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Yamasaki S, Shimizu K, Fujii SI. Tumor epitope spreading by a novel multivalent therapeutic cellular vaccine targeting cancer antigens to invariant NKT-triggered dendritic cells in situ. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345037. [PMID: 38361934 PMCID: PMC10867576 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cancer is categorized into two types based on the microenvironment: cold and hot tumors. The former is challenging to stimulate through immunity. The immunogenicity of cancer relies on the quality and quantity of cancer antigens, whether recognized by T cells or not. Successful cancer immunotherapy hinges on the cancer cell type, antigenicity and subsequent immune reactions. The T cell response is particularly crucial for secondary epitope spreading, although the factors affecting these mechanisms remain unknown. Prostate cancer often becomes resistant to standard therapy despite identifying several antigens, placing it among immunologically cold tumors. We aim to leverage prostate cancer antigens to investigate the potential induction of epitope spreading in cold tumors. This study specifically focuses on identifying factors involved in secondary epitope spreading based on artificial adjuvant vector cell (aAVC) therapy, a method established as invariant natural killer T (iNKT) -licensed DC therapy. Methods We concentrated on three prostate cancer antigens (prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP)). By introducing allogeneic cells with the antigen and murine CD1d mRNA, followed by α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) loading, we generated five types of aAVCs, i.e, monovalent, divalent and trivalent antigen-expressing aAVCs and four types of prostate antigen-expressing cold tumors. We evaluated iNKT activation and antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses against tumor cells prompted by the aAVCs. Results Our study revealed that monovalent aAVCs, expressing a single prostate antigen, primed T cells for primary tumor antigens and also induced T cells targeting additional tumor antigens by triggering a tumor antigen-spreading response. When we investigated the immune response by trivalent aAVC (aAVC-PROS), aAVC-PROS therapy elicited multiple antigen-specific CD8+ T cells simultaneously. These CD8+ T cells exhibited both preventive and therapeutic effects against tumor progression. Conclusions The findings from this study highlight the promising role of tumor antigen-expressing aAVCs, in inducing efficient epitope spreading and generating robust immune responses against cancer. Our results also propose that multivalent antigen-expressing aAVCs present a promising therapeutic option and could be a more comprehensive therapy for treating cold tumors like prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Yamasaki
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Research Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kanako Shimizu
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Research Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
- aAVC Drug Translational Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Fujii
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Research Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
- aAVC Drug Translational Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
- RIKEN Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms, Yokohama, Japan
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Loureiro LR, Hoffmann L, Neuber C, Rupp L, Arndt C, Kegler A, Kubeil M, Hagemeyer CE, Stephan H, Schmitz M, Feldmann A, Bachmann M. Immunotheranostic target modules for imaging and navigation of UniCAR T-cells to strike FAP-expressing cells and the tumor microenvironment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:341. [PMID: 38102692 PMCID: PMC10722841 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02912-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are a promising approach in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for treating hematologic malignancies. Yet, their effectiveness is limited when tackling solid tumors, where immune cell infiltration and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) are major hurdles. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is highly expressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and various tumor cells, playing an important role in tumor growth and immunosuppression. Aiming to modulate the TME with increased clinical safety and effectiveness, we developed novel small and size-extended immunotheranostic UniCAR target modules (TMs) targeting FAP. METHODS The specific binding and functionality of the αFAP-scFv TM and the size-extended αFAP-IgG4 TM were assessed using 2D and 3D in vitro models as well as in vivo. Their specific tumor accumulation and diagnostic potential were evaluated using PET studies after functionalization with a chelator and suitable radionuclide. RESULTS The αFAP-scFv and -IgG4 TMs effectively and specifically redirected UniCAR T-cells using 2D, 3D, and in vivo models. Moreover, a remarkably high and specific accumulation of radiolabeled FAP-targeting TMs at the tumor site of xenograft mouse models was observed. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that the novel αFAP TMs are promising immunotheranostic tools to foster cancer imaging and treatment, paving the way for a more convenient, individualized, and safer treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana R Loureiro
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.
| | - Lydia Hoffmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Luise Rupp
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Manja Kubeil
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph E Hagemeyer
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Holger Stephan
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Kegler A, Drewitz L, Arndt C, Daglar C, Rodrigues Loureiro L, Mitwasi N, Neuber C, González Soto KE, Bartsch T, Baraban L, Ziehr H, Heine M, Nieter A, Moreira-Soto A, Kühne A, Drexler JF, Seliger B, Laube M, Máthé D, Pályi B, Hajdrik P, Forgách L, Kis Z, Szigeti K, Bergmann R, Feldmann A, Bachmann M. A novel ACE2 decoy for both neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants and killing of infected cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204543. [PMID: 37383226 PMCID: PMC10293748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to millions of infections and deaths worldwide. As this virus evolves rapidly, there is a high need for treatment options that can win the race against new emerging variants of concern. Here, we describe a novel immunotherapeutic drug based on the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 and provide experimental evidence that it cannot only be used for (i) neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in SARS-CoV-2-infected animal models but also for (ii) clearance of virus-infected cells. For the latter purpose, we equipped the ACE2 decoy with an epitope tag. Thereby, we converted it to an adapter molecule, which we successfully applied in the modular platforms UniMAB and UniCAR for retargeting of either unmodified or universal chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune effector cells. Our results pave the way for a clinical application of this novel ACE2 decoy, which will clearly improve COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Drewitz
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cansu Daglar
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Karla Elizabeth González Soto
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Larysa Baraban
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Ziehr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Heine
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Annabel Nieter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andres Moreira-Soto
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arne Kühne
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical High School, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Markus Laube
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Szeged, Hungary
- CROmed Translational Research Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Pályi
- National Biosafety Laboratory, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Polett Hajdrik
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Forgách
- Semmelweis University School of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kis
- National Biosafety Laboratory, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Striese F, Neuber C, Gräßel S, Arndt C, Ullrich M, Steinbach J, Pietzsch J, Bergmann R, Pietzsch HJ, Sihver W, Frenz M, Feldmann A, Bachmann MP. Preclinical Characterization of the 177Lu-Labeled Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA)-Specific Monoclonal Antibody 7F5. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119420. [PMID: 37298374 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119420] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an excellent target for imaging and treatment of prostate carcinoma (PCa). Unfortunately, not all PCa cells express PSMA. Therefore, alternative theranostic targets are required. The membrane protein prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is highly overexpressed in most primary prostate carcinoma (PCa) cells and in metastatic and hormone refractory tumor cells. Moreover, PSCA expression positively correlates with tumor progression. Therefore, it represents a potential alternative theranostic target suitable for imaging and/or radioimmunotherapy. In order to support this working hypothesis, we conjugated our previously described anti-PSCA monoclonal antibody (mAb) 7F5 with the bifunctional chelator CHX-A″-DTPA and subsequently radiolabeled it with the theranostic radionuclide 177Lu. The resulting radiolabeled mAb ([177Lu]Lu-CHX-A″-DTPA-7F5) was characterized both in vitro and in vivo. It showed a high radiochemical purity (>95%) and stability. The labelling did not affect its binding capability. Biodistribution studies showed a high specific tumor uptake compared to most non-targeted tissues in mice bearing PSCA-positive tumors. Accordingly, SPECT/CT images revealed a high tumor-to-background ratios from 16 h to 7 days after administration of [177Lu]Lu-CHX-A″-DTPA-7F5. Consequently, [177Lu]Lu-CHX-A″-DTPA-7F5 represents a promising candidate for imaging and in the future also for radioimmunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Striese
