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Lupo KB, Torregrosa-Allen S, Elzey BD, Utturkar S, Lanman NA, Cohen-Gadol AA, Slivova V, McIntosh M, Pollok KE, Matosevic S. TIGIT contributes to the regulation of 4-1BB and does not define NK cell dysfunction in glioblastoma. iScience 2023; 26:108353. [PMID: 38053639 PMCID: PMC10694670 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
TIGIT is a receptor on human natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we report that TIGIT does not spontaneously induce inhibition of NK cells in glioblastoma (GBM), but rather acts as a decoy-like receptor, by usurping binding partners and regulating expression of NK activating ligands and receptors. Our data show that in GBM patients, one of the underpinnings of unresponsiveness to TIGIT blockade is that by targeting TIGIT, NK cells do not lose an inhibitory signal, but gains the potential for new interactions with other, shared, TIGIT ligands. Therefore, TIGIT does not define NK cell dysfunction in GBM. Further, in GBM, TIGIT+ NK cells are hyperfunctional. In addition, we discovered that 4-1BB correlates with TIGIT expression, the agonism of which contributes to TIGIT immunotherapy. Overall, our data suggest that in GBM, TIGIT acts as a regulator of a complex network, and provide new clues about its use as an immunotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B. Lupo
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Bennett D. Elzey
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sagar Utturkar
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Nadia A. Lanman
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Veronika Slivova
- Enterprise Clinical Research Operations Biorepository, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - MacKenzie McIntosh
- Histology Research Laboratory, Center for Comparative Translational Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- In Vivo Therapeutics Core, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sandro Matosevic
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Nersesian S, Carter EB, Lee SN, Westhaver LP, Boudreau JE. Killer instincts: natural killer cells as multifactorial cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269614. [PMID: 38090565 PMCID: PMC10715270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269614] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells integrate heterogeneous signals for activation and inhibition using germline-encoded receptors. These receptors are stochastically co-expressed, and their concurrent engagement and signaling can adjust the sensitivity of individual cells to putative targets. Against cancers, which mutate and evolve under therapeutic and immunologic pressure, the diversity for recognition provided by NK cells may be key to comprehensive cancer control. NK cells are already being trialled as adoptive cell therapy and targets for immunotherapeutic agents. However, strategies to leverage their naturally occurring diversity and agility have not yet been developed. In this review, we discuss the receptors and signaling pathways through which signals for activation or inhibition are generated in NK cells, focusing on their roles in cancer and potential as targets for immunotherapies. Finally, we consider the impacts of receptor co-expression and the potential to engage multiple pathways of NK cell reactivity to maximize the scope and strength of antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily B. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Jeanette E. Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Battin C, De Sousa Linhares A, Leitner J, Grossmann A, Lupinek D, Izadi S, Castilho A, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Stritzker J, Steinberger P. Engineered soluble, trimerized 4-1BBL variants as potent immunomodulatory agents. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3029-3043. [PMID: 37310433 PMCID: PMC10412504 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03474-8] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Targeting co-stimulatory receptors promotes the activation and effector functions of anti-tumor lymphocytes. 4-1BB (CD137/TNFSF9), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFR-SF), is a potent co-stimulatory receptor that plays a prominent role in augmenting effector functions of CD8+ T cells, but also CD4+ T cells and NK cells. Agonistic antibodies against 4-1BB have entered clinical trials and shown signs of therapeutic efficacy. Here, we have used a T cell reporter system to evaluate various formats of 4-1BBL regarding their capacity to functionally engage its receptor. We found that a secreted 4-1BBL ectodomain harboring a trimerization domain derived from human collagen (s4-1BBL-TriXVIII) is a strong inducer of 4-1BB co-stimulation. Similar to the 4-1BB agonistic antibody urelumab, s4-1BBL-TriXVIII is very potent in inducing CD8+ and CD4+ T cell proliferation. We provide first evidence that s4-1BBL-TriXVIII can be used as an effective immunomodulatory payload in therapeutic viral vectors. Oncolytic measles viruses encoding s4-1BBL-TriXVIII significantly reduced tumor burden in a CD34+ humanized mouse model, whereas measles viruses lacking s4-1BBL-TriXVIII were not effective. Natural soluble 4-1BB ligand harboring a trimerization domain might have utility in tumor therapy especially when delivered to tumor tissue as systemic administration might induce liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika De Sousa Linhares
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Grossmann
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Lupinek
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shiva Izadi
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jochen Stritzker
