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Huang J, Yang Q, Wang W, Huang J. CAR products from novel sources: a new avenue for the breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1378739. [PMID: 38665921 PMCID: PMC11044028 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1378739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed cancer immunotherapy. However, significant challenges limit its application beyond B cell-driven malignancies, including limited clinical efficacy, high toxicity, and complex autologous cell product manufacturing. Despite efforts to improve CAR T cell therapy outcomes, there is a growing interest in utilizing alternative immune cells to develop CAR cells. These immune cells offer several advantages, such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent function, tumor microenvironment (TME) modulation, and increased tissue infiltration capabilities. Currently, CAR products from various T cell subtypes, innate immune cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, and even exosomes are being explored. These CAR products often show enhanced antitumor efficacy, diminished toxicity, and superior tumor penetration. With these benefits in mind, numerous clinical trials are underway to access the potential of these innovative CAR cells. This review aims to thoroughly examine the advantages, challenges, and existing insights on these new CAR products in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wen Wang
- Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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2
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Klaihmon P, Luanpitpong S, Kang X, Issaragrisil S. Anti-TIM3 chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cells from engineered induced pluripotent stem cells effectively target acute myeloid leukemia cells. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:297. [PMID: 38012684 PMCID: PMC10680184 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03153-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal malignant disorder which originates from a small number of leukemia-initiating cells or leukemic stem cells (LSCs)-the subpopulation that is also the root cause of relapsed/refractory AML. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has proved successful at combating certain hematologic malignancies, but has several hurdles that limit its widespread applications. CAR-natural killer (NK) cells do not carry the risk of inducing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) frequently associated with allogeneic T cells, thereby overcoming time-consuming, autologous cell manufacturing, and have relatively safer clinical profiles than CAR-T cells. The present study aimed to generate anti-TIM3 CAR-NK cells targeting LSCs from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cells engineered with the third-generation anti-TIM3 CAR. METHODS A clonal master umbilical cord blood NK-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, MUSIi013-A, was used as a starting cells for engineering of an anti-TIM3 CAR harboring TIM3 scFv fragment (clone TSR-022), CD28, 4-1BB, and CD3ζ signaling (CAR-TIM3). The established CAR-TIM3 iPSCs were further differentiated under serum- and feeder-free conditions into functional CAR-TIM3 NK cells and tested for its anti-tumor activity against various TIM3-positive AML cells. RESULTS We successfully established a single-cell clone of CAR-TIM3 iPSCs, as validated by genomic DNA sequencing as well as antibody and antigen-specific detection. We performed thorough iPSC characterization to confirm its retained pluripotency and differentiation capacity. The established CAR-TIM3 iPSCs can be differentiated into CAR-TIM3 NK-like cells, which were further proven to have enhanced anti-tumor activity against TIM3-positive AML cells with minimal effect on TIM3-negative cells when compared with wild-type (WT) NK-like cells from parental iPSCs. CONCLUSIONS iPSCs engineered with CARs, including the established single-cell clone CAR-TIM3 iPSCs herein, are potential alternative cell source for generating off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells as well as other CAR-immune cells. The feasibility of differentiation of functional CAR-TIM3 NK cells under serum- and feeder-free conditions support that Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant protocols can be further established for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phatchanat Klaihmon
- Siriraj Center of Excellence for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sudjit Luanpitpong
- Siriraj Center of Excellence for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Blood Products and Cellular Immunotherapy Research Group, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Xing Kang
- Siriraj Center of Excellence for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surapol Issaragrisil
- Siriraj Center of Excellence for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Siriraj Hospital, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
- BDMS Center of Excellence for Hematology, Wattanosoth Cancer Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
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3
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Vu SH, Pham HH, Pham TTP, Le TT, Vo MC, Jung SH, Lee JJ, Nguyen XH. Adoptive NK Cell Therapy - a Beacon of Hope in Multiple Myeloma Treatment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1275076. [PMID: 38023191 PMCID: PMC10656693 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1275076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Major advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) have been achieved by effective new agents such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, or monoclonal antibodies. Despite significant progress, MM remains still incurable and, recently, cellular immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for relapsed/refractory MM. The emergence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology has transformed immunotherapy by enhancing the antitumor functions of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, leading to effective control of hematologic malignancies. Recent advancements in gene delivery to NK cells have paved the way for the clinical application of CAR-NK cell therapy. CAR-NK cell therapy strategies have demonstrated safety, tolerability, and substantial efficacy in treating B cell malignancies in various clinical settings. However, their effectiveness in eliminating MM remains to be established. This review explores multiple approaches to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity, persistence, expansion, and manufacturing processes, and highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with CAR-NK cell therapy against MM. By shedding light on these aspects, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the potential of CAR-NK cell therapy as a promising approach for improving the treatment outcomes of MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son Hai Vu
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Hong Pham
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thao Thi Phuong Pham
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Thien Le
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Manh-Cuong Vo
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Jung
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuan-Hung Nguyen
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam
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4
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Circosta P, Donini C, Gallo S, Giraudo L, Gammaitoni L, Rotolo R, Galvagno F, Capellero S, Basiricò M, Casucci M, Aglietta M, Ferrero I, Fagioli F, Cignetti A, Carnevale-Schianca F, Leuci V, Sangiolo D. Full chimaeric CAR.CIK from patients engrafted after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant: Feasibility, anti-leukaemic potential and alloreactivity across major human leukocyte antigen barriers. Br J Haematol 2023; 200:64-69. [PMID: 36155897 PMCID: PMC10087171 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CIK) are a promising alternative to conventional donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), due to their intrinsic anti-tumour activity and reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We explored the feasibility, anti-leukaemic activity and alloreactive risk of CIK generated from full-donor chimaeric (fc) patients and genetically redirected by a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) (fcCAR.CIK) against the leukaemic target CD44v6. fcCAR.CIK were successfully ex-vivo expanded from leukaemic patients in complete remission after HCT confirming their intense preclinical anti-leukaemic activity without enhancing the alloreactivity across human leukocyte antigen (HLA) barriers. Our study provides translational bases to support clinical studies with fcCAR.CIK, a sort of biological bridge between the autologous and allogeneic sources, as alternative DLI following HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Circosta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Donini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Lidia Giraudo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Ramona Rotolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Galvagno
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sonia Capellero
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Basiricò
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Paediatric Onco-Haematology Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, City of Health and Science of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Monica Casucci
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit - Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ivana Ferrero
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Paediatric Onco-Haematology Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, City of Health and Science of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Franca Fagioli
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Paediatric Onco-Haematology Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, City of Health and Science of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cignetti
- Division of Hematology and Cell Therapy, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Leuci
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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5
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Wang X, Yang X, Yuan X, Wang W, Wang Y. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells: new weapons of cancer immunotherapy with great potential. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:85. [PMID: 36324149 PMCID: PMC9628181 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T (CAR-T) cells have obtained prominent achievement in the clinical immunotherapy of hematological malignant tumors, leading to a rapid development of cellular immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Scientists are also aware of the prospective advantages of CAR engineering in cellular immunotherapy. Due to various limitations such as the serious side effects of CAR-T therapy, researchers began to investigate other immune cells for CAR modification. Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate immune cells with the characteristic of non-specifically recognizing target cells and with the potential to become "off-the-shelf" products. In recent years, many preclinical studies on CAR-engineered NK (CAR-NK) cells have shown their remarkable efficacy in cancer therapy and their superiority over autologous CAR-T cells. In this review, we summarize the generation, mechanisms of anti-tumor activity and unique advantages of CAR-NK cells, and then analyze some challenges and recent clinical trials about CAR-NK cells therapy. We believe that CAR-NK therapy is a promising prospect for cancer immunotherapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xuejiao Yang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072 China
| | - Yueying Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
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6
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Cell-based drug delivery systems and their in vivo fate. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114394. [PMID: 35718252 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) have received attention recently because of their unique biological properties and self-powered functions, such as excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, long circulation time, tissue-homingcharacteristics, and ability to cross biological barriers. A variety of cells, including erythrocytes, stem cells, and lymphocytes, have been explored as functional vectors for the loading and delivery of various therapeutic payloads (e.g., small-molecule and nucleic acid drugs) for subsequent disease treatment. These cell-based DDSs have their own unique in vivo fates, which are attributed to various factors, including their biological properties and functions, the loaded drugs and loading process, physiological and pathological circumstances, and the body's response to these carrier cells, which result in differences in drug delivery efficiency and therapeutic effect. In this review, we summarize the main cell-based DDSs and their biological properties and functions, applications in drug delivery and disease treatment, and in vivo fate and influencing factors. We envision that the unique biological properties, combined with continuing research, will enable development of cell-based DDSs as friendly drug vectors for the safe, effective, and even personalized treatment of diseases.