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technical University Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sandy Gräßel
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technical University Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Ullrich
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technical University Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technical University Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hans-Jürgen Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Wiebke Sihver
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marcus Frenz
- Faculty of Informatik and Wirtschaftsinformatik, Provadis School of International Management and Technology AG, 65926 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (UCC/NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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5
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Arndt C, Tunger A, Wehner R, Rothe R, Kourtellari E, Luttosch S, Hannemann K, Koristka S, Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Tonn T, Link T, Kuhlmann JD, Wimberger P, Bachmann MP, Schmitz M. Palbociclib impairs the proliferative capacity of activated T cells while retaining their cytotoxic efficacy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:970457. [PMID: 36817127 PMCID: PMC9935825 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.970457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor palbociclib is an emerging cancer therapeutic that just recently gained Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her)2-negative breast cancer in combination with the ER degrader fulvestrant. However, CDK4/6 inhibitors are not cancer-specific and may affect also other proliferating cells. Given the importance of T cells in antitumor defense, we studied the influence of palbociclib/fulvestrant on human CD3+ T cells and novel emerging T cell-based cancer immunotherapies. Palbociclib considerably inhibited the proliferation of activated T cells by mediating G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. However, after stopping the drug supply this suppression was fully reversible. In light of combination approaches, we further investigated the effect of palbociclib/fulvestrant on T cell-based immunotherapies by using a CD3-PSCA bispecific antibody or universal chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) T cells. Thereby, we observed that palbociclib clearly impaired T cell expansion. This effect resulted in a lower total concentration of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor, while palbociclib did not inhibit the average cytokine release per cell. In addition, the cytotoxic potential of the redirected T cells was unaffected by palbociclib and fulvestrant. Overall, these novel findings may have implications for the design of treatment modalities combining CDK4/6 inhibition and T cell-based cancer immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,*Correspondence: Claudia Arndt, ; Marc Schmitz,
| | - Antje Tunger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Rothe
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Eleni Kourtellari
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephanie Luttosch
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Hannemann
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana R. Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Dresden, Germany,Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Theresa Link
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Dominik Kuhlmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Philipp Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Claudia Arndt, ; Marc Schmitz,
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6
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Srour SA, Akin S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: The Past and the Future. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY AND PRECISION ONCOLOGY 2023; 6:19-30. [PMID: 36751657 PMCID: PMC9888521 DOI: 10.36401/jipo-22-7] [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: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the new standard treatment for various indications in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Despite the several preclinical and early phase clinical trials, the overall clinical experience has been disappointing when applying this innovative therapy in solid tumors. The failure of CAR T-cell therapy and its limited antitumor activity in solid tumors have been attributed to several mechanisms, including tumor antigen heterogeneity, the hostile tumor microenvironment and poor trafficking of CAR T cells into tumor sites, and the unacceptable toxicities in some settings, among others. However, remarkable improvements have been made in understanding many of these failure mechanisms for which several emerging novel approaches are being applied to overcome these challenges. In this review, after a brief historic background for immunotherapy in solid tumors, we highlight the recent developments achieved in CAR T-cell designs, summarize completed clinical trials, and discuss current challenges facing CAR T-cell therapy and the suggested strategies to overcome these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer A. Srour
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Serkan Akin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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McCue AC, Yao Z, Kuhlman B. Advances in modular control of CAR-T therapy with adapter-mediated CARs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114358. [PMID: 35618140 PMCID: PMC9939278 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Protein engineering has contributed to successes in the field of T cell-based immunotherapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. CAR T cell therapy has become a pillar of cancer immunotherapy, demonstrating clinical effectiveness against B cell malignancies by targeting the B cell antigen CD19. Current gene editing techniques have limited safety controls over CAR T cell activity, which presents a hurdle for control of CAR T cells in patients. Alternatively, CAR T cell activity can be controlled by engineering CARs to bind soluble adapter molecules that direct the interaction between the CAR T cell and target cell. The flexibility in this adapter-mediated approach overcomes the rigid specificity of traditional CAR T cells to allow targeting of multiple cell types. Here we describe adapter CAR T technologies and how these methods emphasize the growing role of protein engineering in the design of programmable tools for T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia C McCue
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Zhiyuan Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Brian Kuhlman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
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8
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Lindner D, Arndt C, Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Kegler A, Koristka S, Berndt N, Mitwasi N, Bergmann R, Frenz M, Bachmann MP. Combining Radiation- with Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer: Influence of Radiation on T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147922. [PMID: 35887271 PMCID: PMC9324763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation of tumor cells can lead to the selection and outgrowth of tumor escape variants. As radioresistant tumor cells are still sensitive to retargeting of T cells, it appears promising to combine radio- with immunotherapy keeping in mind that the radiation of tumors favors the local conditions for immunotherapy. However, radiation of solid tumors will not only hit the tumor cells but also the infiltrated immune cells. Therefore, we wanted to learn how radiation influences the functionality of T cells with respect to retargeting to tumor cells via a conventional bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) and our previously described modular BiTE format UNImAb. T cells were irradiated between 2 and 50 Gy. Low dose radiation of T cells up to about 20 Gy caused an increased release of the cytokines IL-2, TNF and interferon-γ and an improved capability to kill target cells. Although radiation with 50 Gy strongly reduced the function of the T cells, it did not completely abrogate the functionality of the T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lindner
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
- Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, University Cancer Center (UCC), Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marcus Frenz
- Faculty Informatik and Wirtschaftsinformatik, Provadis School of International Management and Technology AG, 65926 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Michael P. Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (D.L.); (C.A.); (L.R.L.); (A.F.); (A.K.); (S.K.); (N.B.); (N.M.); (R.B.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-351-260-3170
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9
