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Hussain K, Liu R, Smith RCG, Müller KTJ, Ghorbani M, Macari S, Cleary KLS, Oldham RJ, Foxall RB, James S, Booth SG, Murray T, Dahal LN, Hargreaves CE, Kemp RS, Longley J, Douglas J, Markham H, Chee SJ, Stopforth RJ, Roghanian A, Carter MJ, Ottensmeier CH, Frendéus B, Cutress RI, French RR, Glennie MJ, Strefford JC, Thirdborough SM, Beers SA, Cragg MS. HIF activation enhances FcγRIIb expression on mononuclear phagocytes impeding tumor targeting antibody immunotherapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:131. [PMID: 35392965 PMCID: PMC8988350 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02294-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxia is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and in addition to altering metabolism in cancer cells, it transforms tumor-associated stromal cells. Within the tumor stromal cell compartment, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) provide potent pro-tumoral support. However, TAMs can also be harnessed to destroy tumor cells by monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapy, through antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). This is mediated via antibody-binding activating Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) and impaired by the single inhibitory FcγR, FcγRIIb. METHODS We applied a multi-OMIC approach coupled with in vitro functional assays and murine tumor models to assess the effects of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) activation on mAb mediated depletion of human and murine cancer cells. For mechanistic assessments, siRNA-mediated gene silencing, Western blotting and chromatin immune precipitation were utilized to assess the impact of identified regulators on FCGR2B gene transcription. RESULTS We report that TAMs are FcγRIIbbright relative to healthy tissue counterparts and under hypoxic conditions, mononuclear phagocytes markedly upregulate FcγRIIb. This enhanced FcγRIIb expression is transcriptionally driven through HIFs and Activator protein 1 (AP-1). Importantly, this phenotype reduces the ability of macrophages to eliminate anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) opsonized human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro and EL4 lymphoma cells in vivo in human FcγRIIb+/+ transgenic mice. Furthermore, post-HIF activation, mAb mediated blockade of FcγRIIb can partially restore phagocytic function in human monocytes. CONCLUSION Our findings provide a detailed molecular and cellular basis for hypoxia driven resistance to antitumor mAb immunotherapy, unveiling a hitherto unexplored aspect of the TME. These findings provide a mechanistic rationale for the modulation of FcγRIIb expression or its blockade as a promising strategy to enhance approved and novel mAb immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khiyam Hussain
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Rena Liu
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Rosanna C G Smith
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Kri T J Müller
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Mohammadmersad Ghorbani
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Cancer Genomics Group, Southampton Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Sofia Macari
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Kirstie L S Cleary
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Robert J Oldham
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Russell B Foxall
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Sonya James
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Steven G Booth
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Tom Murray
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Lekh N Dahal
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Chantal E Hargreaves
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Robert S Kemp
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jemma Longley
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - James Douglas
- University Hospital Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, Hampshire, UK
| | - Hannah Markham
- University Hospital Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, Hampshire, UK
| | - Serena J Chee
- CRUK Southampton Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Richard J Stopforth
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ali Roghanian
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthew J Carter
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Christian H Ottensmeier
- CRUK Southampton Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Bjorn Frendéus
- Preclinical Research, BioInvent International AB, Sölvegatan 41, 22370, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ramsey I Cutress
- CRUK Southampton Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ruth R French
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Martin J Glennie
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jonathan C Strefford
- Cancer Genomics Group, Southampton Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephen M Thirdborough
- CRUK Southampton Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephen A Beers
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Mark S Cragg
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
