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Peng L, Sferruzza G, Yang L, Zhou L, Chen S. CAR-T and CAR-NK as cellular cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:1089-1108. [PMID: 39134804 PMCID: PMC11442786 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic approach for combating cancers, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies in both pediatric and adult patients. CAR-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell complements CAR-T cell therapy by offering several distinct advantages. CAR-NK cells do not require HLA compatibility and exhibit low safety concerns. Moreover, CAR-NK cells are conducive to "off-the-shelf" therapeutics, providing significant logistic advantages over CAR-T cells. Both CAR-T and CAR-NK cells have shown consistent and promising results in hematological malignancies. However, their efficacy against solid tumors remains limited due to various obstacles including limited tumor trafficking and infiltration, as well as an immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the recent advances and current challenges of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell immunotherapies, with a specific focus on the obstacles to their application in solid tumors. We also analyze in depth the advantages and drawbacks of CAR-NK cells compared to CAR-T cells and highlight CAR-NK CAR optimization. Finally, we explore future perspectives of these adoptive immunotherapies, highlighting the increasing contribution of cutting-edge biotechnological tools in shaping the next generation of cellular immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Peng
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Giacomo Sferruzza
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luojia Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Liqun Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Jia W, Yuan J, Zhang J, Li S, Lin W, Cheng B. Bioactive sphingolipids as emerging targets for signal transduction in cancer development. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189176. [PMID: 39233263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189176] [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: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Sphingolipids, crucial components of cellular membranes, play a vital role in maintaining cellular structure and signaling integrity. Disruptions in sphingolipid metabolism are increasingly implicated in cancer development. Key bioactive sphingolipids, such as ceramides, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), and glycosphingolipids, profoundly impact tumor biology. They influence the behavior of tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune cells, affecting tumor aggressiveness, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Furthermore, abnormal expression of sphingolipids and their metabolizing enzymes modulates the secretion of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TDEs), which are key players in creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, remodeling the extracellular matrix, and facilitating oncogenic signaling within in situ tumors and distant pre-metastatic niches (PMNs). Understanding the role of sphingolipids in the biogenesis of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TDEs) and their bioactive contents can pave the way for new biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, ultimately enhancing comprehensive tumor treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jia
- Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200043, China
| | - Jiaying Yuan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Jinbo Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center, Joint Logistics Support Force, Tianjin 300000, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Wanfu Lin
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200043, China.
| | - Binbin Cheng
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200043, China.
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Cheng Z, Cui X, Li S, Liang Y, Yang W, Ouyang J, Wei M, Yan Z, Yu W. Harnessing cytokines to optimize chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy for gastric cancer: Current advances and innovative strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117229. [PMID: 39096620 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117229] [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: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Enormous patients with gastric cancer (GC) are insensitive to chemotherapy and targeted therapy without the chance of radical surgery, so immunotherapy may supply a novel choice for them. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has the advantages of higher specificity, stronger lethality, and longer-lasting efficacy, and it has the potential for GC in the future. However, its application still faces numerous obstacles in terms of accuracy, efficacy, and safety. Cytokines can mediate the migration, proliferation, and survival of immune cells, regulate the duration and strength of immune responses, and are involved in the occurrence of severe side effects in CAR-T cell therapy. The expression levels of specific cytokines are associated with the genesis, invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of GC. Applications of cytokines and their receptors in CAR-T cell therapy have emerged, and various cytokines and their receptors have contributed to improving CAR-T cell anti-tumor capabilities. Large amounts of central cytokines in this therapy include chemokines, interleukins (ILs), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and colony-stimulating factors (CSFs). Meanwhile, researchers have explored the combination therapy in treating GC, and several approaches applied to other malignancies can also be considered as references. Therefore, our review comprehensively outlines the biological functions and clinical significance of cytokines and summarizes current advances and innovative strategies for harnessing cytokines to optimize CAR-T cell therapy