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Zhao Z, Xiao X, Saw PE, Wu W, Huang H, Chen J, Nie Y. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells in solid tumors: a war against the tumor microenvironment. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2019; 63:180-205. [PMID: 31883066 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-9665-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell is a novel approach, which utilizes anti-tumor immunity for cancer treatment. As compared to the traditional cell-mediated immunity, CAR-T possesses the improved specificity of tumor antigens and independent cytotoxicity from major histocompatibility complex molecules through a monoclonal antibody in addition to the T-cell receptor. CAR-T cell has proven its effectiveness, primarily in hematological malignancies, specifically where the CD 19 CAR-T cells were used to treat B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-cell lymphomas. Nevertheless, there is little progress in the treatment of solid tumors despite the fact that many CAR agents have been created to target tumor antigens such as CEA, EGFR/EGFRvIII, GD2, HER2, MSLN, MUC1, and other antigens. The main obstruction against the progress of research in solid tumors is the tumor microenvironment, in which several elements, such as poor locating ability, immunosuppressive cells, cytokines, chemokines, immunosuppressive checkpoints, inhibitory metabolic factors, tumor antigen loss, and antigen heterogeneity, could affect the potency of CAR-T cells. To overcome these hurdles, researchers have reconstructed the CAR-T cells in various ways. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current research in this field, analyze the mechanisms of the major barriers mentioned above, outline the main solutions, and discuss the outlook of this novel immunotherapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Xiaoyun Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Phei Er Saw
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Hongyan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jiewen Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yan Nie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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Sackstein R, Schatton T, Barthel SR. T-lymphocyte homing: an underappreciated yet critical hurdle for successful cancer immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2017; 97:669-697. [PMID: 28346400 PMCID: PMC5446300 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2017.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in cancer immunotherapy have offered new hope for patients with metastatic disease. This unfolding success story has been exemplified by a growing arsenal of novel immunotherapeutics, including blocking antibodies targeting immune checkpoint pathways, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Nonetheless, clinical benefit remains highly variable and patient-specific, in part, because all immunotherapeutic regimens vitally hinge on the capacity of endogenous and/or adoptively transferred T-effector (Teff) cells, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, to home efficiently into tumor target tissue. Thus, defects intrinsic to the multi-step T-cell homing cascade have become an obvious, though significantly underappreciated contributor to immunotherapy resistance. Conspicuous have been low intralesional frequencies of tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) below clinically beneficial threshold levels, and peripheral rather than deep lesional TIL infiltration. Therefore, a Teff cell 'homing deficit' may arguably represent a dominant factor responsible for ineffective immunotherapeutic outcomes, as tumors resistant to immune-targeted killing thrive in such permissive, immune-vacuous microenvironments. Fortunately, emerging data is shedding light into the diverse mechanisms of immune escape by which tumors restrict Teff cell trafficking and lesional penetrance. In this review, we scrutinize evolving knowledge on the molecular determinants of Teff cell navigation into tumors. By integrating recently described, though sporadic information of pivotal adhesive and chemokine homing signatures within the tumor microenvironment with better established paradigms of T-cell trafficking under homeostatic or infectious disease scenarios, we seek to refine currently incomplete models of Teff cell entry into tumor tissue. We further summarize how cancers thwart homing to escape immune-mediated destruction and raise awareness of the potential impact of immune checkpoint blockers on Teff cell homing. Finally, we speculate on innovative therapeutic opportunities for augmenting Teff cell homing capabilities to improve immunotherapy-based tumor eradication in cancer patients, with special focus on malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Sackstein
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Harvard Skin Disease Research Center, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Program of Excellence in Glycosciences, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Rm 671, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tobias Schatton
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Harvard Skin Disease Research Center, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Steven R. Barthel
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Harvard Skin Disease Research Center, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Correspondence to: Dr. Steven R. Barthel, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Rm. 673B, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115;
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