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Hood T, Slingsby F, Sandner V, Geis W, Schmidberger T, Bevan N, Vicard Q, Hengst J, Springuel P, Dianat N, Rafiq QA. A quality-by-design approach to improve process understanding and optimise the production and quality of CAR-T cells in automated stirred-tank bioreactors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1335932. [PMID: 38655265 PMCID: PMC11035805 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1335932] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo genetically-modified cellular immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies, have generated significant clinical and commercial outcomes due to their unparalleled response rates against relapsed and refractory blood cancers. However, the development and scalable manufacture of these novel therapies remains challenging and further process understanding and optimisation is required to improve product quality and yield. In this study, we employ a quality-by-design (QbD) approach to systematically investigate the impact of critical process parameters (CPPs) during the expansion step on the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of CAR-T cells. Utilising the design of experiments (DOE) methodology, we investigated the impact of multiple CPPs, such as number of activations, culture seeding density, seed train time, and IL-2 concentration, on CAR-T CQAs including, cell yield, viability, metabolism, immunophenotype, T cell differentiation, exhaustion and CAR expression. Initial studies undertaken in G-Rex® 24 multi-well plates demonstrated that the combination of a single activation step and a shorter, 3-day, seed train resulted in significant CAR-T yield and quality improvements, specifically a 3-fold increase in cell yield, a 30% reduction in exhaustion marker expression and more efficient metabolism when compared to a process involving 2 activation steps and a 7-day seed train. Similar findings were observed when the CPPs identified in the G-Rex® multi-well plates studies were translated to a larger-scale automated, controlled stirred-tank bioreactor (Ambr® 250 High Throughput) process. The single activation step and reduced seed train time resulted in a similar, significant improvement in CAR-T CQAs including cell yield, quality and metabolism in the Ambr® 250 High Throughput bioreactor, thereby validating the findings of the small-scale studies and resulting in significant process understanding and improvements. This study provides a methodology for the systematic investigation of CAR-T CPPs and the findings demonstrate the scope and impact of enhanced process understanding for improved CAR-T production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Hood
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fern Slingsby
- Product Excellence Bioreactor Technology, Sartorius Stedim UK Limited, Epsom, United Kingdom
| | - Viktor Sandner
- Digital Solutions, Sartorius Stedim Austria GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried Geis
- Digital Solutions, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Timo Schmidberger
- Digital Solutions, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Nicola Bevan
- BioAnalytics Application Development, Essen BioScience Ltd. (Part of the Sartorius Group), Royston, United Kingdom
| | - Quentin Vicard
- Cell Culture Technology Marketing, Sartorius Stedim France S.A.S., Aubagne, France
| | - Julia Hengst
- Cell Culture Technology Marketing, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Pierre Springuel
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Noushin Dianat
- Cell Culture Technology Marketing, Sartorius Stedim France S.A.S., Aubagne, France
| | - Qasim A. Rafiq
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Cryopreserved anti-CD22 and bispecific anti-CD19/22 CAR T cells are as effective as freshly infused cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 28:51-61. [PMID: 36620075 PMCID: PMC9798176 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells facilitates shipment, timing of infusions, and storage of subsequent doses. However, reports on the impact of cryopreservation on CAR T cell efficacy have been mixed. We retrospectively compared clinical outcomes between patients who received cryopreserved versus fresh CAR T cells for treatment of B cell leukemia across two cohorts of pediatric and young adult patients: those who received anti-CD22 CAR T cells and those who received bispecific anti-CD19/22 CAR T cells. Manufacturing methods were consistent within each trial but differed between the two trials, allowing for exploration of cryopreservation within different manufacturing platforms. Among 40 patients who received anti-CD22 CAR T cells (21 cryopreserved cells and 19 fresh), there were no differences in in vivo expansion, persistence, incidence of toxicities, or disease response between groups with cryopreserved and fresh CAR T cells. Among 19 patients who received anti-CD19/22 CAR T cells (11 cryopreserved and 8 fresh), patients with cryopreserved cells had similar expansion, toxicity incidence, and disease response, with decreased CAR T cell persistence. Overall, our data demonstrate efficacy of cryopreserved CAR T cells as comparable to fresh infusions, supporting cryopreservation, which will be crucial for advancing the field of cell therapy.
