151
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Thomas S, Xue SA, Cesco-Gaspere M, San José E, Hart DP, Wong V, Debets R, Alarcon B, Morris E, Stauss HJ. Targeting the Wilms Tumor Antigen 1 by TCR Gene Transfer: TCR Variants Improve Tetramer Binding but Not the Function of Gene Modified Human T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 179:5803-10. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.9.5803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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152
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Schuster IG, Busch DH, Eppinger E, Kremmer E, Milosevic S, Hennard C, Kuttler C, Ellwart JW, Frankenberger B, Nössner E, Salat C, Bogner C, Borkhardt A, Kolb HJ, Krackhardt AM. Allorestricted T cells with specificity for the FMNL1-derived peptide PP2 have potent antitumor activity against hematologic and other malignancies. Blood 2007; 110:2931-9. [PMID: 17626842 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-11-058750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCell-based immunotherapy in settings of allogeneic stem cell transplantation or donor leukocyte infusion has curative potential, especially in hematologic malignancies. However, this approach is severely restricted due to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This limitation may be overcome if target antigens are molecularly defined and effector cells are specifically selected. We chose formin-related protein in leukocytes 1 (FMNL1) as a target antigen after intensive investigation of its expression profile at the mRNA and protein levels. Here, we confirm restricted expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors but also observe overexpression in different leukemias and aberrant expression in transformed cell lines derived from solid tumors. We isolated allorestricted T-cell clones expressing a single defined TCR recognizing a particular HLA-A2–presented peptide derived from FMNL1. This T-cell clone showed potent antitumor activity against lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma cell lines, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–transformed B cells, and primary tumor samples derived from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), whereas nontransformed cells with the exception of activated B cells were only marginally recognized. Allorestricted TCRs with specificity for naturally presented FMNL1-derived epitopes may represent promising reagents for the development of adoptive therapies in lymphoma and other malignant diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Blotting, Western
- Bone Marrow/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Clone Cells
- Cytoskeletal Proteins/immunology
- Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Formins
- HLA-A Antigens
- Hematologic Neoplasms/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Peptides/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid G Schuster
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Forschungszeutrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit (GSF)-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Munich, Germany
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153
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Thomas S, Hart DP, Xue SA, Cesco-Gaspere M, Stauss HJ. T-cell receptor gene therapy for cancer: the progress to date and future objectives. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2007; 7:1207-18. [PMID: 17696819 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.7.8.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade research has begun into the use of T-cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy as a means to control and eradicate malignancies. There is now a large body of evidence to demonstrate that through the use of this technology one can redirect T-cell antigen specificity to produce both cytotoxic and helper T cells, which are functionally competent both in vitro and in vivo and show promising antitumour effects in humans. This review focuses on the means by which TCR gene transfer is achieved and the recent advances to modify the TCRs and vector delivery systems which aim to enhance the efficiency and safety of TCR gene transfer protocols.
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154
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Pouw NMC, Westerlaken EJ, Willemsen RA, Debets R. Gene transfer of human TCR in primary murine T cells is improved by pseudo-typing with amphotropic and ecotropic envelopes. J Gene Med 2007; 9:561-70. [PMID: 17471588 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy represents an attractive anti-cancer treatment but requires further optimization of its efficacy and safety in clinically relevant models, such as those using a tumor antigen and TCR of human origin. Currently, however, there is no consensus as to what protocol is most optimal for retroviral human TCR gene transfer into primary murine T cells, most notably with respect to virus pseudo-type. METHODS Primary murine T cells were transduced, expanded and subsequently tested for transgene expression, proliferation and antigen-specific function. To this end, murine leukemia virus (MLV) retroviruses were produced upon transfection of various packaging cells with genes encoding either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or TCRalphabeta specific for human melanoma antigen gp100(280-288) and the helper elements GAG/POL and ENV. Next to viral pseudotyping, the following parameters were studied: T cell densities; T cell activation; the amounts of IL-2 and the source of serum used to supplement medium. RESULTS The pseudo-type of virus produced by packaging cells critically determines T cell transduction efficiencies. In fact, MLV-A and MLV-E pseudo-typed viruses derived from a co-culture of Phoenix-A and 293T cells resulted in T cell transduction efficiencies that were two-fold higher than those based on retroviruses expressing either VSV-G, GALV, MLV-A or MLV-E envelopes. In addition, T cell densities during transduction were inversely related to transduction efficiencies. Further optimization resulted in transduction efficiencies of over 90% for GFP, and 68% for both a murine and a human (i.e. murinized) TCR. Importantly, TCR-transduced T cells proliferate (i.e. showing a log increase in cell number in a few days) and show antigen-specific function. CONCLUSIONS We set up a quick and versatile method to genetically modify primary murine T cells based on transient production of TCR-positive retroviruses, and show that retroviral gene transfer of a human TCR into primary murine T cells is critically improved by viral pseudo-typing with both MLV-A and MLV-E envelopes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- CD28 Antigens/immunology
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- Cell Count
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Concanavalin A/pharmacology
- Humans
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Virus/genetics
- Receptors, Virus/metabolism
- Retroviridae/genetics
- Retroviridae/metabolism
- Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type III/metabolism
- Solubility/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/virology
- Transduction, Genetic/methods
- Virus Assembly/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine M C Pouw
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC-Daniel den Hoed Oncology Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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155
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Stauss HJ, Thomas S, Cesco-Gaspere M, Hart DP, Xue SA, Holler A, King J, Wright G, Perro M, Pospori C, Morris E. WT1-specific T cell receptor gene therapy: improving TCR function in transduced T cells. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2007; 40:113-6. [PMID: 17855129 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2007.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2007] [Revised: 06/30/2007] [Accepted: 06/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T lymphocytes is an attractive form of immunotherapy for haematological malignancies and cancer. The difficulty of isolating antigen-specific T lymphocytes for individual patients limits the more widespread use of adoptive T cell therapy. The demonstration that cloned T cell receptor (TCR) genes can be used to produce T lymphocyte populations of desired specificity offers new opportunities for antigen-specific T cell therapy. The first trial in humans demonstrated that TCR gene-modified T cells persisted for an extended time period and reduced tumor burden in some patients. The WT1 protein is an attractive target for immunotherapy of leukemia and solid cancer since elevated expression has been demonstrated in AML, CML, MDS and in breast, colon and ovarian cancer. In the past, we have isolated high avidity CTL specific for a WT1-derived peptide presented by HLA-A2 and cloned the TCR alpha and beta genes of a WT1-specific CTL line. The genes were inserted into retroviral vectors for transduction of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes of leukemia patients and normal donors. The treatment of leukemia-bearing NOD/SCID mice with T cells transduced with the WT1-specific TCR eliminated leukemia cells in the bone marrow of most mice, while treatment with T cells transduced with a TCR of irrelevant specificity did not diminish the leukemia burden. In order to improve the safety and efficacy of TCR gene therapy, we have developed lentiviral TCR gene transfer. In addition, we employed strategies to enhance TCR expression while avoiding TCR mis-pairing. It may be possible to generate dominant TCR constructs that can suppress the expression of the endogenous TCR on the surface of transduced T cells. The development of new TCR gene constructs holds great promise for the safe and effective delivery of TCR gene therapy for the treatment of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans J Stauss
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Pathology, University College London, Hampstead Campus, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom.
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156
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Abstract
Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T cells is a promising approach for preventing progressive viral infections in immunosuppressed hosts. By contrast, effective T-cell therapy of malignant disease has proven to be much more difficult to achieve. This, in part, reflects the difficulty of isolating high avidity T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens, many of which are self-antigens that have induced some level of tolerance in the host. Even when tumor-reactive T cells can be isolated, the ability of these cells to survive in vivo and traffic to tumor sites is often impaired. Additionally, most tumors employ multiple mechanisms to escape T-cell recognition, including interference in antigen presentation, secretion of inhibitory factors and recruitment of regulatory or immunosuppressive cells. The genetic modification of T cells prior to transfer provides a potential means to overcome many of these obstacles and enhance the efficacy of T-cell therapy. This review article discusses the rationale for genetic modification of T cells, the critical steps involved in gene transfer, and potential advantages and disadvantages of strategies that are now being examined to engineer improved effector T cells for the treatment of human infectious and malignant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Berger
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Program in Immunology, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA.