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Development and Functional Characterization of a Versatile Radio-/Immunotheranostic Tool for Prostate Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081996. [PMID: 35454902 PMCID: PMC9027777 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In previous studies, we described a modular Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell platform which we termed UniCAR. In contrast to conventional CARs, the interaction of UniCAR T cells does not occur directly between the CAR T cell and the tumor cell but is mediated via bispecific adaptor molecules so-called target modules (TMs). Here we present the development and functional characterization of a novel IgG4-based TM, directed to the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa). We show that this anti-PSCA IgG4-TM cannot only be used for (i) redirection of UniCAR T cells to PCa cells but also for (ii) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and (iii) alpha particle-based endoradiotherapy. For radiolabeling, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was conjugated with the chelator DOTAGA. PET imaging was performed using the 64Cu-labeled anti-PSCA IgG4-TM. According to PET imaging, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM accumulates with high contrast in the PSCA-positive tumors of experimental mice without visible uptake in other organs. For endoradiotherapy the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM-DOTAGA conjugate was labeled with 225Ac3+. Targeted alpha therapy resulted in tumor control over 60 days after a single injection of the 225Ac-labeled TM. The favorable pharmacological profile of the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM, and its usage for (i) imaging, (ii) targeted alpha therapy, and (iii) UniCAR T cell immunotherapy underlines the promising radio-/immunotheranostic capabilities for the diagnostic imaging and treatment of PCa. Abstract Due to its overexpression on the surface of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a potential target for PCa diagnosis and therapy. Here we describe the development and functional characterization of a novel IgG4-based anti-PSCA antibody (Ab) derivative (anti-PSCA IgG4-TM) that is conjugated with the chelator DOTAGA. The anti-PSCA IgG4-TM represents a multimodal immunotheranostic compound that can be used (i) as a target module (TM) for UniCAR T cell-based immunotherapy, (ii) for diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and (iii) targeted alpha therapy. Cross-linkage of UniCAR T cells and PSCA-positive tumor cells via the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM results in efficient tumor cell lysis both in vitro and in vivo. After radiolabeling with 64Cu2+, the anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was successfully applied for high contrast PET imaging. In a PCa mouse model, it showed specific accumulation in PSCA-expressing tumors, while no uptake in other organs was observed. Additionally, the DOTAGA-conjugated anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was radiolabeled with 225Ac3+ and applied for targeted alpha therapy. A single injection of the 225Ac-labeled anti-PSCA IgG4-TM was able to significantly control tumor growth in experimental mice. Overall, the novel anti-PSCA IgG4-TM represents an attractive first member of a novel group of radio-/immunotheranostics that allows diagnostic imaging, endoradiotherapy, and CAR T cell immunotherapy.
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Tahmasebi S, Elahi R, Khosh E, Esmaeilzadeh A. Programmable and multi-targeted CARs: a new breakthrough in cancer CAR-T cell therapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2021; 23:1003-1019. [PMID: 32997278 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy, as a novel immunotherapy approach, has indicated successful results in the treatment of hematological malignancies; however, distinct results have been achieved regarding solid tumors. Tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment has been identified as the most critical barrier in CAR-T cell therapy of solid tumors. Developing novel strategies to augment the safety and efficacy of CAR-T cells could be useful to overcome the solid tumor hurdles. Similar to other cancer treatments, CAR-T cell therapy can cause some side effects, which can disturb the healthy tissues. In the current review, we will discuss the practical breakthroughs in CAR-T cell therapy using the multi-targeted and programmable CARs instead of conventional types. These superior types of CAR-T cells have been developed to increase the function and safety of T cells in a controllable manner, which would diminish the incidence of relevant side effects. Moreover, we will describe the capability of these powerful CARs in targeting multiple tumor antigens, redirecting the CAR-T cells to specific target cells, incrementing the safety of CARs, and other advantages that lead to promising outcomes in cancer CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tahmasebi
- Department of Immunology, Health Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - R Elahi
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - E Khosh
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - A Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
- Immunotherapy Research and Technology Group, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran.
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11
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Schwerdtfeger M, Benmebarek MR, Endres S, Subklewe M, Desiderio V, Kobold S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified T Cells and T Cell-Engaging Bispecific Antibodies: Different Tools for the Same Job. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2021; 16:218-233. [PMID: 33939108 PMCID: PMC8154758 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-021-00628-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Both chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and T cell-engaging antibodies (BiAb) have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, despite targeting the same antigen, they represent very different classes of therapeutics, each with its distinct advantages and drawbacks. In this review, we compare BiAb and CAR T cells with regard to their mechanism of action, manufacturing, and clinical application. In addition, we present novel strategies to overcome limitations of either approach and to combine the best of both worlds. RECENT FINDINGS By now there are multiple approaches combining the advantages of BiAb and CAR T cells. A major area of research is the application of both formats for solid tumor entities. This includes improving the infiltration of T cells into the tumor, counteracting immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, targeting antigen heterogeneity, and limiting off-tumor on-target effects. BiAb come with the major advantage of being an off-the-shelf product and are more controllable because of their half-life. They have also been reported to induce less frequent and less severe adverse events. CAR T cells in turn demonstrate superior response rates, have the potential for long-term persistence, and can be additionally genetically modified to overcome some of their limitations, e.g., to make them more controllable.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bispecific/genetics
- Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Genetic Engineering
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Neoplasms/etiology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schwerdtfeger
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Mohamed-Reda Benmebarek
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Endres
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Desiderio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
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12
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Designing a new bispecific tandem single-chain variable fragment antibody against tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-23 using in silico studies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. J Mol Model 2020; 26:225. [PMID: 32778954 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-04510-5] [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: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis disease is a chronic auto-immune inflammatory disease that mainly causes synovial joint inflammation and cartilage destruction. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pivotal cytokine that plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis. The treatments focusing on a single cytokine inhibition are clinically able to produce meaningful responses in only about half of the treated patients due to multiple cytokines involved in this disease. In the present study, a bispecific tandem single-chain variable fragment was designed in order to suppress both human tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-23 (IL23) as a potential therapeutic drug candidate for this disease. To do so, at first, eight bispecific tandem single-chain variable fragment models were built against tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-23 cytokines with different domain orders by the homology modeling, and then 50 ns molecular dynamics simulation was performed for each one and then structural properties were exploited. The MD simulation results indicate the fact that the domains' order strongly affects tandem single-chain variable fragment properties, and in overall, the fragment VLAIL23+Linker+VHAIL23+linker+VLATNF+Linker +VHATNF +His6 (VL and VH are light and heavy chain variable fragments and AIL23 and ATNF are anti-interleukin 23 and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α, respectively, and His6 is the six histidine) not only separated antibody domains accurately but also had better stability and solvation free energy. Therefore, this structure can be considered as an effective potential drug for rheumatoid arthritis. It is expected that the findings of this research could shed a light on the treatment approaches of the rheumatoid arthritis disease.
