Page 15 - Hormel Institute Annual Report 2021-22

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Recent Publications:
• Krotova, K., Kuoch (Yoshitomi), H., Caine, C., Aslanidi, G. Tumor antigen-loaded AAV vaccine drives protective immunity in melanoma animal model. (In press)
• Tejero, M., Caine, C., Kuoch (Yoshitomi), H., Aslanidi, G. Bioengineered hybrid Rep 2/6 improves encapsulation of single-stained expression cassette into AAV6 vectors. (In press)
• Krotova, K., & Aslanidi, G. (2020). Modifiers of Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Expression in Implication for Serotype-Universal Neutralizing Antibody Assay. Hum Gene Ther, 31(19-20), 1124-1131.
Schematic representation of neutralizing antibody assay developed in Aslanidi lab
from immune surveillance. We will also conduct a comprehensive assessment of the capacity of major APCs, particularly dendritic cell (DCs), loaded with EV- AAVs to contribute to a vector associated immunity in several newly developed in vivo models. The significance of our study is a rational development
of a new powerful platform for the next generation of AAV vectors based gene therapy with an optimal balance of effectiveness and safety.
The family of ultra-rare Cockayne syndrome patient living in Austin is visiting Aslanidi lab
Our lab is initiating pre-clinical tests of an AAV-based vaccine
in collaboration with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Importantly, cancers that develop in dogs exhibit similar and a complex interaction of genetics, age, and environmental factors associated with human cancers. The National Cancer Institute uses information from studies of canine cancer to help guide studies of human cancer and the FDA recognizes the value of the canine model for preclinical studies included in Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for new cancer therapies. Additionally, AAV is safe for dogs; AAV-based gene therapy treatments for hemophilia and muscular dystrophies have used dogs in preclinical studies prior to human use. We have already administered the vaccine to three dogs and are following the outcomes of treatment. Testing of the vaccine on a clinically relevant animal model will provide the necessary data to deter- mine if advancement to human clinical trials is warranted.
Mechanism of AAV self-packaging that is optimized and Aslanidi lab
Lab research activities:
https://www.hi.umn.edu/research/research-sections/ molecular-bioengineering-and-cancer-vaccine/
ORCID iD:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2726-8627