51
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Rana PS, Murphy EV, Kort J, Driscoll JJ. Road testing new CAR design strategies in multiple myeloma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:957157. [PMID: 36016950 PMCID: PMC9395635 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.957157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A deeper understanding of basic immunology principles and advances in bioengineering have accelerated the mass production of genetically-reprogrammed T-cells as living drugs to treat human diseases. Autologous and allogeneic cytotoxic T-cells have been weaponized to brandish MHC-independent chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) that specifically engage antigenic regions on tumor cells. Two distinct CAR-based therapeutics designed to target BCMA are now FDA-approved based upon robust, sustained responses in heavily-pretreated multiple myeloma (MM) patients enrolled on the KarMMa and CARTITUDE-1 studies. While promising, CAR T-cells present unique challenges such as antigen escape and T-cell exhaustion. Here, we review novel strategies to design CARs that overcome current limitations. Co-stimulatory signaling regions were added to second-generation CARs to promote IL-2 synthesis, activate T-cells and preclude apoptosis. Third-generation CARs are composed of multiple co-stimulatory signaling units, e.g., CD28, OX40, 4-1BB, to reduce exhaustion. Typically, CAR T-cells incorporate a potent constitutive promoter that maximizes long-term CAR expression but extended CAR activation may also promote T-cell exhaustion. Hypoxia-inducible elements can be incorporated to conditionally drive CAR expression and selectively target MM cells within bone marrow. CAR T-cell survival and activity is further realized by blocking intrinsic regulators of T-cell inactivation. T-Cells Redirected for Universal Cytokine Killing (TRUCKs) bind a specific tumor antigen and produce cytokines to recruit endogenous immune cells. Suicide genes have been engineered into CAR T-cells given the potential for long-term on-target, off-tumor effects. Universal allo-CAR T-cells represent an off-the-shelf source, while logic-gated CAR T-cells are designed to recognize tumor-specific features coupled with Boolean-generated binary gates that then dictate cell-fate decisions. Future generations of CARs should further revitalize immune responses, enhance tumor specificity and reimagine strategies to treat myeloma and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka S. Rana
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Elena V. Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jeries Kort
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - James J. Driscoll
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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52
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Asija S, Chatterjee A, Yadav S, Chekuri G, Karulkar A, Jaiswal AK, Goda JS, Purwar R. Combinatorial approaches to effective therapy in glioblastoma (GBM): Current status and what the future holds. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 41:582-605. [PMID: 35938932 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2101647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The aggressive and recurrent nature of glioblastoma is multifactorial and has been attributed to its biological heterogeneity, dysfunctional metabolic signaling pathways, rigid blood-brain barrier, inherent resistance to standard therapy due to the stemness property of the gliomas cells, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, hypoxia and neoangiogenesis which are very well orchestrated and create the tumor's own highly pro-tumorigenic milieu. Once the relay of events starts amongst these components, eventually it becomes difficult to control the cascade using only the balanced contemporary care of treatment consisting of maximal resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolamide. Over the past few decades, implementation of contemporary treatment modalities has shown benefit to some extent, but no significant overall survival benefit is achieved. Therefore, there is an unmet need for advanced multifaceted combinatorial strategies. Recent advances in molecular biology, development of innovative therapeutics and novel delivery platforms over the years has resulted in a paradigm shift in gliomas therapeutics. Decades of research has led to emergence of several treatment molecules, including immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade, oncolytic virotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, nanoparticles, CED and BNCT, each with the unique proficiency to overcome the mentioned challenges, present research. Recent years are seeing innovative combinatorial strategies to overcome the multifactorial resistance put forth by the GBM cell and its TME. This review discusses the contemporary and the investigational combinatorial strategies being employed to treat GBM and summarizes the evidence accumulated till date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweety Asija
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sandhya Yadav
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Godhanjali Chekuri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Atharva Karulkar
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Ankesh Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Jayant S Goda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rahul Purwar
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
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53
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Engineering off-the-shelf universal CAR T cells: A silver lining in the cloud. Cytokine 2022; 156:155920. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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54
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Li F, Zhang H, Wang W, Yang P, Huang Y, Zhang J, Yan Y, Wang Y, Ding X, Liang J, Qi X, Li M, Han P, Zhang X, Wang X, Cao J, Fu YX, Yang X. T cell receptor β-chain-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells against T cell malignancies. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4334. [PMID: 35882880 PMCID: PMC9325690 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32092-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in treating B cell malignancies comes at the price of eradicating normal B cells. Even though T cell malignancies are aggressive and treatment options are limited, similar strategies for T cell malignancies are constrained by the severe immune suppression arising from bystander T cell aplasia. Here, we show the selective killing of malignant T cells without affecting normal T cell-mediated immune responses in vitro and in a mouse model of disseminated leukemia. Further, we develop a CAR construct that carries the single chain variable fragment of a subtype-specific antibody against the variable TCR β-chain region. We demonstrate that these anti-Vβ8 CAR-T cells are able to recognize and kill all Vβ8+ malignant T cells that arise from clonal expansion while sparing malignant or healthy Vβ8− T cells, allowing sufficient T cell-mediated cellular immunity. In summary, we present a proof of concept for a selective CAR-T cell therapy to eradicate T cell malignancies while maintaining functional adaptive immunity, which opens the possibility for clinical development. Healthy T cells are polyclonal, while malignant T cells are developing via clonal expansion. Here authors show that T cell tumours could be eradicated by chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting the T cell receptor (TCR) β-chain that is specific to malignant T cells, while healthy T cells using diverse TCR β-chains are spared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanlin Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.,Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, West Huaihai Road 241, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Wanting Wang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Puyuan Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yue Huang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Junshi Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xizhong Ding
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jie Liang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xinyue Qi
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Min Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ping Han
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Shanghai Longyao Biotechnology Limited, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiang Cao
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- The Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xuanming Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. .,Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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An JH, Koh H, Ahn Y, Kim J, Han AR, Lee JY, Kim SU, Lee JH. Maintenance of Hypoimmunogenic Features via Regulation of Endogenous Antigen Processing and Presentation Machinery. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:936584. [PMID: 36032723 PMCID: PMC9416868 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.936584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Universally acceptable donor cells have been developed to address the unmet need for immunotypically matched materials for regenerative medicine. Since forced expression of hypoimmunogenic genes represses the immune response, we established universal pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) by replacing endogenous β2-microglobulin (β2m) with β2m directly conjugated to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, thereby simultaneously suppressing HLA-I expression and the natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune response. These modified human PSCs retained their pluripotency and differentiation capacity; however, surface presentation of HLA-G was absent from subsequently differentiated cells, particularly cells of neural lineages, due to the downregulation of antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) genes. Induction of APM genes by overexpression of NLR-family CARD domain-containing 5 (NLRC5) or activator subunit of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) heterodimer (RelA) recovered the surface expression of HLA-G and the hypoimmunogenicity of neural cells. Our findings enhance the utility of hypoimmunogenic cells as universal donors and will contribute to the development of off-the-shelf stem-cell therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyun An
- Futuristic Animal Resource and Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, South Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyebin Koh
- Futuristic Animal Resource and Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, South Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yujin Ahn
- Futuristic Animal Resource and Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, South Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
- National Primate Research Center (NPRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, South Korea
| | - A-Reum Han
- CHA Advanced Research Institute, Bundang CHA Hospital, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Ji Yoon Lee
- CHA Advanced Research Institute, Bundang CHA Hospital, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Sun-Uk Kim
- Futuristic Animal Resource and Research Center (FARRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, South Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jong-Hee Lee
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
- National Primate Research Center (NPRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Jong-Hee Lee,
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56
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Chen L, Chen F, Niu H, Li J, Pu Y, Yang C, Wang Y, Huang R, Li K, Lei Y, Huang Y. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Immunotherapy Against Thoracic Malignancies: Challenges and Opportunities. Front Immunol 2022; 13:871661. [PMID: 35911706 PMCID: PMC9334018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.871661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Different from surgery, chemical therapy, radio-therapy and target therapy, Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells, a novel adoptive immunotherapy strategy, have been used successfully against both hematological tumors and solid tumors. Although several problems have reduced engineered CAR-T cell therapeutic outcomes in clinical trials for the treatment of thoracic malignancies, including the lack of specific antigens, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, a low level of CAR-T cell infiltration into tumor tissues, off-target toxicity, and other safety issues, CAR-T cell treatment is still full of bright future. In this review, we outline the basic structure and characteristics of CAR-T cells among different period, summarize the common tumor-associated antigens in clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for thoracic malignancies, and point out the current challenges and new strategies, aiming to provide new ideas and approaches for preclinical experiments and clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for thoracic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Fukun Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Huatao Niu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Jindan Li
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yongzhu Pu
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Conghui Yang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of PET/CT Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Cancer Biotherapy Center, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yujie Lei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yunchao Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Cancer Center of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
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Greenshpan Y, Sharabi O, Yegodayev KM, Novoplansky O, Elkabets M, Gazit R, Porgador A. The Contribution of the Minimal Promoter Element to the Activity of Synthetic Promoters Mediating CAR Expression in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7431. [PMID: 35806439 PMCID: PMC9266962 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Harnessing immune effector cells to benefit cancer patients is becoming more and more prevalent in recent years. However, the increasing number of different therapeutic approaches, such as chimeric antigen receptors and armored chimeric antigen receptors, requires constant adjustments of the transgene expression levels. We have previously demonstrated it is possible to achieve spatial and temporal control of transgene expression as well as tailoring the inducing agents using the Chimeric Antigen Receptor Tumor Induced Vector (CARTIV) platform. Here we describe the next level of customization in our promoter platform. We have tested the functionality of three different minimal promoters, representing three different promoters' strengths, leading to varying levels of CAR expression and primary T cell function. This strategy shows yet another level of CARTIV gene regulation that can be easily integrated into existing CAR T systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yariv Greenshpan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Omri Sharabi
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ksenia M. Yegodayev
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
| | - Ofra Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
| | - Roi Gazit
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Angel Porgador
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; (Y.G.); (O.S.); (K.M.Y.); (O.N.); (M.E.)
