Patent Application
20240350605
The content of the of the electronic sequence listing (699442001540SEQLIST.xml; Size: 25,374 bytes; and Date of Creation: Aug. 30, 2022) is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to mRNA, self-replicating RNA, and temperature-sensitive, self-replicating RNA encoding a cancer antigen. The RNA constructs are suitable for cancer immunotherapy in a mammalian subject, such as a human subject.
Immunotherapy can be effective in treating cancer and has become more widely used. One therapeutic strategy is to inject immunogenic compositions including antigens that are expressed in tumor cells into cancer patients. Tumor-associated antigens (TAA) are expressed in tumor cells, but are also expressed in embryonic cells or expressed at low levels in normal cells. Tumor-specific antigens (TSA), also called neoantigens, are expressed only in tumor cells, and are often expressed from genes that are mutated in tumor cells. Cancer immunotherapy relies on the induction of a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against cancer cells.
There is a need in the art for cancer immunotherapies that induce potent TAA- or TSA-specific cellular immune responses to destroy tumor cells that express a TAA or a TSA.
The present disclosure related to the use of a cancer antigen (TAA and/or TSA) to induce a cellular immune response against cancer cells. In some embodiments, a temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA vaccine platform is utilized. In an exemplary embodiment, the WT1 protein is expressed in host cells from a temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA (c-srRNA) to induce a potent cellular immune response against WT1-expressing tumor cells. A c-srRNA is also referred to herein as a temperature-sensitive self-replicating RNA (srRNAts). Importantly, the c-srRNA-WT1 immunotherapeutic (EXG-5101) was found to inhibit tumor growth and even reduce size of established tumors in a preclinical model. Thus, the c-srRNA platform described herein is a suitable vector for expression of a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) such as WT1, NY-ESO-1, MAGEA3, BIRC5 (also known as SURVIVIN), PRAME or a tumor-specific antigen (TSA), also known as a neoantigen. In some embodiments, the c-srRNA is used to express a fusion protein of two or more TAAs, TSAs, or a combination of a TAA and a TSA.
Among other embodiments, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising an excipient and a temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA (c-srRNA). In some embodiments, the composition comprises a chitosan. In some embodiments, the chitosan is a low molecular weight (about 3-5 kDa) chitosan oligosaccharide, such as chitosan oligosaccharide lactate. In some embodiments, the composition does not comprise liposomes or lipid nanoparticles.
Cancer immunotherapy is contemplated to be best achieved through immunogenic compositions that mainly rely on the induction of cellular immunity (i.e., T-cell-inducing vaccines involving CD8+ killer T cells and CD4+ helper T cells). The present disclosure provides mRNA, self-replicating RNA (srRNA), and temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA (c-srRNA) encoding one or more cancer antigens such as Tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and Tumor-specific antigens (TSA, also called neoantigens). Thus, the present disclosure provides a cellular immunity-based platform for cancer immunotherapy. Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA), which is expressed in a broad range of tumors, but is only expressed in embryonic tissues and very limited cell types in adults. Accordingly, in some embodiments the c-srRNA encodes WT1. In some embodiments, the c-srRNA encodes BIRC5 (aka SURVIVIN). In some embodiments, the c-srRNA encodes NY-ESO-1. In some embodiments, the c-srRNA encodes MAGEA3. In some embodiments, the c-srRNA encodes PRAME. In further embodiments, the c-srRNA encodes one, two, three, four or all five cancer antigens of the group consisting of WT1, BIRC5, NY-ESO-1, MAGEA3, and PRAME.
