Enzymes as Immunotherapeutics

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Mar 21;29(3):649-656. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00719. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Enzymes are attractive as immunotherapeutics because they can catalyze shifts in the local availability of immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive signals. Clinical success of enzyme immunotherapeutics frequently hinges upon achieving sustained biocatalysis over relevant time scales. The time scale and location of biocatalysis are often dictated by the location of the substrate. For example, therapeutic enzymes that convert substrates distributed systemically are typically designed to have a long half-life in circulation, whereas enzymes that convert substrates localized to a specific tissue or cell population can be more effective when designed to accumulate at the target site. This Topical Review surveys approaches to improve enzyme immunotherapeutic efficacy via chemical modification, encapsulation, and immobilization that increases enzyme accumulation at target sites or extends enzyme half-life in circulation. Examples provided illustrate "replacement therapies" to restore deficient enzyme function, as well as "enhancement therapies" that augment native enzyme function via supraphysiologic doses. Existing FDA-approved enzyme immunotherapies are highlighted, followed by discussion of emerging experimental strategies such as those designed to enhance antitumor immunity or resolve inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / immunology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asparaginase / chemistry
  • Asparaginase / immunology
  • Asparaginase / therapeutic use
  • Biocatalysis
  • Enzyme Therapy / methods*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / immunology
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / therapeutic use
  • Fabry Disease / immunology
  • Fabry Disease / therapy
  • Gaucher Disease / immunology
  • Gaucher Disease / therapy
  • Glucosylceramidase / chemistry
  • Glucosylceramidase / immunology
  • Glucosylceramidase / therapeutic use
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates / chemistry
  • Immunoconjugates / immunology
  • Immunoconjugates / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Lysosomal Storage Diseases / immunology
  • Lysosomal Storage Diseases / therapy
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • alpha-Galactosidase / chemistry
  • alpha-Galactosidase / immunology
  • alpha-Galactosidase / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Immunoconjugates
  • alpha-Galactosidase
  • Glucosylceramidase
  • Asparaginase