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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Hino C, Pham B, Park D, Yang C, Nguyen MH, Kaur S, Reeves ME, Xu Y, Nishino K, Pu L, Kwon SM, Zhong JF, Zhang KK, Xie L, Chong EG, Chen CS, Nguyen V, Castillo DR, Cao H. Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The Future of Immunotherapy and Natural Products. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061410. [PMID: 35740430 PMCID: PMC9219790 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in the development, proliferation, and survival of leukemic blasts in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Within the bone marrow and peripheral blood, various phenotypically and functionally altered cells in the TME provide critical signals to suppress the anti-tumor immune response, allowing tumor cells to evade elimination. Thus, unraveling the complex interplay between AML and its microenvironment may have important clinical implications and are essential to directing the development of novel targeted therapies. This review summarizes recent advancements in our understanding of the AML TME and its ramifications on current immunotherapeutic strategies. We further review the role of natural products in modulating the TME to enhance response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hino
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.H.); (B.P.); (K.N.); (L.P.); (S.M.K.)
| | - Bryan Pham
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.H.); (B.P.); (K.N.); (L.P.); (S.M.K.)
| | - Daniel Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco–Fresno, Fresno, CA 93701, USA;
| | - Chieh Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Michael H.K. Nguyen
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
| | - Simmer Kaur
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
| | - Mark E. Reeves
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
| | - Kevin Nishino
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.H.); (B.P.); (K.N.); (L.P.); (S.M.K.)
| | - Lu Pu
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.H.); (B.P.); (K.N.); (L.P.); (S.M.K.)
| | - Sue Min Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (C.H.); (B.P.); (K.N.); (L.P.); (S.M.K.)
| | - Jiang F. Zhong
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA;
| | - Ke K. Zhang
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77030, USA; (K.K.Z.); (L.X.)
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences & Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Linglin Xie
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77030, USA; (K.K.Z.); (L.X.)
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences & Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Esther G. Chong
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
| | - Chien-Shing Chen
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Department of Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Dan Ran Castillo
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
- Correspondence: (D.R.C.); (H.C.)
| | - Huynh Cao
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (M.H.K.N.); (S.K.); (M.E.R.); (Y.X.); (E.G.C.); (C.-S.C.)
- Correspondence: (D.R.C.); (H.C.)
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59
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Selective Elimination of Senescent Fibroblasts by Targeting the Cell Surface Protein ACKR3. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126531. [PMID: 35742971 PMCID: PMC9223754 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of senescent cells in aging tissues is associated with age-related diseases and functional decline. Thus, senolysis, a therapy aimed at rejuvenation by removing senescent cells from the body, is being developed. However, this therapy requires the identification of membrane surface antigens that are specifically expressed on senescent cells for their selective elimination. We showed that atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3), a receptor of the CXC motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) implicated in cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disorders, is selectively expressed on the surface of senescent human fibroblasts but not on proliferating cells. Importantly, the differential presence of ACKR3 enabled the isolation of senescent cells by flow cytometry using anti-ACKR3 antibodies. Furthermore, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays revealed that cell surface ACKR3 preferentially sensitizes senescent but not dividing fibroblasts to cell injury by natural killer cells. Conclusively, the selective expression of ACKR3 on the surface of senescent cells allows the preferential elimination of senescent cells. These results might contribute to the future development of novel senolysis approaches.
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Shkarina K, Hasel de Carvalho E, Santos JC, Ramos S, Leptin M, Broz P. Optogenetic activators of apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. J Cell Biol 2022; 221:e202109038. [PMID: 35420640 PMCID: PMC9014795 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202109038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted and specific induction of cell death in an individual or groups of cells hold the potential for new insights into the response of tissues or organisms to different forms of death. Here, we report the development of optogenetically controlled cell death effectors (optoCDEs), a novel class of optogenetic tools that enables light-mediated induction of three types of programmed cell death (PCD)-apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis-using Arabidopsis thaliana photosensitive protein Cryptochrome-2. OptoCDEs enable a rapid and highly specific induction of PCD in human, mouse, and zebrafish cells and are suitable for a wide range of applications, such as sub-lethal cell death induction or precise elimination of single cells or cell populations in vitro and in vivo. As the proof-of-concept, we utilize optoCDEs to assess the differences in neighboring cell responses to apoptotic or necrotic PCD, revealing a new role for shingosine-1-phosphate signaling in regulating the efferocytosis of the apoptotic cell by epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Shkarina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - José Carlos Santos
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Saray Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Maria Leptin
- Director’s Research, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petr Broz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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61
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Zhang Q, Zu C, Hu Y, Huang H. CAR-T cells for cancer immunotherapy-the barriers ahead and the paths through. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 41:567-581. [PMID: 35635212 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2080820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses the major concerns and changes emerged during the rapidly extended clinical application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy based on our experience and understanding. In the past decades, the CAR-T cells have been questioned, sequentially, about their capability of inducing initial remission, their safety profile, their ability to sustain long-term persistence and response, and their potential to be industrialized. Significant advances, novel targeting strategies, innovative molecular structure, fine tuning of both CAR-T and host immune system, combination with other therapies, streamlined manufacturing, and etc., have been made to overcome these challenges. Although not perfectly resolved, rational pathways have been proposed to pass through the barriers. Here, we present the recent achievements on these pathways, and look into the possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Zu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongxian Hu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China
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62
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Guo R, Li W, Li Y, Li Y, Jiang Z, Song Y. Generation and clinical potential of functional T lymphocytes from gene-edited pluripotent stem cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:27. [PMID: 35568954 PMCID: PMC9107657 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00285-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered T cells have been shown to be highly effective in cancer immunotherapy, although T cell exhaustion presents a challenge for their long-term function. Additional T-cell sources must be exploited to broaden the application of engineered T cells for immune defense and reconstitution. Unlimited sources of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have provided a potential opportunity to generate precise-engineered therapeutic induced T (iT) cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of PSC-derived induced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (iHSPC)/iT identified the developmental pathways and possibilities of generating functional T cell from PSCs. To date, the PSC-to-iT platforms encounter several problems, including low efficiency of conventional T subset specification, limited functional potential, and restrictions on large-scale application, because of the absence of a thymus-like organized microenvironment. The updated PSC-to-iT platforms, such as the three-dimensional (3D) artificial thymic organoid (ATO) co-culture system and Runx1/Hoxa9-enforced iT lymphopoiesis, provide fresh perspectives for coordinating culture conditions and transcription factors, which may greatly improve the efficiency of T-cell generation greatly. In addition, the improved PSC-to-iT platform coordinating gene editing technologies will provide various functional engineered unconventional or conventional T cells. Furthermore, the clinical applications of PSC-derived immune cells are accelerating from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongqun Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yadan Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.,Academy of Medical Science, Henan Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yingmei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zhongxing Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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Sharabi O, Greenshpan Y, Ofir N, Ottolenghi A, Levi T, Olender L, Adler-Agmon Z, Porgador A, Gazit R. High throughput screen for the improvement of inducible promoters for tumor microenvironment cues. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7169. [PMID: 35504918 PMCID: PMC9065017 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies are highly potent and are gaining wide clinical usage. However, severe side effects require focusing effector immune cell activities on the tumor microenvironment (TME). We recently developed a chimeric antigen receptor tumor-induced vector (CARTIV), a synthetic promoter activated by TME factors. To improve CARTIV functions including background, activation levels, and synergism, we screened a library of promoters with variations in key positions. Here, we present a screening method involving turning ON/OFF stimulating TNFα and IFNγ cytokines, followed by sequential cell sorting. Sequencing of enriched promoters identified seventeen candidates, which were cloned and whose activities were then validated, leading to the identification of two CARTIVs with lower background and higher induction. We further combined a third hypoxia element with the two-factor CARTIV, demonstrating additional modular improvement. Our study presents a method of fine-tuning synthetic promoters for desired immunotherapy needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omri Sharabi