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7
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Wu X, Schmidt-Wolf IGH. An Alternative Source for Allogeneic CAR T Cells With a High Safety Profile. Front Immunol 2022; 13:913123. [PMID: 35677035 PMCID: PMC9170073 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.913123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Clinical Trial Center, National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drugs, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center of Integrated Oncology (CIO) Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ingo G. H. Schmidt-Wolf
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center of Integrated Oncology (CIO) Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ingo G. H. Schmidt-Wolf,
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8
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Ye Y, Yang L, Yuan X, Huang H, Luo Y. Optimization of Donor Lymphocyte Infusion for AML Relapse After Allo-HCT in the Era of New Drugs and Cell Engineering. Front Oncol 2022; 11:790299. [PMID: 35155192 PMCID: PMC8829143 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.790299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is a key strategy for the treatment of AML relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and has been used for either prophylactic, pre-emptive, or therapeutic purposes. However, the prognosis of these patients remains dismal even after DLI infusion (2-year overall survival, ~25%), and the efficacy is achieved at the cost of toxicities such as graft-versus-host (GVH) disease. Attempts to optimize DLI efficacy and safety, such as dose/timing modification and the use of cytoreduction, before DLI have been performed previously. Recently, a great number of novel targeted and immunomodulatory agents have emerged. Some of them, such as hypomethylating agents, FLT3 and Bcl-2 inhibitors, have been used in combination with DLI, aiming to enhance the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Moreover, manipulation of the DLI graft through cell selection (e.g., donor NK cells) or cell engineering (donor CAR-T cells) has shown potentially superior anti-tumor effects but less GVH effect than conventional DLI in clinical trials. This review summarizes the recent advances on the use of DLI for the prophylaxis/treatment of AML relapse and discusses future strategies which may further improve the treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishan Ye
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luxin Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Yuan
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - He Huang
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Luo
- First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Khawar MB, Sun H. CAR-NK Cells: From Natural Basis to Design for Kill. Front Immunol 2022; 12:707542. [PMID: 34970253 PMCID: PMC8712563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.707542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are fusion proteins with an extracellular antigen recognition domain and numerous intracellular signaling domains that have been genetically modified. CAR-engineered T lymphocyte-based therapies have shown great success against blood cancers; however, potential fatal toxicity, such as in cytokine release syndrome, and high costs are some shortcomings that limit the clinical application of CAR-engineered T lymphocytes and remain to overcome. Natural killer (NK) cells are the focal point of current immunological research owing to their receptors that prove to be promising immunotherapeutic candidates for treating cancer. However, to date, manipulation of NK cells to treat malignancies has been moderately successful. Recent progress in the biology of NK cell receptors has greatly transformed our understanding of how NK cells recognize and kill tumor and infected cells. CAR-NK cells may serve as an alternative candidate for retargeting cancer because of their unique recognition mechanisms, powerful cytotoxic effects especially on cancer cells in both CAR-dependent and CAR-independent manners and clinical safety. Moreover, NK cells can serve as an ‘off-the-shelf product’ because NK cells from allogeneic sources can also be used in immunotherapies owing to their reduced risk of alloreactivity. Although ongoing fundamental research is in the beginning stages, this review provides an overview of recent developments implemented to design CAR constructs to stimulate NK activation and manipulate NK receptors for improving the efficiency of immunotherapy against cancer, summarizes the preclinical and clinical advances of CAR-NK cells against both hematological malignancies and solid tumors and confronts current challenges and obstacles of their applications. In addition, this review provides insights into prospective novel approaches that further enhance the efficiency of CAR-NK therapies and highlights potential questions that require to be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.,Laboratory of Molecular Biology & Genomics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
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Cienfuegos-Jimenez O, Vazquez-Garza E, Rojas-Martinez A. CAR-NK Cells for Cancer Therapy: Molecular Redesign of the Innate Antineoplastic Response. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 22:303-318. [PMID: 34923939 DOI: 10.2174/1566523222666211217091724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) has arisen as a powerful synthetic biology-based technology with demonstrated versatility for implementation in T and NK cells. Despite CAR T cell successes in clinical trials, several challenges remain to be addressed regarding adverse events and long-term efficacy. NK cells present an attractive alternative with intrinsic advantages over T cells for treating solid and liquid tumors. Early preclinical and clinical trials suggest at least two major advantages: improved safety and an off-the-shelf application in patients due to its HLA independence. Due to the early stages of CAR NK translation to clinical trials, limited data is currently available. By analyzing these results, it seems that CAR NK cells could offer a reduced probability of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) or Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) in cancer patients, reducing safety concerns. Furthermore, NK cell therapy approaches may be boosted by combining it with immunological checkpoint inhibitors and by implementing genetic circuits to direct CAR-bearing cell behavior. This review provides a description of the CAR technology for modifying NK cells and the translation from preclinical studies to early clinical trials in this new field of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Cienfuegos-Jimenez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, CP64710, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Vazquez-Garza
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, CP64710, Mexico
| | - Augusto Rojas-Martinez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, CP64710, Mexico
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11
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Jiang R, Zhang Z, Liao X, Huang L, Liao Y, Deng W. Combination of oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 harboring TRAIL-IETD-MnSOD and cytokine-induced killer cells against lung cancer. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1527. [PMID: 34790733 PMCID: PMC8576688 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-4479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Our study aimed to investigate the effect of cancer-targeting gene-virotherapy and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy on lung cancer. Methods CIK cells were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, and CD3 monoclonal antibody. The CIK cells were infected with oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 harboring tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and TRAIL-isoleucine-aspartate-threonine-glutamate (IETD)-MnSOD. The cells were then cocultured with lung cancer cell lines A549 and NCI-H1650, normal cell line BEAS-2B, or injected into an A549 xenograft mouse model. Results Proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of A549 and NCI-H1650 cells were significantly inhibited by co-cultivation with CIK cells carrying oncolytic adenoviruses (in order) ZD55-TRAIL-IETD-MnSOD > ZD55-TRAIL + ZD55-MnSOD > ZD55-MnSOD > ZD55-TRAIL. Compared to BEAS-2B cells, the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in tumor cells was increased. Tumor volume in the xenograft model and Ki-67 expression in tumor samples were reduced after injection of CIK cells carrying oncolytic adenoviruses, in the same order as the in vivo experiments. Levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and LDH contents were also increased in the same order. Conclusions Our studies confirmed the high efficacy of combined oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 harboring TRAIL-IETD-MnSOD and CIK cells against lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runde Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhixiong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinghai Liao
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liangjuan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yilang Liao
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiyi Deng