The vaccine platform is described in part in Elixirgen's earlier patent application [PCT/US20/67506, now published as WO 2021/138447 A1]. This vaccine platform is optimized to induce cellular immunity, which becomes possible by combining existing knowledge of vaccine biology with temperature-controllable self-replicating mRNA (c-srRNA) based on an Alphavirus, such as the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). The terms c-srRNA and srRNAts are used interchangeably throughout the present disclosure, with srRNA Its2 (described in WO 2021/138447 A1) being an exemplary embodiment. c-srRNA is based on srRNA, which is also known as self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA or SAM), by incorporating small amino acid changes in the Alphavirus replicase that provide temperature-sensitivity. Elixirgen's c-srRNA is functional at a permissive temperature range of about 30-35° C., but is not functional at a non-permissive temperature at or above about 37° C. It carries all the benefits of mRNA platforms: no genome integration, rapid development and deployment, and a simple GMP (good manufacturing process) process, as well as the additional advantages of srRNA platforms (i.e., a predecessor of our c-srRNA platform) compared to mRNA platforms, particularly longer expression [Johanning et al., 1995] and higher immunogenicity at a lower dosage [Brito et al., 2014]. However, this simple temperature-controllable feature makes it possible to pull together many desirable features of T-cell inducing vaccine as briefly described below.
In brief, srRNA1ts2 is a temperature-sensitive, self-replicating VEEV-based RNA replicon developed for transient expression of a heterologous protein. Temperature-sensitivity is conferred by an insertion of five amino acids residues within the non-structural Protein 2 (nsP2) of VEEV. The nsP2 protein is a helicase/proteinase, which along with nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 constitutes a VEEV replicase. srRNA1ts2 does not contain VEEV structural proteins (capsid, E1, E2 and E3). The disclosure of WO 2021/138447 A1 of Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference. In particular, Example 3,
The practice of the present disclosure will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, which are within the skill of the art.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless indicated otherwise. For example, “an” excipient includes one or more excipients.
The phrase “comprising” as used herein is open-ended, indicating that such embodiments may include additional elements. In contrast, the phrase “consisting of” is closed, indicating that such embodiments do not include additional elements (except for trace impurities). The phrase “consisting essentially of” is partially closed, indicating that such embodiments may further comprise elements that do not materially change the basic characteristics of such embodiments.
The term “about” as used herein in reference to a value, encompasses from 90% to 110% of that value (e.g., molecular weight of about 5,000 daltons when used in reference to a chitosan oligosaccharide refers to 4,500 daltons to 5,500 daltons).
The term “antigen” refers to a substance that is recognized and bound specifically by an antibody or by a T cell antigen receptor. Antigens can include peptides, polypeptides, proteins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates, sugars, gangliosides, lipids and phospholipids; portions thereof and combinations thereof. In the context of the present disclosure, the term “antigen” typically refers to a polypeptide or protein antigen at least eight amino acid residues in length, which may comprise one or more post-translational modifications.
The terms “polypeptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues, and are not limited to a certain length unless otherwise specified. Polypeptides may include natural amino acid residues or a combination of natural and non-natural amino acid residues The terms also include post-expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylation, sialylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and the like. In some aspects, the polypeptides may contain modifications with respect to a native or natural sequence, as long as the protein maintains the desired activity (e.g., antigenicity).
The terms “isolated” and “purified” as used herein refers to a material that is removed from at least one component with which it is naturally associated (e.g., removed from its original environment). The term “isolated,” when used in reference to a recombinant protein, refers to a protein that has been removed from the culture medium of the host cell that produced the protein. In some embodiments, an isolated protein (e.g., WT1 protein) is at least 75%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% pure as determined by HPLC.
An “effective amount” or a “sufficient amount” of a substance is that amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired results, including clinical results, and, as such, an “effective amount” depends upon the context in which it is being applied. In the context of administering a composition of the present disclosure comprising an mRNA encoding an antigen, an effective amount contains sufficient mRNA to stimulate an immune response (preferably a cellular immune response against the antigen).
In the present disclosure, the terms “individual” and “subject” refer to a mammals. “Mammals” include, but are not limited to, humans, non-human primates (e.g., monkeys), farm animals, sport animals, rodents (e.g., mice and rats) and pets (e.g., dogs and cats). In some preferred embodiments, the subject is a human subject.
