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Download File - JOHN J. HADDAD, Ph.D.

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Development of Novel Immunotherapeutics 169<br />

targeted therapies such as active immunotherapies—to both the preclinical and<br />

clinical phases of drug development. The aim of exploration is twofold: first,<br />

demonstrating proof of concept and outlining appropriate end points and second,<br />

defining the most optimal settings or indications to take an investigational drug<br />

in confirmatory studies. One should also not forget that “off target” and even “on<br />

target” toxicity may translate into new therapeutic opportunities; thus, toxicology<br />

biomarkers should be viewed as potential efficacy biomarkers in select<br />

cases, creating an opportunity to build considerable value in molecular targeted<br />

approaches.<br />

Overall, while biomarker-guided development is quickly becoming a<br />

powerful and necessary tool in support of development of innovative molecular<br />

targeted therapies, validation of select biomarkers as diagnostics—although still<br />

a lengthy and expensive process—may help expand the clinical and commercial<br />

opportunity of a novel drug by directing treatment to patient populations that<br />

would benefit the most.<br />

CASE STUDY: TRANSLATIONAL APPROACH APPLIED TO AN<br />

INVESTIGATIONAL CANCER VACCINE<br />

Herein, we illustrate the translational concept applied to a new cancer vaccination<br />

approach encompassing recombinant DNA vectors (Table 1). The overarching<br />

aim, resulting from the prior evidence in animal and man, was to develop<br />

a cell-free immunization approach that does not encompass replicating or integrating<br />

microbial vectors, yet has a chance to elicit potent antitumor responses.<br />

Recombinant DNA vectors in the form of plasmids expressing antigen fragments<br />

were an appealing strategy since the potential to elicit a broader range of immune<br />

responses encompassing MHC class I–restricted T-cell immunity (6) does not<br />

replicate in mammalian cells and does not significantly integrate into the host’s<br />

genome (7). There are, however, several pitfalls associated with plasmid vectors<br />

when used as vaccines: first and foremost, the low magnitude of immune<br />

response achieved particularly in humans but also in the preclinical models (the<br />

data in preclinical models were overestimated primarily because of availability<br />

of highly sensitive assays and inbred species—not applicable to primate situation).<br />

Upon considerable effort in outlining the causes, we know now that the<br />

major factors responsible for the limited immunogenicity of plasmid vaccines are<br />

(1) the low rate of in vivo transfection of resident cells capable to support crosspriming<br />

mechanisms or directly prime the T cells and (2) the rapid silencing of<br />

the expressed insert, promoter, and/or regulatory elements by host cells’ methylation<br />

apparatus. Overall, within several tens or hundreds of cells at the<br />

injection site this resulted in very low antigen expression that lasted only for<br />

several days—despite persistence of inert plasmid for weeks if not months (8).<br />

Several key studies demonstrated how important was the limited number of<br />

antigen-expressing APCs achieved by plasmid injection in determining the<br />

modest immune response (9). For example, adoptive transfer of escalating

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