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157
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Stauss HJ, Cesco-Gaspere M, Thomas S, Hart DP, Xue SA, Holler A, Wright G, Perro M, Little AM, Pospori C, King J, Morris EC. Monoclonal T-cell receptors: new reagents for cancer therapy. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1744-50. [PMID: 17637721 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T lymphocytes is an effective form of immunotherapy for persistent virus infections and cancer. A major limitation of adoptive therapy is the inability to isolate antigen-specific T lymphocytes reproducibly. The demonstration that cloned T-cell receptor (TCR) genes can be used to produce T lymphocyte populations of desired specificity offers new opportunities for antigen-specific T-cell therapy. TCR gene-modified lymphocytes display antigen-specific function in vitro, and were shown to protect against virus infection and tumor growth in animal models. A recent trial in humans demonstrated that TCR gene-modified T cells persisted in all and reduced melanoma burden in 2/15 patients. In future trials, it may be possible to use TCR gene transfer to equip helper and cytotoxic T cells with new antigen-specificity, allowing both T-cell subsets to cooperate in achieving improved clinical responses. Sequence modifications of TCR genes are being explored to enhance TCR surface expression, while minimizing the risk of pairing between introduced and endogenous TCR chains. Current T-cell transduction protocols that trigger T-cell differentiation need to be modified to generate "undifferentiated" T cells, which, upon adoptive transfer, display improved in vivo expansion and survival. Both, expression of only the introduced TCR chains and the production of naïve T cells may be possible in the future by TCR gene transfer into stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans J Stauss
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Pathology, University College London, Hampstead Campus, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
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158
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Sprangers B, Van Wijmeersch B, Fevery S, Waer M, Billiau AD. Experimental and clinical approaches for optimization of the graft-versus-leukemia effect. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 4:404-14. [PMID: 17597705 DOI: 10.1038/ncponc0848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2006] [Accepted: 02/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The goal of allogeneic (allo)-hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) in the treatment of hematologic malignancies is to harness the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect, while minimizing the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Allo-HSCT research has focused on the GVL target antigens and effector mechanisms, and on potential approaches to exploit GVL independently of GVHD. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) achieves the most powerful anti-leukemic responses, and this approach is often used in combination with nonmyeloablative transplant regimens to optimize GVL and reduce GVHD. Serial, dose-escalating, and CD8(+) T-cell-depleted DLI have been introduced into clinical practice, while other variants of DLI have so far been explored only in animal models. The role of naturally occurring regulatory T cells in transplantation tolerance is being increasingly acknowledged, and murine studies indicate the potential ability of T cells to regulate GVHD while maintaining GVL. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the importance of host-type chimerism, particularly for antigen-presenting cells, in determining the occurrence of DLI-induced GVL. Murine studies could assist in the development of clinical strategies targeted at antigen-presenting cells. Clinical studies exploiting natural killer-cell-mediated antitumor reactivity in the context of killer inhibitory receptor-ligand-mismatched allo-HSCT have provided promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Sprangers
- Laboratory of Experimental Transplantation, University of Leuven, Belgium
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159
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Spaapen R, van den Oudenalder K, Ivanov R, Bloem A, Lokhorst H, Mutis T. Rebuilding Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II–Restricted Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Specificity in Recall Antigen-Specific T Cells by Adoptive T Cell Receptor Transfer: Implications for Adoptive Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:4009-15. [PMID: 17606735 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Donor T cells directed to hematopoietic minor histocompatibility antigens (mHag) are appealing tools for adoptive immunotherapy of hematological malignancies after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Toward the development of a convenient strategy for ex vivo generation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II--restricted mHag-specific T cells, we evaluated the feasibility of rebuilding mHag-specific T cell functions in donor-derived recall antigen-specific T cells via T cell receptor (TCR) transfer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN TCR alpha- and beta-chains of an HLA-DPB1*0401--restricted T-cell clone recognizing a multiple myeloma-associated mHag were retrovirally transferred into a tetanus toxoid (TT)--specific clone derived from the original stem cell donor. TCR double-transduced cells were compared with the parent mHag- and TT-specific clones for antigen specificity, cytokine secretion, and cytotoxic activity and were analyzed for their in vitro expansion capacity in a TT- or mHag-specific fashion. RESULTS mHag-TCR--transduced TT-specific cells displayed both TT and mHag specificity. Similar to the parent cells, they secreted Th-1 cytokines and exerted significant cytotoxic activity against TT-pulsed or mHag(+) target cells, including multiple myeloma cells. A 4-week expansion of TCR-transduced cells via the TT-specific TCR had no negative influence on the mHag-specific cytotoxic activity and resulted in 10- to 100-fold better cell yields as compared with mHag-specific expansion. CONCLUSIONS HLA class II--restricted, mHag-specific effector functions can be successfully reconstructed in donor-derived TT-specific T cells via TCR transfer. Effective expansion of these T cells via TT-specific TCRs illustrate the suitability of this strategy for ex vivo expansion and possibly for in vivo TT-specific reboosting of HLA class II--restricted immunotherapeutic T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbert Spaapen
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Immunology, and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
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160
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Bobisse S, Zanovello P, Rosato A. T-cell receptor gene transfer by lentiviral vectors in adoptive cell therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2007; 7:893-906. [PMID: 17555374 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.7.6.893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy can be envisioned as a promising strategy for tumour immunotherapy. However, existing protocols of adoptive cell therapy still require optimisation as many factors, such as specificity, avidity, level of differentiation and amount of transferred T lymphocytes, can influence their immunocompetence and in vivo functionality. In particular, the need to reduce the in vitro expansion phase and to obtain large numbers of tumour-reactive T cells, as a favourable condition for cancer regression, make TCR gene transfer a potentially ideal tool to overcome the limits of adoptive cell therapy strategies. Here, the authors review the state-of-the-art and recent advances in TCR transfer with particular emphasis on lentiviral vector systems. Initial data from preclinical models and recent clinical trials encourage optimisation of a safe, simplified and stable transfer system. In this regard, HIV-based vectors are emerging as good alternative candidates over the most widely used oncoretroviral vectors due to their peculiar molecular features that fit the ideal conditions for donor T cell in vitro manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bobisse
- University of Padova, Department of Oncology and Surgical Sciences, Padova, Italy
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161
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Abstract
Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T lymphocytes is a powerful therapy for the treatment of opportunistic disease and some virus-associated malignancies such as Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. However, this strategy has been less successful in patients with nonviral cancers owing to their many and varied immune evasion mechanisms. These mechanisms include downregulation of target antigens and antigen-presenting machinery, secretion of inhibitory cytokines, and recruitment of regulatory immune cells to the tumor site. With increased understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the behavior and persistence of ex vivo-manipulated, adoptively transferred T cells, two novel approaches for increasing the efficacy of T cell therapy have been proposed. The first involves genetic modification of tumor-specific T cells to improve their biological function, for example by augmenting their ability to recognize tumor cells or their resistance to tumor-mediated immunosuppression. The second requires modifications to the host environment to improve the homeostatic expansion of infused T cells or to eliminate inhibitory T cell subsets. In this review, we discuss current, promising strategies to improve adoptive T cell therapy for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Leen
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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162
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Guinn BA, Kasahara N, Farzaneh F, Habib NA, Norris JS, Deisseroth AB. Recent Advances and Current Challenges in Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1065-71. [PMID: 17375068 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in animal studies, where the cure of the majority of mice with pre-established (albeit early-stage) tumors has become almost standard, human clinical trials have been much less successful. Here we describe some of the most recent advances in the specialist field of tumor immunology and immunotherapy, highlighting salient work to identify key problem areas and potential solutions. We make particular note of recent developments in adoptive therapy; whole-cell, DNA, and peptide vaccines; and antibody therapy. We also describe the revival of interest in regulatory T cells and conclude by detailing the need for clinical trial read-out autonomy and methods to predict which patients will respond to a particular treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara-ann Guinn
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College London School of Medicine, The Rayne, Institute, London, UK.
