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Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII2022; 72(5); 1185-1198; doi: 10.1007/s00262-022-03321-2

Novel ocular immunotherapy induces tumor regression in an equine model of ocular surface squamous neoplasia.

Abstract: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the major cause of corneal cancer in man and horses worldwide, and the prevalence of OSSN is increasing due to greater UVB exposure globally. Currently, there are no approved treatments for OSSN in either species, and most patients are managed with surgical excision or off-label treatment with locally injected interferon alpha, or topically applied cytotoxic drugs such as mitomycin C. A more broadly effective and readily applied immunotherapy could exert a significant impact on management of OSSN worldwide. We therefore evaluated the effectiveness of a liposomal TLR complex (LTC) immunotherapy, which previously demonstrated strong antiviral activity in multiple animal models following mucosal application, for ocular antitumor activity in a horse spontaneous OSSN model. In vitro studies demonstrated strong activation of interferon responses in horse leukocytes by LTC and suppression of OSSN cell growth and migration. In a trial of 8 horses (9 eyes), treatment with topical or perilesional LTC resulted in an overall tumor response rate of 67%, including durable regression of large OSSN tumors. Repeated treatment with LTC ocular immunotherapy was also very well tolerated clinically. We conclude therefore that ocular immunotherapy with LTC warrants further investigation as a novel approach to management of OSSN in humans.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-11 PubMed ID: 36367558PubMed Central: 7509040DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03321-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper explores the effectiveness of a liposomal TLR complex (LTC) immunotherapy, initially recognized for its antiviral activity, in treating Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN), a major cause of corneal cancer, using a horse model. Through in vitro studies and a trial involving horses, the team examines how LTC induces regression of OSSN tumors and its overall potential as a treatment option.

Introduction and Background

  • Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN) is a common cause of corneal cancer in both humans and horses.
  • Increased global exposure to UVB radiation contributes to the growing prevalence of OSSN.
  • Currently, there are no officially approved treatments for OSSN, making it a significant health concern worldwide.

Investigating a Treatment Option

  • The researchers turned their attention to liposomal TLR complex (LTC) immunotherapy, which had demonstrated strong antiviral activity in previous studies, to investigate its potential as an ocular antitumor agent.
  • The teams conducted in vitro studies, observing that LTC strongly activated interferon responses in horse leukocytes and brought about suppression of OSSN cell growth and migration.

Trials and Results

  • A trial was conducted involving 8 horses (with a total of 9 eyes affected by OSSN).
  • Upon administering topical or perilesional LTC, they observed an overall tumor response rate of 67%. This included durable regression of large OSSN tumors, implying the treatment had a substantial impact.
  • Repeated use of LTC ocular immunotherapy was also well tolerated clinically, suggesting it could be a sustainable treatment option.

Conclusion

  • Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that LTC immunotherapy could hold promise as a novel approach to managing OSSN in humans.
  • The suggest that their research warrants further investigation into the application and effectiveness of this therapy in human OSSN patients.

Cite This Article

APA
Wotman KL, Chow L, Martabano B, Pezzanite LM, Dow S. (2022). Novel ocular immunotherapy induces tumor regression in an equine model of ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Cancer Immunol Immunother, 72(5), 1185-1198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-022-03321-2

Publication

Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII
ISSN: 1432-0851
NlmUniqueID: 8605732
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 72
Issue: 5
Pages: 1185-1198

Researcher Affiliations

Wotman, Kathryn L
  • Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA. Kathryn.Wotman@colostate.edu.
Chow, Lyndah
  • Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
Martabano, Brittany
  • Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
Pezzanite, Lynn M
  • Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
Dow, Steven
  • Center for Immune and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Interferon alpha-2 / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / pathology
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / surgery
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Eye Neoplasms / therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Retrospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • 5TL1TR002533-02 / NIH HHS

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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  2. Chow L, Flaherty E, Pezzanite L, Williams M, Dow S, Wotman K. Impact of Equine Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia on Interactions between Ocular Transcriptome and Microbiome. Vet Sci 2024 Apr 7;11(4).
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