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C B Siegall

Publications and source records attributed to C B Siegall.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antitumour activity of a melanoma-specific immunotoxin, ME20-LysPE40.

An immunotoxin conjugate has been prepared by linking an internalizing antibody with melanoma selectivity, ME20, with a binding-defective form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A, LysPE40. ME20-LysPE40 binds to a 105,000 Da cell-surface antigen present on melanoma cells (ME20-M) within twofold of unmodified ME20 and was cytotoxic to two human melanoma cell lines, H3606 and MALME-3M, with EC50 values of 100 and 200 pM, respectively. Immunotoxin treatment, initiated 1 day following subcutaneous implantation of H3606 melanoma cells into mice, prevented outgrowth of tumour xenografts in > 50% of the mice. In contrast, only a modest inhibition in tumour growth was observed if the immunotoxin was administered 5 days after implantation of in vivo passaged H3606 tumour fragments in mice. This study shows that the internalizing monoclonal antibody ME20 IgG can be used for targeting a toxin toward melanoma cells displaying the ME20-M antigen.

Animals↗

Prevention of immunotoxin-mediated vascular leak syndrome in rats with retention of antitumor activity.

Immunotoxins are hybrid molecules composed of a cell-surface binding domain and a protein toxin moiety that together target specific cell populations for elimination. These agents represent a promising approach for the treatment of many human diseases, most notably cancer. However, it has recently become clear that many immunotoxins when used in human clinical trials induce vascular leak syndrome (VLS), restricting the administration of doses necessary to achieve good therapeutic responses. The lack of an appropriate animal model has hindered efforts to understand and prevent immunotoxin-induced VLS. We have found that in rats, intravenous administration of the single-chain immunotoxin BR96 sFv-PE40 results in symptoms that closely resemble VLS seen in human immunotoxin trials. A large fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity was observed, along with an increase in hematocrit and body weight and a decrease in serum albumin. The VLS was apparent within 24 hr after administration of immunotoxin and was seen in both immunocompetent and athymic rats. Similar symptoms were not found in mice even at lethal doses. Prophylactic administration of the corticosteroid dexamethasone resulted in prevention of VLS and survival of rats injected with what would otherwise be lethal doses of BR96 sFv-PE40. Prophylactic treatment with dexamethasone in rats xenografted with human tumors either did not inhibit or minimally inhibited the antitumor activity of BR96 sFv-PE40. The use of prophylactic corticosteroids should be considered for immunotoxin clinical trials, since it may improve therapeutic efficacy by decreasing the dose-limiting toxicity of VLS.

Animals↗

Targeted toxins as anticancer agents.

Transformed cells, such as those found in breast cancer, often overexpress a variety of cell surface receptors and antigens. Antibodies or growth factors that specifically recognize these membrane-bound structures can be linked with protein toxins, resulting in cell-specific cytotoxic reagents. Many of these cytotoxic molecules have been produced and are referred to as oncotoxins, mitotoxins, or immunotoxins, depending on the components of the chimeric molecule. These bifunctional reagents are constructed as either chemical conjugates or fusion proteins between a ligand/antibody and a toxin. This report focuses on the use of cytotoxic proteins targeted to epidermal growth factor receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptors, erbB-2/HER-2, and tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens. Using immunotoxin therapy, total regression of established tumors in animal xenograft models have been demonstrated. These results suggest that immunotoxin molecules offer exciting opportunities for the treatment of human cancer.

Animals↗

In vitro and in vivo characterization of BR96 sFv-PE40. A single-chain immunotoxin fusion protein that cures human breast carcinoma xenografts in athymic mice and rats.

BR96 sFv-PE40 is a single-chain immunotoxin fusion protein targeted to the Ley Ag, which is expressed in many different human carcinomas as well as in normal gastrointestinal epithelium of humans and certain animals, including athymic rats but not mice. In vitro binding analysis determined that BR96 sFv-PE40 was similar in affinity to BR96 Fab. BR96 sFv-PE40 internalizes rapidly, similar to BR96 IgG. H3396 cells, derived from metastatic human breast carcinoma, have been established as tumor xenografts in estradiol-supplemented athymic mice and rats. H3396 tumor xenografts established in athymic mice (up to 350 mm3) and rats (up to 100 mm3) completely regressed after i.v. administration of BR96 sFv-PE40, given as 0.625 mg/kg (1.975 mg/m2) every 4th day for a total of five doses (mice) or 0.25 mg/kg (1.475 mg/m2) every 4th day for a total of four doses (rats). The tumors remained regressed for the duration of the study (> 85 days post-implant), which represents > 10 doubling times, indicating that the animals were cured. There was no toxicity in rats receiving a curative dose of 0.25 mg/kg, although liver and lung toxicity could be detected at a 16 times higher dose, 4 mg/kg or 23.6 mg/m2. We conclude, therefore, that BR96 sFv-PE40 can cure tumor xenografts at well tolerated doses and also in the presence of Ley expression in normal tissues.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

TGF alpha-PE40 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer growth.