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Marofi F, Saleh MM, Rahman HS, Suksatan W, Al-Gazally ME, Abdelbasset WK, Thangavelu L, Yumashev AV, Hassanzadeh A, Yazdanifar M, Motavalli R, Pathak Y, Naimi A, Baradaran B, Nikoo M, Khiavi FM. CAR-engineered NK cells; a promising therapeutic option for treatment of hematological malignancies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:374. [PMID: 34215336 PMCID: PMC8252313 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02462-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy has received a great deal of interest in the treatment of advanced cancers that are resistant to traditional therapy. The tremendous success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T (CAR-T) cells in the treatment of cancer, especially hematological cancers, has exposed CAR's potential. However, the toxicity and significant limitations of CAR-T cell immunotherapy prompted research into other immune cells as potential candidates for CAR engineering. NK cells are a major component of the innate immune system, especially for tumor immunosurveillance. They have a higher propensity for immunotherapy in hematologic malignancies because they can detect and eliminate cancerous cells more effectively. In comparison to CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells can be prepared from allogeneic donors and are safer with a lower chance of cytokine release syndrome and graft-versus-host disease, as well as being a more efficient antitumor activity with high efficiency for off-the-shelf production. Moreover, CAR-NK cells may be modified to target various antigens while also increasing their expansion and survival in vivo. Extensive preclinical research has shown that NK cells can be effectively engineered to express CARs with substantial cytotoxic activity against both hematological and solid tumors, establishing evidence for potential clinical trials of CAR-NK cells. In this review, we discuss recent advances in CAR-NK cell engineering in a variety of hematological malignancies, as well as the main challenges that influence the outcomes of CAR-NK cell-based tumor immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faroogh Marofi
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Marwan Mahmood Saleh
- Department of Biophysics, College of Applied Science, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq
| | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Komar University of Science and Technology, Chaq-Chaq Qularaise, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq
| | - Wanich Suksatan
- Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210 Thailand
| | | | - Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | | | - Ali Hassanzadeh
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Roza Motavalli
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yashwant Pathak
- Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Adel Naimi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center (IRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Marzieh Nikoo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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13
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Next-generation cell therapies: the emerging role of CAR-NK cells. Blood Adv 2021; 4:5868-5876. [PMID: 33232480 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have revolutionized the field of cell therapy and changed the paradigm of treatment for many patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. Despite this progress, there are limitations to CAR-T cell therapy in both the autologous and allogeneic settings, including practical, logistical, and toxicity issues. Given these concerns, there is a rapidly growing interest in natural killer cells as alternative vehicles for CAR engineering, given their unique biological features and their established safety profile in the allogeneic setting. Other immune effector cells, such as invariant natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and macrophages, are attracting interest as well and eventually may be added to the repertoire of engineered cell therapies against cancer. The pace of these developments will undoubtedly benefit from multiple innovative technologies, such as the CRISPR-Cas gene editing system, which offers great potential to enhance the natural ability of immune effector cells to eliminate refractory cancers.
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14
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Marofi F, Rahman HS, Thangavelu L, Dorofeev A, Bayas-Morejón F, Shirafkan N, Shomali N, Chartrand MS, Jarahian M, Vahedi G, Mohammed RN, Shahrokh S, Akbari M, Khiavi FM. Renaissance of armored immune effector cells, CAR-NK cells, brings the higher hope for successful cancer therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:200. [PMID: 33752707 PMCID: PMC7983395 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, a new method of cellular immunotherapy was introduced based on engineering and empowering the immune effector cells. In this type of immunotherapy, the immune effector cells are equipped with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to specifically target cancer cells. In much of the trials and experiments, CAR-modified T cell immunotherapy has achieved very promising therapeutic results in the treatment of some types of cancers and infectious diseases. However, there are also some considerable drawbacks in the clinical application of CAR-T cells although much effort is in progress to rectify the issues. In some conditions, CAR-T cells initiate over-activated and strong immune responses, therefore, causing unexpected side-effects such as systemic cytokine toxicity (i.e., cytokine release syndrome), neurotoxicity, on-target, off-tumor toxicity, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). To overcome these limitations in CAR-T cell immunotherapy, NK cells as an alternative source of immune effector cells have been utilized for CAR-engineering. Natural killer cells are key players of the innate immune system that can destroy virus-infected cells, tumor cells, or other aberrant cells with their efficient recognizing capability. Compared to T cells, CAR-transduced NK cells (CAR-NK) have several advantages, such as safety in clinical use, non-MHC-restricted recognition of tumor cells, and renewable and easy cell sources for their preparation. In this review, we will discuss the recent preclinical and clinical studies, different sources of NK cells, transduction methods, possible limitations and challenges, and clinical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Suleimanyah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Aleksey Dorofeev
- Department of Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University,), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Favian Bayas-Morejón
- Center for Research and Biotechnological Development, Research Department, Bolivar State University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources and the Environment, CP 020150 Guaranda, Ecuador
| | - Naghmeh Shirafkan
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mostafa Jarahian
- German Cancer Research Center, Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit (G401), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rebar N. Mohammed
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Somayeh Shahrokh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Basar R, Daher M, Rezvani K. Next-generation cell therapies: the emerging role of CAR-NK cells. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2020; 2020:570-578. [PMID: 33275752 PMCID: PMC7727537 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2020002547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have revolutionized the field of cell therapy and changed the paradigm of treatment for many patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. Despite this progress, there are limitations to CAR-T cell therapy in both the autologous and allogeneic settings, including practical, logistical, and toxicity issues. Given these concerns, there is a rapidly growing interest in natural killer cells as alternative vehicles for CAR engineering, given their unique biological features and their established safety profile in the allogeneic setting. Other immune effector cells, such as invariant natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and macrophages, are attracting interest as well and eventually may be added to the repertoire of engineered cell therapies against cancer. The pace of these developments will undoubtedly benefit from multiple innovative technologies, such as the CRISPR-Cas gene editing system, which offers great potential to enhance the natural ability of immune effector cells to eliminate refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafet Basar
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - May Daher
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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16
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Acharya UH, Walter RB. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-Modified Immune Effector Cell Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3617. [PMID: 33287224 PMCID: PMC7761730 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of an increasing number of targeted therapeutics and wider use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ultimately succumb to this disease. Given their remarkable efficacy in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other CD19-expressing B cell malignancies, there is hope adoptive cellular transfer, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune effector cell (IEC) therapies, may afford a novel, potent immune-based approach for the treatment of AML that complements or replaces existing ones and improves cure rates. However, it is unclear how best to translate the success of these therapies from B cell malignancies, where use of highly potent immunotherapies is facilitated by identified target antigens with near ubiquitous expression on malignant cells and non-fatal consequences from "on-target, off-tumor cell" toxicities. Herein, we review the current status of CAR-modified IEC therapies for AML, with considerations regarding suitable, relatively leukemia-restricted target antigens, expected toxicities, and interactions of the engineered cells with a profoundly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that restricts their therapeutic efficacy. With these challenges in mind, we will discuss possible strategies to improve the cells' potency as well as their therapeutic window for optimal clinical use in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utkarsh H. Acharya
