1
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Williamson HK, Mendes PM. An integrated perspective on measuring cytokines to inform CAR-T bioprocessing. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 75:108405. [PMID: 38997052 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108405] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are emerging as a generation-defining therapeutic however their manufacture remains a major barrier to meeting increased market demand. Monitoring critical quality attributes (CQAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs) during manufacture would vastly enrich acquired information related to the process and product, providing feedback to enable real-time decision making. Here we identify specific CAR-T cytokines as value-adding analytes and discuss their roles as plausible CPPs and CQAs. High sensitivity sensing technologies which can be easily integrated into manufacture workflows are essential to implement real-time monitoring of these cytokines. We therefore present biosensors as enabling technologies and evaluate recent advancements in cytokine detection in cell cultures, offering promising translatability to CAR-T biomanufacture. Finally, we outline emerging sensing technologies with future promise, and provide an overall outlook on existing gaps to implementation and the optimal sensing platform to enable cytokine monitoring in CAR-T biomanufacture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Williamson
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paula M Mendes
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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2
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Fischer-Riepe L, Kailayangiri S, Zimmermann K, Pfeifer R, Aigner M, Altvater B, Kretschmann S, Völkl S, Hartley J, Dreger C, Petry K, Bosio A, von Döllen A, Hartmann W, Lode H, Görlich D, Mackensen A, Jungblut M, Schambach A, Abken H, Rossig C. Preclinical Development of CAR T Cells with Antigen-Inducible IL18 Enforcement to Treat GD2-Positive Solid Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3564-3577. [PMID: 38593230 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cytokine-engineering of chimeric antigen receptor-redirected T cells (CAR T cells) is a promising principle to overcome the limited activity of canonical CAR T cells against solid cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We developed an investigational medicinal product, GD2IL18CART, consisting of CAR T cells directed against ganglioside GD2 with CAR-inducible IL18 to enhance their activation response and cytolytic effector functions in the tumor microenvironment. To allow stratification of patients according to tumor GD2 expression, we established and validated immunofluorescence detection of GD2 on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. RESULTS Lentiviral all-in-one vector engineering of human T cells with the GD2-specific CAR with and without inducible IL18 resulted in cell products with comparable proportions of CAR-expressing central memory T cells. Production of IL18 strictly depends on GD2 antigen engagement. GD2IL18CART respond to interaction with GD2-positive tumor cells with higher IFNγ and TNFα cytokine release and more effective target cytolysis compared with CAR T cells without inducible IL18. GD2IL18CART further have superior in vivo antitumor activity, with eradication of GD2-positive tumor xenografts. Finally, we established GMP-compliant manufacturing of GD2IL18CART and found it to be feasible and efficient at clinical scale. CONCLUSIONS These results pave the way for clinical investigation of GD2IL18CART in pediatric and adult patients with neuroblastoma and other GD2-positive cancers (EU CT 2022- 501725-21-00). See related commentary by Locatelli and Quintarelli, p. 3361.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Fischer-Riepe
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sareetha Kailayangiri
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Katharina Zimmermann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rita Pfeifer
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Michael Aigner
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bianca Altvater
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sascha Kretschmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jordan Hartley
- Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Celine Dreger
- Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katja Petry
- Miltenyi Biomedicine GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Andreas Bosio
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Angelika von Döllen
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Holger Lode
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dennis Görlich
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 - CiM), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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3