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Yariv Greenshpan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Noa Ofir
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Aner Ottolenghi
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Tamar Levi
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Leonid Olender
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Zachor Adler-Agmon
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Angel Porgador
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Roi Gazit
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
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64
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Liu J, Tu X, Liu L, Fang W. Advances in CAR-T cell therapy for malignant solid tumors. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2022; 51:175-184. [PMID: 36161290 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2022-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
T cells modified by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) have the advantage of major histocompatibility complex-independent recognition of tumor-associated antigens, so can achieve efficient response to tumor targets. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown a good therapeutic effect in hematological malignancies; however, its efficacy is generally not satisfactory for solid tumors. The reasons include the lack of tumor specific antigen target on solid tumors, the uncertainty of homing ability of engineered T cells and the inhibitory immune microenvironment of tumors. In clinical trials, the targets of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors are mainly disialoganglioside (GD2), claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2), mesenchymal, B7 homolog 3 (B7H3), glypican (GPC) 3 and epidermal growth factor receptor variant Ш (EGFRvШ)Ⅲ. Combination of CAR-T cells with oncolytic viruses, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and programmed death ligand-1 monoclonal antibodies may increase its efficacy. The CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors can be optimized through gene editing to enhance the activity of CAR-T cells, adding corresponding regulatory components to make the activation of CAR-T cells safer and more controllable, and enhancing the persistence of CAR-T cells. In this article, we review the latest advances of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors to provide new insights for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Liu
- 1. Department of General Medicine, People's Hospital of Changshan County, Quzhou 324200, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Tu
- 2. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Early Warning and Intervention of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Lulu Liu
- 2. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Early Warning and Intervention of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Weijia Fang
- 2. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Early Warning and Intervention of Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310003, China
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65
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CAR-T Cells for the Treatment of Lung Cancer. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12040561. [PMID: 35455052 PMCID: PMC9028981 DOI: 10.3390/life12040561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with genetically modified T lymphocytes that express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T) is one of the most promising advanced therapies for the treatment of cancer, with unprecedented outcomes in hematological malignancies. However, the efficacy of CAR-T cells in solid tumors is still very unsatisfactory, because of the strong immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that hinders immune responses. The development of next-generation personalized CAR-T cells against solid tumors is a clinical necessity. The identification of therapeutic targets for new CAR-T therapies to increase the efficacy, survival, persistence, and safety in solid tumors remains a critical frontier in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we summarize basic, translational, and clinical results of CAR-T cell immunotherapies in lung cancer, from their molecular engineering and mechanistic studies to preclinical and clinical development.
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Assessing the Future of Solid Tumor Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030655. [PMID: 35327456 PMCID: PMC8945484 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advent of cancer immunotherapy, there has been a major improvement in patient’s quality of life and survival. The growth of cancer immunotherapy has dramatically changed our understanding of the basics of cancer biology and has altered the standards of care (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) for patients. Cancer immunotherapy has generated significant excitement with the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in particular. Clinical results using CAR-T for hematological malignancies have led to the approval of four CD19-targeted and one B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted cell therapy products by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as antibodies against Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1), Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) have shown promising therapeutic outcomes and long-lasting clinical effect in several tumor types and patients who are refractory to other treatments. Despite these promising results, the success of cancer immunotherapy in solid tumors has been limited due to several barriers, which include immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), inefficient trafficking, and heterogeneity of tumor antigens. This is further compounded by the high intra-tumoral pressure of solid tumors, which presents an additional challenge to successfully delivering treatments to solid tumors. In this review, we will outline and propose specific approaches that may overcome these immunological and physical barriers to improve the outcomes in solid tumor patients receiving immunotherapies.
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Wu Y, Huang Z, Harrison R, Liu L, Zhu L, Situ Y, Wang Y. Engineering CAR T cells for enhanced efficacy and safety. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:011502. [PMID: 35071966 PMCID: PMC8769768 DOI: 10.1063/5.0073746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its success in treating hematologic malignancies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy faces two major challenges which hinder its broader applications: the limited effectiveness against solid tumors and the nonspecific toxicities. To address these concerns, researchers have used synthetic biology approaches to develop optimization strategies. In this review, we discuss recent improvements on the CAR and other non-CAR molecules aimed to enhance CAR T cell efficacy and safety. We also highlight the development of different types of inducible CAR T cells that can be controlled by environmental cues and/or external stimuli. These advancements are bringing CAR T therapy one step closer to safer and wider applications, especially for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqian Wu
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Ziliang Huang
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Reed Harrison
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Longwei Liu
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Linshan Zhu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Yinglin Situ
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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68
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Jiang Y, Wen W, Yang F, Han D, Zhang W, Qin W. Prospect of Prostate Cancer Treatment: Armed CAR-T or Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040967. [PMID: 35205714 PMCID: PMC8869943 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence rate of prostate cancer is higher in male cancers. With a hidden initiation of disease and long duration, prostate cancer seriously affects men's physical and mental health. Prostate cancer is initially androgen-dependent, and endocrine therapy can achieve good results. However, after 18-24 months of endocrine therapy, most patients eventually develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which becomes metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that is difficult to treat. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an emerging immune cell therapy that brings hope to cancer patients. CAR-T has shown considerable advantages in the treatment of hematologic tumors. However, there are still obstacles to CAR-T treatment of solid tumors because the physical barrier and the tumor microenvironment inhibit the function of CAR-T cells. In this article, we review the progress of CAR-T therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer and discuss the prospects and challenges of armed CAR-T and combined treatment strategies. At present, there are still many obstacles in the treatment of prostate cancer with CAR-T, but when these obstacles are solved, CAR-T cells can become a favorable weapon for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Jiang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.J.); (F.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Weihong Wen
- Department of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- Correspondence: (W.W.); (W.Q.)
| | - Fa Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.J.); (F.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Donghui Han
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.J.); (F.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Wuhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, Air Force 986 Hospital, Xi’an 710054, China;
| | - Weijun Qin
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.J.); (F.Y.); (D.H.)
- Correspondence: (W.W.); (W.Q.)