The term “dose” as used herein in reference to a composition comprising a mRNA encoding an antigen refers to a measured portion of the taken by (administered to or received by) a subject at any one time. Administering a composition of the present disclosure to a subject in need thereof, comprises administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a mRNA encoding an antigen to stimulate an immune response to the antigen in the subject.
“Stimulation” of a response or parameter includes eliciting and/or enhancing that response or parameter when compared to otherwise same conditions except for a parameter of interest, or alternatively, as compared to another condition (e.g., increase in antigen-specific cytokine secretion after administration of a composition comprising or encoding the antigen as compared to administration of a control composition not comprising or encoding the antigen). For example, “stimulation” of an immune response (e.g., Th1 response) means an increase in the response. Depending upon the parameter measured, the increase may be from 2-fold to 200-fold or over, from 5-fold to 500-fold or over, from 10-fold to 1000-fold or over, or from 2, 5, 10, 50, or 100-fold to 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, or 10,000-fold.
Conversely, “inhibition” of a response or parameter includes reducing and/or repressing that response or parameter when compared to otherwise same conditions except for a parameter of interest, or alternatively, as compared to another condition. For example, “inhibition” of an immune response (e.g., Th2 response) means a decrease in the response. Depending upon the parameter measured, the decrease may be from 2-fold to 200-fold, from 5-fold to 500-fold or over, from 10-fold to 1000-fold or over, or from 2, 5, 10, 50, or 100-fold to 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000-fold.
The relative terms “higher” and “lower” refer to a measurable increase or decrease, respectively, in a response or parameter when compared to otherwise same conditions except for a parameter of interest, or alternatively, as compared to another condition. For instance, a “higher antibody titer” refers to an antigen-reactive antibody titer as a consequence of administration of a composition of the present disclosure comprising an mRNA encoding an antigen that is at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10-fold above an antigen-reactive antibody titer as a consequence of a control condition (e.g., administration of a comparator composition that does not comprise the mRNA or comprises a control mRNA that does not encode the antigen). Likewise, a “lower antibody titer” refers to an antigen-reactive antibody titer as a consequence of a control condition (e.g., administration of a comparator composition that does not comprise the mRNA or comprises a control mRNA that does not encode the antigen) that is at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10-fold below an antigen-reactive antibody titer as a consequence of administration of a composition of the present disclosure comprising an mRNA encoding an antigen.
As used herein the term “immunization” refers to a process that increases a mammalian subject's reaction to antigen and therefore improves its ability to resist or overcome infection and/or resist disease.
The term “vaccination” as used herein refers to the introduction of a vaccine into a body of a mammalian subject.
As used herein, “percent (%) amino acid sequence identity” and “percent identity” and “sequence identity” when used with respect to an amino acid sequence (reference polypeptide sequence) is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence (e.g., the subject antigen) that are identical with the amino acid residues in the reference polypeptide sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for aligning sequences, including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences being compared.
An amino acid substitution may include replacement of one amino acid in a polypeptide with another amino acid. Amino acid substitutions may be introduced into an antigen of interest and the products screened for a desired activity, e.g., increased stability and/or immunogenicity.
Amino acids generally can be grouped according to the following common side-chain properties:
Conservative amino acid substitutions will involve exchanging a member of one of these classes with another member of the same class. Non-conservative amino acid substitutions will involve exchanging a member of one of these classes with a member of another class.
As used herein, the term “excipient” refers to a compound present in a composition comprising an active ingredient (e.g., mRNA encoding an antigen). Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are inert pharmaceutical compounds, and may include for instance, solvents, bulking agents, buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, and preservatives (Pramanick et al., Pharma Times, 45:65-77, 2013). In some embodiments the compositions of the present disclosure comprise an excipient that functions as one or more of a solvent, a bulking agent, a buffering agent, and a tonicity adjusting agent (e.g., sodium chloride in saline may serve as both an aqueous vehicle and a tonicity adjusting agent).