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Feldmann A, Hoffmann A, Bergmann R, Koristka S, Berndt N, Arndt C, Rodrigues Loureiro L, Kittel-Boselli E, Mitwasi N, Kegler A, Lamprecht C, González Soto KE, Bachmann M. Versatile chimeric antigen receptor platform for controllable and combinatorial T cell therapy. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1785608. [PMID: 32923149 PMCID: PMC7458653 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1785608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells show remarkable therapeutic effects in some hematological malignancies. However, CAR T cells can also cause life-threatening side effects. In order to minimize off-target and on-target/off-tumor reactions, improve safety, enable controllability, provide high flexibility, and increase tumor specificity, we established a novel humanized artificial receptor platform termed RevCARs. RevCAR genes encode for small surface receptors lacking any antigen-binding moiety. Steering of RevCAR T cells occurs via bispecific targeting molecules (TMs). The small size of RevCAR-encoding genes allows the construction of polycistronic vectors. Here, we demonstrate that RevCAR T cells efficiently kill tumor cells, can be steered by TMs, flexibly redirected against multiple targets, and used for combinatorial targeting following the "OR" and "AND" gate logic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Hoffmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Enrico Kittel-Boselli
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Chris Lamprecht
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Center of Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karla Elizabeth González Soto
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
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14
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Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Bergmann R, Koristka S, Berndt N, Máthé D, Hegedüs N, Szigeti K, Videira PA, Bachmann M, Arndt C. Extended half-life target module for sustainable UniCAR T-cell treatment of STn-expressing cancers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:77. [PMID: 32370811 PMCID: PMC7201957 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Adapter chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) approaches have emerged has promising strategies to increase clinical safety of CAR T-cell therapy. In the UniCAR system, the safety switch is controlled via a target module (TM) which is characterized by a small-size and short half-life. The rapid clearance of these TMs from the blood allows a quick steering and self-limiting safety switch of UniCAR T-cells by TM dosing. This is mainly important during onset of therapy when tumor burden and the risk for severe side effects are high. For long-term UniCAR therapy, the continuous infusion of TMs may not be an optimal setting for the patients. Thus, in later stages of treatment, single infusions of TMs with an increased half-life might play an important role in long-term surveillance and eradication of residual tumor cells. Given this, we aimed to develop and characterize a novel TM with extended half-life targeting the tumor-associated carbohydrate sialyl-Tn (STn). Methods The extended half-life TM is composed of the STn-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and the UniCAR epitope, fused to the hinge region and Fc domain of a human immunoglobulin 4 (IgG4) antibody. Specific binding and functionality of the αSTn-IgG4 TM as well as pharmacokinetic features were assessed using in vitro and in vivo assays and compared to the already established small-sized αSTn TM. Results The novel αSTn-IgG4 TM efficiently activates and redirects UniCAR T-cells to STn-expressing tumors in a target-specific and TM-dependent manner, thereby promoting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and tumor cell lysis in vitro and in experimental mice. Moreover, PET-imaging results demonstrate the specific enrichment of the αSTn-IgG4 TM at the tumor site, while presenting a prolonged serum half-life compared to the short-lived αSTn TM. Conclusion In a clinical setting, the combination of TMs with different formats and pharmacokinetics may represent a promising strategy for retargeting of UniCAR T-cells in a flexible, individualized and safe manner at particular stages of therapy. Furthermore, as these molecules can be used for in vivo imaging, they pose as attractive candidates for theranostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana R Loureiro
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Hegedüs
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Paula A Videira
- UCIBIO, Departamento Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany. .,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Tumor Immunology, University CancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
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Maryamchik E, Gallagher KME, Preffer FI, Kadauke S, Maus MV. New directions in chimeric antigen receptor T cell [CAR-T] therapy and related flow cytometry. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2020; 98:299-327. [PMID: 32352629 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells provide a promising approach to the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical modality, which plays an expanding role in all stages of CAR T therapy, from lymphocyte collection, to CAR T cell manufacturing, to in vivo monitoring of the infused cells and evaluation of their function in the tumor environment. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the new directions is important for designing and implementing CAR T-related flow cytometry assays in the clinical and investigational settings. However, the speed of new discoveries and the multitude of clinical and preclinical trials make it challenging to keep up to date in this complex field. In this review, we summarize the current state of CAR T therapy, highlight the areas of emergent research, discuss applications of flow cytometry in modern cell therapy, and touch upon several considerations particular to CAR detection and assessing the effectiveness of CAR T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Maryamchik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Frederic I Preffer
- Clinical Cytometry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephan Kadauke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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16
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Bäck TA, Jennbacken K, Hagberg Thulin M, Lindegren S, Jensen H, Olafsen T, Yazaki PJ, Palm S, Albertsson P, Damber JE, Wu AM, Welén K. Targeted alpha therapy with astatine-211-labeled anti-PSCA A11 minibody shows antitumor efficacy in prostate cancer xenografts and bone microtumors. EJNMMI Res 2020; 10:10. [PMID: 32048062 PMCID: PMC7013029 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-020-0600-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is a promising treatment for micrometastatic and minimal residual cancer. We evaluated systemic α-radioimmunotherapy (α-RIT) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) using the α-particle emitter 211At-labeled to the anti-PSCA A11 minibody. A11 is specific for prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), a cell surface glycoprotein which is overexpressed in more than 90% of both localized prostate cancer and bone metastases. METHODS PC3-PSCA cells were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.) and intratibially (i.t) in nude mice. Efficacy of α-RIT (two fractions-14-day interval) was studied on s.c. macrotumors (0, 1.5 and 1.9 MBq) and on i.t. microtumors (~100-200 μm; 0, 0.8 or 1.5 MBq) by tumor-volume measurements. The injected activities for therapies were estimated from separate biodistribution and myelotoxicity studies. RESULTS Tumor targeting of 211At-A11 was efficient and the effect on s.c. macrotumors was strong and dose-dependent. At 6 weeks, the mean tumor volumes for the treated groups, compared with controls, were reduced by approximately 85%. The separate myelotoxicity study following one single fraction showed reduced white blood cells (WBC) for all treated groups on day 6 after treatment. For the 0.8 and 1.5 MBq, the WBC reductions were transient and followed by recovery at day 13. For 2.4 MBq, a clear toxicity was observed and the mice were sacrificed on day 7. In the long-term follow-up of the 0.8 and 1.5 MBq-groups, blood counts on day 252 were normal and no signs of radiotoxicity observed. Efficacy on i.t. microtumors was evaluated in two experiments. In experiment 1, the tumor-free fraction (TFF) was 95% for both treated groups and significantly different (p < 0.05) from the controls at a TFF of 66%). In experiment 2, the difference in TFF was smaller, 32% for the treated group versus 20% for the controls. However, the difference in microtumor volume in experiment 2 was highly significant, 0.010 ± 0.003 mm3 versus 3.79 ± 1.24 mm3 (treated versus controls, respectively), i.e., a 99.7% reduction (p < 0.001). The different outcome in experiment 1 and 2 is most likely due to differences in microtumor sizes at therapy, or higher tumor-take in experiment 2 (where more cells were implanted). CONCLUSION Evaluating fractionated α-RIT with 211At-labeled anti-PSCA A11 minibody, we found clear growth inhibition on both macrotumors and intratibial microtumors. For mice treated with multiple fractions, we also observed radiotoxicity manifested by progressive loss in body weight at 30 to 90 days after treatment. Our findings are conceptually promising for a systemic TAT of mCRPC and warrant further investigations of 211At-labeled PSCA-directed vectors. Such studies should include methods to improve the therapeutic window, e.g., by implementing a pretargeted regimen of α-RIT or by altering the size of the targeting vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A Bäck
