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Isvoranu G, Chiritoiu-Butnaru M. Therapeutic potential of interleukin-21 in cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369743. [PMID: 38638431 PMCID: PMC11024325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369743] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is an immunostimulatory cytokine which belongs to the common gamma-chain family of cytokines. It plays an import role in the development, differentiation, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, in particular T and natural killer (NK) cells. Since its discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been shown to regulate both adaptive and immune responses associates with key role in antiviral and antitumor responses. Recent advances indicate IL-21 as a promising target for cancer treatment and encouraging results were obtained in preclinical studies which investigated the potency of IL-21 alone or in combination with other therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitory molecules, oncolytic virotherapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Furthermore, IL-21 showed antitumor effects in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, with minimal side effects in several clinical trials. In the present review, we will outline the recent progress in IL-21 research, highlighting the potential of IL-21 based therapy as single agent or in combination with other drugs to enhance cancer treatment efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheorghita Isvoranu
- Department of Animal Husbandry,” Victor Babeș” National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marioara Chiritoiu-Butnaru
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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2
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Vo MC, Jung SH, Nguyen VT, Tran VDH, Ruzimurodov N, Kim SK, Nguyen XH, Kim M, Song GY, Ahn SY, Ahn JS, Yang DH, Kim HJ, Lee JJ. Exploring cellular immunotherapy platforms in multiple myeloma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27892. [PMID: 38524535 PMCID: PMC10957441 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite major advances in therapeutic platforms, most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) eventually relapse and succumb to the disease. Among the novel therapeutic options developed over the past decade, genetically engineered T cells have a great deal of potential. Cellular immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, are rapidly becoming an effective therapeutic modality for MM. Marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs) derived from the bone marrow of patients with MM are a novel source of T cells for adoptive T-cell therapy, which robustly and specifically target myeloma cells. In this review, we examine the recent innovations in cellular immunotherapies, including the use of dendritic cells, and cellular tools based on MILs, natural killer (NK) cells, and CAR T cells, which hold promise for improving the efficacy and/or reducing the toxicity of treatment in patients with MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manh-Cuong Vo
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang, Viet Nam
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Vaxcell-Bio Therapeutics, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Jung
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Van-Tan Nguyen
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Van-Dinh-Huan Tran
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Nodirjon Ruzimurodov
- Institute of Immunology and Human Genomics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
| | - Sang Ki Kim
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory and Companion Animal Science, College of Industrial Science, Kongju National University, Yesan-eup, Yesan-gun, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
- Vaxcell-Bio Therapeutics, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuan-Hung Nguyen
- Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare system, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mihee Kim
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Ga-Young Song
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Yeon Ahn
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sook Ahn
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Deok-Hwan Yang
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeoung-Joon Kim
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
- Vaxcell-Bio Therapeutics, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
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Lim Y, Park J, Lim JE, Park M, Koh SK, Lee M, Kim SK, Lee SH, Song KH, Park DG, Kim HY, Jeong BC, Cho D. Evaluating a combination treatment of NK cells and reovirus against bladder cancer cells using an in vitro assay to simulate intravesical therapy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7390. [PMID: 38548803 PMCID: PMC10979019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56297-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Intravesical treatment using either reovirus or natural killer (NK) cells serves as an efficient strategy for the treatment of bladder cancer cells (BCCs); however, corresponding monotherapies have often shown modest cytotoxicity. The potential of a locoregional combination using high-dose reovirus and NK cell therapy in an intravesical approach has not yet been studied. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of reoviruses and expanded NK cells (eNK) as potential strategies for the treatment of bladder cancer. The anti-tumor effects of mono-treatment with reovirus type 3 Dearing strain (RC402 and RP116) and in combination with interleukin (IL)-18/-21-pretreated eNK cells were investigated on BCC lines (5637, HT-1376, and 253J-BV) using intravesical therapy to simulate in vitro model. RP116 and IL-18/-21-pretreated eNK cells exhibited effective cytotoxicity against grade 1 carcinoma (5637 cells) when used alone, but not against HT-1376 (grade 2 carcinoma) and 253J-BV cells (derived from a metastatic site). Notably, combining RP116 with IL-18/-21-pretreated eNK cells displayed effective cytotoxicity against both HT-1376 and 253J-BV cells. Our findings underscore the potential of a combination therapy using reoviruses and NK cells as a promising strategy for treating bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuree Lim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, Korea
| | - Jeehun Park
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Joung Eun Lim
- Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minji Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Kwon Koh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mijeong Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Ki Kim
- Department of Companion & Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Dong Guk Park
- ViroCure Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Young Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81, Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Byong Chang Jeong
- Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Duck Cho
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, Korea.
