Compositions and methods for tumor-targeted delivery of effector molecules

Abstract

The present application discloses the preparation and use of attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria vectors for the delivery of one or more primary effector molecule(s) to the site of a solid tumor. The primary effector molecule(s) of the invention is used in the methods of the invention to treat a solid tumor cancer such as a carcinoma, melanoma, lymphoma, or sarcoma. The invention relates to the surprising discovery that effector molecules, which may be toxic when administered systemically to a host, can be delivered locally to tumors by attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria with reduced toxicity to the host. The application also discloses to the delivery of one or more optional effector molecule(s) (termed secondary effector molecules) which may be delivered by the attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria in conjunction with the primary effector molecule(s).

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applications Nos. 60 / 157,500, 60 / 157,581, and 60 / 157,637, filed on Oct. 4, 1999, the contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference its entirety.1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002] The present invention relates to the delivery of one or more primary effector molecule(s) to a solid tumor for the treatment or inhibition of the tumor. More particularly, the invention is related to the preparation and use of attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria, such as, e.g., Salmonella, as a vector for the delivery of one or more primary effector molecule(s) to an appropriate site of action, e.g., the site of a solid tumor. Specifically, the attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria of the invention is a facultative aerobe or facultative anaerobe which is modified to encode one or more primary effector molecule(s). The primary effector molecule(s) of the invention include members of the TNF cyokine family, anti-angiogenic factors, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0051] The primary effector molecules of the invention are useful for the treatment of a solid tumor cancer such as a carcinoma, melanoma, lymphoma, or sarcoma. As used herein, "treatment of a solid tumor" or "treat a solid tumor" encompasses inhibiting the growth of a tumor or tumor cells, reducing the volume of a tumor, killing tumor cells, or spreading of tumor cells (metastasis). In a specific embodiment, the primary effector molecules of the invention induce a local immune response at the site of the tumor that results in the inhibition of growth of a tumor or tumor cells, the killing of tumor cells, or the prevention of the spread of tumor cells to other parts of the body. Accordingly, the primary effector molecules provide a therapeutic effect for treatment of a tumor.

[0058] The secondary effector molecule(s) of the invention provide additional anti-tumor therapeutic activity, enhance release of the primary effector molecule(s) from the attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria, and / or enhance internalization at the site of action, e.g., at the site of a solid tumor. The secondary effector molecule(s) of the invention comprise a molecule (such as an anti-tumor protein, including but not limited to a cytotoxins, an enzyme abd a bacteriocin; a pro-drug converting enzyme; an antisense molecule; a ribozyme; an antigen; etc.) which is delivered in addition to the primary effector molecule(s) by the methods of the invention to treat a solid tumor cancer such as a carcinoma, melanoma, lymphoma, or sarcoma.

[0066] The present invention also provides methods for local delivery of one or more fusion proteins of the invention and one or more effector molecules of the invention to the site of a solid tumor by attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria. Preferably, the expression of both the fusion protein(s) and effector molecule(s) at the site of the solid tumor by an attenuated tumor-targeting bacteria improves the level of tumor or tumor cell growth inhibited compared to when either fusion protein(s) alone or the effector molecule(s) alone is expressed.

[0068] The present invention also provides expression of a fusion protein of the invention in an attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria, such as Salmonella, which bacteria has an enhanced release system. In a specific embodiment, the release factor is expressed in a cell which also expresses a fusion protein comprising a primary effector molecule fused to an Omp-like protein. In this embodiment, the co-expression of the release factor allows for enhanced release of the fusion protein from the periplasmic space.

[0075] The invention also encompasses combinations of anti-cancer agents and attenuated tumor-targeted bacteria engineered to express one or more nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more effector molecules and / or fusion proteins that have different sites of action. Such a combination provides an improved therapy based on the dual action of these therapeutics whether the combination is synergistic or additive. Thus, the novel combinational therapy of the present invention yields improved efficacy over either agent used as a single-agent therapy.

[0080] Attenuation: Attenuation is a modification so that a microorganism or vector is less pathogenic. The end result of attenuation is that the risk of toxicity as well as other side-effects is decreased, when the microorganism or vector is administered to the patient.

Problems solved by technology

A major problem in the chemotherapy of solid tumor cancers is delivery of therapeutic agents, such as drugs, in sufficient concentrations to eradicate tumor cells while at the same time minimizing damage to normal cells.

However, as a result of these properties, systemic administration of TNF-.alpha. results in lethal consequences in the host due to disseminated intravascular coagulation.

However, therapeutic levels of IL-2 have also been shown to be toxic to the host.

Clearly, dose-limiting toxicity from systemic cytokine administration poses a significant barrier to realizing the potential of cytokines in cancer therapy.

Moreover, systemic cytokine delivery can result in decreased homing of syngeneic T cells, thus opposing targeted immunotherapy, in addition to resulting in unwanted clinical side effects.

However, this technique presents severe risks to the patient if the cytokines are not completely removed following treatment.

Further, these treatments require limb isolation, which, in itself presents risks to the patient.

However, these infections are limited to the natural sites of infection.

While the discovery of angiostatin, endostatin and other anti-angiogenic peptides provided an exciting new approach for cancer therapy, the reality of a course of treatment involving one or more of these peptides is the impracticality of the production of immense amounts of peptides (stemming from the cost and / or labor of having to produce, for an average person of 65 kg or 143 lbs, approximately 1.3 or 6.5 grams of protein per day, depending on the peptide) and the duration of the treatment (which has to be sustained if the tumor is to stay in regression).

However, such hyperinvasive Salmonella typhimurium as described by Lee et al. and Jones et al. carry the risk of pan-invasive infection and could lead to wide-spread bacterial infection in the cancer patient.

However, TNF-.alpha.-mediated septic shock is among the primary concerns associated with bacteria, and can have toxic or lethal consequences for the host (Bone, 1992, JAMA 268:3452-3455; Dinarello et al., 1993, JAMA 269:1829-1835).

Further, dose-limiting, systemic toxicity of TNF-.alpha. has been the major barrier to effective clinical use.

The problems associated with the use of bacteria as gene delivery vectors center on the general ability of bacteria to directly kill normal mammalian cells as well as their ability to overstimulate the immune system via TNF.alpha. which can have toxic consequences for the host (Bone, 1992, JAMA 268:3452-3455; and Dinarello et al., 1993, JAMA 269:1829-1835).

In addition to these factors, resistance to antibiotics can severely complicate coping with the presence of bacteria within the human body (Tschape, 1996, D T W Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr 1996 103:273-7; Ramos et al., 1996, Enferm Infec. Microbiol. Clin. 14: 345-51).

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