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Rangan P, Mondino A. Microbial short-chain fatty acids: a strategy to tune adoptive T cell therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004147. [PMID: 35882448 PMCID: PMC9330349 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to play a pivotal role in the regulation of metabolic, endocrine and immune functions. Though the exact mechanism of action remains to be fully elucidated, available knowledge supports the ability of microbiota-fermented short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, to influence epigenetic and metabolic cascades controlling gene expression, chemotaxis, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis in several non-immune and immune cell subsets. While used as preferred metabolic substrates and sources of energy by colonic gut epithelial cells, most recent evidence indicates that these metabolites regulate immune functions, and in particular fine-tune T cell effector, regulatory and memory phenotypes, with direct in vivo consequences on the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Most recent data also support the use of these metabolites over the course of T cell manufacturing, paving the way for refined adoptive T cell therapy engineering. Here, we review the most recent advances in the field, highlighting in vitro and in vivo evidence for the ability of SCFAs to shape T cell phenotypes and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Rangan
- Department of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Mondino
- Department of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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Ciraolo E, Althoff S, Ruß J, Rosnev S, Butze M, Pühl M, Frentsch M, Bullinger L, Na IK. Simultaneous Genetic Ablation of PD-1, LAG-3, and TIM-3 in CD8 T Cells Delays Tumor Growth and Improves Survival Outcome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063207. [PMID: 35328630 PMCID: PMC8955581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) represented a step forward in improving the outcome of patients with various refractory solid tumors and several therapeutic regimens incorporating ICI have already been approved for a variety of tumor entities. However, besides remarkable long-term responses, checkpoint inhibition can trigger severe immune-related adverse events in some patients. In order to improve safety of ICI as well as T cell therapy, we tested the feasibility of combining T cell-based immunotherapy with genetic disruption of checkpoint molecule expression. Therefore, we generated H-Y and ovalbumin antigen-specific CD8+ T cells with abolished PD-1, LAG-3, and TIM-3 expression through CRISPR/Cas9 technology. CD8+ T cells, subjected to PD-1, LAG-3, and TIM-3 genetic editing, showed a strong reduction in immune checkpoint molecule expression after in vitro activation, while no relevant reduction in responsiveness to in vitro stimulation was observed. At the same time, in B16-OVA tumor model, transferred genetically edited OT-1 CD8+ T cells promoted longer survival compared to control T cells and showed enhanced expansion without associated toxicity. Our study supports the notion that antigen-specific adoptive T cell therapy with concomitant genetic disruption of multiple checkpoint inhibitory receptors could represent an effective antitumor immunotherapy approach with improved tolerability profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ciraolo
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Stefanie Althoff
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Josefine Ruß
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Stanislav Rosnev
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (S.R.); (M.F.)
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Monique Butze
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Miriam Pühl
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Marco Frentsch
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (S.R.); (M.F.)
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Bullinger
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (S.R.); (M.F.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Il-Kang Na
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (E.C.); (S.A.); (J.R.); (M.B.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (S.R.); (M.F.)
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Li Y, Wu D, Yang X, Zhou S. Immunotherapeutic Potential of T Memory Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:723888. [PMID: 34604060 PMCID: PMC8485052 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.723888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory T cells include T memory stem cells (TSCM) and central memory T cells (TCM). Compared with effector memory T cells (TEM) and effector T cells (TEFF), they have better durability and anti-tumor immunity. Recent studies have shown that although TSCM has excellent self-renewal ability and versatility, if it is often exposed to antigens and inflammatory signals, TSCM will behave as a variety of inhibitory receptors such as PD-1, TIM-3 and LAG-3 expression, and metabolic changes from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. These changes can lead to the exhaustion of T cells. Cumulative evidence in animal experiments shows that it is the least differentiated cell in the memory T lymphocyte system and is a central participant in many physiological and pathological processes in humans. It has a good clinical application prospect, so it is more and more important to study the factors affecting the formation of TSCM. This article summarizes and prospects the phenotypic and functional characteristics of TSCM, the regulation mechanism of formation, and its application in treatment of clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pre-Clinical Science, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Dengqiang Wu
- National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xuejia Yang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Sufang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pre-Clinical Science, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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