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163
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Cohen CJ, Li YF, El-Gamil M, Robbins PF, Rosenberg SA, Morgan RA. Enhanced antitumor activity of T cells engineered to express T-cell receptors with a second disulfide bond. Cancer Res 2007; 67:3898-903. [PMID: 17440104 PMCID: PMC2147081 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of genetically T-cell receptor (TCR)-modified lymphocytes has been recently reported to cause objective cancer regression. However, a major limitation to this approach is the mispairing of the introduced chains with the endogenous TCR subunits, which leads to reduced TCR surface expression and, subsequently, to their lower biological activity. We here show that it is possible to improve TCR gene transfer by adding a single cysteine on each receptor chain to promote the formation of an additional interchain disulfide bond. We show that cysteine-modified receptors were more highly expressed on the surface of human lymphocytes compared with their wild-type counterparts and able to mediate higher levels of cytokine secretion and specific lysis when cocultured with specific tumor cell lines. Furthermore, cysteine-modified receptors retained their enhanced function in CD4(+) lymphocytes. We also show that this approach can be employed to enhance the function of humanized and native murine receptors in human cells. Preferential pairing of cysteine-modified receptor chains accounts for these observations, which could have significant implications for the improvement of TCR gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille J Cohen
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute/NIH, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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164
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Zhao Y, Parkhurst MR, Zheng Z, Cohen CJ, Riley JP, Gattinoni L, Restifo NP, Rosenberg SA, Morgan RA. Extrathymic generation of tumor-specific T cells from genetically engineered human hematopoietic stem cells via Notch signaling. Cancer Res 2007; 67:2425-9. [PMID: 17363559 PMCID: PMC2100408 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor-reactive lymphocytes has been shown to be an effective treatment for cancer patients. Studies in murine models of ACT indicated that antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells is dependent on the differentiation status of the cells, with lymphocyte differentiation inversely correlated with in vivo antitumor effectiveness. T-cell in vitro development technologies provide a new opportunity to generate naive T cells for the purpose of ACT. In this study, we genetically modified human umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to express tumor antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) genes and generated T lymphocytes by coculture with a murine cell line expressing Notch-1 ligand, Delta-like-1 (OP9-DL1). Input HSCs were differentiated into T cells as evidenced by the expression of T-cell markers, such as CD7, CD1a, CD4, CD8, and CD3, and by detection of TCR excision circles. We found that such in vitro differentiated T cells expressed the TCR and showed HLA-A2-restricted, specific recognition and killing of tumor antigen peptide-pulsed antigen-presenting cells but manifested additional natural killer cell-like killing of tumor cell lines. The genetic manipulation of HSCs has broad implications for ACT of cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Coculture Techniques
- Epitopes
- Fetal Blood/cytology
- Fetal Blood/immunology
- Genetic Engineering/methods
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/immunology
- Humans
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/immunology
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/immunology
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
- Receptor, Notch1/genetics
- Receptor, Notch1/immunology
- Receptor, Notch1/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Transduction, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangbing Zhao
- Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1201, USA
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165
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Bendle GM, Xue SA, Holler A, Stauss HJ. A study of T cell tolerance to the tumor-associated antigen MDM2: cytokines can restore antigen responsiveness, but not high avidity T cell function. PLoS One 2007; 2:e353. [PMID: 17406677 PMCID: PMC1831496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2007] [Accepted: 03/13/2007] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most tumor-associated antigens (TAA) currently used for immunotherapy of cancer are also expressed in normal tissues, which may induce tolerance and impair T cell-mediated immunity. However, there is limited information about how physiological expression in normal tissues alters the function of TAA-specific T cells. Methodology/Principal Findings We used a T cell receptor transgenic model to study how MDM2 expression in normal tissues affects the function of T cells specific for this TAA that is found at high levels in many different types of tumors. We found that some MDM2-specific T cells escaped thymic deletion and persisted in the peripheral T cell pool. When stimulated with antigen, these T cells readily initiated cell division but failed to proliferate and expand, which was associated with a high rate of apoptosis. Both IL-2 and IL-15 efficiently rescued T cell survival and antigen-specific T cell proliferation, while IL-7 and IL-21 were ineffective. Antigen-stimulated T cells showed impaired expression of the effector molecules CD43, granzyme-B and IFN-γ, a defect that was completely restored when T cells were stimulated in the presence of IL-2. In contrast, IL-15 and IL-21 only restored the expression of CD43 and granzyme-B, but not IFN-γ production. Finally, peptide titration experiments with IL-2 rescued T cells indicated that they were of lower avidity than non-tolerant control T cells expressing the same TCR. Conclusions/Significance These data indicate that cytokines can rescue the antigen-specific proliferation and effector function of MDM2-specific T cells, although this does not lead to the recovery of high avidity T cell function. This study sheds light on possible limitations of immunotherapy approaches that target widely expressed TAA, such as MDM2.
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166
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Kuball J, Dossett ML, Wolfl M, Ho WY, Voss RH, Fowler C, Greenberg PD. Facilitating matched pairing and expression of TCR chains introduced into human T cells. Blood 2007; 109:2331-8. [PMID: 17082316 PMCID: PMC1852191 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-05-023069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2006] [Accepted: 10/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes is a promising treatment for a variety of malignancies but often not feasible due to difficulties generating T cells that are reactive with the targeted antigen from patients. To facilitate rapid generation of cells for therapy, T cells can be programmed with genes encoding the alpha and beta chains of an antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR). However, such exogenous alpha and beta chains can potentially assemble as pairs not only with each other but also with endogenous TCR alpha and beta chains, thereby generating alphabetaTCR pairs of unknown specificity as well as reducing the number of exogenous matched alphabetaTCR pairs at the cell surface. We demonstrate that introducing cysteines into the constant region of the alpha and beta chains can promote preferential pairing with each other, increase total surface expression of the introduced TCR chains, and reduce mismatching with endogenous TCR chains. This approach should improve both the efficacy and safety of ongoing efforts to use TCR transfer as a strategy to generate tumor-reactive T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Kuball
- The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Program in Immunology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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167
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Richman SA, Kranz DM. Display, engineering, and applications of antigen-specific T cell receptors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 24:361-73. [PMID: 17409021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioeng.2007.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2006] [Revised: 02/23/2007] [Accepted: 02/26/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The use of T cell receptors (TCRs) as potential therapeutic agents provides an opportunity to target a greatly expanded array of antigens, compared to those now targeted with monoclonal antibodies. With the advent of new display technologies and TCR formats for in vitro engineering, it should be possible to generate high-affinity TCRs against virtually any peptide antigen that is shown to bind to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule (e.g. peptides derived from viral antigens or from self proteins that are associated with the transformed phenotype). What remains, however, are challenges associated with effective targeting of very low numbers of cell surface antigens (pepMHC), fewer than the case for conventional monoclonal antibody-based therapies. This hurdle might be overcome with the attachment of more effective payloads for soluble TCR approaches, or by using TCR gene transfer into T cells that can then be adoptively transferred into patients. There is considerable work to be done on the physiological aspects of either approach, including pharmacokinetic studies in the case of soluble TCRs, and T cell trafficking, persistence, and autoreactivity studies in the case of adoptively transferred T cells. As with the field of monoclonal antibodies, it will take time to explore these issues, but the potential benefits of TCR-based therapies make these challenges worth the effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Richman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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168
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Engels B, Uckert W. Redirecting T lymphocyte specificity by T cell receptor gene transfer – A new era for immunotherapy. Mol Aspects Med 2007; 28:115-42. [PMID: 17307249 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2006.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2006] [Accepted: 12/18/2006] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of adoptively transferred cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been demonstrated in clinical trials for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, cytomegalovirus-mediated disease, and Epstein-Barr virus-positive B cell lymphomas. It is however limited by the difficulty of generating sufficient amounts of CTLs in vitro, especially for the treatment of solid tumors. Recent gene therapy approaches, including two clinical trials, successfully apply genetic engineering of T cell specificity by T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer. In this review we want to elucidate several principles of the redirection of T cell specificity. We cover basic aspects of retroviral gene transfer, regarding transduction efficacy and transgene expression levels. It was demonstrated that the number of TCR molecules on a T cell is important for its function. Therefore, an efficient transfer system that yields high transduction efficiency and strong and stable transgene expression is a prerequisite to achieve effector function by redirected T cells. Furthermore, we consider more recent aspects of T cell specificity engineering. These include the possibility of co-transferring coreceptors to create for example functional T helper cells by engrafting CD4(+) T cells with a MHC class I restricted TCR and the CD8 coreceptor and vice versa. Also, risks related to the adoptive transfer of TCR gene-modified T cells and possible safety mechanisms are discussed. Finally, we summarize recent findings describing transferred TCRs capable of displacing endogenous TCRs from the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Engels
- Humboldt-University Berlin, Institute of Biology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Gene Therapy, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, D-13092 Berlin, Germany
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169
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Nakajima A. Application of cellular gene therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2007; 16:269-75. [PMID: 17039306 PMCID: PMC2780633 DOI: 10.1007/s10165-006-0501-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2006] [Accepted: 06/05/2006] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation of joints resulting in progressive destruction of cartilage and bone. Recently, biological agents that suppress the activities of proinflammatory cytokines have shown efficacy as antirheumatic drugs, but require frequent administration, and often result in systemic immune suppression. Thus, gene transfer approaches are being developed as an alternative approach for targeted, more efficient, and sustained delivery of inhibitors of inflammatory cytokines as well as other therapeutic agents. Several gene therapy approaches have been established in preclinical animal models. In these models, autoantigen-specific T cells have been demonstrated to be ideal gene delivery vehicles for the local delivery of “immunoregulatory molecules” because these cells have tissue-specific homing and retention properties. Indeed, bioluminescence studies in an animal model of inflammatory arthritis revealed that these cells accumulated in and remained in inflamed joints. Transfer of genetically modified dendritic cells (DCs) may also have interesting effects. We conclude that modifying antigen-specific T cells or autologous DCs by retroviral transduction for local expression of regulatory proteins is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuo Nakajima
- Department of Joint Disease and Rheumatism, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.