- Divisions of Hematologic Malignancies & Immune Effector Cell Therapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Roland B. Walter
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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17
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Merker M, Wagner J, Kreyenberg H, Heim C, Moser LM, Wels WS, Bonig H, Ivics Z, Ullrich E, Klingebiel T, Bader P, Rettinger E. ERBB2-CAR-Engineered Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells Exhibit Both CAR-Mediated and Innate Immunity Against High-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma. Front Immunol 2020; 11:581468. [PMID: 33193388 PMCID: PMC7641627 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.581468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) occurring in childhood to young adulthood is associated with a poor prognosis; especially children above the age of 10 with advanced stage alveolar RMS still succumb to the disease within a median of 2 years. The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells marked significant progress in the treatment of refractory B cell malignancies, but experience for solid tumors has proven challenging. We speculate that this is at least in part due to the poor quality of the patient's own T cells and therefore propose using CAR-modified cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells as effector cells. CIK cells are a heterogeneous population of polyclonal T cells that acquire phenotypic and cytotoxic properties of natural killer (NK) cells through the cultivation process, becoming so-called T-NK cells. CIK cells can be genetically modified to express CARs. They are minimally alloreactive and can therefore be acquired from haploidentical first-degree relatives. Here, we explored the potential of ERBB2-CAR-modified random-donor CIK cells as a treatment for RMS in xenotolerant mice bearing disseminated high-risk RMS tumors. In otherwise untreated mice, RMS tumors engrafted 13-35 days after intravenous tumor cell injection, as shown by in vivo bioluminescence imaging, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction for human gDNA, and mice died shortly thereafter (median/range: 62/56-66 days, n = 5). Wild-type (WT) CIK cells given at an early stage delayed and eliminated RMS engraftment in 4 of 6 (67%) mice, while ERBB2-CAR CIK cells inhibited initial tumor load in 8 of 8 (100%) mice. WT CIK cells were detectable but not as active as CAR CIK cells at distant tumor sites. CIK cell therapies during advanced RMS delayed but did not inhibit tumor progression compared to untreated controls. ERBB2-CAR CIK cell therapy also supported innate immunity as evidenced by selective accumulation of NK and T-NK cell subpopulations in disseminated RMS tumors, which was not observed for WT CIK cells. Our data underscore the power of heterogenous immune cell populations (T, NK, and T-NK cells) to control solid tumors, which can be further enhanced with CARs, suggesting ERBB2-CAR CIK cells as a potential treatment for high-risk RMS.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/immunology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Merker
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Juliane Wagner
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Hermann Kreyenberg
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Catrin Heim
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Laura M. Moser
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Halvard Bonig
- Department of Cellular Therapeutics/Cell Processing (Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP), Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunotherapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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18
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Lin CY, Gobius I, Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes F. Natural killer cell engineering – a new hope for cancer immunotherapy. Semin Hematol 2020; 57:194-200. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Grote S, Mittelstaet J, Baden C, Chan KCH, Seitz C, Schlegel P, Kaiser A, Handgretinger R, Schleicher S. Adapter chimeric antigen receptor (AdCAR)-engineered NK-92 cells: an off-the-shelf cellular therapeutic for universal tumor targeting. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1825177. [PMID: 33457105 PMCID: PMC7781805 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1825177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent success of CAR T cells targeting CD19 and CD22 in hematological malignancies, the production of CAR T cells still requires an extensive manufacturing process. The well-established NK-92 cell line provides a promising alternative to produce CAR-modified effector cells in a GMP-compliant, cost-effective way. NK-92 can be redirected against a variety of surface antigens by our adapter CAR (AdCAR) system utilizing biotinylated antibodies (bAb) as adapter molecules. Selected bAb were capable of inducing significant AdCAR NK-92-mediated lysis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) cell lines as well as primary MCL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. AdCAR specificity was proven using a JeKo-1 CD19/CD20 knockout antigen-loss model. Moreover, through combinations of bAb, AdCAR NK-92 cells are capable of combatting tumor antigen evasion mechanisms. In conclusion, we successfully generated the AdCAR NK-92 cell line which can be manufactured as an “off-the-shelf, on-demand” product allowing universal and tunable tumor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Grote
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Caroline Baden
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Kenneth Chun-Ho Chan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christian Seitz
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Schlegel
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Schleicher
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
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20
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Tanaka J. Recent advances in chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cell therapy for overcoming intractable hematological malignancies. Hematol Oncol 2020; 39:11-19. [PMID: 32905618 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have a potent cytotoxic activity against leukemia and lymphoma without recognition of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells (CAR-NK cells) can be produced from the NK92 cell line, peripheral blood, cord blood, and induced pluripotent stem cells for immunotherapy of malignant tumor cells. Recently, the safety and efficacy of HLA-mismatched allogeneic cord blood-derived CD19 CAR-NK cell therapy for CD19-positive hematological malignancies have been reported. However, the durability of clinical effects has not been clarified. The characteristics of CAR-NK cells with a strong antileukemia/lymphoma effect and better proliferative capacity without severe adverse effects may be promising for overcoming intractable hematological malignancies as an off-the-shelf allogeneic cellular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Tanaka
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Multidirectional Strategies for Targeted Delivery of Oncolytic Viruses by Tumor Infiltrating Immune Cells. Pharmacol Res 2020; 161:105094. [PMID: 32795509 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncolytic virus (OV) immunotherapy has demonstrated to be a promising approach in cancer treatment due to tumor-specific oncolysis. However, their clinical use so far has been largely limited due to the lack of suitable delivery strategies with high efficacy. Direct 'intratumoral' injection is the way to cross the hurdles of systemic toxicity, while providing local effects. Progress in this field has enabled the development of alternative way using 'systemic' oncolytic virotherapy for producing better results. One major potential roadblock to systemic OV delivery is the low virus persistence in the face of hostile immune system. The delivery challenge is even greater when attempting to target the oncolytic viruses into the entire tumor mass, where not all tumor cells are equally exposed to exactly the same microenvironment. The microenvironment of many tumors is known to be massively infiltrated with various types of leucocytes in both primary and metastatic sites. Interestingly, this intratumoral immune cell heterogeneity exhibits a degree of organized distribution inside the tumor bed as evidenced, for example, by the hypoxic tumor microenviroment where predominantly recruits tumor-associated macrophages. Although in vivo OV delivery seems complicated and challenging, recent results are encouraging for decreasing the limitations of systemically administered oncolytic viruses and an improved efficiency of oncolytic viral therapy in targeting cancerous tissues in vitro. Here, we review the latest developments of carrier cell-based oncolytic virus delivery using tumor-infiltrating immune cells with a focus on the main features of each cellular vehicle.