The ability of a chimeric toxin containing transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A to inhibit NSCLC growth was investigated. TGF alpha-PE40 inhibited binding of 125I-EGF to NSCLC cell lines with an IC50 value of 0.5-3 micrograms/ml. Similarly, other forms of the fusion protein, TGF alpha-PE38 and TGF alpha-PE40Asp553, which have active TGF alpha binding domains, inhibited specific 125I-EGF binding to NSCLC cells with IC50 values of 0.1-2 and 0.05-05 microgram/ml respectively. TGF alpha-PE40 inhibited 35S-methionine uptake by NSCLC cells with an ED50 value of 1-30 ng/ml. TGF alpha-PE38, which has one of the two disulfide pairs of PE40, inhibited amino acid uptake with ED50 values of 3-50 ng/ml whereas TGF alpha-PE40Asp553, which lacks ADP ribosylation activity, had an ED50 > 100 ng/ml. TGF alpha-PE40 inhibited colony formation of NSCLC cells with an LD50 value of 0.008-0.1 ng/ml. Similarly, TGF alpha-PE38 inhibited NSCLC colony formation with LD50 values of 0.002-0.1 ng/ml whereas TGF alpha-PE40Asp553 had an LD50 > 10 ng/ml. Also, TGF alpha-PE40 and TGF alpha-PE38 inhibited NSCLC xenograft formation in nude mice whereas TGF alpha-PE40Asp553 was inactive. These data suggest that TGF alpha-PE40 and TGF alpha-PE38 may be useful agents to inactivate NSCLC cells.

Animals↗

Antitumor activity of the single-chain immunotoxin BR96 sFv-PE40 against established breast and lung tumor xenografts.

We have constructed a single-chain immunotoxin consisting of the variable H and L chains of the carcinoma-reactive mAb BR96, fused to the binding defective protein toxin, PE40. This molecule, BR96 sFv-PE40, has been shown to be extremely cytotoxic toward a variety of BR96 Ag-expressing tumor cell lines. When administered i.v. into athymic mice carrying L2987 tumor xenografts, BR96 sFv-PE40 was cleared rapidly from the blood with a half-life of approximately 30 min. This is in comparison to a chemical conjugate, chiBR96-LysPE40, that remained in the blood for almost 2 h. In addition, the smaller single-chain immunotoxin (67 kDa) penetrates the tumor faster than the larger chemical conjugate (190 kDa). Using a variety of administration schedules and doses, we treated established human tumor xenografts in athymic mice with both the single-chain immunotoxin BR96 sFv-PE40 and the chemical conjugate chiBR96-LysPE40. In both L2987 lung carcinoma and MCF-7 breast carcinoma models, we found that BR96 sFv-PE40 completely regressed the tumor xenografts. With an administration schedule of q4dx5, the tumors were totally regressed and did not reappear. The chiBR96-LysPE40 conjugate produced partial tumor regressions, although at near maximum tolerated dose. These results show that the single-chain immunotoxin, BR96 sFv-PE40, is a potent antitumor agent.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

BR96 sFv-PE40, a potent single-chain immunotoxin that selectively kills carcinoma cells.

We have constructed a single-chain immunotoxin composed of the carcinoma-reactive antibody BR96 and a truncated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin. The chimeric molecule, BR96 sFv-PE40, was expressed in Escherichia coli and localized to the inclusion bodies. We purified and identified two species of BR96 sFv-PE40, monomers and aggregates. The monomeric form was able to bind well to the BR96 antigen, a Lewisy-related antigen, while the aggregate was not. The binding affinity of the monomeric recombinant immunotoxin was 5-fold less than intact BR96 IgG, and its specificity for the BR96 antigen was confirmed by competition analysis. Monomeric BR96 sFv-PE40 was found to be extremely cytotoxic against cancer cells displaying the BR96 antigen. The cytotoxicity of the fusion protein correlates directly with antigen density on the tumor cell lines tested. The breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, which has the highest density of BR96 antigen, was the most sensitive to BR96 sFv-PE40, with a concentration producing 50% protein synthesis inhibition of 5 pM. BR96 sFv-PE40 was found to have a t1/2 in serum of 28.5 min in athymic mice, compared to that of the chemical conjugate, chiBR96-LysPE40, which was 54 min. These data indicate that the single-chain immunotoxin BR96 sFv-PE40 is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in target cell lines and may be an effective agent for the treatment of cancer.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Acidic fibroblast growth factor-Pseudomonas exotoxin chimeric protein elicits antiangiogenic effects on endothelial cells.