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170
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Muranski P, Boni A, Wrzesinski C, Citrin DE, Rosenberg SA, Childs R, Restifo NP. Increased intensity lymphodepletion and adoptive immunotherapy--how far can we go? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 3:668-81. [PMID: 17139318 PMCID: PMC1773008 DOI: 10.1038/ncponc0666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2006] [Accepted: 08/01/2006] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In a recent clinical trial involving patients with metastatic melanoma, immunosuppressive conditioning with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide resulted in a 50% response rate in robust long-term persistence of adoptively transferred T cells. Experimental findings indicate that lymphodepletion prior to adoptive transfer of tumor-specific T lymphocytes plays a key role in enhancing treatment efficacy by eliminating regulatory T cells and competing elements of the immune system ('cytokine sinks'). Newly emerging animal data suggest that more profound lymphoablative conditioning with autologous hematopoetic stem-cell rescue might further enhance treatment results. Here we review recent advances in adoptive immunotherapy of solid tumors and discuss the rationale for lymphodepleting conditioning. We also address safety issues associated with translating experimental animal results of total lymphoid ablation into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Muranski
- Correspondence *Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Room 3-5762, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA EmailEmail
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicholas P Restifo
- Correspondence *Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Room 3-5762, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA EmailEmail
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171
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Tan PH, Giles K, Tan PL. The Transplantation Society--new key opinion leaders of tomorrow 2006. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2006; 7:149-52. [PMID: 17150026 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.7.1.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
One of the new initiatives taken by the immediate past president of The Transplantation Society, KJ Wood, is to introduce a new series of meetings named 'New Key Opinion Leaders of Tomorrow'. The Transplantation Society invites the leading young investigators in the field of transplantation to participate in this meeting together with the present leaders of the field. The key objective of this meeting is to identify the potential key opinion leaders of tomorrow. Each presentation during the meeting was jointly given by the senior and junior investigators. The meeting in Buenos Aires covered six main topics on clinical, translational and basic transplantation. These included: innate immunity and inflammation; transplant infectious diseases; tumour and transplantation; medical and ethical aspects of transplantation; dendritic cells (stimulating and manipulating the immune response to a transplant); and ABO incompatible donor recipient pairs. This report focuses on the emerging biological therapeutics and their ramifications on clinical transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Tan
- Imperial College London, Department of Immunology, Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 ONN, UK.
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172
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Bendle GM, Holler A, Downs AM, Xue SA, Stauss HJ. Broadly expressed tumour-associated proteins as targets for cytotoxic T lymphocyte-based cancer immunotherapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2006; 5:1183-92. [PMID: 16120049 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.5.9.1183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
T cell-based antigen-specific immunotherapy targeting self-proteins aberrantly expressed in many tumours offers the potential for widely applicable cancer immunotherapy, but carries the risk of autoimmunity. Immunological tolerance represents an inherent limitation of cancer vaccines targeting such broadly expressed tumour-associated proteins. Therefore, strategies to circumvent T cell tolerance have been developed and, when combined with T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer technology, can generate highly avid tumour-reactive patient cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for peptide epitopes of tumour-associated proteins. This review analyses the level of tolerance to broadly expressed tumour-associated proteins in the autologous T cell repertoire, assesses strategies that have been developed to circumvent T cell tolerance to such antigens, and evaluates the prospects for effective immunotherapy targeting broadly expressed tumour-associated proteins.
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MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Immune Tolerance
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Models, Animal
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/immunology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin M Bendle
- Royal Free Hospital, Department of Immunology and Molecular Pathology, University College London, London, NW3 2QG, UK
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173
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Sommermeyer D, Neudorfer J, Weinhold M, Leisegang M, Engels B, Noessner E, Heemskerk MHM, Charo J, Schendel DJ, Blankenstein T, Bernhard H, Uckert W. Designer T cells by T cell receptor replacement. Eur J Immunol 2006; 36:3052-9. [PMID: 17051621 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200636539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer is a convenient method to produce antigen-specific T cells for adoptive therapy. However, the expression of two TCR in T cells could impair their function or cause unwanted effects by mixed TCR heterodimers. With five different TCR and four different T cells, either mouse or human, we show that some TCR are strong--in terms of cell surface expression--and replace weak TCR on the cell surface, resulting in exchange of antigen specificity. Two strong TCR are co-expressed. A mouse TCR replaces human TCR on human T cells. Even though it is still poorly understood why some TCRalpha/beta combinations are preferentially expressed on T cells, our data suggest that, in the future, designer T cells with exclusive tumor reactivity can be generated by T cell engineering.