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69
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Karvouni M, Vidal-Manrique M, Lundqvist A, Alici E. Engineered NK Cells Against Cancer and Their Potential Applications Beyond. Front Immunol 2022; 13:825979. [PMID: 35242135 PMCID: PMC8887605 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.825979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is an innovative therapeutic concept where viable cells are implanted, infused, or grafted into a patient to treat impaired or malignant tissues. The term was first introduced circa the 19th century and has since resulted in multiple breakthroughs in different fields of medicine, such as neurology, cardiology, and oncology. Lately, cell and gene therapy are merging to provide cell products with additional or enhanced properties. In this context, adoptive transfer of genetically modified cytotoxic lymphocytes has emerged as a novel treatment option for cancer patients. To this day, five cell therapy products have been FDA approved, four of which for CD19-positive malignancies and one for B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-positive malignancies. These are personalized immunotherapies where patient T cells are engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) with the aim to redirect the cells against tumor-specific antigens. CAR-T cell therapies show impressive objective response rates in clinical trials that, in certain instances, may reach up to 80%. However, the life-threatening side effects associated with T cell toxicity and the manufacturing difficulties of developing personalized therapies hamper their widespread use. Recent literature suggests that Natural Killer (NK) cells, may provide a safer alternative and an 'off-the-shelf' treatment option thanks to their potent antitumor properties and relatively short lifespan. Here, we will discuss the potential of NK cells in CAR-based therapies focusing on the applications of CAR-NK cells in cancer therapy and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Karvouni
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine-Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcos Vidal-Manrique
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine-Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology‐Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Evren Alici
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine-Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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70
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Synthetic Biology-based Optimization of T cell Immunotherapies for Cancer. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2022.100372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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71
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Zhang H, Lv X, Kong Q, Tan Y. IL-6/IFN-γ double knockdown CAR-T cells reduce the release of multiple cytokines from PBMCs in vitro. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:1-14. [PMID: 35049413 PMCID: PMC8973323 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.2016005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T (anti-CD19 CAR-T) cells have shown good therapeutic results in the treatment of CD19 + B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma. However, severe side reactions and cytotoxicity are great challenges in the application of anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is the main side effect of CAR-T cell treatment, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) are cytokines that play major roles in CRS. Therefore, we investigated double knockdown (KD) of IL-6 and IFN-γ as a potential strategy to manage anti-CD19 CAR-T cell-associated CRS. These improved anti-CD19 CAR-T cells therapy retained the advantages of the original anti-CD19 CAR-T cells and additionally reduced the release of cytokines from CAR-T cells and other immune cells. Moreover, this study presented a novel approach to abrogate CRS through IL-6 and IFN-γ KD, which may potentially inhibit the release of multiple cytokines from CAR-T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), a model of CRS correlate with in vivo features of the CAR-T therapy, thereby reducing the impact of CRS, improving the safety of CAR-T cell treatment, reducing toxicities, and maintaining the function of CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Zhang
- R&D Department, Qilu Cell Therapy Technology Co., Ltd, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaofei Lv
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qunfang Kong
- R&D Department, Qilu Cell Therapy Technology Co., Ltd, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yi Tan
- R&D Department, Qilu Cell Therapy Technology Co., Ltd, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Immunotherapy, Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute, Jinan, Shandong, China
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72
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Cao W, Geng ZZ, Wang N, Pan Q, Guo S, Xu S, Zhou J, Liu WR. A Reversible Chemogenetic Switch for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202109550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Cao
- Department of Hematology Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
- The Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3255 USA
| | - Zhi Zachary Geng
- The Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3255 USA
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Hematology Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Quan Pan
- The Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3255 USA
| | - Shaodong Guo
- The Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3255 USA
| | - Shiqing Xu
- The Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3255 USA
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Department of Hematology Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Wenshe Ray Liu
- The Texas A&M Drug Discovery Laboratory Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University College Station TX 77843-3255 USA
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology and Department of Translational Medical Sciences College of Medicine Texas A&M University Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Texas A&M University Houston TX 77843 USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine College of Medicine Texas A&M University Houston TX 77843 USA
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73
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Mirzaee Godarzee M, Mahmud Hussen B, Razmara E, Hakak‐Zargar B, Mohajerani F, Dabiri H, Fatih Rasul M, Ghazimoradi MH, Babashah S, Sadeghizadeh M. Strategies to overcome the side effects of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1510:18-35. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy Hawler Medical University Erbil Iraq
| | - Ehsan Razmara
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3800
| | | | - Fatemeh Mohajerani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Hamed Dabiri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Mohammed Fatih Rasul
- Department of Medical Analysis, Faculty of Sciences Tishk International University Erbil Iraq
| | | | - Sadegh Babashah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Majid Sadeghizadeh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
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74
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Insights into Modern Therapeutic Approaches in Pediatric Acute Leukemias. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010139. [PMID: 35011701 PMCID: PMC8749975 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers predominantly constitute lymphomas and leukemias. Recently, our knowledge and awareness about genetic diversities, and their consequences in these diseases, have greatly expanded. Modern solutions are focused on mobilizing and impacting a patient’s immune system. Strategies to stimulate the immune system, to prime an antitumor response, are of intense interest. Amid those types of therapies are chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, bispecific antibodies, and antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), which have already been approved in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), i.e., NOD-like receptors (NLRs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and several kinds of therapy antibodies are well on their way to showing significant benefits for patients with these diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of modern methods used in selected pediatric malignancies and presents therapies that may hold promise for the future.
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75
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Guha P, Katz SC. Strategies for manufacturing cell therapy products aligned with patient needs. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 167:203-226. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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76
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Liu W, Cao W, Geng ZZ, Wang N, Pan Q, Guo S, Zhou J, Xu S. A Recurring Chemogenetic Switch for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202109550. [PMID: 34783141 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202109550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
As a revolutionary cancer treatment, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy suffers from complications such as cytokine release syndromes and T cell exhaustion. Their mitigation desires controllable activation of CAR-T cells that is achievable through regulatory display of CARs. By embedding the hepatitis C virus NS3 protease (HCV-NS3) between the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and the hinge domain, we showed that the display of anti-CD19 scFv on CAR-T cells was positively correlated to the presence of a clinical HCV-NS3 inhibitor asunaprevir (ASV). This novel CAR design that allows the display of anti-CD19 scFv in the presence of ASV and its removal in the absence of ASV creates a practically recurring chemical switch. We demonstrated that the intact CAR on T cells can be repeatedly turned on and off by controlling the presence of ASV in a dose dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo, which enables delicate modulation of CAR-T activation during cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshe Liu
- Texas A&M University, Department of Chemistry, Corner of Ross and Spence Streets, 77845, College Station, UNITED STATES
| | - Wenyue Cao
- Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology: Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Hemotology, CHINA
| | - Zhi Z Geng
- Texas A&M University, Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Corner of Spence and Ross Streets, 77843-3255, United States, College Station, UNITED STATES
| | - Na Wang
- Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology: Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Hemotology, UNITED STATES
| | - Quan Pan
- Texas A&M University, Nutrition and food science, UNITED STATES
| | - Shaodong Guo
- Texas A&M University, Nutrition and food science, UNITED STATES
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology: Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Hemotology, CHINA
| | - Shiqing Xu
- Texas A&M University, Chemistry, UNITED STATES
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77
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Guercio M, Manni S, Boffa I, Caruso S, Di Cecca S, Sinibaldi M, Abbaszadeh Z, Camera A, Ciccone R, Polito VA, Ferrandino F, Reddel S, Catanoso ML, Bocceri E, Del Bufalo F, Algeri M, De Angelis B, Quintarelli C, Locatelli F. Inclusion of the Inducible Caspase 9 Suicide Gene in CAR Construct Increases Safety of CAR.CD19 T Cell Therapy in B-Cell Malignancies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:755639. [PMID: 34737753 PMCID: PMC8560965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.755639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T cells) are an effective treatment in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia or B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite the reported exciting clinical results, the CAR-T cell approach needs efforts to improve the safety profile, limiting the occurrence of adverse events in patients given this treatment. Besides the most common side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome and CAR-T cell–related encephalopathy syndrome, another potential issue involves the inadvertent transduction of leukemia B cells with the CAR construct during the manufacturing process, thus leading to the possibility of a peculiar mechanism of antigen masking and treatment resistance. In this study, we investigated whether the inclusion of the inducible caspase 9 (iC9) suicide gene in the CAR construct design could be an effective safety switch to control malignant CAR+ B cells, ultimately counteracting this serious adverse event. iC9 is a suicide gene able to be activated through binding with an otherwise inert small biomolecule, known as AP1903. The exposure of iC9.CAR.CD19-DAUDI lymphoma and iC9.CAR.CD19-NALM-6 leukemia cells in vitro to 20 nM of AP1903 resulted into the prompt elimination of CAR+ B-leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. The results obtained in the animal model corroborate in vitro data, since iC9.CAR.CD19+ tumor cells were controlled in vivo by the activation of the suicide gene through administration of AP1903. Altogether, our data indicate that the inclusion of the iC9 suicide gene may result in a safe CAR-T cell product, even when manufacturing starts from biological materials characterized by heavy leukemia blast contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guercio
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Manni
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Iolanda Boffa
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Caruso
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Cecca
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Sinibaldi
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Zeinab Abbaszadeh
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Camera
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Roselia Ciccone
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Vinicia Assunta Polito
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferrandino
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Sofia Reddel
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luigia Catanoso
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Bocceri
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Algeri
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Oncology-Haematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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78
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GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells for the treatment of refractory and/or recurrent neuroblastoma in pediatric patients. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 148:2643-2652. [PMID: 34724115 PMCID: PMC9470713 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03839-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) disialoganglioside 2 (GD2)-specific (4SCAR-GD2) T cells for treatment of refractory and/or recurrent neuroblastoma (NB) in pediatric patients. Experimental design A phase I clinical study using 4SCAR-GD2 T cells for the treatment of NB in pediatric patients was conducted. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02765243). A lentiviral CAR with the signaling domains of CD28/4-1BB/CD3ζ-iCasp9 was transduced into activated T cells. The response to 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell treatment, and 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell expansion and persistence in patients were evaluated. Toxicities were determined based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03. Results Twelve patients were enrolled and finally ten patients were included in this clinical trial which started from January 1, 2016, to August 1, 2017. These patients had progressive disease (PD) before CAR T-cell infusion. After 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell treatment, 6 (6/10) had stable disease (SD) at 6 months, and 4 (4/10) remained SD at 1 year and alive after 3–4 years of follow-up. Six patients died due to disease progression by the end of July 1, 2020. The median overall survival (OS) time was 25 months (95% CI, 0.00–59.43), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 8 months (95% CI, 0.25–15.75). Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities were the common adverse events frequently occurred after fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Flu/cy) chemotherapy. Grade 1–2 toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neuropathic pain were common, but were transient and mild. Conclusions The 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell therapy demonstrated antitumor effect and manageable toxicities, indicating its potential to benefit children with refractory and/or recurrent NB. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-021-03839-5.
