Clinical predictors of donor antibody titre and correlation with recipient antibody response in a COVID-19 convalescent plasma clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 relies on transfer of anti-viral antibody from donors to recipients via plasma transfusion. The relationship between clinical characteristics and antibody response to COVID-19 is not well defined. We investigated predictors of convalescent antibody production and quantified recipient antibody response in a convalescent plasma therapy clinical trial. METHODS: Multivariable analysis of clinical and serological parameters in 103 confirmed COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors 28 days or more following symptom resolution was performed. Mixed-effects regression models with piecewise linear trends were used to characterize serial antibody responses in 10 convalescent plasma recipients with severe COVID-19. RESULTS: Donor antibody titres ranged from 0 to 1 : 3892 (anti-receptor binding domain (RBD)) and 0 to 1 : 3289 (anti-spike). Higher anti-RBD and anti-spike titres were associated with increased age, hospitalization for COVID-19, fever and absence of myalgia (all P < 0.05). Fatigue was significantly associated with anti-RBD (P = 0.03). In pairwise comparison amongst ABO blood types, AB donors had higher anti-RBD and anti-spike than O donors (P < 0.05). No toxicity was associated with plasma transfusion. Non-ECMO recipient anti-RBD antibody titre increased on average 31% per day during the first three days post-transfusion (P = 0.01) and anti-spike antibody titre by 40.3% (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Advanced age, fever, absence of myalgia, fatigue, blood type and hospitalization were associated with higher convalescent antibody titre to COVID-19. Despite variability in donor titre, 80% of convalescent plasma recipients showed significant increase in antibody levels post-transfusion. A more complete understanding of the dose-response effect of plasma transfusion amongst COVID-19-infected patients is needed.

Onconase mediated NFKß downregulation in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) with Ranpirnase (Onconase) results in disruption of protein translation and cell apoptosis. We hypothesize that Onconase exerts an effect via downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFKß) by specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and that interference of this pathway could have implications for MPM resistance to chemotherapy. Three immortalized MPM cell lines (H2959, H2373 and H2591) were exposed to Onconase at 0-20 µg/ml. Cell counts were measured at 48 and 72 h. Gene expression in miRNA-enriched RNA was validated by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The functional implications of miRNA expression were evaluated by transfecting miRNA mimics or inhibitors into MPM cell lines, and performing Matrigel invasion, cell proliferation, soft agar colony formation and scratch closure assays. Effects on NFKß expression and downstream targets including ABC transporters, BCL-xl and IAP were assessed by RT-PCR and western blotting. Treatment with 20 µg/ml of Onconase significantly decreased cell count and invasion. Hsa-miR-17* was significantly upregulated and hsa-miR-30c was significantly downregulated by Onconase treatment in all cell lines. Forced expression of hsa-miR-17* mimic and hsa-miR-30c inhibitor each significantly decreased functional activity of Onconase in all assays. NFKB1 (p50) expression and downstream targets were also decreased with Onconase treatment, as well as with forced expression of miRNA mimic and inhibitors. Onconase treatment caused a significant decrease in cell proliferation, invasion and in expression of certain miRNAs. Recapitulation of the resultant miRNA expression pattern with hsa-miR-17* mimic and hsa-miR-30c inhibitor resulted in downregulation of NFKB1 and reduced malignant behavior in functional assays. Thus, Onconase likely exerts its antitumor effect through these miRNAs.

Human mesotheliomas contain the simian virus-40 regulatory region and large tumor antigen DNA sequences.

BACKGROUND: A cohort (20%) of patients with mesothelioma will not have an exposure to asbestos. Recently, a DNA tumor virus (simian virus 40) has been shown to cause hamster mesotheliomas; we previously described simian virus 40-like DNA amino terminus sequences in 29 of 48 mesotheliomas. We analyzed an additional 42 mesotheliomas to determine (1) whether our initial observations were durable and (2) the extent to which the simian virus 40 genome is present in mesotheliomas. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from snap frozen mesothelioma tumor samples and from the simian virus 40-induced hamster mesothelioma tumor H9A. Polymerase chain reaction primers were used to amplify various simian virus 40 large T-antigen regions including a 105-base pair amino terminus fragment, a 281-base pair carboxyl terminus fragment, and a 310-base pair fragment of the enhancer promoter region. Endonuclease digestions and Southern blotting were used to verify the expected product. RESULTS: Thirty of the 42 (71%) samples amplified T-antigen amino sequences, and specificity was verified by Southern hybridization. Sixteen of 42 samples (38%) amplified the appropriate size fragment for the carboxyl terminus, and digestion with BsaB1 matched that of H9A. Twenty-two of 42 samples (52%) amplified simian virus 40 regulatory sequences and Fok1 digestion matched that of the hamster control tumor. Sequence analysis (4 patients) revealed 100% homology with the regulatory region of simian virus 40 strain 776. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an association between the simian virus 40 virus and human mesothelioma that could be exploited for diagnostic/therapeutic options including early detection and potential vaccination strategies.

The effect of an antisense expression plasmid to the IGF-1 receptor on hamster mesothelioma proliferation.