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Wang X, Yu Z, Liu W, Tang H, Yi D, Wei M. Recent progress on MHC-I epitope prediction in tumor immunotherapy. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2401-2416. [PMID: 34249407 PMCID: PMC8263640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy has now become one of the most potential therapy for those intractable cancer diseases. The antigens on the cancer cell surfaces are the keys for the immune system to recognize and eliminate them. As reported, the immunogenicity of the tumor antigens could be determined by the binding between the key epitope peptides and MHC molecules. In recent years, the approaches to anticipate the peptides from the candidate epitopes have gradually changed into more efficient methods. Including the improved conventional methods, more diverse methods were coming into view. Here we review the anticipated methods of the tumor associated epitopes that specifically bind with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, and the recent advances and applications of those epitope prediction methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Zhaojin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Wensi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Haichao Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Dongxu Yi
- The Affiliated Reproductive Hospital of China Medical UniversityNo. 10 Puhe Street, Huanggu District Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical UniversityNo. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China
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3
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Fischer C, Munks MW, Hill AB, Kroczek RA, Bissinger S, Brand V, Schmittnaegel M, Imhof-Jung S, Hoffmann E, Herting F, Klein C, Knoetgen H. Vaccine-induced CD8 T cells are redirected with peptide-MHC class I-IgG antibody fusion proteins to eliminate tumor cells in vivo. MAbs 2020; 12:1834818. [PMID: 33151105 PMCID: PMC7668529 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1834818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simulating a viral infection in tumor cells is an attractive concept to eliminate tumor cells. We previously reported the molecular design and the in vitro potency of recombinant monoclonal antibodies fused to a virus-derived peptide MHC class I complex that bypass the peptide processing and MHC loading pathway and directly displays a viral peptide in an MHC class I complex on the tumor cell surface. Here, we show that a vaccination-induced single peptide-specific CD8 T cell response was sufficient to eliminate B16 melanoma tumor cells in vivo in a fully immunocompetent, syngeneic mouse tumor model when mice were treated with mouse pMHCI-IgGs fusion proteins targeting the mouse fibroblast activation protein. Tumor growth of small, established B16 lung metastases could be controlled. The pMHCI-IgG had similar potency as an analogous pan-CD3 T-cell bispecific antibody. In contrast to growth control of small tumors, none of the compounds controlled larger solid tumors of MC38 cancer cells, despite penetration of pMHCI-IgGs into the tumor tissue and clear attraction and activation of antigen-specific CD8 T cells inside the tumor. pMHCI-IgG can have a similar potency as classical pan-T-cell recruiting molecules. The results also highlight the need to better understand immune suppression in advanced solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Fischer
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Michael W. Munks
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ann B. Hill
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Stefan Bissinger
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Verena Brand
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Imhof-Jung
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Eike Hoffmann
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Frank Herting
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik Knoetgen
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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4
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Schappert A, Schneck JP, Suarez L, Oelke M, Schütz C. Soluble MHC class I complexes for targeted immunotherapy. Life Sci 2018; 209:255-258. [PMID: 30102903 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) have been used for more than two decades in clinical and pre-clinical approaches of tumor immunotherapy. They have been proven efficient for detecting anti-tumor-specific T cells when utilized as soluble multimers, immobilized on cells or artificial structures such as artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPC) and have been shown to generate effective anti-tumor responses. In this review we summarize the use of soluble MHC class I complexes in tumor vaccination studies, highlighting the different strategies and their contradicting results. In summary, we believe that soluble MHC class I molecules represent an exciting tool with great potential to impact the understanding and development of immunotherapeutic approaches on many levels from monitoring to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schappert
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Division of Immunology, Langen, Germany; Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital/Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Jonathan P Schneck
- Institute of Cell Engineering, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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5
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Schütz C, Varela JC, Perica K, Haupt C, Oelke M, Schneck JP. Antigen-specific T cell Redirectors: a nanoparticle based approach for redirecting T cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:68503-68512. [PMID: 27602488 PMCID: PMC5356569 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Redirection of T cells to target and destroy tumors has become an important clinical tool and major area of research in tumor immunology. Here we present a novel, nanoparticle-based approach to selectively bind antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and redirect them to kill tumors, termed ATR (Antigen-specific T cell Redirectors). ATR were generated by decorating nanoparticles with both an antigen-specific T cell binding moiety, either peptide loaded MHC-Ig dimer or clonotypic anti-TCR antibody, and a model tumor cell binding moiety, anti-CD19 antibody to engage CD19+ tumor cells. ATR stably bind tumor cells and CTL in a dose dependent fashion and stimulate antigen-specific conjugate formation between those cells. ATR induced redirected lysis of tumor cells in vitro, as demonstrated by 51Cr-release killing. In vivo ATR administration led to reduced tumor growth in a SCID/beige human lymphoma treatment model. In summary, ATR represent a novel, nanoparticle based approach for redirecting antigen-specific CTL to kill tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schütz