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79
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Haydar D, Ibañez-Vega J, Krenciute G. T-Cell Immunotherapy for Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas: New Insights to Overcoming Therapeutic Challenges. Front Oncol 2021; 11:718030. [PMID: 34760690 PMCID: PMC8573171 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.718030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors remain the most debilitating, difficult to treat, and deadliest cancers. Current therapies, including radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery, are unable to cure these diseases and are associated with serious adverse effects and long-term impairments. Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has the potential to elucidate therapeutic antitumor immune responses that improve survival without the devastating adverse effects associated with other therapies. Yet, despite the outstanding performance of CAR T cells against hematologic malignancies, they have shown little success targeting brain tumors. This lack of efficacy is due to a scarcity of targetable antigens, interactions with the immune microenvironment, and physical and biological barriers limiting the homing and trafficking of CAR T cells to brain tumors. In this review, we summarize experiences with CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric CNS tumors in preclinical and clinical settings and focus on the current roadblocks and novel strategies to potentially overcome those therapeutic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giedre Krenciute
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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80
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Klopp A, Schreiber S, Kosinska AD, Pulé M, Protzer U, Wisskirchen K. Depletion of T cells via Inducible Caspase 9 Increases Safety of Adoptive T-Cell Therapy Against Chronic Hepatitis B. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734246. [PMID: 34691041 PMCID: PMC8527178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell therapy with T cells that are re-directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected cells by virus-specific receptors is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-associated cancer. Due to the high number of target cells, however, side effects such as cytokine release syndrome or hepatotoxicity may limit safety. A safeguard mechanism, which allows depletion of transferred T cells on demand, would thus be an interesting means to increase confidence in this approach. In this study, T cells were generated by retroviral transduction to express either an HBV-specific chimeric antigen receptor (S-CAR) or T-cell receptor (TCR), and in addition either inducible caspase 9 (iC9) or herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) as a safety switch. Real-time cytotoxicity assays using HBV-replicating hepatoma cells as targets revealed that activation of both safety switches stopped cytotoxicity of S-CAR- or TCR-transduced T cells within less than one hour. In vivo, induction of iC9 led to a strong and rapid reduction of transferred S-CAR T cells adoptively transferred into AAV-HBV-infected immune incompetent mice. One to six hours after injection of the iC9 dimerizer, over 90% reduction of S-CAR T cells in the blood and the spleen and of over 99% in the liver was observed, thereby limiting hepatotoxicity and stopping cytokine secretion. Simultaneously, however, the antiviral effect of S-CAR T cells was diminished because remaining S-CAR T cells were mostly non-functional and could not be restimulated with HBsAg. A second induction of iC9 was only able to deplete T cells in the liver. In conclusion, T cells co-expressing iC9 and HBV-specific receptors efficiently recognize and kill HBV-replicating cells. Induction of T-cell death via iC9 proved to be an efficient means to deplete transferred T cells in vitro and in vivo containing unwanted hepatotoxicity.
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MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer/adverse effects
- Animals
- Caspase 9/biosynthesis
- Caspase 9/genetics
- Cell Death
- Cell Line
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme Induction
- Female
- Hepatitis B Antigens/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/pathogenicity
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/metabolism
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/therapy
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Simplexvirus/enzymology
- Simplexvirus/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/enzymology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Thymidine Kinase/genetics
- Thymidine Kinase/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Klopp
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Schreiber
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D. Kosinska
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pulé
- Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
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81
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Sun J, Zhang W, Zhao Y, Liu J, Wang F, Han Y, Jiang M, Li S, Tang D. Conditional control of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell activity through a destabilizing domain switch and its chemical ligand. Cytotherapy 2021; 23:1085-1096. [PMID: 34593327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Despite the impressive efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, adverse effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, impede its therapeutic application, thus making the modulation of CAR T-cell activity a priority. The destabilizing domain mutated from Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is inherently unstable and degraded by proteasomes unless it is stabilized by its chemical ligand trimethoprim (TMP), a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug. Here the authors reveal a strategy to modulate CAR T-cell activity at the protein level by employing DHFR and TMP as a chemical switch system. METHODS First, the system was demonstrated to work in human primary T cells. To introduce the system to CAR T cells, DHFR was genetically fused to the carboxyl terminal of a third-generation CAR molecule targeting CD19 (CD19-CAR), constructing the CD19-CAR-DHFR fusion. RESULTS The CD19-CAR-DHFR molecule level was shown to be modulated by TMP. Importantly, the incorporation of DHFR had no impact on the recognition specificity and normal function of the CAR molecule. Little adverse effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected. It was proved that TMP could regulate cytokine secretion and the in vitro cytotoxicity of CD19-CAR-DHFR T cells. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy was demonstrated to be controllable through the manipulation of TMP administration. The approach to control CD19-CAR also succeeded in 19-BBZ(71), another CD19-targeting CAR with a different structure. CONCLUSIONS The proposed approach based on DHFR and TMP provides a facile strategy to bring CAR T-cell therapy under conditional user control, and the strategy may have the potential to be transplantable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Sun
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Wang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Han
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Jiang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiwu Li
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Dongqi Tang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
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82
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Cui X, Liu R, Duan L, Cao D, Zhang Q, Zhang A. CAR-T therapy: Prospects in targeting cancer stem cells. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9891-9904. [PMID: 34585512 PMCID: PMC8572776 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a group of tumour cells with stem cell characteristics, have the ability of self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation and tumour formation. Since CSCs are resistant to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, their existence may be one of the root causes of cancer treatment failure and tumour progression. The elimination of CSCs may be effective for eventual tumour eradication. Because of the good therapeutic effects without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction and the unique characteristics of CSCs, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is expected to be an important method to eliminate CSCs. In this review, we have discussed the feasibility of CSCs-targeted CAR-T therapy for cancer treatment, summarized current research and clinical trials of targeting CSCs with CAR-T cells and forecasted the challenges and future direction from the perspectives of toxicity, persistence and potency, trafficking, infiltration, immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, and tumour heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Cui
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Lian Duan
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Dan Cao
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhang
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Aijie Zhang
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
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83
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Abramson HN. Immunotherapy of Multiple Myeloma: Promise and Challenges. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:343-371. [PMID: 34527606 PMCID: PMC8437262 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s306103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas the treatment of MM was dependent solely on alkylating agents and corticosteroids during the prior three decades, the landscape of therapeutic measures to treat the disease began to expand enormously early in the current century. The introduction of new classes of small-molecule drugs, such as proteasome blockers (bortezomib and carfilzomib), immunomodulators (lenalidomide and pomalidomide), nuclear export inhibitors (selinexor), and histone deacetylase blockers (panobinostat), as well as the application of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), resulted in a seismic shift in how the disease is treated. The picture changed dramatically once again starting with the 2015 FDA approval of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) - the anti-CD38 daratumumab and the anti-SLAMF7 elotuzumab. Daratumumab, in particular, has had a great impact on MM therapy and today is often included in various regimens to treat the disease, both in newly diagnosed cases and in the relapse/refractory setting. Recently, other immunotherapies have been added to the arsenal of drugs available to fight this malignancy. These include isatuximab (also anti-CD38) and, in the past year, the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) belantamab mafodotin and the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell product idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel). While the accumulated benefits of these newer agents have resulted in a doubling of the disease's five-year survival rate to more than 5 years and improved quality of life, the disease remains incurable. Almost without exception patients experience relapse and/or become refractory to the drugs used, making the search for innovative therapies all the more essential. This review covers the current scope of anti-myeloma immunotherapeutic agents, both those in clinical use and on the horizon, including naked mAbs, ADCs, bi- and multi-targeted mAbs, and CAR T-cells. Emphasis is placed on the benefits of each along with the challenges that need to be overcome if MM is to be considered curable in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanley N Abramson