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81, Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
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Jung EK, Chu TH, Kim SA, Vo MC, Nguyen VT, Lee KH, Jung SH, Yoon M, Cho D, Lee JJ, Yoon TM. Efficacy of natural killer cell therapy combined with chemoradiotherapy in murine models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:242-251. [PMID: 38142382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Natural killer (NK) cell-based cancer immunotherapy is effective when combined with other treatment modalities such as irradiation and chemotherapy. NK cell's antitumor function to treat solid tumor, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), has been targeted recently. This study assessed NK cell recruitment in response to chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in HNSCC. METHODS Ex vivo expansion of NK cell, flow cytometry, cell viability assay, cytotoxicity assay, immunohistochemistry, and animal model were performed. RESULTS Mouse NK cells were recruited to the tumor site by CRT in a nude mouse model. Furthermore, expanded and activated human NK cells (eNKs) were recruited to the tumor site in response to CRT, and CRT enhanced the anti-tumor activity of eNK in an NOD/SCID IL-2Rγnull mouse model. Various HNSCC cancer cell lines exhibited different NK cell ligand activation patterns in response to CRT that correlated with NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS Identifying the activation patterns of NK cell ligands during CRT might improve patient selection for adjuvant NK cell immunotherapy combined with CRT. This is the first study to investigate the NK cell's antitumor function and recruitment with CRT in HNSCC mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyung Jung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Tan-Huy Chu
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea; Department of Hematology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Sun-Ae Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Manh-Cuong Vo
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Van-Tan Nguyen
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Lee
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Jung
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Meesun Yoon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
| | - Duck Cho
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea.
| | - Tae Mi Yoon
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea.
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Kim J, Phan MTT, Hwang I, Park J, Cho D. Comparison of the different anti-CD16 antibody clones in the activation and expansion of peripheral blood NK cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9493. [PMID: 37302991 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36200-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are promising tool for cancer treatment. Methods have been developed for large-scale NK cell expansion, including feeder cell-based methods or methods involving stimulation with NK cell activating signals, such as anti-CD16 antibodies. Different clones of anti-CD16 antibodies are available; however, a comprehensive comparison of their differential effects on inducing NK cell activation and expansion has not been conducted among these various clones under the same experimental conditions. Herein, we found that the NK cell expansion rate differed depending on the various anti-CD16 antibodies (CB16, 3G8, B73.1, and MEM-154) coated on microbeads when stimulated with genetically engineered feeder cells, K562‑membrane-bound IL‑18, and mbIL‑21 (K562‑mbIL‑18/-21). Only the CB16 clone combination caused enhanced NK cell expansion over K562‑mbIL‑18/-21 stimulation alone with similar NK cell functionality. Treatment with the CB16 clone once on the initial day of NK cell expansion was sufficient to maximize the combination effect. Overall, we developed a more enhanced NK expansion system by merging a feeder to effectively stimulate CD16 with the CB16 clone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinho Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minh-Trang Thi Phan
- Falcuty of Applied Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Jeehun Park
- Soft Foundry Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Duck Cho
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81, Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
- Cell and Gene Therapy Institute (CGTI), Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