Intradermal vaccination results in long-lasting cellular immunity and increased immunogenicity [Hickling and Jones, 2009]. Human skin (epidermis and dermis) is rich in antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells (DCs). Intradermal vaccination is known to be 5- to 10-times more effective than subcutaneous or intramuscular vaccination because it targets the APCs [Hickling and Jones, 2009], and such targeting also activates the T cell immunity pathway for long-lasting immunity. By intradermal injection, c-srRNA is predominantly taken up by skin APCs, wherein it replicates, produces antigen, digests the antigen into peptides, and presents these peptides to T cells (
Here are potential issues that we have identified and the solutions that our c-srRNA platform offers.
A tumor-associated antigens (TAA) is expressed in tumor cells, but also expressed in embryonic cells or expressed at a low level in normal cells. The National Cancer Institute selected 75 cancer antigens that are suitable for a target of cancer therapy (Cheever et al., 2009). For example, Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) ranked as the most promising among the 75 cancer antigens identified by the National Cancer Institute (Cheever et al., 2009). WT1 is expressed in a broad range of tumors, but expressed only in embryonic tissues and very limited cell types in adults. For examples, WT1 is expressed in most leukemia (AML, ALL), pancreatic cancer, lung carcinomas, and Glioblastoma. WT1 peptides have been used as an antigen for cancer vaccines in many preclinical and clinical trials. The use of WT1 is shown in EXAMPLE 1. The list also contains NY-ESO-1 (EXAMPLE 2) and MAGEA3 (EXAMPLE 3). Any TAA can be used as an antigen for cancer vaccines based on our c-srRNA platform. It is also possible to use any combination of these TAAs as a fusion protein or proteins expressed separately (EXAMPLE 4).
Recently, it has become common to perform genome sequencing of tumor cells derived from patients. Such efforts often identify protein products or peptides that are unique to tumors due to the mutations in their genomes. These Tumor-specific antigens (TSA), also called neoantigens, are ideal targets for cancer vaccine. A single TSA or a fusion of more than one TSA can be used as an antigen for cancer vaccines based on our c-srRNA platform (EXAMPLE 5).
An RNase inhibitor (a protein purified from human placenta) slightly enhances the immunogenicity against an antigen encoded on c-srRNA, most likely by enhancing expression of the antigen from the c-srRNA in vivo when intradermally injected into mice (see e.g., FIG. 25C of WO 2021/138447 A1). The RNase inhibitor may protect c-srRNA from RNase-mediated degradation in vivo. However, it is desirable to find an alternative agent that can enhance expression of a gene of interest (GOI) in vivo for therapeutics purposes, as it is difficult to use a protein-based RNase inhibitor as an excipient in injectable products.
A low molecular weight chitosan (molecular weight ˜6 kDa) was shown to inhibit the activity of RNase with the inhibition constants in the range of 30-220 nM (Yakovlev et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 357 (3): 584-8, 2007). Two different chitosan oligomers were recently tested: chitosan oligomer (CAS No. 9012-76-4; molecular weight ≤5 kDa, ≥75% deacetylated: Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH: Product No. 44009), and chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (CAS No. 148411-57-8; molecular weight about 5 kDa, >90% deacetylated: Sigma-Aldrich: Product No. 523682). Surprisingly, even a very low level of chitosan oligomers, as low as 0.001 μg/mL (about 0.2 nM: about 1/100 of the inhibition constant discovered by Yakovlev et al., supra, 2007) was found to be able to enhance the expression of luciferase encoded on c-srRNA by ˜10-fold (data not shown). Similar enhancement of the GOI expression was achieved by chitosan oligomers for up to 0.5 μg/mL and by chitosan oligosaccharide lactate at 0.1 μg/mL.