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Neshat SY, Chan CHR, Harris J, Zmily OM, Est-Witte S, Karlsson J, Shannon SR, Jain M, Doloff JC, Green JJ, Tzeng SY. Polymeric nanoparticle gel for intracellular mRNA delivery and immunological reprogramming of tumors. Biomaterials 2023; 300:122185. [PMID: 37290232 PMCID: PMC10330908 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Immuno-oncology therapies have been of great interest with the goal of inducing sustained tumor regression, but clinical results have demonstrated the need for improved and widely applicable methods. An antigen-free method of cancer immunotherapy can stimulate the immune system to recruit lymphocytes and produce immunostimulatory factors without prior knowledge of neoantigens, while local delivery reduces the risk of systemic toxicity. To improve the interactions between tumor cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes, a gene delivery nanoparticle platform was engineered to reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME) in situ to be more immunostimulatory by inducing tumor-associated antigen-presenting cells (tAPCs) to activate cytotoxic lymphocytes against the tumor. Biodegradable, lipophilic poly (beta-amino ester) (PBAE) nanoparticles were synthesized and used to co-deliver mRNA constructs encoding a signal 2 co-stimulatory molecule (4-1BBL) and a signal 3 immuno-stimulatory cytokine (IL-12), along with a nucleic acid-based immunomodulatory adjuvant. Nanoparticles are combined with a thermoresponsive block copolymer for gelation at the injection site for local NP retention at the tumor. The reprogramming nanoparticle gel synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) to induce tumor regression and clearance in addition to resistance to tumor rechallenge at a distant site. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal increases in immunostimulatory cytokine production and recruitment of immune cells as a result of the nanoparticles. Intratumoral injection of nanoparticles encapsulating mRNA encoding immunostimulatory agents and adjuvants via an injectable thermoresponsive gel has great translational potential as an immuno-oncology therapy that can be accessible to a wide range of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Y Neshat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Chun Hei Ryan Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Jawaun Harris
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Osamah M Zmily
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Savannah Est-Witte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Johan Karlsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sydney R Shannon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Manav Jain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Joshua C Doloff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Oncology, Sidney-Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Jordan J Green
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA; Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Oncology, Sidney-Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Stephany Y Tzeng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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Leitner J, Egerer R, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Steinberger P. FcγR requirements and costimulatory capacity of Urelumab, Utomilumab, and Varlilumab. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208631. [PMID: 37575254 PMCID: PMC10413977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Targeting costimulatory receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily with agonistic antibodies is a promising approach in cancer immuno therapy. It is known that their efficacy strongly depends on FcγR cross-linking. Methods In this study, we made use of a Jurkat-based reporter platform to analyze the influence of individual FcγRs on the costimulatory activity of the 41BB agonists, Urelumab and Utomilumab, and the CD27 agonist, Varlilumab. Results We found that Urelumab (IgG4) can activate 41BB-NFκB signaling without FcγR cross-linking, but the presence of the FcγRs (CD32A, CD32B, CD64) augments the agonistic activity of Urelumab. The human IgG2 antibody Utomilumab exerts agonistic function only when crosslinked via CD32A and CD32B. The human IgG1 antibody Varlilumab showed strong agonistic activity with all FcγRs tested. In addition, we analyzed the costimulatory effects of Urelumab, Utomilumab, and Varlilumab in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Interestingly, we observed a very weak capacity of Varlilumab to enhance cytokine production and proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells. In the presence of Varlilumab the percentage of annexin V positive T cells was increased, indicating that this antibody mediated FcγR-dependent cytotoxic effects. Conclusion Collectively, our data underscore the importance to perform studies in reductionist systems as well as in primary PBMC samples to get a comprehensive understanding of the activity of costimulation agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Egerer
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Liu J, Chen H, Qiao G, Zhang JT, Zhang S, Zhu C, Chen Y, Tang J, Li W, Wang S, Tian H, Chen Z, Ma D, Tian J, Wu YL. PLEK2 and IFI6, representing mesenchymal and immune-suppressive microenvironment, predicts resistance to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:881-893. [PMID: 36121452 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy has largely improved clinical outcome of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, a proportion of patients still fail to benefit. Thus, biomarkers predicting therapeutic resistance and underlying mechanism needs to be investigated. METHODS Transcriptomic profiling was applied in FFPE tissues from 103 ESCC patients, including surgical samples from 66 treatment-naïve patients with long-term follow-up, and endoscopic biopsies from 37 local advanced ESCC cases receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy. Unsupervised clustering indicated an aggressive phenotype with mesenchymal character in 66 treatment-naïve samples. Univariant