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gula stråket 2B SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Karin Jennbacken
- Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Bioscience Cardiovascular, Early Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Hagberg Thulin
- Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sture Lindegren
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gula stråket 2B SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Holger Jensen
- PET and Cyclotron Unit, KF-3982, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tove Olafsen
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Yazaki
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Stig Palm
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gula stråket 2B SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Albertsson
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan-Erik Damber
- Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna M Wu
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Karin Welén
- Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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17
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Feldmann A, Arndt C, Koristka S, Berndt N, Bergmann R, Bachmann MP. Conventional CARs versus modular CARs. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1713-1719. [PMID: 31542798 PMCID: PMC6805801 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02399-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The clinical application of immune effector cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has shown impressive results including complete remissions of certain malignant hematological diseases. However, their application can also cause severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). One limitation of currently applied CAR T cells is their lack of regulation. Especially, an emergency shutdown of CAR T cells in case of life-threatening side effects is missing. Moreover, targeting of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that are not only expressed on tumor cells but also on vital tissues requires the possibility of a switch allowing to repeatedly turn the activity of CAR T cells on and off. Here we summarize the development of a modular CAR variant termed universal CAR (UniCAR) system that promises to overcome these limitations of conventional CARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- University Cancer Center (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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18
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Arndt C, Feldmann A, Koristka S, Schäfer M, Bergmann R, Mitwasi N, Berndt N, Bachmann D, Kegler A, Schmitz M, Puentes-Cala E, Soto JA, Ehninger G, Pietzsch J, Liolios C, Wunderlich G, Kotzerke J, Kopka K, Bachmann M. A theranostic PSMA ligand for PET imaging and retargeting of T cells expressing the universal chimeric antigen receptor UniCAR. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:1659095. [PMID: 31646084 PMCID: PMC6791425 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1659095] [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: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown impressive therapeutic potential. Due to the lack of direct control mechanisms, therapy-related adverse reactions including cytokine release- and tumor lysis syndrome can even become life-threatening. In case of target antigen expression on non-malignant cells, CAR T cells can also attack healthy tissues. To overcome such side effects, we have established a modular CAR platform termed UniCAR: UniCAR T cells per se are inert as they recognize a peptide epitope (UniCAR epitope) that is not accessible on the surface of living cells. Bifunctional adapter molecules termed target modules (TM) can cross-link UniCAR T cells with target cells. In the absence of TMs, UniCAR T cells automatically turn off. Until now, all UniCAR TMs were constructed by fusion of the UniCAR epitope to an antibody domain. To open up the wide field of low-molecular-weight compounds for retargeting of UniCAR T cells to tumor cells, and to follow in parallel the progress of UniCAR T cell therapy by PET imaging we challenged the idea to convert a PET tracer into a UniCAR-TM. For proof of concept, we selected the clinically used PET tracer PSMA-11, which binds to the prostate-specific membrane antigen overexpressed in prostate carcinoma. Here we show that fusion of the UniCAR epitope to PSMA-11 results in a low-molecular-weight theranostic compound that can be used for both retargeting of UniCAR T cells to tumor cells, and for non-invasive PET imaging and thus represents a member of a novel class of theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Schäfer
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Dominik Bachmann
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jens Pietzsch
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christos Liolios
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerd Wunderlich
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Kotzerke
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus Kopka
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Jureczek J, Bergmann R, Berndt N, Koristka S, Kegler A, Puentes-Cala E, Soto JA, Arndt C, Bachmann M, Feldmann A. An oligo-His-tag of a targeting module does not influence its biodistribution and the retargeting capabilities of UniCAR T cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10547. [PMID: 31332252 PMCID: PMC6646371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47044-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we established the controllable modular UniCAR platform technology to advance the efficacy and safety of CAR T cell therapy. The UniCAR system is composed of (i) target modules (TMs) and (ii) UniCAR armed T cells. TMs are bispecific molecules that are able to bind to the tumor cell surface and simultaneously to UniCAR T cells. For interaction with UniCAR T cells, TMs contain a peptide epitope sequence which is recognised by UniCAR T cells. So far, a series of TMs against a variety of tumor targets including against the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) were constructed and functionally characterised. In order to facilitate their purification all these TMs are expressed as recombinant proteins equipped with an oligo-His-tag. The aim of the here presented manuscript was to learn whether or not the oligo-His-tag of the TM influences the UniCAR system. For this purpose, we constructed TMs against PSCA equipped with or lacking an oligo-His-tag. Both TMs were compared side by side including for functionality and biodistribution. According to our data, an oligo-His-tag of a UniCAR TM has only little if any effect on its binding affinity, in vitro and in vivo killing capability and in vivo biodistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Jureczek
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,University Cancer Center (UCC), Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,University Cancer Center (UCC), Tumor Immunology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. .,Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany. .,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
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20
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Liu D, Zhao J, Song Y. Engineering switchable and programmable universal CARs for CAR T therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:69. [PMID: 31272471 PMCID: PMC6610960 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0763-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A traditional chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has a fixed design, and one type of CAR T cells can only target one antigen epitope. This rigid design limits clinical application and leads to exceptionally high manufacturing cost. New CARs are being engineered with a modular approach so that the antigen recognition domain is split from the signaling domain of a conventional CAR, hence the target antigen can be switched or re-directed more readily without the requirement of re-engineering the CAR T cells. This CAR system can therefore serve as a universal CAR (UniCAR). The UniCAR platform has a modular design that splits the conventional CAR to 2 separate components: (1) a signaling module that binds to a specific epitope on the switching molecule and (2) a switching module with an antigen-binding domain and a switching epitope specifically recognized by the signaling module. A variety of switchable CARs have been engineered. The switchable modular designs include the dimerizing platforms using leucine zippers and biotin-avidin system, and the neo-epitope tagging platform using FITC, 5B9, and PNE. The switch molecule serves as a synapse between the CAR T cells and the target tumor cells. The universal CAR platforms are highly versatile, are easily re-programmable, and therefore have a vast potential for broad application and may significantly lower the cost of CAR T cell therapy. However, the current modular design of the switching molecules relies on adding exogenous sequences/epitopes. These unnatural epitopes can potentially lead to new antigenicity which may lead to generation of blocking antibodies. Furthermore, the generation, preparation, and clinical applications of the switching modules per se may involve additional clinical trials and regulatory examination for safety and efficacy, since repeated administrations of these molecules/"drugs" are anticipated. Thus, these switching molecules and UniCAR CAR T cells may require separate clinical trials and invoke different regulatory processes. This whole field is medically appealing and could present new challenges in the development of novel immunotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY USA