- Institute of Cell Engineering and Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Current address: Division of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Varela
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Karlo Perica
- Institute of Cell Engineering and Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carl Haupt
- Institute of Cell Engineering and Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mathias Oelke
- Institute of Cell Engineering and Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,NexImmune Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan P Schneck
- Institute of Cell Engineering and Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Zhang L, Donda A. Alpha-Galactosylceramide/CD1d-Antibody Fusion Proteins Redirect Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Immunity to Solid Tumors and Promote Prolonged Therapeutic Responses. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1417. [PMID: 29163493 PMCID: PMC5672503 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Major progress in cancer immunotherapies have been obtained by the use of tumor targeting strategies, in particular with the development of bi-functional fusion proteins such as ImmTacs or BiTes, which engage effector T cells for targeted elimination of tumor cells. Given the significance of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in bridging innate and adaptive immunity, we have developed a bi-functional protein composed of the extracellular part of CD1d molecule that was genetically fused to an scFv fragment from high affinity antibodies against HER2 or CEA. Systemic treatments with the CD1d-antitumor fusion proteins loaded with the agonist alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) led to specific iNKT cell activation, resulting in a sustained growth inhibition of established tumors expressing HER2 or CEA, while treatment with the free αGalCer was ineffective. Importantly, we discovered that αGalCer/CD1d-antitumor fusion proteins were able to maintain iNKT cells reactive to multiple re-stimulations in contrast to their anergic state induced after a single injection of free αGalCer. We further demonstrated that the antitumor effects by αGalCer/CD1d-antitumor fusion proteins were largely dependent on the iNKT cell-mediated transactivation of NK cells. Moreover, prolonged antitumor effects could be obtained when combining the CD1d-antitumor fusion protein treatment with a therapeutic peptide/CpG cancer vaccine, which favored the capacity of iNKT cells to transactivate cross-presenting DCs for efficient priming of tumor-specific CD8 T cells. We will also summarize these pre-clinical results with a special focus on the cellular mechanisms underlying iNKT cell unresponsiveness to antigen re-challenge. Finally, we will discuss the perspectives regarding iNKT cell-mediated tumor targeting strategy in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianjun Zhang
- Translational Tumor Immunology Group, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alena Donda
- Translational Tumor Immunology Group, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Schmittnaegel M, Hoffmann E, Imhof-Jung S, Fischer C, Drabner G, Georges G, Klein C, Knoetgen H. A New Class of Bifunctional Major Histocompatibility Class I Antibody Fusion Molecules to Redirect CD8 T Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:2130-42. [PMID: 27353170 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bifunctional antibody fusion proteins engaging effector T cells for targeted elimination of tumor cells via CD3 binding have shown efficacy in both preclinical and clinical studies. Different from such a polyclonal T-cell recruitment, an alternative concept is to engage only antigen-specific T-cell subsets. Recruitment of specific subsets of T cells may be as potent but potentially lead to fewer side effects. Tumor-targeted peptide-MHC class I complexes (pMHCI-IgGs) bearing known antigenic peptides complexed with MHC class I molecules mark tumor cells as antigenic and utilize the physiologic way to interact with and activate T-cell receptors. If, for example, virus-specific CD8(+) T cells are addressed, the associated strong antigenicity and tight immune surveillance of the effector cells could lead to efficacious antitumor treatment in various tissues. However, peptide-MHC class I fusions are difficult to express recombinantly, especially when fused to entire antibody molecules. Consequently, current formats are largely limited to small antibody fragment fusions expressed in bacteria followed by refolding or chemical conjugation. Here, we describe a new molecular format bearing a single pMHCI complex per IgG fusion molecule characterized by enhanced stability and expression yields. This molecular format can be expressed in a full immunoglobulin format and can be designed as mono- or bivalent antibody binders. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(9); 2130-42. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eike Hoffmann
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Imhof-Jung
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelia Fischer
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Drabner
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Guy Georges
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik Knoetgen
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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8