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22
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Recent progress in and challenges in cellular therapy using NK cells for hematological malignancies. Blood Rev 2020; 44:100678. [PMID: 32229065 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
NK cells have killing activity against leukemic cells and solid cancer cells that escape from T cell recognition because of the low expression level of HLA class I molecules. This characteristic feature of NK cell recognition of target cells in contrast to T cells provides a strategy to overcome tolerance in cancer and leukemia patients. A strong alloreactive NK cell-mediated anti-leukemia effect can be induced in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Also, NK cells can be expanded by several methods for adoptive immunotherapy for hematological malignancies and other malignant diseases. We review the historical role of NK cells and recent approaches to enhance the functions of NK cells, including ex vivo expansion of autologous and allogenic NK cells, checkpoint receptor blockade, and the use of memory-like NK cells and CAR-NK cells, for treatment of hematological malignancies.
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23
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Frank MJ, Olsson N, Huang A, Tang SW, Negrin RS, Elias JE, Meyer EH. A novel antibody-cell conjugation method to enhance and characterize cytokine-induced killer cells. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:135-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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24
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Müller S, Bexte T, Gebel V, Kalensee F, Stolzenberg E, Hartmann J, Koehl U, Schambach A, Wels WS, Modlich U, Ullrich E. High Cytotoxic Efficiency of Lentivirally and Alpharetrovirally Engineered CD19-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer Cells Against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3123. [PMID: 32117200 PMCID: PMC7025537 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autologous chimeric antigen receptor-modified (CAR) T cells with specificity for CD19 showed potent antitumor efficacy in clinical trials against relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Contrary to T cells, natural killer (NK) cells kill their targets in a non-antigen-specific manner and do not carry the risk of inducing graft vs. host disease (GvHD), allowing application of donor-derived cells in an allogenic setting. Hence, unlike autologous CAR-T cells, therapeutic CD19-CAR-NK cells can be generated as an off-the-shelf product from healthy donors. Nevertheless, genetic engineering of peripheral blood (PB) derived NK cells remains challenging and optimized protocols are needed. In our study, we aimed to optimize the generation of CD19-CAR-NK cells by retroviral transduction to improve the high antileukemic capacity of NK cells. We compared two different retroviral vector platforms, the lentiviral and alpharetroviral, both in combination with two different transduction enhancers (Retronectin and Vectofusin-1). We further explored different NK cell isolation techniques (NK cell enrichment and CD3/CD19 depletion) to identify the most efficacious methods for genetic engineering of NK cells. Our results demonstrated that transduction of NK cells with RD114-TR pseudotyped retroviral vectors, in combination with Vectofusin-1 was the most efficient method to generate CD19-CAR-NK cells. Retronectin was potent in enhancing lentiviral/VSV-G gene delivery to NK cells but not alpharetroviral/RD114-TR. Furthermore, the Vectofusin-based transduction of NK cells with CD19-CARs delivered by alpharetroviral/RD114-TR and lentiviral/RD114-TR vectors outperformed lentiviral/VSV-G vectors. The final generated CD19-CAR-NK cells displayed superior cytotoxic activity against CD19-expressing target cells when compared to non-transduced NK cells achieving up to 90% specific killing activity. In summary, our findings present the use of RD114-TR pseudotyped retroviral particles in combination with Vectofusin-1 as a successful strategy to genetically modify PB-derived NK cells to achieve highly cytotoxic CD19-CAR-NK cells at high yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Müller
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tobias Bexte
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Veronika Gebel
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franziska Kalensee
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eva Stolzenberg
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jessica Hartmann
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Winfried S Wels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ute Modlich
- Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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25
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Pan MR, Wu CC, Kan JY, Li QL, Chang SJ, Wu CC, Li CL, Ou-Yang F, Hou MF, Yip HK, Luo CW. Impact of FAK Expression on the Cytotoxic Effects of CIK Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010094. [PMID: 31905966 PMCID: PMC7017032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special subtype of breast cancer in which several common diagnostic biomarkers are lost. Due to the loss of expression of receptors, treatment options for TNBC are limited. Therefore, finding safe and effective treatments for patients with TNBC is a major objective for clinicians. Previous studies suggested that cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells may be beneficial for patients with a variety of tumor types. However, CIK therapy is not effective for all patients. In this study, we found that focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase that regulates several cellular functions in different cells, has the potential to regulate tumor cells sensitized to CIK cells. Knockdown of FAK expression in TNBC cells or the treatment of TNBC cells with a FAK inhibitor followed by coculture with CIK cells increases death of TNBC cells, suggesting that FAK plays important roles in sensitizing tumor cells to CIK cells. This phenomenon could be regulated by a FAK-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-related mechanism. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the cytotoxic effect of CIK cell therapy in TNBC treatment, and show that CIK cell therapy combined with FAK inhibitors may be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ren Pan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (M.-R.P.); (Q.-L.L.); (M.-F.H.)
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (F.O.-Y.)
| | - Cheng-Che Wu
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (J.-Y.K.); (C.-L.L.)
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Yu Kan
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (J.-Y.K.); (C.-L.L.)
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Qiao-Lin Li
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (M.-R.P.); (Q.-L.L.); (M.-F.H.)
| | - Shu-Jyuan Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Chun-Chieh Wu
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (F.O.-Y.)
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Liang Li
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (J.-Y.K.); (C.-L.L.)
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Fu Ou-Yang
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (F.O.-Y.)
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (J.-Y.K.); (C.-L.L.)
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Feng Hou
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (M.-R.P.); (Q.-L.L.); (M.-F.H.)
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (F.O.-Y.)
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (J.-Y.K.); (C.-L.L.)
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Hon-Kan Yip
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wen Luo
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (F.O.-Y.)
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (J.-Y.K.); (C.-L.L.)
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +886-7-312-1101 (ext. 2260); Fax: +886-7-316-5011
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26
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CAR-NK for tumor immunotherapy: Clinical transformation and future prospects. Cancer Lett 2019; 472:175-180. [PMID: 31790761 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the use of chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T)-cells in the treatment of hematological tumors has been successful and has become a clinical hotspot in tumor immunotherapy. However, their wide application is limited by inherent risks such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and the amount of time it takes to produce CAR-T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells can be xenografted and have the potential to become off-the-shelf products, making CAR-NK cell therapies universal products. These products may be safer than CAR-T cell therapy. Considering that the fundamental researche is still in its infancy, this review focuses on clinical achievements and new strategies for improving the safety and efficacy of CAR-NK cell therapy, as well as the corresponding challenges.
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27
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CAR-NK cell therapeutics for hematologic malignancies: hope is on the horizon. BLOOD SCIENCE 2019; 1:156-160. [PMID: 35402810 PMCID: PMC8974902 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has achieved significant success in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, treatment-related toxicity and side effects remain the major drawbacks. As an important effector cell in innate immunity, natural killer (NK) cells exert strong antitumor functions and have better application prospects in the immunotherapy of hematologic malignancies. Compared with T cells, NK cells exhibit several advantages such as MHC-independent recognition. CAR-modified NK (CAR-NK) cells may exhibit a better ability of killing tumor cells. Herein, we review mainly preclinical data related to the development of CAR-NK cells in treating blood cancers.