- Wayne State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Natural Killer (CAR NK) Cells in Cancer Treatment; Recent Advances and Future Prospects. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2081-2106. [PMID: 34472037 PMCID: PMC8410173 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate immunity lymphocytes and have a critical role in host defense against malignant cells. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirects the specificity of the immune cell against a target-specific antigen. ACT has recently created an outstanding opportunity for cancer treatment. Unlike CAR-armored T cells which hadnsome shortcomings as the CAR-receiving construct, Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independency, shorter lifespan, the potential to produce an off-the-shelf immune product, and potent anti-tumor properties of the NK cells has introduced NK cells as a potent alternative target for expression of CAR. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview on the current improvements in CAR NK design and immunobiology and describe the potential of CAR-modified NK cells as an alternative “off-the-shelf” carrier of CAR. We also provide lists for the sources of NK cells in the process of CAR NK cell production, different methods for transduction of the CAR genetic sequence to NK cells, the differences between CAR T and CAR NK, and CAR NK-targeted tumor antigens in current studies. Additionally, we provide data on recently published preclinical and clinical studies of CAR NK therapy and a list of finished and ongoing clinical trials. For achieving CAR NK products with higher efficacy and safety, we discuss current challenges in transduction and expansion of CAR NK cells, CAR NK therapy side effects, and challenges that limit the optimal efficacy of CAR NK cells and recommend possible solutions to enhance the persistence, function, safety, and efficacy of CAR NK cells with a special focus on solid tumors.
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85
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Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy involves the genetic modification of the patient's own T cells so that they specifically recognize and destroy tumour cells. Considerable clinical success has been achieved using this technique in patients with lymphoid malignancies, but clinical studies that investigated treating solid tumours using this emerging technology have been disappointing. A number of developments might be able to increase the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy for treatment of prostate cancer, including improved trafficking to the tumour, techniques to overcome the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, as well as methods to enhance CAR T cell persistence, specificity and safety. Furthermore, CAR T cell therapy has the potential to be combined with other treatment modalities, such as androgen deprivation therapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and could be applied as focal CAR T cell therapy for prostate cancer.
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86
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El-Mayta R, Zhang Z, Hamilton AG, Mitchell MJ. Delivery technologies to engineer natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2021; 28:947-959. [PMID: 33888870 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00336-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, immune cell-based cancer therapeutics have been utilized broadly in the clinic. Through advances in cellular engineering, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have demonstrated substantial success in treating hematological tumors and have become the most prominent cell-based therapy with three commercialized products in the market. However, T-cell-based immunotherapies have certain limitations, including a restriction to autologous cell sources to avoid severe side-effects caused by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch. This necessity for personalized treatment inevitably results in tremendous manufacturing and time costs, reducing accessibility for many patients. As an alternative strategy, natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as potential candidates for improved cell-based immunotherapies. NK cells are capable of killing cancer cells directly without requiring HLA matching. Furthermore, NK cell-based therapies can use various allogeneic cell sources, allowing for the possibility of "off-the-shelf" immunotherapies with reduced side-effects and shortened manufacturing times. Here we provide an overview of the use of NK cells in cancer immunotherapy, their current status in clinical trials, as well as the design and implementation of delivery technologies-including viral, non-viral, and nanoparticle-based approaches-for engineering NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakan El-Mayta
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zijing Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alex G Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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87
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Hernández-López A, Téllez-González MA, Mondragón-Terán P, Meneses-Acosta A. Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells: A Pharmaceutical Scope. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:720692. [PMID: 34489708 PMCID: PMC8417740 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.720692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, improving cancer therapeutic strategies using novel alternatives is a top priority on the contemporary scientific agenda. An example of such strategies is immunotherapy, which is based on teaching the immune system to recognize, attack, and kill malignant cancer cells. Several types of immunotherapies are currently used to treat cancer, including adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Chimeric Antigen Receptors therapy (CAR therapy) is a kind of ATC where autologous T cells are genetically engineered to express CARs (CAR-T cells) to specifically kill the tumor cells. CAR-T cell therapy is an opportunity to treat patients that have not responded to other first-line cancer treatments. Nowadays, this type of therapy still has many challenges to overcome to be considered as a first-line clinical treatment. This emerging technology is still classified as an advanced therapy from the pharmaceutical point of view, hence, for it to be applied it must firstly meet certain requirements demanded by the authority. For this reason, the aim of this review is to present a global vision of different immunotherapies and focus on CAR-T cell technology analyzing its elements, its history, and its challenges. Furthermore, analyzing the opportunity areas for CAR-T technology to become an affordable treatment modality taking the basic, clinical, and practical aspects into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandrina Hernández-López
- Laboratorio 7 Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de Morelos, UAEM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Mario A. Téllez-González
- Laboratorio 7 Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de Morelos, UAEM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Coordinación de Investigación, Centro Médico Nacional “20 de Noviembre” ISSSTE, Mexico city, Mexico
| | - Paul Mondragón-Terán
- Coordinación de Investigación, Centro Médico Nacional “20 de Noviembre” ISSSTE, Mexico city, Mexico
| | - Angélica Meneses-Acosta
- Laboratorio 7 Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de Morelos, UAEM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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88
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Haslauer T, Greil R, Zaborsky N, Geisberger R. CAR T-Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168996. [PMID: 34445701 PMCID: PMC8396650 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells (CAR T-cells) are a promising therapeutic approach in treating hematological malignancies. CAR T-cells represent engineered autologous T-cells, expressing a synthetic CAR, targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) independent of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) presentation. The most common target is CD19 on B-cells, predominantly used for the treatment of lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), leading to approval of five different CAR T-cell therapies for clinical application. Despite encouraging clinical results, treatment of other hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains difficult. In this review, we focus especially on CAR T-cell application in different hematological malignancies as well as strategies for overcoming CAR T-cell dysfunction and increasing their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Haslauer
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Nadja Zaborsky
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Roland Geisberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.H.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-57255-25847
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89
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Sahillioglu AC, Schumacher TN. Safety switches for adoptive cell therapy. Curr Opin Immunol 2021; 74:190-198. [PMID: 34389174 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of allogeneic and genetically modified T cells, such as CAR-T and TCR-T cells, can induce profound immune reactivity against cancer tissue. At the same time, these therapies are associated with severe off-target and on-target toxicities. For this reason, the development of genetic safety switches that can be used to control the activity of T cells in vivo has become an active field of research. With the spectrum of technologies developed, reversible control of cell products either by supply or removal of small molecules, by supply of protein-based regulators, or by physical stimuli such as light, ultrasound or heat, has become feasible. In this review, we describe the mechanistic classes of genetic safety switches, such as transcription-based or protein-based control of antigen receptors, split receptors, small molecule responsive antibodies, as well as universal remote controls, and discuss their advantages and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Can Sahillioglu
- Division of Molecular Oncology & Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ton N Schumacher
- Division of Molecular Oncology & Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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90
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Bruno B, Wäsch R, Engelhardt M, Gay F, Giaccone L, D'Agostino M, Rodríguez-Lobato LG, Danhof S, Gagelmann N, Kröger N, Popat R, Van de Donk NWCJ, Terpos E, Dimopoulos MA, Sonneveld P, Einsele H, Boccadoro M. European Myeloma Network perspective on CAR T-Cell therapies for multiple myeloma. Haematologica 2021; 106:2054-2065. [PMID: 33792221 PMCID: PMC8327729 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.276402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (CAR-T) have dramatically changed the treatment landscape of B-cell malignancies, providing a potential cure for relapsed/refractory patients. Long-term responses in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non Hodgkin lymphomas have encouraged further development in myeloma. In particular, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted CAR-T have established very promising results in heavily pre-treated patients. Moreover, CAR-T targeting other antigens (i.e., SLAMF7 and CD44v6) are currently under investigation. However, none of these current autologous therapies have been approved, and despite high overall response rates across studies, main issues such as long-term outcome, toxicities, treatment resistance, and management of complications limit as yet their widespread use. Here, we critically review the most important pre-clinical and clinical findings, recent advances in CAR-T against myeloma, as well as discoveries in the biology of a still incurable disease, that, all together, will further improve safety and efficacy in relapsed/refractory patients, urgently in need of novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Bruno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino and Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Presidio Molinette, Torino, Italy; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY.
