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Mei N, Gong S, Wang L, Wang L, Wang J, Li J, Bao Y, Zhang H, Wang H. Identification of a Prognostic Model Based on NK Cell-Related Genes in Multiple Myeloma Using Single-Cell and Transcriptomic Data Analysis. Blood Lymphat Cancer 2024; 14:31-48. [PMID: 38854627 PMCID: PMC11162243 DOI: 10.2147/blctt.s461529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Multiple myeloma (MM), an incurable plasma cell malignancy. The significance of the relationship between natural killer (NK) cell-related genes and clinical factors in MM remains unclear. Methods Initially, we extracted NK cell-related genes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors and MM samples by employing single-cell transcriptome data analysis in TISCH2. Subsequently, we screened NK cell-related genes with prognostic significance through univariate Cox regression analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Following the initial analyses, we developed potential subtypes and prognostic models for MM using consensus clustering and lasso regression analysis. Additionally, we conducted a correlation analysis to explore the relationship between clinical features and risk scores. Finally, we constructed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within the MM cohort. Results We discovered that 153 NK cell-related genes were significantly associated with the prognosisof MM patients (P <0.05). Patients in NK cluster A exhibited poorer survival outcomes compared to those in cluster B. Furthermore, our NK cell-related genes risk model revealed that patients with a high risk score had significantly worse prognoses (P <0.05). Patients with a high risk score were more likely to exhibit adverse clinical markers. Additionally, the nomogram based on NK cell-related genes demonstrated strong prognostic performance. The enrichment analysis indicated that immune-related pathways were significantly correlated with both the NK subtypes and the NK cell-related genes risk model. Ultimately, through the combined use of WGCNA and DEGs analysis, and by employing Venn diagrams, we determined that ITM2C is an independent prognostic marker for MM patients. Conclusion In this study, we developed a novel model based on NK cell-related genes to stratify the prognosis of MM patients. Notably, higher expression levels of ITM2C were associated with more favorable survival outcomes in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Mei
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sha Gong
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lizhao Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianpeng Li
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingying Bao
- Institute of Gene and Cell Therapy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanming Zhang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huaiyu Wang
- Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
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Chen X, Zhong S, Zhan Y, Zhang X. CRISPR-Cas9 applications in T cells and adoptive T cell therapies. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:52. [PMID: 38609863 PMCID: PMC11010303 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00561-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell immunity is central to contemporary cancer and autoimmune therapies, encompassing immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapies. Their diverse characteristics can be reprogrammed by different immune challenges dependent on antigen stimulation levels, metabolic conditions, and the degree of inflammation. T cell-based therapeutic strategies are gaining widespread adoption in oncology and treating inflammatory conditions. Emerging researches reveal that clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) genome editing has enabled T cells to be more adaptable to specific microenvironments, opening the door to advanced T cell therapies in preclinical and clinical trials. CRISPR-Cas9 can edit both primary T cells and engineered T cells, including CAR-T and TCR-T, in vivo and in vitro to regulate T cell differentiation and activation states. This review first provides a comprehensive summary of the role of CRISPR-Cas9 in T cells and its applications in preclinical and clinical studies for T cell-based therapies. We also explore the application of CRISPR screen high-throughput technology in editing T cells and anticipate the current limitations of CRISPR-Cas9, including off-target effects and delivery challenges, and envisioned improvements in related technologies for disease screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Institute of Zhengzhou University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Shuhan Zhong
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yonghao Zhan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| | - Xuepei Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
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Page A, Chuvin N, Valladeau-Guilemond J, Depil S. Development of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies through receptor engineering. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:315-331. [PMID: 38443448 PMCID: PMC10978891 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies are attracting increasing interest in the field of cancer treatment. Early clinical trials have shown promising outcomes, alongside satisfactory product efficacy and safety. Recent developments have greatly increased the therapeutic potential of NK cells by endowing them with enhanced recognition and cytotoxic capacities. This review focuses on surface receptor engineering in NK cell therapy and discusses its impact, challenges, and future directions.Most approaches are based on engineering with chimeric antigen receptors to allow NK cells to target specific tumor antigens independent of human leukocyte antigen restriction. This approach has increased the precision and potency of NK-mediated recognition and elimination of cancer cells. In addition, engineering NK cells with T-cell receptors also mediates the recognition of intracellular epitopes, which broadens the range of target peptides. Indirect tumor peptide recognition by NK cells has also been improved by optimizing immunoglobulin constant fragment receptor expression and signaling. Indeed, engineered NK cells have an improved ability to recognize and destroy target cells coated with specific antibodies, thereby increasing their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The ability of NK cell receptor engineering to promote the expansion, persistence, and infiltration of transferred cells in the tumor microenvironment has also been explored. Receptor-based strategies for sustained NK cell functionality within the tumor environment have also been discussed, and these strategies providing perspectives to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression.Overall, receptor engineering has led to significant advances in NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies. As technical challenges are addressed, these innovative treatments will likely reshape cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Page
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Depil
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, UMR INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- ErVimmune, Lyon, France.