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28
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Jin F, Du Z, Tang Y, Wang L, Yang Y. Impact of microRNA-29b on natural killer cells in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:2394-2403. [PMID: 31402942 PMCID: PMC6676734 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK)-based immunotherapeutic strategies are showing promise in the clinic, particularly against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Similar treatments for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) have been less successful, which is due to the higher resistance of T-ALL blasts to the cytotoxic function of NK cells. Herein, microRNA-29b (miR-29b) upregulation was identified in NK cells in both neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1)-T-ALL mice and patients with T-ALL. Furthermore, miR-29b expression levels were downregulated in T-ALL blast cells. In addition, there was a selective downregulation of an immature subset of NK cells, as well as a reduction in interferon γ (IFNγ) production and natural killer receptor group 2, member D (NKG2D) expression level by NK cells in Notch1-T-ALL mice and patients with T-ALL. Furthermore, when miR-29b knock-out NK cells were adoptively transfused into Notch1-T-ALL mice, partial restoration of IFNγ production and NKG2D expression was observed in NK cells, accompanied by retarded ALL progression and improved survival time. These results implied that T-ALL blast immune evasion occurred via miR-29b-mediated dysregulation in NK cells in the T-ALL microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyan Jin
- Department of Hematology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Zhonghua Du
- Department of Hematology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yang Tang
- Department of Hematology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Lixia Wang
- Department of Hematology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Yang
- Department of Hematology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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29
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Shirjang S, Alizadeh N, Mansoori B, Mahmoodpoor A, Kafil HS, Hojjat-Farsangi M, Yousefi M. Promising immunotherapy: Highlighting cytokine-induced killer cells. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:8863-8883. [PMID: 30556298 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
For many years, cancer therapy has appeared to be a challenging issue for researchers and physicians. By the introduction of novel methods in immunotherapy, the prospect of cancer therapy even more explained than before. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell-based immunotherapy demonstrated to have potentiality in improving clinical outcomes and relieving major side effects of standard treatment options. In addition, given the distinctive features such as high safety, low toxicity effects on healthy cells, numerous clinical trials conducted on CIK cells. Due to the shortcomings that observed in CIK cell immunotherapy alone, arising a tendency to make modifications (combined modality therapy or combination therapy) including the addition of various types of cytokines, genetic engineering, combination with immune checkpoints, and so on. In this review, we have tried to bring forth the latest immunotherapy methods and their overview. We have discussed the combination therapies with CIK cells and the conducted clinical trials. This helps the future studies to use integrated therapies with CIK cells as a promising treatment of many types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Shirjang
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Mansoori
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ata Mahmoodpoor
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Hojjat-Farsangi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Immune and Gene therapy Lab, Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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30
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Pfeiffer A, Thalheimer FB, Hartmann S, Frank AM, Bender RR, Danisch S, Costa C, Wels WS, Modlich U, Stripecke R, Verhoeyen E, Buchholz CJ. In vivo generation of human CD19-CAR T cells results in B-cell depletion and signs of cytokine release syndrome. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 10:e9158. [PMID: 30224381 PMCID: PMC6220327 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201809158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells brought substantial benefit to patients with B-cell malignancies. Notwithstanding, CAR T-cell manufacturing requires complex procedures impeding the broad supply chain. Here, we provide evidence that human CD19-CAR T cells can be generated directly in vivo using the lentiviral vector CD8-LV specifically targeting human CD8+ cells. Administration into mice xenografted with Raji lymphoma cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells led to CAR expression solely in CD8+ T cells and efficacious elimination of CD19+ B cells. Further, upon injection of CD8-LV into mice transplanted with human CD34+ cells, induction of CAR T cells and CD19+ B-cell depletion was observed in 7 out of 10 treated animals. Notably, three mice showed elevated levels of human cytokines in plasma. Tissue-invading CAR T cells and complete elimination of the B-lymphocyte-rich zones in spleen were indicative of a cytokine release syndrome. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo reprogramming of human CD8+ CAR T cells active against CD19+ cells, yet with similar adverse effects currently notorious in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anett Pfeiffer
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia Hartmann
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Annika M Frank
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Ruben R Bender
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Simon Danisch
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Excellence Cluster REBIRTH and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Caroline Costa
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ute Modlich
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Renata Stripecke
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Excellence Cluster REBIRTH and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- INSERM, C3M, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Lin C, Zhang J. Reformation in chimeric antigen receptor based cancer immunotherapy: Redirecting natural killer cell. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1869:200-215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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32
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Abstract
Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells form under certain stimulation conditions in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). They are a heterogeneous immune cell population and contain a high percentage of cells with a mixed T-NK phenotype (CD3+CD56+). The ready availability of a lymphocyte source, together with the high proliferative rate and potent anti-tumor activity of CIK cells, has allowed their use as immunotherapy in a wide variety of neoplasms. Cytotoxicity mediated by CD3+CD56+ T cells depends on the major histocompatibility antigen (MHC)-independent recognition of tumor cells and the activation of signaling pathways through the natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) cell-surface receptor. Clinical trials have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of CIK cell immunotherapy even in advanced stage cancer patients or those that have not responded to first-line treatment. This review summarizes biological and technical aspects of CIK cells, as well as past and current clinical trials and future trends in this form of immunotherapy.
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33
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Cytokine-induced killer cells as a feasible adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:366. [PMID: 29511158 PMCID: PMC5840363 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0404-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Most of the patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at advanced stage, and they often lose the opportunity of surgical therapy, most of whom fail to reach good prognosis after chemotherapy. Recently, a few clinical studies have confirmed the role of adoptive T-cell transfer in the maintenance therapy of cancer patients. Here, we provided statistical insights into the role of CIKs in advanced lung cancer from three different levels, cell model (in vitro co-culture system), mice model (in situ lung cancer), and clinical research (in lung cancer patients of different progression stages). We optimized the components of supplements and cytokines on activating and expanding CIK cells. Based on this, we explored a new serum-free medium for in vitro activation and expansion of CIK cells. Moreover, we found that activated CIK cells could efficiently kill lung cancer cells in cell-to-cell model in vitro and significantly reduce the tumor growth in mice. For the clinical research, the OS rates of patients received combination of chemotherapy and CIK treatment were significantly improved compared to the OS rates of patients only received chemotherapy. Additionally, CIK therapy represented good toleration in our study. All the results suggested that combination of immunotherapy with traditional therapy will be a feasible and promising method for the treatment of lung cancer.