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- The affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
| | - Yongping Song
- The affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
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21
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Arndt C, Bachmann M, Bergmann R, Berndt N, Feldmann A, Koristka S. Theranostic CAR T cell targeting: A brief review. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2019; 62:533-540. [PMID: 30889625 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
More than hundred years ago, Paul Ehrlich postulated that our immune system should be able to recognize tumor cells. Just recently, the development of check point inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) underlines the true power of our immune system. T cells genetically modified with CARs can lead to complete remission of malignant hematologic diseases. However, they can also cause life-threatening side effects. In case of cytokine release syndrome, tumor lysis syndrome, or deadly side effects on the central nervous system, an emergency shut down of CAR T cells is needed. Targeting of tumor-associated antigens that are also expressed on vital tissues require a possibility to repeatedly switch the activity of CAR T cells on and off on demand and to follow the treatment by imaging. Theranostic, modular CARs such as the UniCAR system may help to overcome these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
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22
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The UniCAR system: A modular CAR T cell approach to improve the safety of CAR T cells. Immunol Lett 2019; 211:13-22. [PMID: 31091431 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The idea to eliminate tumor cells via our own immune system is more than a hundred years old. However, a real break through came first with the development of check point inhibitors, bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) and T cells genetically modified to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Eventhough the clinical application of T cells equipped with CARs can lead to a complete remission, unfortunately, their application can also cause severe or even life threatening side effects as their activity can no more be adjusted once given to the patient. For targeting of tumor cells expressing tumor associated antigens (TAAs) which are not limited to tumor cells but also accessible on healthy tissues CAR T cells should not be permanently in a killing mode but be equipped with some kind of a switch whereby the activity of CAR T cells can reversely be turned "on and off ". Moreover, in case of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), or other deadly side effects the possibility of an emergency shut down of the CAR T cell activity should exist. Modular CAR variants such as the UniCAR system may fulfill these requirements.
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23
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Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Bergmann R, Koristka S, Berndt N, Arndt C, Pietzsch J, Novo C, Videira P, Bachmann M. Development of a novel target module redirecting UniCAR T cells to Sialyl Tn-expressing tumor cells. Blood Cancer J 2018; 8:81. [PMID: 30190468 PMCID: PMC6127150 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-018-0113-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L R Loureiro
- UCIBIO, Departamento Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - A Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - R Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - S Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - N Berndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Dresden, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - J Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - C Novo
- UCIBIO, Departamento Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,UEIPM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,CDG & Allies, Professional and Patient Association International Network (PPAIN), Caparica, Portugal
| | - P Videira
- UCIBIO, Departamento Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,UEIPM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,CDG & Allies, Professional and Patient Association International Network (PPAIN), Caparica, Portugal
| | - M Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany. .,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) Dresden, Tumor Immunology, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Dresden, Heidelberg, Germany. .,National Center of Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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24
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Martyniszyn A, Krahl AC, André MC, Hombach AA, Abken H. CD20-CD19 Bispecific CAR T Cells for the Treatment of B-Cell Malignancies. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 28:1147-1157. [PMID: 29207878 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of leukemia/lymphoma by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirected T cells with specificity for CD19 induced complete remissions in the majority of patients, with a realistic hope for cure. However, recent follow-up data revealed a substantial risk of relapse through leukemic cells that lack the CAR targeted antigen. In this situation, a bispecific CAR with binding domains for CD19 and CD20 is aimed at recognizing leukemic cells with only one cognate antigen. The anti-CD20-CD19 bispecific CAR induced a full T-cell response upon engagement of CD19 or CD20 on target cells showing a true "OR" gate recognition in redirecting T-cell activation. T cells with the anti-CD20-CD19 CAR efficiently killed patients' chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro. The bispecific CAR T cells cleared pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia with a mixed CD19+CD20+/CD20- phenotype from the blood and bone marrow of transplanted mice, while anti-CD20 CAR T cells left CD20- leukemic cells behind without curing the disease. Data indicate the superior anti-leukemic activity in the control of leukemia, implying that the anti-CD20-CD19 bispecific CAR T cells may reduce the risk of relapse through antigen-loss leukemic cells in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Martyniszyn
- 1 Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, and Deparment I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Krahl
- 2 Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maya C André
- 2 Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University , Tübingen, Germany.,3 Deparment of Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital , Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas A Hombach
- 1 Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, and Deparment I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- 1 Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, and Deparment I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany
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25
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Feldmann A, Arndt C, Bergmann R, Loff S, Cartellieri M, Bachmann D, Aliperta R, Hetzenecker M, Ludwig F, Albert S, Ziller-Walter P, Kegler A, Koristka S, Gärtner S, Schmitz M, Ehninger A, Ehninger G, Pietzsch J, Steinbach J, Bachmann M. Retargeting of T lymphocytes to PSCA- or PSMA positive prostate cancer cells using the novel modular chimeric antigen receptor platform technology "UniCAR". Oncotarget 2018; 8:31368-31385. [PMID: 28404896 PMCID: PMC5458214 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
New treatment options especially of solid tumors including for metastasized prostate cancer (PCa) are urgently needed. Recent treatments of leukemias with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) underline their impressive therapeutic potential. However CARs currently applied in the clinics cannot be repeatedly turned on and off potentially leading to severe life threatening side effects. To overcome these problems, we recently described a modular CAR technology termed UniCAR: UniCAR T cells are inert but can be turned on by application of one or multiple target modules (TMs). Here we present preclinical data summarizing the retargeting of UniCAR T cells to PCa cells using TMs directed to prostate stem cell- (PSCA) or/and prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). In the presence of the respective TM(s), we see a highly efficient target-specific and target-dependent activation of UniCAR T cells, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and PCa cell lysis both in vitro and experimental mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon Loff
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany.,GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Cartellieri
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dominik Bachmann
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roberta Aliperta
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirjam Hetzenecker
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian Ludwig