Chitosan has been used as a nucleotide (DNA and RNA) delivery vector, as it can form complexes or nanoparticles (reviewed in Buschmann et al., Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 65 (9): 1234-70, 2013; and Cao et al., Drugs, 17:381, 2019). However, it is worth noting that the enhancement of the GOI expression by chitosan oligomers is unlikely to be mediated by the nanoparticle or the complex formation of c-srRNA and chitosan oligomers. First, such a low concentration of chitosan oligomers does not allow the complex formation with RNA. Second, chitosan oligomers are added to c-srRNA immediately before the intradermal injection, and thus, there is not sufficient time to form the complex.
As the chitosan oligomers enhance expression of the GOI in vivo at much lower concentrations compared to the effective concentration as an RNase inhibitor in vitro (Yakovlev et al., supra, 2007), it is conceivable that this enhanced GOI expression by chitosan oligomers may not be mediated by its RNase inhibition mechanism. For example, chitosan oligomers may facilitate the incorporation of c-srRNA into cells, and thereby may enhance the expression of GOI from c-srRNA. Nonetheless, this surprising discovery should provide an effective means to enhance the in vivo therapeutic expression of GOI encoded on c-srRNA.
Abbreviations: APC (antigen presenting cell); BIRC5 (baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 or SUR VIVIN); IL-4 (interleukin-4); IFN-γ (interferon gamma); MAGEA3 (melanoma-associated antigen 3); ORF (open reading frame); PBO (placebo); NY-ESO-1 (New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 or CTAGIB); PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma); SFC (spot-forming cells); srRNAts (temperature-sensitive, self-replicating RNA or c-srRNA temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA); TAA (tumor-associated antigen); TSA (tumor-specific antigen); and WT1 (Wilms tumor 1).
This example describes the finding that the human Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) protein induces a potent cellular immune response in BALB/c mice when expressed from an intradermally-injected, temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA. Strikingly, the EXG-5101 RNA construct induces elimination of mouse mammary tumor cells expressing human WT1 in a syngeneic mouse cancer model.
EXG-5101 mRNA was produced by in vitro transcription of a temperature-controllable self-replicating RNA vector (srRNA1ts2 [PCT/US2020/067506]) encoding a fusion protein comprising the human CD5 signal peptide fused to the human WT1 protein (
4T1 mammary tumor cells (ATCC No. CRL-2539) were derived from a BALB/c mouse and are known to mimic human breast cancer (Stage IV)
In conclusion, the intradermally-injected EXG-5101 mRNA immunotherapeutic suppresses tumor growth or reduces tumor size of WT1-expressing tumors in a dose-dependent manner in a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer. In addition, the intradermally-injected EXG-5101 mRNA immunotherapeutic induces cellular immunity against human WT1 protein in a mouse model.
This example describes assessing whether intradermally-injected c-srRNA encoding human NY-ESO-1 is able to induce a cellular immune response against mouse mammary tumor cells expressing human NY-ESO-1 in syngeneic mouse cancer model.
c-srRNA-NY-EOS1 mRNA is produced by in vitro transcription of a temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA vector (srRNA1ts2 [PCT/US20/67506]) encoding a fusion protein comprising the human CD5 signal peptide fused to the human NY-ESO-1 protein. NY-ESO-1 is also known as Cancer/testis antigen 1B (CTAGIB) (NM_001327).
4T1 mammary tumor cells (ATCC No. CRL-2539) were derived from a BALB/c mouse and are known to mimic human breast cancer (Stage IV).
4T1 tumor cells are transfected with a plasmid DNA encoding a human NY-ESO-1, also known as Cancer/testis antigen 1B (CTAGIB) (NM_001327) driven by a CMV promoter, as well as a neomycin-resistance gene as a selectable marker. Stable transformants of 4TI cells expressing human NY-ESO-1 gene are isolated by G418 selection. The cells are injected into a mammary fat pad of a BALB/c mouse (Day 0 post-tumor inoculation). On Day 7, either placebo (PBO), 5 μg, or 25 μg of c-srRNA-NY-ESO-1 mRNA is intradermally administered (Day 0 post-vaccination). Tumor size is measured at several time points post vaccination.