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Tran TAT, Kim YH, Duong THO, Thangaraj J, Chu TH, Jung S, Kim IY, Moon KS, Kim YJ, Lee TK, Lee CW, Yun H, Lee JJ, Lee HJ, Lee KH, Jung TY. Natural killer cell therapy potentially enhances the antitumor effects of bevacizumab plus irinotecan in a glioblastoma mouse model. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1009484. [PMID: 36703992 PMCID: PMC9871756 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1009484] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Various combination treatments have been considered to attain the effective therapy threshold by combining independent antitumor mechanisms against the heterogeneous characteristics of tumor cells in malignant brain tumors. In this study, the natural killer (NK) cells associated with bevacizumab (Bev) plus irinotecan (Iri) against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) were investigated. For the experimental design, NK cells were expanded and activated by K562 cells expressing the OX40 ligand and membrane-bound IL-18 and IL-21. The effects of Bev and Iri on the proliferation and NK ligand expression of GBM cells were evaluated through MTT assay and flow cytometry. The cytotoxic effects of NK cells against Bev plus Iri-treated GBM cells were also predicted via the LDH assay in vitro. The therapeutic effect of different injected NK cell routes and numbers combined with the different doses of Bev and Iri was confirmed according to tumor size and survival in the subcutaneous (s.c) and intracranial (i.c) U87 xenograft NOD/SCID IL-12Rγnull mouse model. The presence of injected-NK cells in tumors was detected using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry ex vivo. As a result, Iri was found to affect the proliferation and NK ligand expression of GBM cells, while Bev did not cause differences in these cellular processes. However, the administration of Bev modulated Iri efficacy in the i.c U87 mouse model. NK cells significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects against Bev plus Iri-treated GBM cells in vitro. Although the intravenous (IV) injection of NK cells in combination with Bev plus Iri significantly reduced the tumor volume in the s.c U87 mouse model, only the direct intratumorally (IT) injection of NK cells in combination with Bev plus Iri elicited delayed tumor growth in the i.c U87 mouse model. Tumor-infiltrating NK cells were detected after IV injection of NK cells in both s.c and i.c U87 mouse models. In conclusion, the potential therapeutic effect of NK cells combined with Bev plus Iri against GBM cells was limited in this study. Accordingly, further research is required to improve the accessibility and strength of NK cell function in this combination treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Anh-Thuy Tran
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BMSGP), Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hee Kim
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Thi-Hoang-Oanh Duong
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - JayaLakshmi Thangaraj
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Tan-Huy Chu
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Jung
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Young Kim
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Sub Moon
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Kim
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Kyu Lee
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Won Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyosuk Yun
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Lee
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Tae-Young Jung, ; Kyung-Hwa Lee,
| | - Tae-Young Jung
- Brain Tumor Research Laboratory, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BMSGP), Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Tae-Young Jung, ; Kyung-Hwa Lee,
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Thangaraj JL, Jung SH, Vo MC, Chu TH, Phan MTT, Lee KH, Ahn SY, Kim M, Song GY, Ahn JS, Yang DH, Kim HJ, Cho D, Lee JJ. Expanded natural killer cells potentiate the antimyeloma activity of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in a myeloma xenograft model. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1233-1246. [PMID: 36385211 PMCID: PMC10110729 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03322-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe development of new treatment agents in recent decades has significantly improved the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Nonetheless, MM remains an incurable disease; therefore, novel combination therapies are required. Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the safest immunotherapeutic options. In this study, we found that the anti-myeloma activity of expanded NK cells (eNKs) was improved by daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DRd) in an MM xenograft mouse model. NK cells expanded from peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from MM patients were highly cytotoxic against DRd pretreated tumor cells in vitro. To mimic the clinical protocol, a human MM xenograft model was developed using human RPMI8226-RFP-FLuc cells in NOD/SCID IL-2Rγnull (NSG) mice. MM bearing mice were randomly divided into six groups: no treatment, eNK, Rd, Rd + eNKs, DRd, and DRd + eNKs. DRd significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of eNKs by upregulating NK cell activation ligands and effector function. DRd in combination with eNKs significantly reduced the serum M-protein level and prolonged mouse survival. In addition, DRd significantly increased the persistence of eNK and homing to MM sites. These results show that the anti-myeloma activity of ex vivo-expanded and activated NK cells is augmented by the immunomodulatory effect of DRd in MM-bearing mice, suggesting the therapeutic potential of this combination for MM patients.