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Albert
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Ziller-Walter
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Gärtner
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- Institute of Immunology, 'Carl Gustav Carus', TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Gerhard Ehninger
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany.,Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital 'Carl Gustav Carus', TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC) 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany.,Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital 'Carl Gustav Carus', TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, 'Carl Gustav Carus' TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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26
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Koristka S, Kegler A, Bergmann R, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Albert S, Cartellieri M, Ehninger A, Ehninger G, Middeke JM, Bornhäuser M, Schmitz M, Pietzsch J, Akgün K, Ziemssen T, Steinbach J, Bachmann MP. Engrafting human regulatory T cells with a flexible modular chimeric antigen receptor technology. J Autoimmun 2018; 90:116-131. [PMID: 29503042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
As regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a fundamental role in immune homeostasis their adoptive transfer emerged as a promising treatment strategy for inflammation-related diseases. Preclinical animal models underline the superiority of antigen-specific Tregs compared to polyclonal cells. Here, we applied a modular chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology called UniCAR for generation of antigen-specific human Tregs. In contrast to conventional CARs, UniCAR-endowed Tregs are indirectly linked to their target cells via a separate targeting module (TM). Thus, transduced Tregs can be applied universally as their antigen-specificity is easily adjusted by TM exchange. Activation of UniCAR-engrafted Tregs occurred in strict dependence on the TM, facilitating a precise control over Treg activity. In order to augment efficacy and safety, different intracellular signaling domains were tested. Both 4-1BB (CD137) and CD28 costimulation induced strong suppressive function of genetically modified Tregs. However, in light of safety issues, UniCARs comprising a CD137-CD3ζ signaling domain emerged as constructs of choice for a clinical application of redirected Tregs. In that regard, Tregs isolated from patients suffering from autoimmune or inflammatory diseases were, for the first time, successfully engineered with UniCAR 137/ζ and efficiently suppressed patient-derived effector cells. Overall, the UniCAR platform represents a promising approach to improve Treg-based immunotherapies for tolerance induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Koristka
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Albert
- Tumor Immunology, UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Cartellieri
- Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Armin Ehninger
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Moritz Middeke
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstr. 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Akgün
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstr. 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; Tumor Immunology, UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 'Carl Gustav Carus' Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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27
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Bachmann D, Aliperta R, Bergmann R, Feldmann A, Koristka S, Arndt C, Loff S, Welzel P, Albert S, Kegler A, Ehninger A, Cartellieri M, Ehninger G, Bornhäuser M, von Bonin M, Werner C, Pietzsch J, Steinbach J, Bachmann M. Retargeting of UniCAR T cells with an in vivo synthesized target module directed against CD19 positive tumor cells. Oncotarget 2017; 9:7487-7500. [PMID: 29484126 PMCID: PMC5800918 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent treatments of leukemias with T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) underline their impressive therapeutic potential but also their risk of severe side effects including cytokine release storms and tumor lysis syndrome. In case of cross-reactivities, CAR T cells may also attack healthy tissues. To overcome these limitations, we previously established a switchable CAR platform technology termed UniCAR. UniCARs are not directed against typical tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) but instead against a unique peptide epitope: Fusion of this peptide epitope to a recombinant antibody domain results in a target module (TM). TMs can cross-link UniCAR T cells with tumor cells and thereby lead to their destruction. So far, we constructed TMs with a short half-life. The fast turnover of such a TM allows to rapidly interrupt the treatment in case severe side effects occur. After elimination of most of the tumor cells, however, longer lasting TMs which have not to be applied via continous infusion would be more convenient for the patient. Here we describe and characterize a TM for retargeting UniCAR T cells to CD19 positive tumor cells. Moreover, we show that the TM can efficiently be produced in vivo from producer cells housed in a sponge-like biomimetic cryogel and, thereby, serving as an in vivo TM factory for an extended retargeting of UniCAR T cells to CD19 positive leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Bachmann
- University Cancer Center, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roberta Aliperta
- University Cancer Center, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koristka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon Loff
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Petra Welzel
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Albert
- University Cancer Center, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Gerhard Ehninger
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Malte von Bonin
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Werner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- University Cancer Center, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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28
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Development of novel target modules for retargeting of UniCAR T cells to GD2 positive tumor cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:108584-108603. [PMID: 29312553 PMCID: PMC5752466 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As the expression of a tumor associated antigen (TAA) is commonly not restricted to tumor cells, adoptively transferred T cells modified to express a conventional chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) might not only destroy the tumor cells but also attack target-positive healthy tissues. Furthermore, CAR T cells in patients with large tumor bulks will unpredictably proliferate and put the patients at high risk of adverse side effects including cytokine storms and tumor lysis syndrome. To overcome these problems, we previously established a modular CAR technology termed UniCAR: UniCAR T cells can repeatedly be turned on and off via dosing of a target module (TM). TMs are bispecific molecules which cross-link UniCAR T cells with target cells. After elimination of the respective TM, UniCAR T cells automatically turn off. Here we describe novel TMs against the disialoganglioside GD2 which is overexpressed in neuroectodermal but also many other tumors. In the presence of GD2-specific TMs, we see a highly efficient target-specific and -dependent activation of UniCAR T cells, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and tumor cell lysis both in vitro and experimental mice. According to PET-imaging, anti-GD2 TM enrich at the tumor site and are rapidly eliminated thus fulfilling all prerequisites of a UniCAR TM.
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29
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Novel prostate cancer immunotherapy with a DNA-encoded anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen monoclonal antibody. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2017; 66:1577-1588. [PMID: 28819703 PMCID: PMC5676807 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2042-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed at high levels on malignant prostate cells and is likely an important therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate carcinoma. Current immunotherapy approaches to target PSMA include peptide, cell, vector or DNA-based vaccines as well as passive administration of PSMA-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Conventional mAb immunotherapy has numerous logistical and practical limitations, including high production costs and a requirement for frequent dosing due to short mAb serum half-life. In this report, we describe a novel strategy of antibody-based immunotherapy against prostate carcinoma that utilizes synthetic DNA plasmids that encode a therapeutic human mAb that target PSMA. Electroporation-enhanced intramuscular injection of the DNA-encoded mAb (DMAb) plasmid into mice led to the production of functional and durable levels of the anti-PSMA antibody. The anti-PSMA produced in vivo controlled tumor growth and prolonged survival in a mouse model. This is likely mediated by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) effect with the aid of NK cells. Further study of this novel approach for treatment of human prostate disease and other malignant conditions is warranted.