Intradermally-injected c-srRNA-NY-ESO-1 mRNA immunotherapeutic is contemplated to suppress tumor growth or reduce tumor size of NY-ESO-1-expressing tumors in a dose-dependent manner in a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer.
This example describes assessing whether intradermally-injected c-srRNA encoding human MAGE family member A3 (MAGEA3) is able to induce a cellular immune response against mouse mammary tumor cells expressing human MAGEA3 in syngeneic mouse cancer model.
c-srRNA mRNA-MAGEA3 is produced by in vitro transcription of a temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA vector (srRNA1ts2 [PCT/US20/67506]) encoding a fusion protein comprising the human CD5 signal peptide fused to the human MAGE family member A3 (MAGEA3) protein (NM_005362).
4T1 mammary tumor cells (ATCC No. CRL-2539) were derived from a BALB/c mouse and are known to mimic human breast cancer (Stage IV).
4T1 tumor cells are transfected with a plasmid DNA encoding a human MAGEA3 (NM_005362) driven by a CMV promoter, as well as a neomycin-resistance gene as a selectable marker. Stable transformants of 4T1 cells expressing human MAGEA3 are isolated by G418 selection. The cells are injected into a mammary fat pad of a BALB/c mouse (Day 0 post-tumor inoculation). On Day 7, either placebo (PBO), 5 μg, or 25 μg of c-srRNA-MAGEA3 mRNA is intradermally administered (Day 0 post-vaccination). Tumor size is measured at several time points post vaccination.
Intradermally-injected c-srRNA-MAGEA3 mRNA immunotherapeutic is contemplated to suppress tumor growth or reduce tumor size of MAGEA3-expressing tumors in a dose-dependent manner in a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer.
This example describes the finding that intradermally-injected c-srRNA encoding a fusion protein comprising WT1, NY-ESO-1, BIRC5, MAGEA3, and PRAME induces a potent cellular immune response in BALB/c mice against TAAs of the fusion protein.
4T1 mammary tumor cells derived from BALB/c (ATCC: CRL-2539), which is known to mimic human breast cancer (Stage IV).
4T1 tumor cell line was transfected with three plasmid DNAs, encoding a human WT1, BIRC5, NY-ESO-1, MAGEA3, and PRAME, respectively, driven by a CMV promoter and a selectable marker against G418 (neomycin). The stable transformant of 4T1 cells expressing human WT1, BIRC5, NY-ESO-1, MAGEA3, and PRAME, was isolated after G418 selection. The cells were injected into a mammary fat pad of a BALB/c mouse. Either placebo (PBO), 5 μg, or 25 μg of EXG-5105 mRNA vaccine was intradermally administered. Subsequently, tumor sizes were measured.
In conclusion, the intradermally-injected EXG-5105 mRNA immunotherapeutic induces cellular immunity against distinct components of a fusion protein in a syngeneic mouse cancer model. Additionally, the intradermally-injected EXG-5105 mRNA vaccine is expected to suppress growth of tumor cells expressing human WT1, NY-ESO-1, BIRC5, MAGEA3, and PRAME in vivo.
This example describes the finding that intradermally-injected srRNAts encoding for a neoantigen induces a cellular immune response in BALB/c mice against the neoantigen in syngeneic mouse cancer model.
srRNAts mRNA (srRNA1ts2 [PCT/US20/67506]) encoding for a neoantigen with a signal peptide sequence derived from human CD5 gene.
4T1 mammary tumor cells derived from BALB/c (ATCC: CRL-2539), which is known to mimic human breast cancer (Stage IV).