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174
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de Witte MA, Coccoris M, Wolkers MC, van den Boom MD, Mesman EM, Song JY, van der Valk M, Haanen JBAG, Schumacher TNM. Targeting self-antigens through allogeneic TCR gene transfer. Blood 2006; 108:870-7. [PMID: 16861342 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-08-009357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes has been proposed as an attractive approach for immunotherapy in cases where the endogenous T-cell repertoire is insufficient. While there are promising data demonstrating the capacity of TCR-modified T cells to react to foreign antigen encounter, the feasibility of targeting tumor-associated self-antigens has not been addressed. Here we demonstrate that T-cell receptor gene transfer allows the induction of defined self-antigen-specific T-cell responses, even when the endogenous T-cell repertoire is nonreactive. Furthermore, we show that adoptive transfer of T-cell receptor genes can be used to induce strong antigen-specific T-cell responsiveness in partially MHC-mismatched hosts without detectable graft versus host disease. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using a collection of "off the shelf" T-cell receptor genes to target defined tumor-associated self-antigens and thereby form a clear incentive to test this immunotherapeutic approach in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moniek A de Witte
- Department of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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175
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Abstract
Classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens are trimeric molecules found on the surface of nucleated cells in all jawed vertebrates. MHC I are recognised by two families of receptors: clonotypic T cell receptors expressed on the surface of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and monomorphic receptors expressed by both natural killer cells and CTLs. The production of MHC I molecules within the cells is a sequential process performed with the help of interacting proteins: proteases, chaperones, transporters and so on. Although largely homologous in their structure, organisation and function, the human and mouse MHC I antigen processing and presentation machineries show fine differences. Transgenesis and 'knockout' or 'knock-in' technologies permit the addition of relevant human genes or the replacement of mouse genes by their human orthologues in order to produce immunologically humanised mice. Such experimental animals are especially relevant for the comparative evaluation of immunotherapies and for the characterisation of MHC I peptide epitopes. This review presents the similarities and differences between mouse and human MHC I antigen processing machinery, and describes the development and utilisation of improving mouse models of human cytotoxic T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Pascolo
- Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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176
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Heemskerk MHM, Hagedoorn RS, van der Hoorn MAWG, van der Veken LT, Hoogeboom M, Kester MGD, Willemze R, Falkenburg JHF. Efficiency of T-cell receptor expression in dual-specific T cells is controlled by the intrinsic qualities of the TCR chains within the TCR-CD3 complex. Blood 2006; 109:235-43. [PMID: 16968899 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-03-013318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genetic engineering of T lymphocytes is an attractive strategy to specifically redirect T-cell immunity toward viral infections and malignancies. We previously demonstrated redirected antileukemic reactivity of cytomegalovirus (CMV)–specific T cells by transfer of minor histocompatibility antigen HA-2–specific T-cell receptors (TCRs). HA-2–TCR-transferred CMV-specific T cells were potent effectors against HA-2–expressing leukemic cells, as well as CMV-expressing cells. Functional activity of these T cells correlated with TCR cell-surface expression. In the present study we analyzed which properties of transferred and endogenous TCRs are crucial for efficient cell-surface expression. We demonstrate that expression of the introduced TCR is not a random process but is determined by characteristics of both the introduced and the endogenously expressed TCR. The efficiency of TCR cell-surface expression is controlled by the intrinsic quality of the TCR complex. In addition, we demonstrate that chimeric TCRs can be formed and that efficiency of TCR expression is independent of whether TCRs are retrovirally introduced or naturally expressed. In conclusion, introduced, endogenous, and chimeric TCRs compete for cell-surface expression in favor of the TCR-CD3 complex with best-pairing properties.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigen Presentation
- Cells, Cultured/immunology
- Cytomegalovirus/immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Flow Cytometry
- Genes, Reporter
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor alpha
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology
- HLA-B7 Antigen/immunology
- HLA-DQ Antigens/immunology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/immunology
- Ligands
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Moloney murine leukemia virus/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Retroviridae/genetics
- T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Transduction, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, C2-R, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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177
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Lyons GE, Roszkowski JJ, Man S, Yee C, Kast WM, Nishimura MI. T-cell receptor tetramer binding or the lack there of does not necessitate antigen reactivity in T-cell receptor transduced T cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2006; 55:1142-50. [PMID: 16374636 PMCID: PMC11030807 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-005-0103-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2005] [Accepted: 11/10/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Genetic transfer of T-cell receptor (TCR) chains provides a means of transferring tumor antigen specificity onto an alternate T-cell population. To determine which tumor reactive TCRs are best suitable for such adoptive transfer, careful evaluation of the resulting TCR modified populations need to be performed. We have previously cloned, and expressed TCRs from melanoma, EBV, HCV, and HPV reactive T-cell clones and found that several routine indicators of T-cell function do not always predict the relative strength of a TCR. Using a combination of tetramer binding assays and antigen recognition assays, we identified TCRs that fall into three classes. One class of TCR did not bind tetramers yet resulted in cells with high avidity for antigen. A second TCR class bound tetramer but did not secrete cytokines in response to antigen. Finally, the third class of TCRs bound tetramer and reacted to antigen as would be expected. We conclude that tetramer binding is not always a good indicator of the function of a cloned TCR or the avidity of a TCR gene modified T cell. Furthermore, our data indicate that the use of tetramer binding alone to identify antigen reactive TCRs may result in the exclusion of TCRs that may be highly reactive or cross reactive to the relevant tumor antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen E. Lyons
- Department of Surgery and Committee of Immunology, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC7116, Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Roszkowski
- Department of Surgery and Committee of Immunology, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC7116, Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Stephen Man
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, CF14 4XX Cardiff, Wales UK
| | - Cassian Yee
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - W. Martin Kast
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Michael I. Nishimura
- Department of Surgery and Committee of Immunology, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC7116, Chicago, IL 60637 USA
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178
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Schaft N, Dörrie J, Müller I, Beck V, Baumann S, Schunder T, Kämpgen E, Schuler G. A new way to generate cytolytic tumor-specific T cells: electroporation of RNA coding for a T cell receptor into T lymphocytes. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2006; 55:1132-41. [PMID: 16344988 PMCID: PMC11030166 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-005-0098-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2005] [Accepted: 10/31/2005] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Effective T cell receptor (TCR) transfer until now required stable retroviral transduction. However, retroviral transduction poses the threat of irreversible genetic manipulation of autologous cells. We, therefore, used optimized RNA transfection for transient manipulation. The transfection efficiency, using EGFP RNA, was >90%. The electroporation of primary T cells, isolated from blood, with TCR-coding RNA resulted in functional cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) (>60% killing at an effector to target ratio of 20:1) with the same HLA-A2/gp100-specificity as the parental CTL clone. The TCR-transfected T cells specifically recognized peptide-pulsed T2 cells, or dendritic cells electroporated with gp100-coding RNA, in an IFNgamma-secretion assay and retained this ability, even after cryopreservation, over 3 days. Most importantly, we show here for the first time that the electroporated T cells also displayed cytotoxicity, and specifically lysed peptide-loaded T2 cells and HLA-A2+/gp100+ melanoma cells over a period of at least 72 h. Peptide-titration studies showed that the lytic efficiency of the RNA-transfected T cells was similar to that of retrovirally transduced T cells, and approximated that of the parental CTL clone. Functional TCR transfer by RNA electroporation is now possible without the disadvantages of retroviral transduction, and forms a new strategy for the immunotherapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
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179
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Abstract
Although the T-cell response to allogeneic cells is typically regarded as a detrimental phenomenon responsible for rejection of transplanted allografts and graft-vs.-host disease following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, beneficial components also exist within the alloreactive population. Alloreactive T cells specific for tumour antigens can contribute to the elimination of malignant cells, and alloantigen-specific regulatory T cells can promote transplant tolerance. The challenge is to separate the good from the bad. We review how the identification, isolation and manipulation of beneficial alloreactive T cells has grown from a greater understanding of the molecular basis of the T-cell alloresponse and how alloaggression could be exploited for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Barber
- The Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, UK.