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30
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Pishali Bejestani E, Cartellieri M, Bergmann R, Ehninger A, Loff S, Kramer M, Spehr J, Dietrich A, Feldmann A, Albert S, Wermke M, Baumann M, Krause M, Bornhäuser M, Ehninger G, Bachmann M, von Bonin M. Characterization of a switchable chimeric antigen receptor platform in a pre-clinical solid tumor model. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1342909. [PMID: 29123951 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1342909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The universal modular chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) platform redirects CAR-T cells using a separated, soluble targeting module with a short half-life. This segregation allows precise controllability and flexibility. Herein we show that the UniCAR platform can be used to efficiently target solid cancers in vitro and in vivo using a pre-clinical prostate cancer model which overexpresses prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA). Short-term administration of the targeting module to tumor bearing immunocompromised mice engrafted with human UniCAR-T cells significantly delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival of recipient mice both in a low and high tumor burden model. In addition, we analyzed phenotypic and functional changes of cancer cells and UniCAR-T cells in association with the administration of the targeting module to reveal potential immunoevasive mechanisms. Most notably, UniCAR-T cell activation induced upregulation of immune-inhibitory molecules such as programmed death ligands. In conclusion, this work illustrates that the UniCAR platform mediates potent anti-tumor activity in a relevant in vitro and in vivo solid tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Pishali Bejestani
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Bergmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Simon Loff
- GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Kramer
- Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Antje Dietrich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Albert
- UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Wermke
- Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Baumann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Cellex Patient Treatment GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,GEMoaB Monoclonals GmbH, Dresden, Germany.,UniversityCancerCenter (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Malte von Bonin
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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Exploratory investigation of PSCA-protein expression in primary breast cancer patients reveals a link to HER2/neu overexpression. Oncotarget 2017; 8:54592-54603. [PMID: 28903367 PMCID: PMC5589606 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17523] [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: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) has been suggested as biomarker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Recent advances showed that PSCA is up-regulated in other cancer entities, such as bladder or pancreatic cancer. However, the clinical relevance of PSCA-expression in breast cancer patients has not yet been established and is therefore addressed by the current study. METHODS PSCA-protein expression was assessed in 405 breast cancer patients, using immunohistochemistry (PSCA antibody MB1) and tissue microarrays. RESULTS PSCA-expression was detected in 94/405 patients (23%) and correlated with unfavorable histopathological grade (p=0.011) and increased Ki67 proliferation index (p=0.006). We observed a strong positive correlation between PSCA-protein expression and HER2/neu receptor status (p<0.001). PSCA did not provide prognostic information in the analyzed cohort. Interestingly, the distribution of PSCA-expression among triple negative patients was comparable to the total population. CONCLUSION We identified a subgroup of PSCA-positive breast cancer patients, which could be amenable for a PSCA-targeted therapy. Moreover, given that we found a strong positive correlation between PSCA- and HER/neu expression, targeting PSCA may provide an alternative therapeutic option in case of trastuzumab resistance.
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Evans JC, Malhotra M, Cryan JF, O'Driscoll CM. The therapeutic and diagnostic potential of the prostate specific membrane antigen/glutamate carboxypeptidase II (PSMA/GCPII) in cancer and neurological disease. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:3041-3079. [PMID: 27526115 PMCID: PMC5056232 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) otherwise known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a membrane bound protein that is highly expressed in prostate cancer and in the neovasculature of a wide variety of tumours including glioblastomas, breast and bladder cancers. This protein is also involved in a variety of neurological diseases including schizophrenia and ALS. In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of both diagnostics and therapeutics that take advantage of the expression and activity of PSMA/GCPII. These include gene therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this review, we discuss the biological roles that PSMA/GCPII plays, both in normal and diseased tissues, and the current therapies exploiting its activity that are at the preclinical stage. We conclude by giving an expert opinion on the future direction of PSMA/GCPII based therapies and diagnostics and hurdles that need to be overcome to make them effective and viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Evans
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Meenakshi Malhotra
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Bispecific antibodies and CARs: generalized immunotherapeutics harnessing T cell redirection. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 40:24-35. [PMID: 26963133 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To realize the full potential of cancer immunotherapy, the latest generation immunotherapeutics are designed to harness the potent tumor-killing capacity of T cells. Thus, to mobilize T cells, new optimized bispecific antibody (BsAb) designs, enabling efficient polyclonal redirection of cytotoxic activity through binding to CD3 and a Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA) and refined genetically modified T cells have recently expanded the arsenal of available options for cancer treatment. This review presents the current understanding of the parameters crucial to the design of optimal T cell redirecting BsAb and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells. However, there are additional questions that require thorough elucidation. Both modalities will benefit from design changes that may increase the therapeutic window. One such approach could employ the discrimination afforded by multiple TAA to significantly increase selectivity.
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Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy was selected as the Breakthrough of the Year 2013 by the editors of Science, in part because of the successful treatment of refractory hematological malignancies with adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells. Effective treatment of B cell leukemia may pave the road to future treatment of solid tumors, using similar approaches. The prostate expresses many unique proteins and, since the prostate gland is a dispensable organ, CAR T cells can potentially be used to target these tissue-specific antigens. However, the location and composition of prostate cancer metastases complicate the task of treating these tumors. It is therefore likely that more sophisticated CAR T cell approaches are going to be required for prostate metastasis than for B cell malignancies. Two main challenges that need to be resolved are how to increase the migration and infiltration of CAR T cells into prostate cancer bone metastases and how to counteract the immunosuppressive microenvironment found in bone lesions. Inclusion of homing (chemokine) receptors in CAR T cells may improve their recruitment to bone metastases, as may antibody-based combination therapies to normalize the tumor vasculature. Optimal activation of CAR T cells through the introduction of multiple costimulatory domains would help to overcome inhibitory signals from the tumor microenvironment. Likewise, combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors that can reduce tumor immunosuppression may help improve efficacy. Other elegant approaches such as induced expression of immune stimulatory cytokines upon target recognition may also help to recruit other effector immune cells to metastatic sites. Although toxicities are difficult to predict in prostate cancer, severe on-target/off-tumor toxicities have been observed in clinical trials with use of CAR T cells against hematological malignancies; therefore, the choice of the target antigen is going to be crucial. This review focuses on different means of accomplishing maximal effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy for prostate cancer bone metastases while minimizing side effects and CAR T cell-associated toxicities. CAR T cell-based therapies for prostate cancer have the potential to be a therapy model for other solid tumors.
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Fawzy MS, Mohamed RH, Elfayoumi ARR. Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) mRNA expression in peripheral blood in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and/or prostate cancer. Med Oncol 2015; 32:74. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0529-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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