| | - Ralph Wäsch
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg
| | - Monika Engelhardt
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg
| | - Francesca Gay
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino and Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Presidio Molinette, Torino
| | - Luisa Giaccone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino and Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Presidio Molinette, Torino
| | - Mattia D'Agostino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino and Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Presidio Molinette, Torino
| | - Luis-Gerardo Rodríguez-Lobato
- Unit of Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma, Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Division of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg
| | - Sophia Danhof
- Division of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
| | - Rakesh Popat
- Department of Hematology, University College London Hospitals, London
| | - Niels W C J Van de Donk
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Location VUmc, Amsterdam
| | - Evangelos Terpos
- Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Meletios A Dimopoulos
- Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | | | - Hermann Einsele
- Division of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg
| | - Mario Boccadoro
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino and Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Presidio Molinette, Torino
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91
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Agrawal V, Gbolahan OB, Stahl M, Zeidan AM, Zaid MA, Farag SS, Konig H. Vaccine and Cell-based Therapeutic Approaches in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 20:473-489. [PMID: 32357813 DOI: 10.2174/1568009620666200502011059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, our increased understanding of the interactions between the immune system and cancer cells has led to paradigm shifts in the clinical management of solid and hematologic malignancies. The incorporation of immune-targeted strategies into the treatment landscape of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), however, has been challenging. While this is in part due to the inability of the immune system to mount an effective tumor-specific immunogenic response against the heterogeneous nature of AML, the decreased immunogenicity of AML cells also represents a major obstacle in the effort to design effective immunotherapeutic strategies. In fact, AML cells have been shown to employ sophisticated escape mechanisms to evade elimination, such as direct immunosuppression of natural killer cells and decreased surface receptor expression leading to impaired recognition by the immune system. Yet, cellular and humoral immune reactions against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) of acute leukemia cells have been reported and the success of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of AML clearly provides proof that an immunotherapeutic approach is feasible in the management of this disease. This review discusses the recent progress and persisting challenges in cellular immunotherapy for patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Agrawal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Olumide B Gbolahan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Mohammad Abu Zaid
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Sherif S Farag
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Heiko Konig
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
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92
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Miazek-Zapala N, Slusarczyk A, Kusowska A, Zapala P, Kubacz M, Winiarska M, Bobrowicz M. The "Magic Bullet" Is Here? Cell-Based Immunotherapies for Hematological Malignancies in the Twilight of the Chemotherapy Era. Cells 2021; 10:1511. [PMID: 34203935 PMCID: PMC8232692 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the introduction of a plethora of different anti-neoplastic approaches including standard chemotherapy, molecularly targeted small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and finally hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), there is still a need for novel therapeutic options with the potential to cure hematological malignancies. Although nowadays HSCT already offers a curative effect, its implementation is largely limited by the age and frailty of the patient. Moreover, its efficacy in combating the malignancy with graft-versus-tumor effect frequently coexists with undesirable graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Therefore, it seems that cell-based adoptive immunotherapies may constitute optimal strategies to be successfully incorporated into the standard therapeutic protocols. Thus, modern cell-based immunotherapy may finally represent the long-awaited "magic bullet" against cancer. However, enhancing the safety and efficacy of this treatment regimen still presents many challenges. In this review, we summarize the up-to-date state of the art concerning the use of CAR-T cells and NK-cell-based immunotherapies in hemato-oncology, identify possible obstacles, and delineate further perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Miazek-Zapala
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology of Hearing, World Hearing Center, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Aleksander Slusarczyk
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
- Department of General, Oncological and Functional Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Kusowska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Piotr Zapala
- Department of General, Oncological and Functional Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Matylda Kubacz
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Magdalena Winiarska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Malgorzata Bobrowicz
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (N.M.-Z.); (A.S.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
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93
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Damiris K, Abbad H, Pyrsopoulos N. Cellular based treatment modalities for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Clin Oncol 2021; 12:290-308. [PMID: 34131562 PMCID: PMC8173328 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i5.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver and is unfortunately associated with an overall poor prognosis and high mortality. Early and intermediate stages of HCC allow for treatment with surgical resection, ablation and even liver transplantation, however disease progression warrants conventional systemic therapy. For years treatment options were limited to molecular-targeting medications, of which sorafenib remains the standard of care. The recent development and success of immune checkpoint inhibitors has proven to be a breakthrough in the treatment of HCC, but there is an urgent need for the development of further novel therapeutic treatments that prolong overall survival and minimize recurrence. Current investigation is focused on adoptive cell therapy including chimeric antigen receptor-T cells (CAR-T cells), T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and tumor infiltrating lymphocyte cells, which have shown remarkable success in the treatment of hematological and solid tumor malignancies. In this review we briefly introduce readers to the currently approved systemic treatment options and present clinical and experimental evidence of HCC immunotherapeutic treatments that will hopefully one day allow for revolutionary change in the treatment modalities used for unresectable HCC. We also provide an up-to-date compilation of ongoing clinical trials investigating CAR-T cells, TCR engineered T cells, cancer vaccines and oncolytic viruses, while discussing strategies that can help overcome commonly faced challenges when utilizing cellular based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Damiris
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Hamza Abbad
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
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94
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Miao L, Zhang Z, Ren Z, Tang F, Li Y. Obstacles and Coping Strategies of CAR-T Cell Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors. Front Immunol 2021; 12:687822. [PMID: 34093592 PMCID: PMC8170155 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.687822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy refers to an adoptive immunotherapy that has rapidly developed in recent years. It is a novel type of treatment that enables T cells to express specific CARs on their surface, then returns these T cells to tumor patients to kill the corresponding tumor cells. Significant strides in CAR-T cell immunotherapy against hematologic malignancies have elicited research interest among scholars in the treatment of solid tumors. Nonetheless, in contrast with the efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, its general efficacy against solid tumors is insignificant. This has been attributed to the complex biological characteristics of solid tumors. CAR-T cells play a better role in solid tumors, for instance by addressing obstacles including the lack of specific targets, inhibition of tumor microenvironment (TME), homing barriers of CAR-T cells, differentiation and depletion of CAR-T cells, inhibition of immune checkpoints, trogocytosis of CAR-T cells, tumor antigen heterogeneity, etc. This paper reviews the obstacles influencing the efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors, their mechanism, and coping strategies, as well as economic restriction of CAR-T cell immunotherapy and its solutions. It aims to provide some references for researchers to better overcome the obstacles that affect the efficacy of CAR-T cells in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Miao
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Futian Tang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yumin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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95
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Kumar ARK, Shou Y, Chan B, L K, Tay A. Materials for Improving Immune Cell Transfection. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2007421. [PMID: 33860598 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202007421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy holds great promise for preventing and treating deadly diseases such as cancer. However, it remains challenging to transfect and engineer primary immune cells for clinical cell manufacturing. Conventional tools using viral vectors and bulk electroporation suffer from low efficiency while posing risks like viral transgene integration and excessive biological perturbations. Emerging techniques using microfluidics, nanoparticles, and high-aspect-ratio nanostructures can overcome these challenges, and on top of that, provide universal and high-throughput cargo delivery. Herein, the strengths and limitations of traditional and emerging materials for immune cell transfection, and commercial development of these tools, are discussed. To enhance the characterization of transfection techniques and uptake by the clinical community, a list of in vitro and in vivo assays to perform, along with relevant protocols, is recommended. The overall aim, herein, is to motivate the development of novel materials to meet rising demand in transfection for clinical CAR-T cell manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun R K Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Yufeng Shou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Brian Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Krishaa L