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180
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Voss RH, Kuball J, Engel R, Guillaume P, Romero P, Huber C, Theobald M. Redirection of T cells by delivering a transgenic mouse-derived MDM2 tumor antigen-specific TCR and its humanized derivative is governed by the CD8 coreceptor and affects natural human TCR expression. Immunol Res 2006; 34:67-87. [PMID: 16720899 DOI: 10.1385/ir:34:1:67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Retroviral transfer of T cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes selected by circumventing tolerance to broad tumor- and leukemia-associated antigens in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 (A2.1) transgenic (Tg) mice allows the therapeutic reprogramming of human T lymphocytes. Using a human CD8 x A2.1/Kb mouse derived TCR specific for natural peptide-A2.1 (pA2.1) complexes comprising residues 81-88 of the human homolog of the murine double-minute 2 oncoprotein, MDM2(81-88), we found that the heterodimeric CD8 alpha beta coreceptor, but not normally expressed homodimeric CD8 alpha alpha, is required for tetramer binding and functional redirection of TCR- transduced human T cells. CD8+T cells that received a humanized derivative of the MDM2 TCR bound pA2.1 tetramers only in the presence of an anti-human-CD8 anti-body and required more peptide than wild-type (WT) MDM2 TCR+T cells to mount equivalent cytotoxicity. They were, however, sufficiently effective in recognizing malignant targets including fresh leukemia cells. Most efficient expression of transduced TCR in human T lymphocytes was governed by mouse as compared to human constant (C) alphabeta domains, as demonstrated with partially humanized and murinized TCR of primary mouse and human origin, respectively. We further observed a reciprocal relationship between the level of Tg WT mouse relative to natural human TCR expression, resulting in T cells with decreased normal human cell surface TCR. In contrast, natural human TCR display remained unaffected after delivery of the humanized MDM2 TCR. These results provide important insights into the molecular basis of TCR gene therapy of malignant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf-Holger Voss
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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181
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Jurgens LA, Khanna R, Weber J, Orentas RJ. Transduction of primary lymphocytes with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-specific T-cell receptor induces lysis of virus-infected cells: A novel strategy for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Clin Immunol 2006; 26:22-32. [PMID: 16418800 PMCID: PMC3056547 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-006-6532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2005] [Accepted: 06/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with in vitro expanded cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can successfully treat post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). However, extension of a similar strategy to Hodgkin's disease (HD) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is limited by the poor immunogenicity of the limited set of EBV latency antigens expressed in these malignancies, making T-cell expansion difficult. Retroviral transduction of LMP-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) into activated T lymphocytes may provide a universal, MHC-restricted, means to generate effector cells without the need for tissue culture based methods of CTL expansion. We report the transfer of two LMP2-specific TCRs from human T-cell clones (HLA-A2 and HLA-A23,24 restricted) that confer the ability to lyse EBV-immortalized B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL). B-LCL are the best model for native expression of LMP2. We also demonstrate the rapid transfer of the TCR by nucleofection of primary T cells using a simple plasmid-based vector. The ability to detect nucleofected TCRVbeta chain by antibody, fully assembled TCR by tetramer, and peptide-MHC-specific lytic activity indicates that nucleofection can serve as a tool for rapid screening of TCR specificity.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigen Presentation
- CD56 Antigen/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- HLA-A Antigens
- Hodgkin Disease/therapy
- Humans
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Lymphocytes/virology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Transduction, Genetic
- Viral Matrix Proteins/metabolism
- Viral Matrix Proteins/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A. Jurgens
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Children’s Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- Queensland Institute for Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James Weber
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Children’s Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Rimas J. Orentas
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Children’s Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of, Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Medical College of, Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226;
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182
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Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapy has definite clinical benefit in relapsed leukaemia after allogeneic transplant and in Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. However, the majority of tumour targets are weakly immunogenic self-antigens and success has been limited in part by inadequate persistence and expansion of transferred T cells and by tumour-evasion strategies. Adoptive immunotherapy presents the opportunity to activate, expand and genetically modify T cells outside the tolerising environment of the host and a number of strategies to optimize the cellular product, including gene modification and modulation of the host environment, in particular by lymphodepletion, have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siok-Keen Tey
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, 77030, USA
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183
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van der Veken LT, Hagedoorn RS, van Loenen MM, Willemze R, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Alphabeta T-cell receptor engineered gammadelta T cells mediate effective antileukemic reactivity. Cancer Res 2006; 66:3331-7. [PMID: 16540688 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-4190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Retroviral transfer of T-cell receptors (TCR) to peripheral blood-derived T cells generates large numbers of T cells with the same antigen specificity, potentially useful for adoptive immunotherapy. One drawback of this procedure is the formation of mixed TCR dimers with unknown specificities due to pairing of endogenous and introduced TCR chains. We investigated whether gammadelta T cells can be an alternative effector population for TCR gene transfer because the gammadeltaTCR is not able to form dimers with the alphabetaTCR. Peripheral blood-derived gammadelta T cells were transduced with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I- or HLA class II-restricted minor histocompatibility antigen (mHag) or virus-specific TCRs. Because most gammadelta T cells do not express CD4 and CD8, we subsequently transferred these coreceptors. The TCR-transduced gammadelta T cells exerted high levels of antigen-specific cytotoxicity and produced IFN-gamma and IL-4, particularly in the presence of the relevant coreceptor. gammadelta T cells transferred with a TCR specific for the hematopoiesis-specific mHag HA-2 in combination with CD8 displayed high antileukemic reactivity against HA-2-expressing leukemic cells. These data show that transfer of alphabetaTCRs to gammadelta T cells generated potent effector cells for immunotherapy of leukemia, without the expression of potentially hazardous mixed TCR dimers.
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MESH Headings
- CD3 Complex/biosynthesis
- CD3 Complex/genetics
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Genetic Engineering
- HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology
- HLA-B7 Antigen/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Leukemia/immunology
- Leukemia/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Retroviridae/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars T van der Veken
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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184
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Hematology, C2-R, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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185
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Schaft N, Dörrie J. Strategies for immune intervention. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2006; 55:612-22. [PMID: 16362408 PMCID: PMC11030688 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-005-0113-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2005] [Accepted: 12/03/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
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186
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Ivanov R, Hagenbeek A, Ebeling S. Towards immunogene therapy of hematological malignancies. Exp Hematol 2006; 34:251-63. [PMID: 16543059 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2005.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2005] [Revised: 10/10/2005] [Accepted: 10/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Ivanov
- Jordan Laboratory for Haemato-Oncology, Department of Haematology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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187
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Pittet MJ, Gati A, Le Gal FA, Bioley G, Guillaume P, de Smedt M, Plum J, Speiser DE, Cerottini JC, Dietrich PY, Romero P, Zippelius A. Ex vivo characterization of allo-MHC-restricted T cells specific for a single MHC-peptide complex. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 176:2330-6. [PMID: 16455990 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.4.2330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Alloreactive T cells are thought to be a potentially rich source of high-avidity T cells with therapeutic potential since tolerance to self-Ags is restricted to self-MHC recognition. Given the particularly high frequency of alloreactive T cells in the peripheral immune system, we used numerous MHC class I multimers to directly visualize and isolate viral and tumor Ag-specific alloreactive CD8 T cells. In fact, all but one specificities screened were undetectable in ex vivo labeling. In this study, we report the occurrence of CD8 T cells specifically labeled with allo-HLA-A*0201/Melan-A/MART-1(26-35) multimers at frequencies that are in the range of 10(-4) CD8 T cells and are thus detectable ex vivo by flow cytometry. We report the thymic generation and shaping of tumor Ag-specific, alloreactive T cells as well as their fate once seeded in the periphery. We show that these cells resemble their counterparts in HLA-A*0201-positive individuals, based on their structural and functional attributes.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Histocompatibility Antigens/immunology
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Isoantigens/immunology
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/immunology
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Substrate Specificity
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Transplantation, Homologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaël J Pittet
- Division of Clinical Onco-Immunology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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188