logistic regression was applied to identify candidate biomarkers potentially predicted resistance to neoadjuvant immunotherapy within the range of mesenchymal phenotype enriched genes. These biomarkers were further validated by immunohistochemistry. Putative mechanisms mediating immunotherapy resistance, as indicated by microenvironment and immune cell infiltration, were evaluated by transcriptomic data, and validated by multiplex immunofluorescence. RESULTS PLEK2 and IFI6, highly expressed in mesenchymal phenotype, were identified as novel biomarkers relating to non-MPR in neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort [PLEK2high, OR (95% CI): 2.15 (1.07-4.33), P = 0.032; IFI6high, OR (95% CI): 2.21 (1.16-4.23), P = 0.016). PLEK2high and IFI6 high ESCC patients (versus low expressed patients) further exhibit higher chance of non-major pathological remissions (90%, P = 0.004) in neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort and high mortality (78.9%, P = 0.05), poor prognosis in retrospective cohort. PLEK2high/IFI6high ESCC recapitulated mesenchymal phenotype, characterized by extracellular matrix composition and matrix remodeling. In addition, PLEK2high or IFI6high ESCC displayed an immune-unfavored microenvironment, represented by positive correlating with regulatory T cells, Helper 2 T cell as well as less infiltration of B cells, effector T cells and mast cells. CONCLUSIONS PLEK2 and IFI6 was discovered of first time to identify a distinct ESCC subpopulation cannot be benefited from neoadjuvant immunotherapy and present a poor survival, which putatively associated with mesenchymal and immune-suppressive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Avenue, Guangzhou, 510280, China
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.123 Huifu Road West, Guangzhou, 510180, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Guibin Qiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Tao Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shuaitong Zhang
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, No.37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Changbin Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Xiamen, 361027, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jiming Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Xiamen, 361027, China
| | - Siyun Wang
- Department of PET Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hongxia Tian
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhihong Chen
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Dong Ma
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.123 Huifu Road West, Guangzhou, 510180, China.
| | - Jie Tian
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, No.37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Avenue, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Peng X, Gong C, Zhang W, Zhou A. Advanced development of biomarkers for immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1091088. [PMID: 36727075 PMCID: PMC9885011 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1091088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Mono-immunotherapy and combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitors have become new standard therapies in advanced HCC (aHCC). However, the clinical benefit of these treatments is still limited. Thus, proper biomarkers which can predict treatment response to immunotherapy to maximize clinical benefit while sparing unnecessary toxicity are urgently needed. Contrary to other malignancies, up until now, no acknowledged biomarkers are available to predict resistance or response to immunotherapy for HCC patients. Furthermore, biomarkers, which are established in other cancer types, such as programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB), have no stable predictive effect in HCC. Thus, plenty of research focusing on biomarkers for HCC is under exploration. In this review, we summarize the predictive and prognostic biomarkers as well as the potential predictive mechanism in order to guide future research direction for biomarker exploration and clinical treatment options in HCC.
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Expansion of KRAS hotspot mutations reactive T cells from human pancreatic tumors using autologous T cells as the antigen-presenting cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1301-1313. [PMID: 36436020 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03335-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) with expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) or TCR gene-modified T cells (TCR-T) that recognize mutant KRAS neo-antigens can mediate tumor regression in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) (Tran et al in N Engl J Med, 375:2255-2262, 2016; Leidner et al in N Engl J Med, 386:2112-2119, 2022). The mutant KRAS-targeted ACT holds great potential to achieve durable clinical responses for PDAC, which has had no meaningful improvement over 40 years. However, the wide application of mutant KRAS-centric ACT is currently limited by the rarity of TIL that recognize the mutant KRAS. In addition, PDAC is generally recognized as a poorly immunogenic tumor, and TILs in PDAC are less abundant than in immunogenic tumors such as melanoma. To increase the success rate of TIL production, we adopted a well-utilized K562-based artificial APC (aAPC) that expresses 4-1BBL as the costimulatory molecules to enhance the TIL production from PDCA. However, stimulation with K562-based aAPC led to a rapid loss of specificity to mutant KRAS. To selectively expand neo-antigen-specific T cells, particularly mKRAS, from the TILs, we used tandem mini gene-modified autologous T cells (TMG-T) as the novel aAPC. Using this modified IVS protocol, we successfully generated TIL cultures specifically reactive to mKRAS (G12V). We believe that autologous TMG-T cells provide a reliable source of autologous APC to expand a rare population of neoantigen-specific T cells in TILs.