We have evaluated the effect of antisense IGF receptor transcripts on the proliferation and tumorigenicity in an SV40-induced, immunocompetent hamster mesothelioma model (H9A). Expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1 R) genes was identified from H9A RNA using RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. H9A cells were electroporated with inducible expression vectors (under the transcriptional control of heat shock promotor HSP70) containing a cDNA fragment corresponding to bp 1-309 of IGF-1 R in the sense or antisense orientation to generate the respective clones A3 sense or B9 antisense. At 39 degrees C, the B9 antisense transfectants demonstrated significantly less proliferation than A3 sense transfectants (p2 < 0.02). At 34 degrees C, cell growth of A3 sense and B9 antisense transfected cells was not significantly different. The A3 sense clones resulted in greater numbers of tumours in vivo compared to the B9 antisense clone (p2 = 0.0001). The inhibitory effect of IGF-1R antisense transcripts on hamster mesothelioma demonstrated in this study by decreased growth and tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo may have implications for the therapy of human mesothelioma.

Inhibition of hamster mesothelioma tumorigenesis by an antisense expression plasmid to the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor.

We evaluated the effect of antisense insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor transcripts on the proliferation and tumorigenicity in an SV40-induced, immunocompetent hamster mesothelioma model (H9A). Expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) genes was identified from H9A RNA using reverse transcription-PCR and Northern analysis. H9A cells were electroporated with inducible expression vectors (under the transcriptional control of heat shock promoter HSP70) containing a cDNA fragment corresponding to base pairs 1-309 of IGF-1R in the sense or antisense orientation to generate the respective clones A3 sense or B9 antisense. The expression vector in genomic DNA was detected with PCR analysis as a 173-bp fragment on ethidium bromide gels. The effects of the expression vectors were then evaluated in vitro under active (at 39 degrees C) or inactive (at 34 degrees C) conditions. At 39 degrees C, the B9 antisense transfectants demonstrated significantly less proliferation than A3 sense transfectants (P2 < 0.02). At 34 degrees C, cell growth of A3 sense- and B9 antisense-transfected cells was not significantly different. In vivo tumorigenicity was evaluated in hamsters inoculated with 10(5) A3 sense- or B9 antisense-transfected cells. The A3 sense clones resulted in greater numbers of tumors in vivo compared to the B9 antisense clone (P2 = 0.0001). When genomic DNA from tumors that developed in A3 sense and B9 antisense animals was analyzed for the expression vectors, a 173-bp fragment amplified from the expression vector was identified in the sense tumors but not in antisense B9 or wild-type H9A tumors, indicating a loss of the vector from the antisense clones that proliferated in vivo. The inhibitory effect of IGF-1R antisense transcripts on hamster mesothelioma demonstrated in this study by decreased growth and tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo may have implications for the therapy of human mesothelioma.

Isolated lung perfusion with tumor necrosis factor for pulmonary metastases.

BACKGROUND: A phase I trial was initiated to define the feasibility and safety of single-lung isolation perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and moderate hyperthermia for patients with unresectable pulmonary metastases. METHODS: Twenty patients with lung metastases (Ewing's, 2; sarcoma, 8; melanoma, 6; other, 4) were considered for single-lung isolation perfusion with 0.3 to 6.0 mg of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and 0.2 mg interferon-gamma delivered through an oxygenated pump circuit. Sixteen perfusions were performed in 15 patients (bilateral in 1). Metastases were completely resected (no single-lung isolation perfusion) in 3 patients, 1 patient had extrapulmonary disease, and one single-lung isolation perfusion was aborted for mechanical reasons. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in systemic arterial blood pressure or cardiac output during perfusion. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure increased with isolation, but returned to pre-single-lung isolation perfusion levels after clamp release. The maximum systemic tumor necrosis factor-alpha level was 8 ng/mL, whereas pump-circuit levels ranged from 200 to 10,976 ng/mL. There were no deaths, and the mean hospitalization period was 9 days (range, 5 to 34 days). A short-term (6 to 9 month) unilateral decrease in perfused nodules was noted in 3 patients (melanoma in 1, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 1, renal cell carcinoma in 1). CONCLUSIONS: Future studies using a combination of biologic modifiers, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia should be pursued to define active cytotoxic agents that will preserve underlying pulmonary function.

Use of photodynamic therapy for the management of pleural malignancies.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a surface oriented, locally cytotoxic intervention being investigated for oncologic therapy. Surfaces such as the pleura or the peritoneum are frequently involved with primary or metastatic cancer, and the chance for cure in such situations is low due to the inability to eradicate all the disease. A series of investigations have been performed at the National Cancer Institute since 1985 studying the possible use of PDT for large cavity treatment. This report details evolution of the methodology, toxicity, and overall feasibility of the delivery of intrapleural PDT to patients after debulking of primary and malignant chest neoplasms, with an emphasis on malignant pleural mesothelioma. These investigations have culminated in an ongoing Phase III trial to define the efficacy of intrapleural PDT.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma: newer aspects of carcinogenesis, molecular genetics, and prospects for future therapies.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos-related disease which, although rare, is having a major social impact, and is, for the majority of cases, an incurable illness. There has been a surge of information regarding data on mesothelial transformation, mesothelioma molecular genetics and somatic gene therapy for this disease. This report summarizes the most recent investigations attempting to characterize the behaviour, on a cellular and molecular level, of MPM, with an emphasis on data from investigations performed at the National Cancer Institute with our collaborators.