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Abstract
Antigen-specific tumor immunotherapy remains an attractive strategy for the treatment of malignancies. In this review we will discuss why, despite the identification of large numbers of T cell recognised tumor antigens, effective immunotherapy remains a formidable challenge. Effective strategies are needed to deal with the tolerogenic properties of many tumor antigens, and with the immunocompromised status of patients. We discuss different methods of generating tumor-specific T cells which are currently being evaluated in clinical practice, such as vaccination and adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-specific T cells. Finally, we shall discuss novel strategies in development, such as the adoptive transfer of T cell receptor (TCR) gene modified T cells to establish antigen-specific immunity in patients with leukemia and solid cancers. The transfer of validated high avidity TCRs, isolated from 'non-tolerant' repertoires or produced by in vitro affinity maturation, can serve to equip patient T cells with new anti-tumor specificities that are not naturally present in the autologous repertoire. TCR transfer into CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells can serve to harness the function of both helper and cytotoxic T cells for tumor elimination and establishment of long-term tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Morris
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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189
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van der Veken LT, Hoogeboom M, de Paus RA, Willemze R, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. HLA class II restricted T-cell receptor gene transfer generates CD4+ T cells with helper activity as well as cytotoxic capacity. Gene Ther 2006; 12:1686-95. [PMID: 16034453 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Both cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells are important in immune responses against pathogens and malignant cells. In hematological malignancies which express HLA class II molecules, immunotherapy may be directed to HLA class II restricted antigens. We investigated whether it is possible to engineer HLA class II restricted T cells with both antigen-specific cytolytic activity and the capacity to produce high amounts of cytokines. CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral-blood-derived T cells were retrovirally transduced with the HLA class II restricted minor histocompatibility antigen dead box RNA helicase Y (DBY)-specific TCR. The TCR-transduced CD4+ T cells exerted DBY-specific cytolytic activity, produced Th0, Th1, or Th2 cytokines, and proliferated upon DBY-specific stimulation. TCR-transduced CD8+ T cells exerted cytolytic activity which equaled the level of cytolytic activity of the TCR-transferred CD4+ T cells. Cotransfer of CD4 enhanced the cytolytic activity of the TCR-transduced CD8+ T cells, but introduction of CD4 was not sufficient to generate DBY-specific CD8+ T cells with the capacity to produce high amounts of cytokines. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility to engineer T cells with antigen-specific cytolytic activity, as well as the ability to produce significant amounts of cytokines, by TCR transfer to CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- L T van der Veken
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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190
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Ivanov R, Hol S, Aarts TI, Hagenbeek A, Ebeling SB. T cell receptor-transgenic primary T cells as a tool for discovery of leukaemia-associated antigens. Clin Exp Immunol 2006; 143:78-84. [PMID: 16367937 PMCID: PMC1809573 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02967.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of a broad array of leukaemia-associated antigens is a crucial step towards immunotherapy of haematological malignancies. However, it is frequently hampered by the decrease of proliferative potential and functional activity of T cell clones used for screening procedures. Transfer of the genes encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains of leukaemia-specific clones into primary T cells may help to circumvent this obstacle. In this study, transfer of two minor histocompatibility antigen (minor H antigen)-specific TCRs was performed and the feasibility of the use of TCR-transgenic T cells for identification of minor H antigens through cDNA library screening was investigated. We found that TCR-transgenic cells acquired the specificity of the original clones and matched their sensitivity. Moreover, the higher scale of cytokine-production by TCR-transgenic T cells permits the detection of either small amounts of antigen-positive cells or cells expressing low amounts of an antigen. When applied in equal numbers, TCR-transgenic T cells and the original T cell clones produced similar results in the screening of a cDNA library. However, the use of increased numbers of TCR-transgenic T cells allowed detection of minute amounts of antigen, barely discernible by the T cell clone. In conclusion, TCR-transfer generates a large amount of functional antigen-specific cells suitable for screening of cDNA expression libraries for identification of cognate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ivanov
- Jordan Laboratory for Hemato-Oncology, Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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191
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Abstract
Clinical studies of adoptive immunotherapy with T cells have shown activity directed at hematologic and solid malignancies and viral infections. Genetic modification of infused T cells offers the prospect of improving such therapies and has already been used to track infused T cells, insert suicide genes and redirect the immune response towards specific Ag. Pre-clinical studies are evaluating novel approaches to genetically modify T cells to confer resistance to tumor evasion mechanisms. There is also increasing interest in developing suicide gene strategies as a failsafe mechanism to eradicate genetically modified cells should adverse effects occur.
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192
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Kershaw MH, Teng MWL, Smyth MJ, Darcy PK. Supernatural T cells: genetic modification of T cells for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Immunol 2006; 5:928-40. [PMID: 16322746 DOI: 10.1038/nri1729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is receiving much attention as a means of treating cancer, but complete, durable responses remain rare for most malignancies. The natural immune system seems to have limitations and deficiencies that might affect its ability to control malignant disease. An alternative to relying on endogenous components in the immune repertoire is to generate lymphocytes with abilities that are greater than those of natural T cells, through genetic modification to produce 'supernatural' T cells. This Review describes how such T cells can circumvent many of the barriers that are inherent in the tumour microenvironment while optimizing T-cell specificity, activation, homing and antitumour function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Kershaw
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Saint Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
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193
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Peggs KS. Reconstitution of adaptive and innate immunity following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in humans. Cytotherapy 2006; 8:427-36. [PMID: 17050247 DOI: 10.1080/14653240600851938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment modality for a number of hematologic malignancies, as well as inherited immunodeficiencies and hemoglobinopathies, and may also have a role in selected acquired autoimmune disorders. The complete or near-complete ablation of host immunity and subsequent establishment of donor-derived immunity that is required for successful engraftment and long-term outcomes provide a major obstacle to such transplantation approaches. A delicate balance exists between the need for the reconstituted donor-derived immunity to provide both protection against pathogenic challenges and graft-versus-malignancy activity, and the potentially harmful expansion of alloreactive T-cell clones mediating GvHD. The search for interventions that would allow more rapid and selective reconstitution of beneficial immune specificities continues to be informed by the development of new tools enabling a more precise dissection of the kinetics of reconstituting populations. This review summarizes more recent data on immune reconstitution following allogeneic transplantation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Peggs
- Department of Immunology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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194
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Mayr C, Bund D, Schlee M, Bamberger M, Kofler DM, Hallek M, Wendtner CM. MDM2 is recognized as a tumor-associated antigen in chronic lymphocytic leukemia by CD8+ autologous T lymphocytes. Exp Hematol 2006; 34:44-53. [PMID: 16413390 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2005.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2005] [Revised: 09/26/2005] [Accepted: 09/29/2005] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tumor-associated antigens (TAA) are the basis for antigen-specific immunotherapy. The human homolog of the murine double-minute 2 oncoprotein (MDM2) is a putative TAA because it is overexpressed in several malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells compared with normal B lymphocytes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Autologous, MDM2-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted T cells were identified using interferon (IFN)-gamma-ELISPOT assays and HLA-A2/dimer-peptide staining after 4 weeks of in vitro culture. RESULTS Using native CLL cells as antigen-presenting cells (APCs), we demonstrate the generation of MDM2-specific T cells in 7/12 CLL patients that recognized specifically the MDM2-derived peptide MDM2(81-88) bound to HLA-A2-dimers while they were inactive against an unrelated MAGE-3 peptide (p = 0.002). After 4 weeks, up to 32.3% of the expanded CD8(+) T cells specifically recognized MDM2(81-88) by HLA-A2-dimer/peptide staining and up to 0.9% of all T cells expanded reacted specifically against this MDM2-derived peptide in the IFN-gamma-ELISPOT assay. If T cells were not expandable using native CLL cells as APC, leukemic cells were stimulated with CD40-ligand to increase the antigen-presenting capacity. This resulted in successful generation of MDM2-specific T cells in three of five remaining cases tested. Additionally, the factor that correlated best with successful generation of antigen-specific T cells in CLL patients was the ability of APCs to secrete IFN-gamma upon stimulation. CONCLUSION In summary, MDM2(81-88) was shown for the first time in humans to elicit a functional autologous immune response. MDM2 was demonstrated to be naturally processed and presented as TAA in primary human CLL cells enabling expansion of functional autologous tumor-specific T cells.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antigen Presentation/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Epitopes/immunology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/immunology
- HLA-A Antigens/immunology
- HLA-A2 Antigen
- Humans
- In Vitro Techniques
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mayr
- KKG Gene Therapy, GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Munich, Germany
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195
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Abstract