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Locatelli F, Quintarelli C. GD2 Target Antigen and CAR T Cells: Does It Take More Than Two to Tango? Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3361-3363. [PMID: 38869449 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-24-0486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, chimeric antigen receptor T cells have emerged as a breakthrough cancer therapy in selected hematologic malignancies. Translating the success of this therapy to solid tumors is challenging. In this issue, we discuss strategies potentially useful to increase the chimeric antigen receptor T-cell efficacy in this clinical indication. See related article by Fischer-Riepe et al., p. 3564.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Locatelli
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy - IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy - IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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4
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Mohammad Taheri M, Javan F, Poudineh M, Athari SS. Beyond CAR-T: The rise of CAR-NK cell therapy in asthma immunotherapy. J Transl Med 2024; 22:736. [PMID: 39103889 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05534-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma poses a major public health burden. While existing asthma drugs manage symptoms for many, some patients remain resistant. The lack of a cure, especially for severe asthma, compels exploration of novel therapies. Cancer immunotherapy successes with CAR-T cells suggest its potential for asthma treatment. Researchers are exploring various approaches for allergic diseases including membrane-bound IgE, IL-5, PD-L2, and CTLA-4 for asthma, and Dectin-1 for fungal asthma. NK cells offer several advantages over T cells for CAR-based immunotherapy. They offer key benefits: (1) HLA compatibility, meaning they can be used in a wider range of patients without the need for matching tissue types. (2) Minimal side effects (CRS and GVHD) due to their limited persistence and cytokine profile. (3) Scalability for "off-the-shelf" production from various sources. Several strategies have been introduced that highlight the superiority and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy for asthma treatment including IL-10, IFN-γ, ADCC, perforin-granzyme, FASL, KIR, NCRs (NKP46), DAP, DNAM-1, TGF-β, TNF-α, CCL, NKG2A, TF, and EGFR. Furthermore, we advocate for incorporating AI for CAR design optimization and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology for precise gene manipulation to generate highly effective CAR constructs. This review will delve into the evolution and production of CAR designs, explore pre-clinical and clinical studies of CAR-based therapies in asthma, analyze strategies to optimize CAR-NK cell function, conduct a comparative analysis of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapy with their respective challenges, and finally present established novel CAR designs with promising potential for asthma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Javan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Poudineh
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Shamseddin Athari
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, 12th Street, Shahrake Karmandan, Zanjan, 45139-561111, Iran.
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5
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Yaga M, Hasegawa K, Ikeda S, Matsubara M, Hiroshima T, Kimura T, Shirai Y, Tansri W, Uehara H, Tachikawa M, Okairi Y, Sone M, Mori H, Kogue Y, Akamine H, Okuzaki D, Kawagishi K, Kawanaka S, Yamato H, Takeuchi Y, Okura E, Kanzaki R, Okami J, Nakamichi I, Nakane S, Kobayashi A, Iwazawa T, Tokunaga T, Yokouchi H, Yano Y, Uchida J, Mori M, Komuta K, Tachi T, Kuroda H, Kijima N, Kishima H, Ichii M, Futami S, Naito Y, Shiroyama T, Miyake K, Koyama S, Hirata H, Takeda Y, Funaki S, Shintani Y, Kumanogoh A, Hosen N. CD98 heavy chain protein is overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer and is a potential target for CAR T-cell therapy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17917. [PMID: 39095551 PMCID: PMC11297167 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68779-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are effective against hematological cancers, but are less effective against solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One of the reasons is that only a few cell surface targets specific for NSCLC cells have been identified. Here, we report that CD98 heavy chain (hc) protein is overexpressed on the surface of NSCLC cells and is a potential target for CAR T cells against NSCLC. Screening of over 10,000 mAb clones raised against NSCLC cell lines showed that mAb H2A011 bound to NSCLC cells but not normal lung epithelial cells. H2A011 recognized CD98hc. Although CAR T cells derived from H2A011 could not be established presumably due to the high level of H2A011 reactivity in activated T cells, those derived from the anti-CD98hc mAb R8H283, which had been shown to lack reactivity with CD98hc glycoforms expressed on normal hematopoietic cells and some normal tissues, were successfully developed. R8H283 specifically reacted with NSCLC cells in six of 15 patients. R8H283-derived CAR T cells exerted significant anti-tumor effects in a xenograft NSCLC model in vivo. These results suggest that R8H283 CAR T cells may become a new therapeutic tool for NSCLC, although careful testing for off-tumor reactivity should be performed in the future.