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Tao R, Han X, Bai X, Yu J, Ma Y, Chen W, Zhang D, Li Z. Revolutionizing cancer treatment: enhancing CAR-T cell therapy with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354825. [PMID: 38449862 PMCID: PMC10914996 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy, a novel immunotherapy, has made significant breakthroughs in clinical practice, particularly in treating B-cell-associated leukemia and lymphoma. However, it still faces challenges such as poor persistence, limited proliferation capacity, high manufacturing costs, and suboptimal efficacy. CRISPR/Cas system, an efficient and simple method for precise gene editing, offers new possibilities for optimizing CAR-T cells. It can increase the function of CAR-T cells and reduce manufacturing costs. The combination of CRISPR/Cas9 technology and CAR-T cell therapy may promote the development of this therapy and provide more effective and personalized treatment for cancer patients. Meanwhile, the safety issues surrounding the application of this technology in CAR-T cells require further research and evaluation. Future research should focus on improving the accuracy and safety of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to facilitate the better development and application of CAR-T cell therapy. This review focuses on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in CAR-T cell therapy, including eliminating the inhibitory effect of immune checkpoints, enhancing the ability of CAR-T cells to resist exhaustion, assisting in the construction of universal CAR-T cells, reducing the manufacturing costs of CAR-T cells, and the security problems faced. The objective is to show the revolutionary role of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in CAR-T cell therapy for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyu Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaopeng Han
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Department of Urology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jianping Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Youwei Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Weikai Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhengkai Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Edri A, Ben-Haim N, Hailu A, Brycman N, Berhani-Zipori O, Rifman J, Cohen S, Yackoubov D, Rosenberg M, Simantov R, Teru H, Kurata K, Anderson KC, Hendel A, Pato A, Geffen Y. Nicotinamide-Expanded Allogeneic Natural Killer Cells with CD38 Deletion, Expressing an Enhanced CD38 Chimeric Antigen Receptor, Target Multiple Myeloma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17231. [PMID: 38139060 PMCID: PMC10743602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital component of cancer immune surveillance. They provide a rapid and potent immune response, including direct cytotoxicity and mobilization of the immune system, without the need for antigen processing and presentation. NK cells may also be better tolerated than T cell therapy approaches and are susceptible to various gene manipulations. Therefore, NK cells have become the focus of extensive translational research. Gamida Cell's nicotinamide (NAM) platform for cultured NK cells provides an opportunity to enhance the therapeutic potential of NK cells. CD38 is an ectoenzyme ubiquitously expressed on the surface of various hematologic cells, including multiple myeloma (MM). It has been selected as a lead target for numerous monoclonal therapeutic antibodies against MM. Monoclonal antibodies target CD38, resulting in the lysis of MM plasma cells through various antibody-mediated mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, significantly improving the outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory MM. However, this therapeutic strategy has inherent limitations, such as the anti-CD38-induced depletion of CD38-expressing NK cells, thus hindering ADCC. We have developed genetically engineered NK cells tailored to treat MM, in which CD38 was knocked-out using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and an enhanced chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD38 was introduced using mRNA electroporation. This combined genetic approach allows for an improved cytotoxic activity directed against CD38-expressing MM cells without self-inflicted NK-cell-mediated fratricide. Preliminary results show near-complete abolition of fratricide with a 24-fold reduction in self-lysis from 19% in mock-transfected and untreated NK cells to 0.8% of self-lysis in CD38 knock-out CAR NK cells. Furthermore, we have observed significant enhancements in CD38-mediated activity in vitro, resulting in increased lysis of MM target cell lines. CD38 knock-out CAR NK cells also demonstrated significantly higher levels of NK activation markers in co-cultures with both untreated and αCD38-treated MM cell lines. These NAM-cultured NK cells with the combined genetic approach of CD38 knockout and addition of CD38 CAR represent a promising immunotherapeutic tool to target MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishay Edri
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Nimrod Ben-Haim
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel; (N.B.-H.); (M.R.)
| | - Astar Hailu
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Nurit Brycman
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Orit Berhani-Zipori
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Julia Rifman
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Sherri Cohen
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Dima Yackoubov
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Michael Rosenberg
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel; (N.B.-H.); (M.R.)
| | | | - Hideshima Teru
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.T.); (K.K.); (K.C.A.)
| | - Keiji Kurata
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.T.); (K.K.); (K.C.A.)
| | - Kenneth Carl Anderson
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.T.); (K.K.); (K.C.A.)
| | - Ayal Hendel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel; (N.B.-H.); (M.R.)
| | - Aviad Pato
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Yona Geffen
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
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Karsten H, Matrisch L, Cichutek S, Fiedler W, Alsdorf W, Block A. Broadening the horizon: potential applications of CAR-T cells beyond current indications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285406. [PMID: 38090582 PMCID: PMC10711079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering immune cells to treat hematological malignancies has been a major focus of research since the first resounding successes of CAR-T-cell therapies in B-ALL. Several diseases can now be treated in highly therapy-refractory or relapsed conditions. Currently, a number of CD19- or BCMA-specific CAR-T-cell therapies are approved for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and follicular lymphoma (FL). The implementation of these therapies has significantly improved patient outcome and survival even in cases with previously very poor prognosis. In this comprehensive review, we present the current state of research, recent innovations, and the applications of CAR-T-cell therapy in a selected group of hematologic malignancies. We focus on B- and T-cell malignancies, including the entities of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (T-ALL, PTCL, CTCL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), classical Hodgkin-Lymphoma (HL), Burkitt-Lymphoma (BL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). While these diseases are highly heterogenous, we highlight several similarly used approaches (combination with established therapeutics, target depletion on healthy cells), targets used in multiple diseases (CD30, CD38, TRBC1/2), and unique features that require individualized approaches. Furthermore, we focus on current limitations of CAR-T-cell therapy in individual diseases and entities such as immunocompromising tumor microenvironment (TME), risk of on-target-off-tumor effects, and differences in the occurrence of adverse events. Finally, we present an outlook into novel innovations in CAR-T-cell engineering like the use of artificial intelligence and the future role of CAR-T cells in therapy regimens in everyday clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Karsten
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ludwig Matrisch
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sophia Cichutek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Walter Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Alsdorf
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Block
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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