It is generally accepted that the immune system plays an important role in controlling tumour development. However, the interplay between tumour and immune system is complex, as demonstrated by the fact that tumours can successfully establish and develop despite the presence of T cells in tumour. An improved understanding of how tumours evade T-cell surveillance, coupled with technical developments allowing the culture and manipulation of T cells, has driven the exploration of therapeutic strategies based on the adoptive transfer of tumour-specific T cells. The isolation, expansion and re-infusion of large numbers of tumour-specific T cells generated from tumour biopsies has been shown to be feasible. Indeed, impressive clinical responses have been documented in melanoma patients treated with these T cells. These studies and others demonstrate the potential of T cells for the adoptive therapy of cancer. However, the significant technical issues relating to the production of natural tumour-specific T cells suggest that the application of this approach is likely to be limited at the moment. With the advent of retroviral gene transfer technology, it has become possible to efficiently endow T cells with antigen-specific receptors. Using this strategy, it is potentially possible to generate large numbers of tumour reactive T cells rapidly. This review summarises the current gene therapy approaches in relation to the development of adoptive T-cell-based cancer treatments, as these methods now head towards testing in the clinical trial setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Mansoor
- Cancer Research UK, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - D E Gilham
- Cancer Research UK, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - F C Thistlethwaite
- Cancer Research UK, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - R E Hawkins
- Cancer Research UK, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
- Cancer Research UK, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. E-mail:
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196
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Mayr C, Kofler DM, Büning H, Bund D, Hallek M, Wendtner CM. Transduction of CLL cells by CD40 ligand enhances an antigen-specific immune recognition by autologous T cells. Blood 2005; 106:3223-6. [PMID: 16014560 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-04-1742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractSeveral features of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) suggest that immune-based strategies may have therapeutic potential. A promising approach is provided by the transduction of CLL cells with CD40 ligand (CD40L) by viral vectors to enhance their immunogenicity. We compared the antigen-presenting capacity of CD40L-transduced CLL cells with mock-transduced or CD40L-stimulated CLL cells (CD40-CLL). A significantly higher number of T cells could be expanded using CD40L-transduced CLL cells as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) compared with the control group (P = .008). Using 5 different CLL-associated tumor antigens, including fibromodulin, MDM2 (murine double minute 2), survivin, p53, and KW-13, we show in interferon-γ (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays after 35 days of in vitro culture that the number of antigen-specific autologous T cells was also significantly higher when CD40L-transduced CLL cells were used as APCs (P < .001). Thus, CD40L-transduced CLL cells are able to induce an antigen-specific T-cell response and might be superior to CD40-CLL cells for immune-based therapeutic strategies in CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- CD40 Ligand/genetics
- CD40 Ligand/immunology
- CD40 Ligand/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Humans
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Middle Aged
- T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mayr
- KKG Gene Therapy, GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Munich, Germany
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197
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McKee MD, Roszkowski JJ, Nishimura MI. T cell avidity and tumor recognition: implications and therapeutic strategies. J Transl Med 2005; 3:35. [PMID: 16174302 PMCID: PMC1262785 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-3-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2005] [Accepted: 09/20/2005] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, great advances have been made studying the immune response to human tumors. The identification of protein antigens from cancer cells and better techniques for eliciting antigen specific T cell responses in vitro and in vivo have led to improved understanding of tumor recognition by T cells. Yet, much remains to be learned about the intricate details of T cell – tumor cell interactions. Though the strength of interaction between T cell and target is thought to be a key factor influencing the T cell response, investigations of T cell avidity, T cell receptor (TCR) affinity for peptide-MHC complex, and the recognition of peptide on antigen presenting targets or tumor cells reveal complex relationships. Coincident with these investigations, therapeutic strategies have been developed to enhance tumor recognition using antigens with altered peptide structures and T cells modified by the introduction of new antigen binding receptor molecules. The profound effects of these strategies on T cell – tumor interactions and the clinical implications of these effects are of interest to both scientists and clinicians. In recent years, the focus of much of our work has been the avidity and effector characteristics of tumor reactive T cells. Here we review concepts and current results in the field, and the implications of therapeutic strategies using altered antigens and altered effector T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D McKee
- Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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198
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Keilholz U, Menssen HD, Gaiger A, Menke A, Oji Y, Oka Y, Scheibenbogen C, Stauss H, Thiel E, Sugiyama H. Wilms' tumour gene 1 (WT1) in human neoplasia. Leukemia 2005; 19:1318-23. [PMID: 15920488 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Wilms' tumour gene 1 (WT1) is important as a prognostic marker as well as in the detection and monitoring of minimal residual disease in leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Evidence has accumulated over the past decade to show that WT1 is a key molecule for tumour proliferation in a large number of human neoplasms most prominent in acute leukaemias, making it a suitable target for therapeutic strategies. Based on animal results, showing safety and efficacy of immunization with WT1 peptides and protein, early clinical trials in leukaemia have recently been initiated. The First International Conference on WT1 in Human Neoplasia was held in Berlin, March 11--12, 2004. This report reviews the current knowledge on the role of WT1 in tumour promotion and as a diagnostic and therapeutic target, and summarizes the data presented and discussed in this meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Keilholz
- Department of Medicine III, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
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199
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Willemsen RA, Ronteltap C, Chames P, Debets R, Bolhuis RLH. T cell retargeting with MHC class I-restricted antibodies: the CD28 costimulatory domain enhances antigen-specific cytotoxicity and cytokine production. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 174:7853-8. [PMID: 15944290 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.12.7853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
T cells require both primary and costimulatory signals for optimal activation. The primary Ag-specific signal is delivered by engagement of the TCR. The second Ag-independent costimulatory signal is mediated by engagement of the T cell surface costimulatory molecule CD28 with its target cell ligand B7. However, many tumor cells do not express these costimulatory molecules. We previously constructed phage display derived F(AB), G8, and Hyb3, Ab-based receptors with identical specificity but distinct affinities for HLA-A1/MAGE-A1, i.e., "TCR-like" specificity. These chimeric receptors comprised the FcepsilonRI-gamma signaling element. We analyzed whether linking the CD28 costimulation structure to it (gamma + CD28) could affect the levels of MHC-restricted cytolysis and/or cytokine production. Human scFv-G8(POS) T lymphocytes comprising the gamma + CD28 vs the gamma signaling element alone produced substantially more IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in response to HLA-A1/MAGE-A1(POS) melanoma cells. Also a drastic increase in cytolytic capacity of scFv-G8(POS) T cells, equipped with gamma + CD28 vs the gamma-chain alone was observed.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/genetics
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/metabolism
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/toxicity
- Antigens, Neoplasm
- Binding Sites, Antibody/genetics
- CD28 Antigens/genetics
- CD28 Antigens/immunology
- CD28 Antigens/physiology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/toxicity
- HLA-A1 Antigen/genetics
- HLA-A1 Antigen/immunology
- HLA-A1 Antigen/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/metabolism
- Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/toxicity
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/metabolism
- K562 Cells
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Melanoma/immunology
- Melanoma/pathology
- Melanoma-Specific Antigens
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/immunology
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Protein Structure, Tertiary/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, IgE/genetics
- Receptors, IgE/metabolism
- Receptors, IgE/physiology
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic/methods
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph A Willemsen
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medisch Centrum Daniel den hoed, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Van Driessche A, Gao L, Stauss HJ, Ponsaerts P, Van Bockstaele DR, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo VFI. Antigen-specific cellular immunotherapy of leukemia. Leukemia 2005; 19:1863-71. [PMID: 16121214 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Advances in cellular and molecular immunology have led to the characterization of leukemia-specific T-cell antigens and to the development of strategies for effective augmentation of T-cell immunity in leukemia patients. While several leukemia-related antigens have been identified, this review focuses on the Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) antigen and the proteinase 3 (Pr3) antigen that are overexpressed in leukemic cells and are already being used in the clinical setting. Moreover, WT1 is also overexpressed in a vast number of nonhematological solid tumors, thereby expanding its use as a promising target for cancer vaccines. Examples of spontaneous immune responses against WT1 and Pr3 in leukemia patients are presented and the potential of WT1 and Pr3 for adoptive T-cell immunotherapy of leukemia is discussed. We also elaborate on the use of professional antigen-presenting cells loaded with mRNA encoding WT1 exploiting the advantage of broad HLA coverage for therapeutic vaccination purposes. Finally, the summarized data underscore the potential of WT1 for the manipulation of T-cell immunity in leukemia and in cancer in general, that will likely pave the way for the development of more effective and generic cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Van Driessche
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Edegem, Belgium
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