to date.
• Percent cytotoxicity was determined using the MTS assay. In brief, cells were seeded in a 12-well plate with 1ml of media. Prior to treatments, cells were grown to 75% confluency and treated with either 500ng/ml CH-11 anti-Fas antibody, 500ng/ml Normal Mouse Serum or 30 ⁇ M C2-ceramide. For adenoviral transduction, approximately 1x10 5 cells/well were treated with either Ad/CMVGFP or Ad/GFP-FasL TET at an MOI between 10-1000. For each cell line, positive controls were left untreated, and 1 ml of media was used as a negative control. The cells were incubated for 48 hours at 37 °C for maximal cell killing.
• % cytotoxicity [1-(OD of experimental well/ OD of positive control well)] x 100.
• ceramide assays 1x10 4 cells/well were seeded in a 96-well plate. The following morning cells were washed and incubated with 100 ⁇ l of 30 ⁇ M Dihydro- or C2-ceramide
• AdGFP-FasL TET The final and most relevant piece of information pertains to whether we can administer AdGFP-FasL TET without lethality to the subject. This is critically important because a dose as low as 2x10 8 pfu of virus kills the mouse when administered parenterally.
• xenografts of PPC1 were developed in Balbc nu/nu mice and treated with various doses of AdCMVGFP control or AdGFP-FasL virus. From these single dose studies, we have evidence that tumor cell growth is retarded or stopped. Further, out of 14 animals treated with virus, none have died from the virus. In summary, we conclude that the GFP-FasL fusion protein in our Ad5 delivery system has strong therapeutic potential for treating PCa.
• Our present virus is designed to be administered orthotopically to PCa. If the virus escapes the tumor and enters the body it could be lethal if sufficient virus reaches the reticuloendothelial system (mostly the liver).
• dox doxycycline
• expression of CD95L from AdGFP-FasL can be down-regulated, and this danger avoided.
• a viral vector induced by doxycycline that exhibits "very low” basal activity is constructed by using the Tet regulatable elements set forth in Example 1. This vector is completely repressed relative to GFP-FasL expression in the absence of dox and induced starting at 10ng/ml with maximal induction between 100-500ng/ml.
• viruses are grown in the presence of 1 ⁇ g/ml doxycycline in the HEK 293 packaging cell line that constitutively expresses the cowpox virus cytokine response modifier, crmA Rubinchik et al. This is necessary to prevent GFP-FasL induced apoptosis in the packaging cell line.
• Virus is always purified by isopycnic centrifugation on CsCI, desalted by chromatography, concentrated by filtration and stored frozen in PBS 10% glycerol in small aiiquots at -80°C.
• Virus is thawed only once and administered to the animals under anesthesia, by infusion as described above, at 15 ⁇ l/min or via the tail vein with a tuberculin syringe. Tumor and animal tissues are collected for frozen sections or, fixed and embedded, where appropriate, and analyzed by H & E, by tunel assays for apoptosis, and by immunostaining to determine neutrophil infiltration and GFP expression where relevant.
• AdGFP-FasL Tetd (dox down-regulated) on prostate cancer xenografts in Balbc nu/nu mice. These experiments are carried out to establish both toxicological and efficacy parameters. Specifically, we infuse increasing doses 1x10 9 - 5x10 10 pfu AdGFP- FasL Tetd into 75 to 100 mm 3 tumors to determine: A) lowest successful dose required to decrease tumor volume by 75% or more following orthotopic administration of virus with one dose and with three doses administered every four days. Tumors are developed from CD95L sensitive PPC1 , intermediately sensitive LnCAP C2-4, and more resistant Du145 cell lines. Other parameters of administration are developed based on results with the endpoint always being tumor remission.
• AdGFP-FasL Tetu upregulated
• AdGFP- FasL Tetd down-regulated
• PCa normal laboratory beagles
• human AdRSVbgal serotype 5
• adenovirus will infect dog epithelial cells, including prostate tumor cells, both in vitro and in vivo Andrawiss et al. Prostatic Can. Prostatic Dis. 2:25-35, 1999.
• Comparison of the present Ad/GFP-Fas TET in dogs (immunocompetent) verses immunocompromised mice (Balbc nu/nu) provides additional support for a human phase I trial of this gene therapy approach.
• Purified concentrated adenovirus (Ad/GFP-FasL TET both up- and down-regulated and a reporter virus Ad/CMV-LacZ all serotype 5) is injected via an abdominal surgical approach into one lobe of the dog prostate.
• This approach is preferable to transrectal introduction because it is believed that direct visualization of the prostate provide for a more accurate introduction of virus in these first series of experiments.
• Virus dosages of 5x10 9 , 1x10 10 , and 5x10 10 in a constant 400ul volume are used: one set of 2 dogs receives Ad/CMV-LacZ at 5x10 10 pfu to allow histochemical monitoring of viral spread. Dogs are monitored closely the first 72 hours for any signs of distress. Feces is collected and analyzed for viral shedding by PCR. Urine is also collected by foley catheter and assayed on 293 cells for shed virus and by PCR. At day 7 (2 dogs per viral dose) are euthanized with sodium pentobarbital and processed as described. (Andrawiss et al. Prostatic Can. Prostatic Dis. 2:25-35, 1999).
• Example 5 Comparison of sensitivities of cancer cells to FasL- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis in vitro
• the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of the encephalomyocarditis virus allows expression of two genes from the same mRNA transcript.
• the GFP is not fused to the apoptotic protein TRAIL, its expression is correlated with that of TRAIL. Since TRAIL is in front of the GFP and the IRES sequence, the level of its expression should be several folds higher than GFP. Liu et al. (2000) "Generation of mammalian cells stably expressing multiple genes at predetermined levels" Anal. Biochem. 280:20-28. This will assure high levels of TRAIL expression in cells that GFP expression can be observed with UV microscope.
• Example 6 Adenovirus-mediated TRAIL expression induces apoptosis in cancer cells, but not in normal fibroblasts.
• TRAIL tumor therapy it is believed that one of the major advantages of TRAIL tumor therapy is that TRAIL expression is supposed to be much less toxic to normal cells than that of FasL, while still inducing apoptosis in tumor cell.
• adoptive technology we transduced normal human fibroblasts with Ad.TRAILJGFP TET at MOI about 10.
• Ad.TRAILJGFP TET Ad.TRAILJGFP TET at MOI about 10.
• TRAIL can be even safer than FasL.

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