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MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Animals
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Mice
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Female
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Affiliation(s)
- Moto Yaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kana Hasegawa
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shunya Ikeda
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Miwa Matsubara
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Hiroshima
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toru Kimura
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuya Shirai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Wibowo Tansri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Uehara
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mana Tachikawa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Okairi
- Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sone
- Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiromi Mori
- Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kogue
- Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Akamine
- Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Human Immunology (Single Cell Genomics), World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kotaro Kawagishi
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kawanaka
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamato
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukiyasu Takeuchi
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiji Okura
- Department of Surgery, Takarazuka City Hospital, Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Ryu Kanzaki
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jiro Okami
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Itsuko Nakamichi
- Department of Pathology, Minoh City Hospital, Minoh, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeru Nakane
- Department of Surgery, Minoh City Hospital, Minoh, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aki Kobayashi
- Department of Surgery, Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Iwazawa
- Department of Surgery, Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshiteru Tokunaga
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideoki Yokouchi
- Department of Surgery, Suita Municipal Hospital, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yano
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junji Uchida
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahide Mori
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Komuta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Anti-Tuberculosis Association Osaka Fukujuji Hospital, Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Tachi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideki Kuroda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kijima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Kishima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michiko Ichii
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shinji Futami
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yujiro Naito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Shiroyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kotaro Miyake
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shohei Koyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo/Chiba, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Hirata
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshito Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Soichiro Funaki
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Shintani
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kumanogoh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Diseases for Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development - Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS (CAMaD), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoki Hosen
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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Taylor CA, Glover M, Maher J. CAR-T cell technologies that interact with the tumour microenvironment in solid tumours. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:849-871. [PMID: 39021098 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2380894] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells have emerged as a ground-breaking therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies due to their capacity for rapid tumor-specific killing and long-lasting tumor immunity. However, the same success has not been observed in patients with solid tumors. Largely, this is due to the additional challenges imposed by safe and uniform target selection, inefficient CAR T-cell access to sites of disease and the presence of a hostile immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. AREAS COVERED Literature was reviewed on the PubMed database from the first description of a CAR by Kuwana, Kurosawa and colleagues in December 1987 through to the present day. This literature indicates that in order to tackle solid tumors, CAR T-cells can be further engineered with additional armoring strategies that facilitate trafficking to and infiltration of malignant lesions together with reversal of suppressive immune checkpoints that operate within solid tumor lesions. EXPERT OPINION In this review, we describe a number of recent advances in CAR T-cell technology that set out to combat the problems imposed by solid tumors including tumor recruitment, infiltration, immunosuppression, metabolic compromise, and hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK
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7
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Spiga M, Martini E, Maffia MC, Ciceri F, Ruggiero E, Potenza A, Bonini C. Harnessing the tumor microenvironment to boost adoptive T cell therapy with engineered lymphocytes for solid tumors. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:8. [PMID: 39060547 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) and T Cell Receptor (TCR) engineered T cells represents an innovative therapeutic approach for the treatment of hematological malignancies, yet its application for solid tumors is still suboptimal. The tumor microenvironment (TME) places several challenges to overcome for a satisfactory therapeutic effect, such as physical barriers (fibrotic capsule and stroma), and inhibitory signals impeding T cell function. Some of these obstacles can be faced by combining ACT with other anti-tumor approaches, such as chemo/radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors. On the other hand, cutting edge technological tools offer the opportunity to overcome and, in some cases, take advantage of TME intrinsic characteristics to boost ACT efficacy. These include: the exploitation of chemokine gradients and integrin expression for preferential T-cell homing and extravasation; metabolic changes that have direct or indirect effects on TCR-T and CAR-T cells by increasing antigen presentation and reshaping T cell phenotype; introduction of additional synthetic receptors on TCR-T and CAR-T cells with the aim of increasing T cells survival and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Spiga
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Martini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Maffia
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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8
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Love KS, Johnstone CP, Peterman EL, Gaglione S, Galloway KE. Model-guided design of microRNA-based gene circuits supports precise dosage of transgenic cargoes into diverse primary cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.25.600629. [PMID: 38979370 PMCID: PMC11230401 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.25.600629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