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Andy Tay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
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96
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Dana H, Chalbatani GM, Jalali SA, Mirzaei HR, Grupp SA, Suarez ER, Rapôso C, Webster TJ. CAR-T cells: Early successes in blood cancer and challenges in solid tumors. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1129-1147. [PMID: 34094824 PMCID: PMC8144892 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
New approaches to cancer immunotherapy have been developed, showing the ability to harness the immune system to treat and eliminate cancer. For many solid tumors, therapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown promise. For hematologic malignancies, adoptive and engineered cell therapies are being widely developed, using cells such as T lymphocytes, as well as natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and potentially others. Among these adoptive cell therapies, the most active and advanced therapy involves chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, which are T cells in which a chimeric antigen receptor is used to redirect specificity and allow T cell recognition, activation and killing of cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Two autologous CAR-T products have been approved by several health authorities, starting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. These products have shown powerful, inducing, long-lasting effects against B cell cancers in many cases. In distinction to the results seen in hematologic malignancies, the field of using CAR-T products against solid tumors is in its infancy. Targeting solid tumors and trafficking CAR-T cells into an immunosuppressive microenvironment are both significant challenges. The goal of this review is to summarize some of the most recent aspects of CAR-T cell design and manufacturing that have led to successes in hematological malignancies, allowing the reader to appreciate the barriers that must be overcome to extend CAR-T therapies to solid tumors successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Dana
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 13145-158, Iran
| | - Ghanbar Mahmoodi Chalbatani
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717434, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Jalali
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717434, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran
| | - Stephan A. Grupp
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eloah Rabello Suarez
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Catarina Rapôso
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Thomas J. Webster
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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97
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Madadi Z, Akbari-Birgani S, Mohammadi S, Khademy M, Mousavi SA. The effect of caspase-9 in the differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 904:174138. [PMID: 33933463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common solid malignant tumor in infants and young children. Its origin is the incompletely committed precursor cells from the autonomic nervous system. Neuroblastoma cells are multipotent cells with a high potency of differentiation into the neural cell types. Neural differentiation leads to the treatment of neuroblastoma by halting the cell and tumor growth and consequently its expansion. Caspases are a family of proteins involved in apoptosis and differentiation. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of caspase-9 activation on the differentiation of the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Here we investigated the caspase-9 and 3/7 activity during 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (D3)-mediated differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells and took advantage of the inducible caspase-9 system in putting out the differentiation of the neuroblastoma cells. D3-induced differentiation of the cells could lead to activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3/7, astrocyte-like morphology, and increased expression of Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). By using the inducible caspase-9 system, we showed differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells to astrocyte-like morphology and increased level of GFAP expression. Furthered studies using a specific caspase-9 inhibitor showed inhibition of differentiation mediated by D3 or caspase-9 to astrocyte-like cells. These results show the potency of caspase-9 to direct differentiation of the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells into cells showing an astrocyte-like morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Madadi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran.
| | - Shiva Akbari-Birgani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran; Center for Research in Basic Sciences and Contemporary Technologies, IASBS, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Saeed Mohammadi
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mitra Khademy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran.
| | - Seyed Asadollah Mousavi
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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98
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CAR-T in Cancer Treatment: Develop in Self-Optimization, Win-Win in Cooperation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081955. [PMID: 33921581 PMCID: PMC8072891 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has exhibited good application prospects in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, there are still many unsolved problems, such as the limited antitumor effect of CAR-T on solid tumors and the potential risk of CAR-T therapy in clinical applications. In order to meet these challenges, more and more solutions are proposed. Therefore, in this review, we have discussed the recent breakthroughs in CAR-T therapy for cancer treatment, with an emphasis on the potentially effective CAR-T modifications and combined strategies. Abstract Despite remarkable achievements in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy still faces many obstacles. The limited antitumor activity and persistence of infused CAR-T cells, especially in solid tumors, are the main limiting factors for CAR-T therapy. Moreover, clinical security and accessibility are important unmet needs for the application of CAR-T therapy. In view of these challenges, many potentially effective solutions have been proposed and confirmed. Both the independent and combined strategies of CAR-T therapy have exhibited good application prospects. Thus, in this review, we have discussed the cutting-edge breakthroughs in CAR-T therapy for cancer treatment, with the aim of providing a reference for addressing the current challenges.
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99
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Edeline J, Houot R, Marabelle A, Alcantara M. CAR-T cells and BiTEs in solid tumors: challenges and perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:65. [PMID: 33874996 PMCID: PMC8054411 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01067-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells and BiTEs are both immunotherapies which redirect T cell specificity against a tumor-specific antigen through the use of antibody fragments. They demonstrated remarkable efficacy in B cell hematologic malignancies, thus paving the way for their development in solid tumors. Nonetheless, the use of such new drugs to treat solid tumors is not straightforward. So far, the results from early phase clinical trials are not as impressive as expected but many improvements are under way. In this review we present an overview of the clinical development of CAR-T cells and BiTEs targeting the main antigens expressed by solid tumors. We emphasize the most frequent hurdles encountered by either CAR-T cells or BiTEs, or both, and summarize the strategies that have been proposed to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Edeline
- Medical Oncology, Centre Eugène Marquis, University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Roch Houot
- Department of Hematology, CHU Rennes, INSERM U1236, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Aurélien Marabelle
- Département d'Innovation Thérapeutique et d'Essais Précoces (DITEP), INSERM U1015, INSERM CIC1428, Université Paris Saclay, Gustave Roussy, France
| | - Marion Alcantara
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, INSERM U932, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.
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Rafei H, Daher M, Rezvani K. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK)-cell therapy: leveraging the power of innate immunity. Br J Haematol 2021; 193:216-230. [PMID: 33216984 PMCID: PMC9942693 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a rapidly emerging form of cancer treatment, and have resulted in remarkable responses in refractory lymphoid malignancies. However, their widespread clinical use is limited by toxicity related to cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, the logistic complexity of their manufacturing, cost and time-to-treatment for autologous CAR-T cells, and the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) associated with allogeneic CAR-T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as a promising source of cells for CAR-based therapies due to their ready availability and safety profile. NK cells are part of the innate immune system, providing the first line of defence against pathogens and cancer cells. They produce cytokines and mediate cytotoxicity without the need for prior sensitisation and have the ability to interact with, and activate other immune cells. NK cells for immunotherapy can be generated from multiple sources, such as expanded autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, haematopoietic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as cell lines. Genetic engineering of NK cells to express a CAR has shown impressive preclinical results and is currently being explored in multiple clinical trials. In the present review, we discuss both the preclinical and clinical trial progress made in the field of CAR NK-cell therapy, and the strategies to overcome the challenges encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Rafei
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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