4T1 tumor cell line was transfected with three plasmid DNAs, encoding a human neoantigen driven by a CMV promoter and a selectable marker against G418 (neomycin). The stable transformant of 4Tl cells expressing human neoantigen was isolated after G418 selection. The cells were injected into a mammary fat pad of BALB/c mouse. Either placebo (PBO), 5 μg, or 25 μg of srRNAts-neoantigen mRNA vaccine was intradermally administered. Subsequently, tumor sizes were measured.
Intradermally-injected srRNAts-neoantigen mRNA vaccine suppresses the growth of tumor cells expressing human neoantigen and eliminates the tumors in a dose-dependent manner in syngeneic mouse cancer model.
This example describes the finding that intradermally-injected srRNAts constructs encoding an antigen induce a cellular immune response in mice against the antigen.
C57BL/6 mice.
Three different temperature-controllable self-replicating RNA vectors (c-srRNA) and a control self-replicating RNA vector (c-srRNA) were tested. Characteristics of the srRNAs are summarized in Table 6-1. IFN-α/β sensitivity of the parental VEEV strains was previously reported (Spotts et al., J Viol, 72:10286-10291, 1998). c-srRNAl was based on the TRD strain of VEEV but modified to have a A16D substitution (TC83 mutation) and a P778S substitution. c-srRNA3 was also based on the TRD strain of VEEV but without the A16D and P778S substitutions. srRNA4 was based on the V198 strain of VEEV, which was isolated from a human. All three c-srRNA vectors include the same 5 amino acid insertion within the nsP2 protein of VEEV for temperature-controllability, as previously described (see U.S. Pat. No. 11,421,248 to Ko, Examples 3, 21 and 22 incorporated herein by reference). All four srRNAs encode an antigen (SARS-COV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain) lacking a signal peptide sequence.
The nucleotide sequences of the VEEV genomes are disclosed in GenBank: TRD strain as GenBank No. L01442.2; and TC-83 strain as GenBank No. L01443.1. The amino acid sequences of the nsP2 proteins of the srRNAs are disclosed herein: srRNA0 (SEQ ID NO: 13); c-srRNAI (SEQ ID NO:9); c-srRNA3 (SEQ ID NO:10); c-srRNA4 (SEQ ID NO:11); and c-srRNA consensus (SEQ ID NO:12).
Preparation of srRNA. All srRNAs were produced by in vitro transcription. NEB 10-beta competent E. coli (C3019H/C30191) was transformed with a plasmid DNA and cultured in Luria Broth containing 100 μg/mL ampicillin. Purified plasmid DNA was linearized by MluI. In vitro transcription (IVT) of c-srRNA with Cap1 and poly A was performed using in vitro transcription of a plasmid DNA using T7 RNA polymerase with Cleancap AU (Trilink) according to the manufacturer's protocol.
Injection of srRNA into mouse skin. Mice were randomly divided into groups, and the fur on the hindlimb was shaved to expose the skin one-day prior injection. 5 μg or 25 μg of srRNA reconstituted in Lactated ringer's (LR) solution was intradermally injected onto the shaved skin.
C57BL/6 mice received one of the srRNAs as naked RNA (without lipid nanoparticles or transfection reagents) or a placebo by intradermal injection (
References pertaining to the present disclosure include: PCT/US2020/067506 of Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc.; Brito et al., Mol Ther. 22 (12): 2118-2129, 2014; Cheever et al., Clin Cancer Res. 15:5323-5337, 2009; Golombek et al., Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 11:382-392, 2018; Hickling et al., Intradermal Delivery of Vaccines: A review of the literature and the potential for development for use in low- and middle-income countries. PATH/WHO Aug. 27, 2009; Johanning et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 23 (9): 1495-501, 1995; and Johansson et al., PLOS One. 7 (1): e29732, 2012.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/390,216, filed Jul. 18, 2022, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/341,318, filed May 12, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/240,280, filed Sep. 2, 2021, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/075789 | 8/31/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63390216 | Jul 2022 | US | |
| 63341318 | May 2022 | US | |
| 63240280 | Sep 2021 | US |