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Koh SK, Park J, Kim SE, Lim Y, Phan MTT, Kim J, Hwang I, Ahn YO, Shin S, Doh J, Cho D. Natural Killer Cell Expansion and Cytotoxicity Differ Depending on the Culture Medium Used. Ann Lab Med 2022; 42:638-649. [PMID: 35765872 PMCID: PMC9277036 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2022.42.6.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adoptive cell therapy using umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells has shown encouraging results. However, because of the insufficient availability of NK cells and limited UCB volume, more effective culture methods are required. NK cell expansion and functionality are largely affected by the culture medium. While human serum is a major affecting component in culture media, the way it regulates NK cell functionality remains elusive. We elucidated the effects of different culture media and human serum supplementation on UCB NK cell expansion and functionality. Methods UCB NK cells were cultured under stimulation with K562-OX40L-mbIL-18/21 feeder cells and IL-2 and IL-15 in serum-containing and serum-free culture media. The effects of the culture media and human serum supplementation on NK cell expansion and cytotoxicity were evaluated by analyzing the expansion rate, activating and inhibitory receptor levels, and the cytotoxicity of the UCB NK cells. Results The optimal medium for NK cell expansion was Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/Ham’s F12 with supplements and that for cytotoxicity was AIM V supplemented with Immune Cell Serum Replacement. Shifting media is an advantageous strategy for obtaining several highly functional UCB NK cells. Live cell imaging and killing time measurement revealed that human serum enhanced NK cell proliferation but delayed target recognition, resulting in reduced cytotoxicity. Conclusions Culture medium supplementation with human serum strongly affects UCB NK cell expansion and functionality. Thus, culture media should be carefully selected to ensure both NK cell quantity and quality for adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Kwon Koh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeehun Park
- Research Institute of Advanced Materials (RIAM), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong-Eun Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
| | - Yuree Lim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, Korea
| | - Minh-Trang Thi Phan
- Cell and Gene Therapy Institute (CGTI), Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinho Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ilwoong Hwang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Gumi Hospital, Gumi, Korea
| | - Yong-Oon Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sue Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University (SMG-SNU) Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junsang Doh
- Research Institute of Advanced Materials (RIAM), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Engineering Research, Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Duck Cho
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, Korea.,Cell and Gene Therapy Institute (CGTI), Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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9
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Phan MTT, Kim J, Koh SK, Lim Y, Yu H, Lee M, Lee JM, Kang ES, Kim HY, Kim SK, Hwang I, Cho D. Selective Expansion of NKG2C+ Adaptive NK Cells Using K562 Cells Expressing HLA-E. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169426. [PMID: 36012691 PMCID: PMC9409060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive natural killer (NK) cells expressing self-specific inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) can be expanded in vivo in response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Developing a method to preferentially expand this subset is essential for effective targeting of allogeneic cancer cells. A previous study developed an in vitro method to generate single KIR+ NK cells for enhanced targeting of the primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells; however, the expansion rate was quite low. Here, we present an effective expansion method using genetically modified K562-HLA-E feeder cells for long-term proliferation of adaptive NK cells displaying highly differentiated phenotype and comparable cytotoxicity, CD107a, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. More importantly, our expansion method achieved more than a 10,000-fold expansion of adaptive NK cells after 6 weeks of culture, providing a high yield of alloreactive NK cells for cell therapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Trang Thi Phan
- Cell and Gene Therapy Institute (CGTI), Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Jinho Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Korea
| | - Seung Kwon Koh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Korea
| | - Yuree Lim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Hongbi Yu
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Korea
| | - Mijeong Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Korea
| | - Jong-Min Lee
- Bio Research Center, Lugensci Co., Ltd., Bucheon 14556, Korea
| | - Eun-Suk Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Hyun-Young Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Sang-Ki Kim
- Department of Companion and Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea
| | - Ilwoong Hwang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Gumi Hospital, Gumi 39371, Korea
- Correspondence: (I.H.); (D.C.)
| | - Duck Cho
- Cell and Gene Therapy Institute (CGTI), Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06355, Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Correspondence: (I.H.); (D.C.)