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Noy R, Haus-Cohen M, Oved K, Voloshin T, Reiter Y. Recruitment of Oligoclonal Viral-Specific T cells to Kill Human Tumor Cells Using Single-Chain Antibody-Peptide-HLA Fusion Molecules. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:1327-35. [PMID: 25852061 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor progression is often associated with the development of diverse immune escape mechanisms. One of the main tumor escape mechanism is HLA loss, in which human solid tumors exhibit alterations in HLA expression. Moreover, tumors that present immunogenic peptides via class I MHC molecules are not susceptible to CTL-mediated lysis, because of the relatively low potency of the tumor-specific CLTs. Here, we present a novel cancer immunotherapy approach that overcomes these problems by using the high affinity and specificity of antitumor antibodies to recruit potent antiviral memory CTLs to attack tumor cells. We constructed a recombinant molecule by genetic fusion of a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-derived peptide pp65 (NLVPMVATV) to scHLA-A2 molecules that were genetically fused to a single-chain Fv Ab fragment specific for the tumor cell surface antigen mesothelin. This fully covalent fusion molecule was expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies and refolded in vitro. The fusion molecules could specifically bind mesothelin-expressing cells and mediate their lysis by NLVPMVATV-specific HLA-A2-restricted human CTLs. More importantly, these molecules exhibited very potent antitumor activity in vivo in a nude mouse model bearing preestablished human tumor xenografts that were adoptively transferred along with human memory CTLs. These results represent a novel and powerful approach to immunotherapy for solid tumors, as demonstrated by the ability of the CMV-scHLA-A2-SS1(scFv) fusion molecule to mediate specific and efficient recruitment of CMV-specific CTLs to kill tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Noy
- Cancer Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Maya Haus-Cohen
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kfir Oved
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tali Voloshin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yoram Reiter
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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9
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Schmittnaegel M, Levitsky V, Hoffmann E, Georges G, Mundigl O, Klein C, Knoetgen H. Committing Cytomegalovirus-Specific CD8 T Cells to Eliminate Tumor Cells by Bifunctional Major Histocompatibility Class I Antibody Fusion Molecules. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:764-76. [PMID: 25691327 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor cells escape immune eradication through multiple mechanisms, including loss of antigenicity and local suppression of effector lymphocytes. To counteract these obstacles, we aimed to direct the unique cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific immune surveillance against tumor cells. We developed a novel generation of fusion proteins composed of a tumor antigen-specific full immunoglobulin connected to a single major histocompatibility class I complex bearing a covalently linked virus-derived peptide (pMHCI-IgG). Here, we show that tumor antigen-expressing cancer cells, which are decorated with pMHCI-IgGs containing a HLA-A*0201 molecule associated with a CMV-derived peptide, are specifically eliminated through engagement of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations of CMV-infected humans. These CD8(+) T cells act without additional expansion, preactivation, or provision of costimulatory signals. Elimination of tumor cells is induced at similar concentrations and with similar time kinetics as those seen with bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE). However, while BiTE-like reagents indiscriminately activate T cells through binding to the T-cell receptor complex, pMHCI-IgGs selectively engage antigen-specific, constantly renewable, differentiated effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes to tumor cells, thereby representing a novel class of anticancer immunotherapeutics with potentially improved safety and efficacy profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Schmittnaegel
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Victor Levitsky
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eike Hoffmann
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Guy Georges
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Mundigl
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik Knoetgen
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany.
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Lameris R, de Bruin RCG, Schneiders FL, van Bergen en Henegouwen PMP, Verheul HMW, de Gruijl TD, van der Vliet HJ. Bispecific antibody platforms for cancer immunotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2014; 92:153-65. [PMID: 25195094 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades advances in bioengineering and expanded insight in tumor immunology have resulted in the emergence of novel bispecific antibody (bsAb) constructs that are capable of redirecting immune effector cells to the tumor microenvironment. (Pre-) clinical studies of various bsAb constructs have shown impressive results in terms of immune effector cell retargeting, target dependent activation and the induction of anti-tumor responses. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of bsAb-therapy and limitations that were encountered. Furthermore, we will discuss potential future developments that can be expected to take the bsAb approach successfully forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeland Lameris
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renée C G de Bruin
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Famke L Schneiders
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul M P van Bergen en Henegouwen
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J van der Vliet
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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