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34
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Leuci V, Casucci GM, Grignani G, Rotolo R, Rossotti U, Vigna E, Gammaitoni L, Mesiano G, Fiorino E, Donini C, Pisacane A, Ambrosio LD, Pignochino Y, Aglietta M, Bondanza A, Sangiolo D. CD44v6 as innovative sarcoma target for CAR-redirected CIK cells. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1423167. [PMID: 29721373 PMCID: PMC5927525 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1423167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose of our study was to explore a new immunotherapy for high grade soft tissue sarcomas (STS) based on cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) redirected with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) against the tumor-promoting antigen CD44v6. We aimed at generating bipotential killers, combining the CAR specificity with the intrinsic tumor-killing ability of CIK cells (CAR+.CIK). We set a patient-derived experimental platform. CAR+.CIK were generated by transduction of CIK precursors with a lentiviral vector encoding for anti-CD44v6-CAR. CAR+.CIK were characterized and assessed in vitro against multiple histotypes of patient-derived STS. The anti-sarcoma activity of CAR+.CIK was confirmed in a STS xenograft model. CD44v6 was expressed by 40% (11/27) of patient-derived STS. CAR+.CIK were efficiently expanded from patients (n = 12) and killed multiple histotypes of STS (including autologous targets, n = 4). The killing activity was significantly higher compared with unmodified CIK, especially at low effector/target (E/T) ratios: 98% vs 82% (E/T = 10:1) and 68% vs 26% (1:4), (p<0.0001). Specificity of tumor killing was confirmed by blocking with anti-CD44v6 antibody. CAR+.CIK produced higher amounts of IL6 and IFN-γ compared to control CIK. CAR+.CIK were highly active in mice bearing subcutaneous STS xenografts, with significant delay of tumor growth (p<0.0001) without toxicities. We report first evidence of CAR+.CIK's activity against high grade STS and propose CD44v6 as an innovative target in this setting. CIK are a valuable platform for the translation of CAR-based strategies to challenging field of solid tumors. Our findings support the exploration of CAR+.CIK in clinical trials against high grade STS.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Leuci
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - G M Casucci
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - G Grignani
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - R Rotolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - U Rossotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - E Vigna
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Laboratory of Gene Transfer, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - L Gammaitoni
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - G Mesiano
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - E Fiorino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - C Donini
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - A Pisacane
- Pathology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, (TO), Italy
| | - L D Ambrosio
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Y Pignochino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - M Aglietta
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - A Bondanza
- Innovative Immunotherapies Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - D Sangiolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
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35
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Hu Y, Tian ZG, Zhang C. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-transduced natural killer cells in tumor immunotherapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:167-176. [PMID: 28880014 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potential effector cells in cell-based cancer immunotherapy, particularly in the control of hematological malignancies. The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is an artificially modified fusion protein that consists of an extracellular antigen recognition domain fused to an intracellular signaling domain. T cells genetically modified with a CAR have demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of hematological cancers. Compared to T cells, CAR-transduced NK cells (CAR-NK) exhibit several advantages, such as safety in clinical use, the mechanisms by which they recognize cancer cells, and their abundance in clinical samples. Human primary NK cells and the NK-92 cell line have been successfully transduced to express CARs against both hematological cancers and solid tumors in pre-clinical and clinical trials. However, many challenges and obstacles remain, such as the ex vivo expansion of CAR-modified primary NK cells and the low transduction efficiency of NK cells. Many strategies and technologies have been developed to improve the safety and therapeutic efficacy in CAR-based immunotherapy. Moreover, NK cells express a variety of activating receptors (NKRs), such as CD16, NKG2D, CD226 and NKp30, which might specifically recognize the ligands expressed on tumor cells. Based on the principle of NKR recognition, a strategy that targets NKRs is rapidly emerging. Given the promising clinical progress described in this review, CAR- and NKR-NK cell-based immunotherapy are likely promising new strategies for cancer therapy.
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36
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NK cell therapy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: can we improve anti-tumor effect? Int J Hematol 2017; 107:151-156. [PMID: 29196968 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-017-2379-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
After decades since the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells as potential effector cells fighting malignantly transformed and virally infected cells, little progress has been made in their clinical application. This yet unrealized therapeutic effect is presumably, at least in part, due to low numbers of functional NK cells that could be obtained from the peripheral blood relative to tumor burden. Our group hypothesized that a relatively small NK cell number to targeted malignant cells is the cause of a lack of clinical effect. We pursued obtaining large numbers of NK cells via ex vivo expansion using feeder cells that express membrane-bound IL-21. Early clinical studies demonstrate safety of administration of ex vivo expanded NK cells after transplantation using this method and suggest a therapeutic benefit in terms on decreasing relapse rate and possible control of viral infections post-transplant can be achieved. Successful application of NK cells after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation opens the possibility to effectively enhance the anti-tumor effect and decrease relapse rate post-transplant. Moreover, high doses of NK cells could prove more efficacious in enhancing anti-tumor effects, not only in hematological malignancies, with our without transplantation, but also in solid tumor oncology.
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37
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Lam PY, Nissen MD, Mattarollo SR. Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Immune Regulation of Blood Cancers: Harnessing Their Potential in Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1355. [PMID: 29109728 PMCID: PMC5660073 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique innate T lymphocyte population that possess cytolytic properties and profound immunoregulatory activities. iNKT cells play an important role in the immune surveillance of blood cancers. They predominantly recognize glycolipid antigens presented on CD1d, but their activation and cytolytic activities are not confined to CD1d expressing cells. iNKT cell stimulation and subsequent production of immunomodulatory cytokines serve to enhance the overall antitumor immune response. Crucially, the activation of iNKT cells in cancer often precedes the activation and priming of other immune effector cells, such as NK cells and T cells, thereby influencing the generation and outcome of the antitumor immune response. Blood cancers can evade or dampen iNKT cell responses by downregulating expression of recognition receptors or by actively suppressing or diverting iNKT cell functions. This review will discuss literature on iNKT cell activity and associated dysregulation in blood cancers as well as highlight some of the strategies designed to harness and enhance iNKT cell functions against blood cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui Yeng Lam
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael D. Nissen
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen R. Mattarollo
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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38
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Generation and characterization of ErbB2-CAR-engineered cytokine-induced killer cells for the treatment of high-risk soft tissue sarcoma in children. Oncotarget 2017; 8:66137-66153. [PMID: 29029499 PMCID: PMC5630399 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric patients with recurrent, refractory or advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who are simultaneously showing signs of cumulative treatment toxicity are in need of novel therapies. In this preclinical analysis, we identified ErbB2 as a targetable antigen on STS cells and used cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells transduced with the lentiviral 2nd-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) vector pS-5.28.z-IEW to target ErbB2-positive tumors. Solely CIK cell subsets with the CD3+ T cell phenotype showed up to 85% cell surface expression of the respective CAR. A comparison of wildtype (WT), mock-vector and ErbB2-CAR-CIK cells showed, that engineered cells exhibited diminished in vitro expansion, retained WT CIK cell phenotype with higher percentages of differentiated effector memory/effector cells. Activating natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKG2D-restricted target cell recognition and killing of WT and ErbB2-CAR-CIK cells was maintained against ErbB2-negative tumors, while ErbB2-CAR-CIK cells demonstrated significantly increased cytotoxicity against ErbB2-positive targets, including primary tumors. ErbB2-CAR- but not WT CIK cells proliferated, infiltrated and efficiently lysed tumor cell monolayers as well as 3D tumor spheroids. Here, we demonstrate a potential cell therapeutic approach using ErbB2-CAR-CIK cells for the recognition and elimination of tumor cells expressing ErbB2, which we identified as a targetable antigen on high-risk STS cells.