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10
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Jung EK, Chu TH, Vo MC, Nguyen HPQ, Lee DH, Lee JK, Lim SC, Jung SH, Yoon TM, Yoon MS, Cho D, Lee JJ, Cho HH. Natural killer cells have a synergistic anti-tumor effect in combination with chemoradiotherapy against head and neck cancer. Cytotherapy 2022; 24:905-915. [PMID: 35778350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of natural killer (NK) cells is a promising approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy; however, combination treatments are required to enhance the effects of NK cell immunotherapy. In this study, we assessed the potential of irradiation and cisplatin as a chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimen to augment the effects of NK cell immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS NK cells were expanded using our recently established K562-OX40 ligand and membrane-bound interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-21 feeder cells in the presence of IL-2/IL-15 from peripheral blood of healthy donors. RESULTS The results showed an increase in the purity of NK cells and expression of activation markers such as NKG2D and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 during the expansion process, which is positively correlated to the NK cell infiltration and overall survival in patients with HNSCC. CRT induced NK cell activation ligand (ULBP2) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, -2 and -3) on HNSCC, leading to enhanced cytotoxicity of NK cells against HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the NK cells have a potent anti-tumor effect in combination with CRT against HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyung Jung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Tan-Huy Chu
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea; Department of Biomedical Science, Chonnam National University Graduate School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Manh-Cuong Vo
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Huy Phuoc Quang Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Science, Chonnam National University Graduate School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Joon Kyoo Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Sang Chul Lim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Jung
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Tae-Mi Yoon
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Mee Sun Yoon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Duck Cho
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea; Department of Biomedical Science, Chonnam National University Graduate School, Gwangju, South Korea.
| | - Hyong-Ho Cho
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
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11
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Dong H, Ham JD, Hu G, Xie G, Vergara J, Liang Y, Ali A, Tarannum M, Donner H, Baginska J, Abdulhamid Y, Dinh K, Soiffer RJ, Ritz J, Glimcher LH, Chen J, Romee R. Memory-like NK cells armed with a neoepitope-specific CAR exhibit potent activity against NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122379119. [PMID: 35696582 PMCID: PMC9231490 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122379119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge, and a paucity of tumor-specific targets has significantly hampered the development of effective immune-based therapies. Recent paradigm-changing studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cells exhibit innate memory upon brief activation with IL-12 and IL-18, leading to cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cell differentiation. CIML NK cells have enhanced antitumor activity and have shown promising results in early phase clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory AML. Here, we show that arming CIML NK cells with a neoepitope-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) significantly enhances their antitumor responses to nucleophosphmin-1 (NPM1)-mutated AML while avoiding off-target toxicity. CIML NK cells differentiated from peripheral blood NK cells were efficiently transduced to express a TCR-like CAR that specifically recognizes a neoepitope derived from the cytosolic oncogenic NPM1-mutated protein presented by HLA-A2. These CAR CIML NK cells displayed enhanced activity against NPM1-mutated AML cell lines and patient-derived leukemic blast cells. CAR CIML NK cells persisted in vivo and significantly improved AML outcomes in xenograft models. Single-cell RNA sequencing and mass cytometry analyses identified up-regulation of cell proliferation, protein folding, immune responses, and major metabolic pathways in CAR-transduced CIML NK cells, resulting in tumor-specific, CAR-dependent activation and function in response to AML target cells. Thus, efficient arming of CIML NK cells with an NPM1-mutation-specific TCR-like CAR substantially improves their innate antitumor responses against an otherwise intracellular mutant protein. These preclinical findings justify evaluating this approach in clinical trials in HLA-A2+ AML patients with NPM1c mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Dong
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - James Dongjoo Ham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Guangan Hu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Guozhu Xie
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Juliana Vergara
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Yong Liang
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Alaa Ali
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Hannah Donner
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Joanna Baginska
- Center for Immuno-oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Yasmin Abdulhamid
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Khanhlinh Dinh
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Robert J. Soiffer
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Laurie H. Glimcher
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
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12
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Goldenson BH, Hor P, Kaufman DS. iPSC-Derived Natural Killer Cell Therapies - Expansion and Targeting. Front Immunol 2022; 13:841107. [PMID: 35185932 PMCID: PMC8851389 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.841107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of cancer with allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapies has seen rapid development, especially use against hematologic malignancies. Clinical trials of NK cell-based adoptive transfer to treat relapsed or refractory malignancies have used peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood and pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cells, with each approach undergoing continued clinical development. Improving the potency of these therapies relies on genetic modifications to improve tumor targeting and to enhance expansion and persistence of the NK cells. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells allow for routine targeted introduction of genetic modifications and expansion of the resulting NK cells derived from a clonal starting cell population. In this review, we discuss and summarize recent important advances in the development of new iPSC-derived NK cell therapies, with a focus on improved targeting of cancer. We then discuss improvements in methods to expand iPSC-derived NK cells and how persistence of iPSC-NK cells can be enhanced. Finally, we describe how these advances may combine in future NK cell-based therapy products for the treatment of both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Goldenson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Pooja Hor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Dan S Kaufman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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13