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Zhang W, Gong C, Peng X, Bi X, Sun Y, Zhou J, Wu F, Zeng H, Wang Y, Zhou H, Zhao H, Cai J, Zhou A. Serum Concentration of CD137 and Tumor Infiltration by M1 Macrophages Predict the Response to Sintilimab plus Bevacizumab Biosimilar in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3499-3508. [PMID: 35275208 PMCID: PMC9662860 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the biomarkers of sintilimab (anti-PD-1) plus IBI305 (a bevacizumab biosimilar) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as their safety and efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 50 patients with advanced HCC received sintilimab (200 mg) plus IBI305 (7.5 or 15 mg/kg), treated every 3 weeks in a phase Ib clinical study. We performed baseline serum cytokine analysis using bead-based multiplex immunoassay and multiplex immunofluorescence on tissue specimens to discover novel biomarkers of response to VEGF/PD-1 combination therapy in HCC. RESULTS The overall response rate was 34.0% (17/50). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and the median overall survival were 10.5 and 20.2 months, respectively. The incidence of grade 3 to 5 adverse events was lower in the 7.5 mg/kg (13.8%) than in the 15 mg/kg (28.6%) dose groups. Biomarker analysis showed that the serum CD137 concentration was significantly higher in patients with clinical benefit (CB) than in those without CB (median, 32.8 pg/mL vs. 19.8 pg/mL, P = 0.034). A markedly longer PFS was observed in patients with high CD137 concentrations compared with those with low concentrations (median, 14.2 months vs. 4.1 months, P = 0.001). The higher density of M1 macrophages (CD68+CD163-) in the stroma was also associated with higher efficacy (P = 0.033) and a longer PFS (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS Sintilimab plus IBI305 was well tolerated and was effective therapy for advanced HCC. Both serum concentrations of CD137 and tumor infiltration of M1 macrophages may serve as potential predictive biomarkers. See related commentary by Cappuyns and Llovet, p. 3405.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Caifeng Gong
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuenan Peng
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Bi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongkun Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Zeng
- Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Innovent Biologics, Suzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Innovent Biologics, Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Corresponding Authors: Aiping Zhou, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. E-mail: ; Jianqiang Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail: ; and Hong Zhao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail:
| | - Jianqiang Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Corresponding Authors: Aiping Zhou, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. E-mail: ; Jianqiang Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail: ; and Hong Zhao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail:
| | - Aiping Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Corresponding Authors: Aiping Zhou, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. E-mail: ; Jianqiang Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail: ; and Hong Zhao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail:
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Li Z, Simin L, Jian K, Xin G, Youlin K. 4-1BB antibody enhances cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells against prostate cancer cells via NKG2D agonist combined with IL-27. Immunotherapy 2022; 14:1043-1053. [PMID: 35852136 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2021-0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: To enhance the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells against prostate cancer cells via NKG2D agonist, with 4-1BB antibody and IL-27 combination. Materials & methods: FACS was used to detect degranulation and cell surface receptors in NK cells isolated from healthy donors. Cytokine concentrations were measured using ELISA. NK-cell cytotoxicity was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8. Results: NKG2D agonist, 4-1BB antibody and IL-27 combination treatment improved the activating receptor expression and IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion but decreased the suppressive receptor CD158a expression and IL-10 secretion in NK cells. The combined treatment enhanced NK-cell cytotoxicity against both PC3 and DU145 cells with concurrent enhanced STAT3 activation. Conclusion: 4-1BB antibody and IL-27 improved NKG2D agonist function in NK cells against prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Li
- Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liang Simin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Kang Jian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Gou Xin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Kuang Youlin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