It has recently been shown that chimeric toxins composed of acidic fibroblast growth factor fused to mutant forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin (aFGF-PE) are cytotoxic to a variety of tumor cell lines with FGF receptors. Although aFGF-PE might be considered as a possible chemotherapeutic toxin, limited knowledge is available concerning its effect on endothelia. This study investigates whether one of the aFGF-PE fusion proteins, aFGF-PE664GluKDEL, can function as an anti-angiogenic agent. Protein synthesis studies using rat epididymal fat pad microvascular endothelial cells (RFCs) indicated that after 24 h in culture, aFGF-PE had a significant inhibitory effect on protein synthesis at concentrations greater than 100 ng/ml. In cultures incubated with 1000 ng/ml aFGF-PE, RFC protein synthesis was inhibited as much as 83%. RFCs were also cultured in a 3-dimensional type I collagen gel and incubated with either transforming growth factor beta 1, aFGF-PE, or a combination of both. Transforming growth factor beta 1 elicits in vitro angiogenesis in these 3-dimensional cultures which consist of rapid formation of complex tubular structures. Transforming growth factor beta 1-treated RFCs incubated with aFGF-PE were unable to produce this angiogenic response, nor were they able to migrate out of the 3-dimensional culture to form a monolayer as shown by controls. Cell viability analyses showed that aFGF-PE produced a dose-dependent toxic effect which ranged from 10 to 90% cell death. Competition assays in which the chimeric toxin was preincubated with antibodies to aFGF resulted in an 89% reversal of the inhibitory effects of aFGF-PE on endothelial cells. Acidic FGF-PE with a mutation in the ADP ribosylation domain of PE was inactive in both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional cultures. These data show that aFGF-PE has specific in vitro cytotoxic, antiangiogenic, and antimigratory effects on microvascular endothelia.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Interleukin-6 fused to a mutant form of Pseudomonas exotoxin kills malignant cells from patients with multiple myeloma.

IL-6-PE4E is a recombinant protein consisting of interleukin-6 (IL-6) fused to a mutant form of Pseudomonas exotoxin in which four basic amino acids are changed to glutamate (PE4E). The chimeric toxin has been previously shown to specifically kill malignant hepatic, prostatic, epidermoid, and myeloma cell lines in vitro. To explore the possible clinical utility of IL-6-PE4E, particularly as an agent for ex vivo purging of marrow for autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT), we tested malignant cells from patients with multiple myeloma for sensitivity to this chimeric toxin. Ficoll-purified bone marrow cells were incubated with and without IL-6-toxin for 2 to 3 days. Eight of the 15 myeloma patients had cells that were sensitive to IL-6-toxin as measured by a decrease in the level of protein synthesis. Cells from five patients were very sensitive to IL-6-PE4E, with 50% inhibition of protein synthesis (ID50) achieved at or below 6 ng/mL (7 x 10(-11) mol/L). Cells from three additional patients showed moderate sensitivity, with ID50s between 30 and 140 ng/mL. The remaining seven samples showed little or no sensitivity, with ID50s greater than or equal to 400 ng/mL. Normal bone marrow cells or normal BFU-E and CFU-GM were resistant to the IL-6-toxin even at 1,000 ng/mL. Neither IL-6, IL-2-PE4E, nor an enzymatically deficient mutant of IL-6-PE4E was cytotoxic toward the myeloma cells, indicating that the cytotoxic effect of IL-6-PE4E required the adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation function as well as the specific ligand. Our data suggest that IL-6-toxin could be effective in ex vivo marrow purging in selected multiple myeloma patients who are candidates for ABMT, and that this toxin should also be investigated further for in vivo therapy.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

In vitro effects of a recombinant toxin targeted to the fibroblast growth factor receptor on rat vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