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Gurney M, Kundu S, Pandey S, O’Dwyer M. Feeder Cells at the Interface of Natural Killer Cell Activation, Expansion and Gene Editing. Front Immunol 2022; 13:802906. [PMID: 35222382 PMCID: PMC8873083 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.802906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies are emerging as a promising cancer immunotherapy platform with potential advantages and remaining uncertainties. Feeder cells induce activation and proliferation of NK cells via cell surface receptor-ligand interactions, supported by cytokines. Feeder cell expanded NK cell products have supported several NK cell adoptive transfer clinical trials over the past decade. Genome engineered NK cell therapies, including CAR-NK cells, seek to combine innate and alloreactive NK cell anti-tumor activity with antigen specific targeting or additional modifications aimed at improving NK cell persistence, homing or effector function. The profound activating and expansion stimulus provided by feeder cells is integral to current applications of clinical-scale genome engineering approaches in donor-derived, primary NK cells. Herein we explore the complex interactions that exist between feeder cells and both viral and emerging non-viral genome editing technologies in NK cell engineering. We focus on two established clinical-grade feeder systems; Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines and genetically engineered K562.mbIL21.4-1BBL feeder cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Gurney
- Department: Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Soumyadipta Kundu
- Department: Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- ONK Therapeutics, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Michael O’Dwyer
- Department: Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- ONK Therapeutics, Galway, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Michael O’Dwyer,
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14
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Michel T, Ollert M, Zimmer J. A Hot Topic: Cancer Immunotherapy and Natural Killer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020797. [PMID: 35054985 PMCID: PMC8776043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in recent years, the therapeutic approach of the multiple different forms of human cancer often remains a challenge. Besides the well-established cancer surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapeutic strategies gain more and more attention, and some of them have already been successfully introduced into the clinic. Among these, immunotherapy based on natural killer (NK) cells is considered as one of the most promising options. In the present review, we will expose the different possibilities NK cells offer in this context, compare data about the theoretical background and mechanism(s) of action, report some results of clinical trials and identify several very recent trends. The pharmaceutical industry is quite interested in NK cell immunotherapy, which will benefit the speed of progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Michel
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (T.M.); (M.O.)
| | - Markus Ollert
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (T.M.); (M.O.)
- Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis (ORCA), Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jacques Zimmer
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (T.M.); (M.O.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Song J, Choi H, Koh SK, Park D, Yu J, Kang H, Kim Y, Cho D, Jeon NL. High-Throughput 3D In Vitro Tumor Vasculature Model for Real-Time Monitoring of Immune Cell Infiltration and Cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:733317. [PMID: 34630415 PMCID: PMC8500473 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.733317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in anticancer therapy have shown dramatic improvements in clinical outcomes, and adoptive cell therapy has emerged as a type of immunotherapy that can modulate immune responses by transferring engineered immune cells. However, a small percentage of responders and their toxicity remain as challenges. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models of the tumor microenvironment (TME) have the potential to provide a platform for assessing and predicting responses to therapy. This paper describes an in vitro 3D tumor model that incorporates clusters of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells around perfusable vascular networks to validate immune-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against cancer cells. The platform is based on an injection-molded 3D co-culture model and composed of 28 microwells where separate identical vascularized cancer models can be formed. It allows robust hydrogel patterning for 3D culture that enables high-throughput experimentation. The uniformity of the devices resulted in reproducible experiments that allowed 10× more experiments to be performed when compared to conventional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices. To demonstrate its capability, primary natural killer (NK) cells were introduced into the vascularized tumor network, and their activities were monitored using live-cell imaging. Extravasation, migration, and cytotoxic activity against six types of CRC cell lines were tested and compared. The consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) of CRC with distinct immune responses resulted in the highest NK cell cytotoxicity against CMS1 cancer cells. These results show the potential of our vascularized tumor model for understanding various steps involved in the immune response for the assessment of adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeri Choi
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Kwon Koh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dohyun Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - James Yu
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Habin Kang
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngtaek Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Duck Cho
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Noo Li Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Advanced Machines and Design (SNU-IAMD), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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