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Muik A, Garralda E, Altintas I, Gieseke F, Geva R, Ben-Ami E, Maurice-Dror C, Calvo E, LoRusso PM, Alonso G, Rodriguez-Ruiz ME, Schoedel KB, Blum JM, Sänger B, Salcedo TW, Burm SM, Stanganello E, Verzijl D, Vascotto F, Sette A, Quinkhardt J, Plantinga TS, Toker A, van den Brink EN, Fereshteh M, Diken M, Satijn D, Kreiter S, Breij EC, Bajaj G, Lagkadinou E, Sasser K, Türeci Ö, Forssmann U, Ahmadi T, Şahin U, Jure-Kunkel M, Melero I. Preclinical Characterization and Phase I Trial Results of a Bispecific Antibody Targeting PD-L1 and 4-1BB (GEN1046) in Patients with Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:1248-1265. [PMID: 35176764 PMCID: PMC9662884 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) have revolutionized the treatment paradigm for advanced solid tumors; however, there remains an opportunity to improve response rates and outcomes. In preclinical models, 4-1BB costimulation synergizes with CPIs targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis by activating cytotoxic T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. DuoBody-PD-L1×4-1BB (GEN1046) is an investigational, first-in-class bispecific immunotherapy agent designed to act on both pathways by combining simultaneous and complementary PD-L1 blockade and conditional 4-1BB stimulation in one molecule. GEN1046 induced T-cell proliferation, cytokine production, and antigen-specific T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity superior to clinically approved PD-(L)1 antibodies in human T-cell cultures and exerted potent antitumor activity in transplantable mouse tumor models. In dose escalation of the ongoing first-in-human study in heavily pretreated patients with advanced refractory solid tumors (NCT03917381), GEN1046 demonstrated pharmacodynamic immune effects in peripheral blood consistent with its mechanism of action, manageable safety, and early clinical activity [disease control rate: 65.6% (40/61)], including patients resistant to prior PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE DuoBody-PD-L1×4-1BB (GEN1046) is a first-in-class bispecific immunotherapy with a manageable safety profile and encouraging preclinical and early clinical activity. With its ability to confer clinical benefit in tumors typically less sensitive to CPIs, GEN1046 may fill a clinical gap in CPI-relapsed or refractory disease or as a combination therapy with CPIs. See related commentary by Li et al., p. 1184. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1171.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Garralda
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Ravit Geva
- Oncology Division, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eytan Ben-Ami
- Department of Oncology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Emiliano Calvo
- START Madrid-CIOCC, Clara Campal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Guzman Alonso
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eliana Stanganello
- TRON gGmbH, Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Fulvia Vascotto
- TRON gGmbH, Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark Fereshteh
- TRON gGmbH, Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ignacio Melero
- Department of Immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra and CIBERONC, Pamplona, Spain.,Corresponding Author: Ignacio Melero, Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra and Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Av. Pio XII, 55, Pamplona, Navarra 31008, Spain. Phone: 346-5357-4014; E-mail:
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12
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Csizmar CM, Ansell SM. Engaging the Innate and Adaptive Antitumor Immune Response in Lymphoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3302. [PMID: 33804869 PMCID: PMC8038124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a powerful therapeutic strategy for many malignancies, including lymphoma. As in solid tumors, early clinical trials have revealed that immunotherapy is not equally efficacious across all lymphoma subtypes. For example, immune checkpoint inhibition has a higher overall response rate and leads to more durable outcomes in Hodgkin lymphomas compared to non-Hodgkin lymphomas. These observations, combined with a growing understanding of tumor biology, have implicated the tumor microenvironment as a major determinant of treatment response and prognosis. Interactions between lymphoma cells and their microenvironment facilitate several mechanisms that impair the antitumor immune response, including loss of major histocompatibility complexes, expression of immunosuppressive ligands, secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, and the recruitment, expansion, and skewing of suppressive cell populations. Accordingly, treatments to overcome these barriers are being rapidly developed and translated into clinical trials. This review will discuss the mechanisms of immune evasion, current avenues for optimizing the antitumor immune response, clinical successes and failures of lymphoma immunotherapy, and outstanding hurdles that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen M. Ansell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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