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Gao X, Mi Y, Guo N, Xu H, Xu L, Gou X, Jin W. Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells As Pharmacological Tools for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:774. [PMID: 28729866 PMCID: PMC5498561 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are a heterogeneous population of effector CD3+CD56+ natural killer T cells, which can be easily expanded in vitro from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CIK cells work as pharmacological tools for cancer immunotherapy as they exhibit MHC-unrestricted, safe, and effective antitumor activity. Much effort has been made to improve CIK cells cytotoxicity and treatments of CIK cells combined with other antitumor therapies are applied. This review summarizes some strategies, including the combination of CIK with additional cytokines, dendritic cells, check point inhibitors, antibodies, chemotherapeutic agents, nanomedicines, and engineering CIK cells with a chimeric antigen receptor. Furthermore, we briefly sum up the clinical trials on CIK cells and compare the effect of clinical CIK therapy with other immunotherapies. Finally, further research is needed to clarify the pharmacological mechanism of CIK and provide evidence to formulate uniform culturing criteria for CIK expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchun Gao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Engineering Research Center for Dental Materials and Advanced Manufacture, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Key Lab for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Information and Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajing Mi
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Engineering Research Center for Dental Materials and Advanced Manufacture, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lixian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Engineering Research Center for Dental Materials and Advanced Manufacture, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xingchun Gou
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weilin Jin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Key Lab for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Information and Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,National Centers for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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40
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Cappuzzello E, Sommaggio R, Zanovello P, Rosato A. Cytokines for the induction of antitumor effectors: The paradigm of Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) cells. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017. [PMID: 28629761 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cytokine-Induced killer (CIK) cells are raising growing interest in cellular antitumor therapy, as they can be easily expanded with a straightforward and inexpensive protocol, and are safe requiring only GMP-grade cytokines to obtain very high amounts of cytotoxic cells. CIK cells do not need antigen-specific stimuli to be activated and proliferate, as they recognize and destroy tumor cells in an HLA-independent fashion through the engagement of NKG2D. In several preclinical studies and clinical trials, CIK cells showed a reduced alloreactivity compared to conventional T cells, even when challenged across HLA-barriers; only in a few patients, a mild GVHD occurred after treatment with allogeneic CIK cells. Additionally, their antitumor activity can be redirected and further improved with chimeric antigen receptors, clinical-grade monoclonal antibodies or immune checkpoint inhibitors. The evidence obtained from a growing body of literature support CIK cells as a very promising cell population for adoptive immunotherapy. In this review, all these aspects will be addressed with a particular emphasis on the role of the cytokines involved in CIK cell generation, expansion and functionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cappuzzello
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberta Sommaggio
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Zanovello
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Oncology and Immunology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
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41
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Modification of cytokine-induced killer cells with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-specific chimeric antigen receptors enhances their antitumor immunity toward FRα-positive ovarian cancers. Mol Immunol 2017; 85:293-304. [PMID: 28360017 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is aberrantly expressed in ovarian cancers but largely absent in normal tissues, and therefore represents an attractive target for immunotherapy. In recent years, modification of T cells with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting FRα has been reported to improve antitumor immunity of T cells. However, there are limited data regarding CAR-modified cytokine-induced killer (CAR-CIK) cells. In the present study, we modified CIK cells with FRα-specific CARs and investigated their antitumor immunity against ovarian cancers. We found that both non-transduced and mock CAR-transduced CIK cells showed only low antitumor activity against either FRα-positive (FRα+) or FRα-negative (FRα-) targets. However, all three generations of CAR-modified CIK cells showed enhanced antitumor activity against FRα+ targets, but not FRα- targets. First-generation ζ-CAR-CIK cells increased production of IFN-γ, enhanced short-term cytotoxicity against FRα+ ovarian cancer cells, and showed modest and short-term suppression of established tumors; while second-generation 28ζ- and third-generation 28BBζ-CAR-CIK cells showed significant proliferation, enhanced secretion of IL-2, eliminated the FRα+ ovarian cancer cells in long-term co-culture, and showed dramatic and long-term inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged survival of xenograft-bearing mice. It is noteworthy that the 28BBζ-CAR was more potent in the modification of CIK cells than 28ζ-CAR both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CAR-CIK cells showed more efficient anticancer activity compared with CAR-T cells in vitro, but less efficient than CAR-T cells in vivo. According to these results, we conclude that modification of CIK cells with FRα-specific CARs enhances their antitumor immunity to FRα+ ovarian cancers. The third-generation 28BB-ζ CAR containing 4-1BB co-stimulation was more efficient in modification of CIK cells than either first-generation ζ-CAR or second-generation CD28-ζ-CAR.
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42
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Leal FE, Premeaux TA, Abdel-Mohsen M, Ndhlovu LC. Role of Natural Killer Cells in HIV-Associated Malignancies. Front Immunol 2017; 8:315. [PMID: 28377768 PMCID: PMC5359293 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Now in its fourth decade, the burden of HIV disease still persists, despite significant milestone achievements in HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and support. Even with long-term use of currently available antiretroviral therapies (ARTs), eradication of HIV remains elusive and now poses a unique set of challenges for the HIV-infected individual. The occurrence of HIV-associated non-AIDS-related comorbidities outside the scope of AIDS-defining illnesses, in particular non-AIDS-defining cancers, is much greater than the age-matched uninfected population. The underlying mechanism is now recognized in part to be related to the immune dysregulated and inflammatory status characteristic of HIV infection that persists despite ART. Natural killer (NK) cells are multifunctional effector immune cells that play a critical role in shaping the innate immune responses to viral infections and cancer. NK cells can modulate the adaptive immune response via their role in dendritic cell (DC) maturation, removal of immature tolerogenic DCs, and their ability to produce immunoregulatory cytokines. NK cells are therefore poised as attractive therapeutic targets that can be harnessed to control or clear both HIV and HIV-associated malignancies. To date, features of the tumor microenvironment and the evolution of NK-cell function among individuals with HIV-related malignancies remain unclear and may be distinct from malignancies observed in uninfected persons. This review intends to uncouple anti-HIV and antitumor NK-cell features that can be manipulated to halt the evolution of HIV disease and HIV-associated malignancies and serve as potential preventative and curative immunotherapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio E Leal
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Cancer , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Thomas A Premeaux
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii , Honolulu, HI , USA
| | - Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lishomwa C Ndhlovu
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii , Honolulu, HI , USA
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43
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Shevtsov M, Multhoff G. Immunological and Translational Aspects of NK Cell-Based Antitumor Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2016; 7:492. [PMID: 27891129 PMCID: PMC5104957 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in the first line of defense against cancer. NK cells that are deficient in CD3 and a clonal T cell receptor (TCR) can be subdivided into two major subtypes, CD56dimCD16+ cytotoxic and CD56brightCD16− immunoregulatory NK cells. Cytotoxic NK cells not only directly kill tumor cells without previous stimulation by cytotoxic effector molecules, such as perforin and granzymes or via death receptor interactions, but also act as regulatory cells for the immune system by secreting cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this review is to highlight therapeutic strategies utilizing autologous and allogenic NK cells, combinations of NK cells with monoclonal antibodies to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, we discuss the use of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Shevtsov
- Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Radiation Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Experimental Immune Biology, Institute for innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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44
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Wong E, Ritchie DS, Davis JE. CIK immunotherapy in refractory hematologic malignancies. Leuk Res 2016; 49:60-1. [PMID: 27561991 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wong
- The ACRF Translational Research Laboratory, Melbourne Health, The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; The Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David S Ritchie
- The ACRF Translational Research Laboratory, Melbourne Health, The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; The Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joanne E Davis
- The ACRF Translational Research Laboratory, Melbourne Health, The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; The Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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