To realize the potential of engineered cells in therapeutic applications, transgenes must be expressed within the window of therapeutic efficacy. Differences in copy number and other sources of extrinsic noise generate variance in transgene expression and limit the performance of synthetic gene circuits. In a therapeutic context, supraphysiological expression of transgenes can compromise engineered phenotypes and lead to toxicity. To ensure a narrow range of transgene expression, we design and characterize Compact microRNA-Mediated Attenuator of Noise and Dosage (ComMAND), a single-transcript, microRNA-based incoherent feedforward loop. We experimentally tune the ComMAND output profile, and we model the system to explore additional tuning strategies. By comparing ComMAND to two-gene implementations, we highlight the precise control afforded by the single-transcript architecture, particularly at relatively low copy numbers. We show that ComMAND tightly regulates transgene expression from lentiviruses and precisely controls expression in primary human T cells, primary rat neurons, primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and human induced pluripotent stem cells. Finally, ComMAND effectively sets levels of the clinically relevant transgenes FMRP1 and FXN within a narrow window. Together, ComMAND is a compact tool well-suited to precisely specify expression of therapeutic cargoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey S. Love
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, 25 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Emma L. Peterman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, 25 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, 25 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kate E. Galloway
- Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, 25 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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9
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Hull CM, Larcombe-Young D, Mazza R, George M, Davies DM, Schurich A, Maher J. Granzyme B-activated IL18 potentiates αβ and γδ CAR T cell immunotherapy in a tumor-dependent manner. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2373-2392. [PMID: 38745414 PMCID: PMC11286818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.013] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)18 is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that is activated upon caspase 1 cleavage of the latent precursor, pro-IL18. Therapeutic T cell armoring with IL18 promotes autocrine stimulation and positive modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, existing strategies are imperfect since they involve constitutive/poorly regulated activity or fail to modify the TME. Here, we have substituted the caspase 1 cleavage site within pro-IL18 with that preferred by granzyme B, yielding GzB-IL18. We demonstrate that GzB-IL18 is constitutively released but remains functionally latent unless chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are activated, owing to concomitant granzyme B release. Armoring with GzB-IL18 enhances cytolytic activity, proliferation, interferon (IFN)-γ release, and anti-tumor efficacy by a similar magnitude to constitutively active IL18. We also demonstrate that GzB-IL18 provides a highly effective armoring strategy for γδ CAR T cells, leading to enhanced metabolic fitness and significant potentiation of therapeutic activity. Finally, we show that constitutively active IL18 can unmask CAR T cell-mediated cytokine release syndrome in immunocompetent mice. By contrast, GzB-IL18 promotes anti-tumor activity and myeloid cell re-programming without inducing such toxicity. Using this stringent system, we have tightly coupled the biological activity of IL18 to the activation state of the host CAR T cell, favoring safer clinical implementation of this technology.
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MESH Headings
- Interleukin-18/metabolism
- Granzymes/metabolism
- Animals
- Mice
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Hull
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Daniel Larcombe-Young
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Roberta Mazza
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Molly George
- King's College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - David M Davies
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Anna Schurich
- King's College London, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - John Maher
- Leucid Bio Ltd, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy's Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK; Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 2UD, UK.
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10
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Ramapriyan R, Vykunta VS, Vandecandelaere G, Richardson LGK, Sun J, Curry WT, Choi BD. Altered cancer metabolism and implications for next-generation CAR T-cell therapies. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 259:108667. [PMID: 38763321 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108667] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
This review critically examines the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating solid tumors, with a particular focus on the metabolic challenges within the tumor microenvironment. CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, yet its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited. A significant barrier is the hostile milieu of the tumor microenvironment, which impairs CAR T-cell survival and function. This review delves into the metabolic adaptations of cancer cells and their impact on immune cells, highlighting the competition for nutrients and the accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites. It also explores emerging strategies to enhance CAR T-cell metabolic fitness and persistence, including genetic engineering and metabolic reprogramming. An integrated approach, combining metabolic interventions with CAR T-cell therapy, has the potential to overcome these constraints and improve therapeutic outcomes in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishab Ramapriyan
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Vivasvan S Vykunta
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; ImmunoX Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Gust Vandecandelaere
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Leland G K Richardson
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jing Sun
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - William T Curry
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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11
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Kuznetsova AV, Glukhova XA, Popova OP, Beletsky IP, Ivanov AA. Contemporary Approaches to Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2270. [PMID: 38927974 PMCID: PMC11201544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the arrival of the immunotherapy industry has introduced the possibility of providing transformative, durable, and potentially curative outcomes for various forms of malignancies. However, further research has shown that there are a number of issues that significantly reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy, especially in solid tumors. First of all, these problems are related to the protective mechanisms of the tumor and its microenvironment. Currently, major efforts are focused on overcoming protective mechanisms by using different adoptive cell therapy variants and modifications of genetically engineered constructs. In addition, a complex workforce is required to develop and implement these treatments. To overcome these significant challenges, innovative strategies and approaches are necessary to engineer more powerful variations of immunotherapy with improved antitumor activity and decreased toxicity. In this review, we discuss recent innovations in immunotherapy aimed at improving clinical efficacy in solid tumors, as well as strategies to overcome the limitations of various immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla V. Kuznetsova
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Russian University of Medicine (Formerly A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bld 4, Dolgorukovskaya Str, 1127006 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.K.); (O.P.P.)