for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewei Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohan Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yize Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenshuo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Ouyang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhibo Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenbin Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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Ohta K, Sakoda Y, Adachi K, Shinozaki T, Nakajima M, Yasuda H, Nagano H, Tamada K. Therapeutic Efficacy of IL7/CCL19-Expressing CAR-T Cells in Intractable Solid Tumor Models of Glioblastoma and Pancreatic Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:2514-2524. [PMID: 39240078 PMCID: PMC11423281 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors and its combination with other anticancer therapies has emerged as a new standard of care because of the encouraging therapeutic effects in various solid cancers. Nonetheless, glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer remain resistant to immunotherapy and represent intractable cancers with the poorest prognosis. We investigated the therapeutic effects of next-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells producing IL7 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19; referred to as 7 × 19 CAR-T) in these intractable cancers. Cytotoxic activities and therapeutic effects of 7 × 19 CAR-T were evaluated in vitro and in vivo, in a model using EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII)-positive glioblastoma and anti-EGFRvIII CAR-T generated from healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), or a model using HER2-positive pancreatic cancer organoids and anti-HER2 CAR-T generated from the same patient's PBMC. Anti-EGFRvIII 7 × 19 CAR-T exhibited cytotoxic activity specific to EGFRvIII-positive tumor, induced complete rejection of glioblastoma with massive T-cell infiltration and tumor cell death in the tumor tissues, and consequently prolonged mouse survival. Anti-HER2 7 × 19 CAR-T demonstrated a potent cytotoxic activity against autologous HER2-positive pancreatic cancer organoids and induced complete rejection of autologous tumor along with prolonged mouse survival. Our results suggest that 7 × 19 CAR-T could become a therapeutic option for glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of next-generation CAR-T in an autologous model using patient-derived tumor organoids and CAR-T generated from the same patient's PBMC, in which unwanted allogeneic immune responses are fully excluded. SIGNIFICANCE Despite the clinical development of CAR T-cell therapy, its efficacy in solid cancers has yet to be established. This study explored the therapeutic potential and immunologic mechanisms of IL7/CCL19-producing CAR-T therapy in preclinical solid cancer models of glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer. We found that IL7/CCL19-producing CAR-T cells generated from the patient's PBMC showed potent therapeutic effects against the solid cancer model established by inoculating organoids from the autologous tumor tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Ohta
- Department of ImmunologyYamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
| | - Yukimi Sakoda
- Department of ImmunologyYamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
| | - Keishi Adachi
- Department of ImmunologyYamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
| | - Taro Shinozaki
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.
| | - Masao Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Yasuda
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.
| | - Hiroaki Nagano
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
| | - Koji Tamada
- Department of ImmunologyYamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
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Zhuang H, Huang Z, Birklé S, Chammas R, Tikkanen R, Chen Y. Editorial: Pharmacology of gangliosides. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1449928. [PMID: 39092231 PMCID: PMC11292055 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1449928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongda Zhuang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhendong Huang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Stéphane Birklé
- Nantes Université, University Angers, INSERM, CNRS, CRCI2NA, Nantes, France
| | - Roger Chammas
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ritva Tikkanen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Yong Chen
- Institute for Advanced Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Lu L, Xie M, Yang B, Zhao WB, Cao J. Enhancing the safety of CAR-T cell therapy: Synthetic genetic switch for spatiotemporal control. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj6251. [PMID: 38394207 PMCID: PMC10889354 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a promising and precise targeted therapy for cancer that has demonstrated notable potential in clinical applications. However, severe adverse effects limit the clinical application of this therapy and are mainly caused by uncontrollable activation of CAR-T cells, including excessive immune response activation due to unregulated CAR-T cell action time, as well as toxicity resulting from improper spatial localization. Therefore, to enhance controllability and safety, a control module for CAR-T cells is proposed. Synthetic biology based on genetic engineering techniques is being used to construct artificial cells or organisms for specific purposes. This approach has been explored in recent years as a means of achieving controllability in CAR-T cell therapy. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in synthetic biology methods used to address the major adverse effects of CAR-T cell therapy in both the temporal and spatial dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingqi Xie
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-bin Zhao
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Cao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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