The dominant mechanism responsible for restenosis after angioplasty is believed to be the activation of medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs), leading to their proliferation, migration to the subintima, and further proliferation. To develop novel strategies that might inhibit or prevent restenosis, we previously used a chimeric toxin composed of transforming growth factor-alpha (which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor) and mutated Pseudomonas exotoxin to preferentially recognize and kill rapidly proliferating, versus quiescent, vascular SMCs. We have recently cloned and expressed a recombinant gene encoding Pseudomonas exotoxin with a mutated (nonfunctional) cell recognition domain fused with the ligand acidic fibroblast growth factor, termed aFGF-PE66(4Glu)KDEL; thus, this recombinant toxin targets the fibroblast growth factor receptor. In the present study, we evaluated the relative effects of this chimeric toxin on quiescent versus rapidly proliferating vascular SMCs and also determined whether aFGF-PE66(4Glu)KDEL exerted different effects on SMCs versus endothelial cells. Rapidly proliferating SMCs (grown in 10% fetal bovine serum) were very sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of aFGF-PE66(4Glu)KDEL, whereas cytotoxicity was significantly less when the SMCs were in a quiescent state (grown in medium supplemented with 0.5% fetal bovine serum). The chimeric toxin was also significantly less cytotoxic against endothelial cells. Competition studies using excess acidic fibroblast growth factor indicated that the cytotoxic effects are specifically mediated by the fibroblast growth factor receptor. Thus, the present studies suggest a potentially expanded role of recombinant toxin therapy in restenosis: multiple receptors can be targeted, and cytotoxic effects, at least in vitro, can be preferentially directed to rapidly proliferating vascular SMCs, with relative sparing of vascular endothelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Monoclonal antibody C242-Pseudomonas exotoxin A. A specific and potent immunotoxin with antitumor activity on a human colon cancer xenograft in nude mice.

Two immunotoxins were constructed by chemically coupling the monoclonal antibody C242 to Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) or a modified form, NlysPE40, that lacks the cell binding domain of PE. Monoclonal antibody C242 recognizes a specific sialylated carbohydrate epitope on a high molecular weight membrane glycoprotein present on cells of human colon, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. C242-PE and C242-NlysPE40 were very cytotoxic for cells expressing this antigen with 50% inhibition of protein synthesis occurring on Colo205 cells at 0.2 ng/ml (0.9 pM) for C242-PE and 6.0 ng/ml (31 pM) for C242-NlysPE40. The two immunotoxins also exhibited a strong antitumor effect on a human colon cancer xenograft grown in nude mice. The specificity and potency of these two C242 immunotoxins warrant their further development for the treatment of cancer.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Analysis of sequences in domain II of Pseudomonas exotoxin A which mediate translocation.

Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) contains 613 amino acids that are arranged into 3 structural domains. PE exerts its cell-killing effects in a series of steps initiated by binding to the cell surface and internalization into endocytic vesicles. The toxin is then cleaved within domain II near arginine-279, generating a C-terminal 37-kDa fragment that is translocated into the cytosol where it ADP-ribosylates elongation factor 2 and arrests protein synthesis. In this study, we have focused on the functions of PE which are encoded by domain II. We have used the chimeric toxin TGF alpha-PE40 to deliver the toxin's ADP-ribosylating activity to the cell cytosol. Deletion analysis revealed that sequences from 253 to 345 were essential for toxicity but sequences from 346 to 364 were dispensable. Additional point mutants were constructed which identified amino acids 339 and 343 as important residues while amino acids 344 and 345 could be altered without loss of cytotoxic activity. Our data support the idea that domain II functions by first allowing PE to be processed to a 37-kDa fragment and then key sequences such as those identified in this study mediate the translocation of ADP-ribosylation activity to the cytosol.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Antitumor effects of interleukin 6-Pseudomonas exotoxin chimeric molecules against the human hepatocellular carcinoma, PLC/PRF/5 in mice.

IL6-PE40 and IL6-PE664Glu are chimeric molecules composed of interleukin 6 (IL6) fused to a truncated form (PE40) or a full-length mutated form (PE664Glu) of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Both forms of IL6-Pseudomonas exotoxin are cytotoxic to IL6 receptor-bearing tumor cell types in culture. In this report, we show that both IL6-PE40 and IL6-PE664Glu have antitumor activity against the hepatocellular carcinoma PLC/PRF/5 implanted s.c. in nude mice. The PLC/PRF/5 tumor contains about 2300 IL6 receptors per cell. IL6-PE664Glu showed improved therapeutic efficacy when released continuously for 7 days by an osmotic pump planted i.p. than when administered by multiple daily i.p. injections. Both forms of IL6 toxin exhibited a schedule-dependent antitumor effect. These results demonstrate that IL6-Pseudomonas exotoxin can suppress the growth of cancer which overexpresses cell surface IL6 receptors.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Characterization of an interleukin-6-mediated autocrine growth loop in the human multiple myeloma cell line, U266.

