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Generation and testing of clinical-grade exosomes for pancreatic cancer
Mayela Mendt, Sushrut Kamerkar, Hikaru Sugimoto, Kathleen M. McAndrews, Chia-Chin Wu, Mihai Gagea, Sujuan Yang, Elena V. Rodriges Blanko, Qian Peng, Xiaoyan Ma, Joseph R. Marszalek, Anirban Maitra, Cassian Yee, Katayoun Rezvani, Elizabeth Shpall, Valerie S. LeBleu, Raghu Kalluri
Mayela Mendt, Sushrut Kamerkar, Hikaru Sugimoto, Kathleen M. McAndrews, Chia-Chin Wu, Mihai Gagea, Sujuan Yang, Elena V. Rodriges Blanko, Qian Peng, Xiaoyan Ma, Joseph R. Marszalek, Anirban Maitra, Cassian Yee, Katayoun Rezvani, Elizabeth Shpall, Valerie S. LeBleu, Raghu Kalluri
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Research Article Oncology

Generation and testing of clinical-grade exosomes for pancreatic cancer

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Abstract

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles produced by all cells with a remarkable ability to efficiently transfer genetic material, including exogenously loaded siRNA, to cancer cells. Here, we report on a bioreactor-based, large-scale production of clinical-grade exosomes employing good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards. A standard operating procedure was established to generate engineered exosomes with the ability to target oncogenic Kras (iExosomes). The clinical-grade GMP iExosomes were tested in multiple in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm suppression of oncogenic Kras and an increase in the survival of several mouse models with pancreatic cancer. We perform studies to determine the shelf life, biodistribution, toxicology profile, and efficacy in combination with chemotherapy to inform future clinical testing of GMP iExosomes. Collectively, this report illustrates the process and feasibility of generating clinical-grade exosomes for various therapies of human diseases.

Authors

Mayela Mendt, Sushrut Kamerkar, Hikaru Sugimoto, Kathleen M. McAndrews, Chia-Chin Wu, Mihai Gagea, Sujuan Yang, Elena V. Rodriges Blanko, Qian Peng, Xiaoyan Ma, Joseph R. Marszalek, Anirban Maitra, Cassian Yee, Katayoun Rezvani, Elizabeth Shpall, Valerie S. LeBleu, Raghu Kalluri

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Figure 9

Efficacy of GMP-manufactured iExosomes.

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Efficacy of GMP-manufactured iExosomes.
(A) qPCR of siRNA for KrasG12D i...
(A) qPCR of siRNA for KrasG12D in the indicated samples (n = 2 independent experiments). MSC siKrasG12D iExo was frozen for 6 months and then thawed and allowed to incubate for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days at room temperature (RT) or 4°C. (B) Quantification of flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis in Panc-1 cells after 48 hours induced by MSC iExo that were frozen for 3 and 6 months. Numbers represent the percentage of positive cells (n = 2 independent experiments). (C) Kaplan-Meier curve indicating the survival of PKS mice (Control Exo [n = 6], MSCs siKrasG12D–2 iExo [n = 7]; log-rank [Mantel-Cox] test). MSC iExo were generated in the GMP facility, and the electroporated iExosomes were frozen for at least 5 months, thawed, and directly injected in mice. The mean ± SEM is depicted. Unless stated otherwise, 1-way ANOVA comparing experimental groups to control groups was used to determine statistical significance. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. See Supplemental Source Data 1 and 2.

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