It has been reported recently that freshly isolated human myeloma cell cultures proliferate in response to added interleukin-6 (IL-6). Endogenous levels of IL-6 found in the same cultures suggested that an autocrine growth loop may contribute to cell growth. However, the lack of homogenous cell populations in primary myeloma cultures has made it difficult to distinguish between paracrine and autocrine growth mechanisms. To precisely address the autocrine growth issue we have evaluated the growth of the human myeloma cell line, U266. We have found that a neutralizing anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody can inhibit U266 proliferation. Furthermore, the addition of IL-6 antisense oligonucleotides also inhibits U266 proliferation. These effects are reversed by adding IL-6, suggesting the presence of an autocrine loop. Using bioassays with two different IL-6-dependent cell lines, we were able to detect IL-6 in concentrated U266 supernatants. IL-6 mRNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA. Cell cycle parameter analysis shows that IL-6 acts to release a block in G1. Taken together these results present conclusive evidence for IL-6-mediated autocrine growth in the U266 human myeloma cell line.

Base Sequence↗

Cytotoxic activity of chimeric proteins composed of acidic fibroblast growth factor and Pseudomonas exotoxin on a variety of cell types.

Chimeric proteins composed of acidic fibroblast growth factor (acidic FGF) and several forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) that cannot bind to the PE receptor have been produced in Escherichia coli by expressing chimeric genes in which DNA encoding acidic FGF is fused to various mutant forms of PE. These acidic FGF-PE fusion proteins were found to be cytotoxic to a variety of tumor cell lines including hepatocellular (PLC/PRF/5 and HEPG2), prostatic (LNCaP), colon (HT29), and breast (MCF-7) carcinomas at concentrations of 1-70 ng/ml. The cytotoxic effects of acidic FGF-PE were FGF-receptor specific as demonstrated by competition with excess acidic FGF and by showing that acidic FGF-PE bound to the FGF receptor with the same affinity as acidic FGF. Furthermore, the cell-killing activity of acidic FGF-PE was toxin-mediated, as an acidic FGF-PE mutant, which does not possess ADP-ribosylation activity, failed to kill cells. These findings demonstrate that acidic FGF-PE is a potent cytotoxic molecule that can be targeted to FGF receptor-bearing cells. Because acidic FGF is a potent angiogenic molecule, cytotoxic acidic FGF-PE chimeras may have utility as anti-angiogenic agents. These molecules could be helpful in determining the functional role of FGF receptors in cellular processes.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Substitution of foreign protein sequences into a chimeric toxin composed of transforming growth factor alpha and Pseudomonas exotoxin.

TGF alpha-PE40 is a chimeric toxin made by replacing domain Ia of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) with transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha). We have now replaced a portion of domain Ib of PE with different polypeptides or an extra domain III of PE in transforming growth factor alpha-PE40 and maintained cell killing. Thus, TGF alpha-PE40 can be used to transport foreign protein sequences into the cytosol of cells.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Cytotoxic effects of a recombinant chimeric toxin on rapidly proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is associated with activation of medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs); they proliferate, migrate to the subintima, and narrow the vessel lumen. Cancer cells often express more cell surface receptors than do normal cells. This has allowed tumor cells to be specifically targeted using cytotoxic agents. We have examined whether a similar concept can be applied to rapidly proliferating but nontransformed SMCs. Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE; MW, 66 kDa) is a potent toxin that kills cells by inhibiting protein synthesis; its toxicity is diminished when its cell recognition domain is deleted to produce a 40-kDa protein (PE40). METHODS AND RESULTS: A complementary DNA encoding transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) was ligated to that encoding PE40 and the chimeric toxin TGF alpha-PE40, which is cytotoxic to cancer cells displaying epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors, was expressed in Escherichia coli. The ability of this toxin to kill proliferating SMCs was tested. When cells were seeded at low density (2,500 cells/cm2) and grown in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, they were found to be rapidly proliferating; these cells were very sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of TGF alpha-PE40 (ID50, 4.0 +/- 0.17 ng/ml). In contrast, cytotoxicity was 30-fold less (ID50, 125 +/- 23 ng/ml; p less than 0.0004) when cells were in a quiescent state (grown in medium supplemented with 0.5% fetal bovine serum). CONCLUSIONS: Competition studies using excess EGF indicated that the cytotoxic effects of TGF alpha-PE40 are specifically mediated by the EGF receptor. EGF receptor binding analysis demonstrated that rapidly proliferating SMCs display 10-fold more EGF receptors than do quiescent SMCs in vitro. Thus, a chimeric toxin targeted toward the EGF receptor can selectively kill rapidly proliferating SMCs. Whether this toxin or other chimeric toxins directed against other cell surface receptors will effectively inhibit SMCs proliferating in vivo or be useful in preventing restenosis remains to be determined.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