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Xenia A. Glukhova
- Onni Biotechnologies Ltd., Aalto University Campus, Metallimiehenkuja 10, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (X.A.G.); (I.P.B.)
| | - Olga P. Popova
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Russian University of Medicine (Formerly A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bld 4, Dolgorukovskaya Str, 1127006 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.K.); (O.P.P.)
| | - Igor P. Beletsky
- Onni Biotechnologies Ltd., Aalto University Campus, Metallimiehenkuja 10, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (X.A.G.); (I.P.B.)
| | - Alexey A. Ivanov
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Russian University of Medicine (Formerly A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bld 4, Dolgorukovskaya Str, 1127006 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.K.); (O.P.P.)
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12
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Li X, Li W, Xu L, Song Y. Chimeric antigen receptor-immune cells against solid tumors: Structures, mechanisms, recent advances, and future developments. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:1285-1302. [PMID: 37640679 PMCID: PMC11191032 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapies has led to breakthroughs in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, their success in treating solid tumors has been limited. CAR-natural killer (NK) cells have several advantages over CAR-T cells because NK cells can be made from pre-existing cell lines or allogeneic NK cells with a mismatched major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which means they are more likely to become an "off-the-shelf" product. Moreover, they can kill cancer cells via CAR-dependent/independent pathways and have limited toxicity. Macrophages are the most malleable immune cells in the body. These cells can efficiently infiltrate into tumors and are present in large numbers in tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Importantly, CAR-macrophages (CAR-Ms) have recently yielded exciting preclinical results in several solid tumors. Nevertheless, CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-M all have their own advantages and limitations. In this review, we systematically discuss the current status, progress, and the major hurdles of CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, and CAR-M as they relate to five aspects: CAR structure, therapeutic mechanisms, the latest research progress, current challenges and solutions, and comparison according to the existing research in order to provide a reasonable option for treating solid tumors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Linping Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
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13
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Yoshikawa T, Ito Y, Wu Z, Kasuya H, Nakashima T, Okamoto S, Amaishi Y, Zhang H, Li Y, Matsukawa T, Inoue S, Kagoya Y. Development of a chimeric cytokine receptor that captures IL-6 and enhances the antitumor response of CAR-T cells. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101526. [PMID: 38670095 PMCID: PMC11148643 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101526] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy is suboptimal in most cancers, necessitating further improvement in their therapeutic actions. However, enhancing antitumor T cell response inevitably confers an increased risk of cytokine release syndrome associated with monocyte-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6). Thus, an approach to simultaneously enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety is warranted. Here, we develop a chimeric cytokine receptor composed of the extracellular domains of GP130 and IL6RA linked to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of IL-7R mutant that constitutively activates the JAK-STAT pathway (G6/7R or G6/7R-M452L). CAR-T cells with G6/7R efficiently absorb and degrade monocyte-derived IL-6 in vitro. The G6/7R-expressing CAR-T cells show superior expansion and persistence in vivo, resulting in durable antitumor response in both liquid and solid tumor mouse models. Our strategy can be widely applicable to CAR-T cell therapy to enhance its efficacy and safety, irrespective of the target antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Yoshikawa
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ito
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Zhiwen Wu
- Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Hitomi Kasuya
- Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakashima
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | | | | | - Haosong Zhang
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Matsukawa
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yuki Kagoya
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
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14
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Borogovac A, Siddiqi T. Advancing CAR T-cell therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: exploring resistance mechanisms and the innovative strategies to overcome them. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:18. [PMID: 38835348 PMCID: PMC11149098 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has ushered in substantial advancements in the management of various B-cell malignancies. However, its integration into chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment has been challenging, attributed largely to the development of very effective chemo-free alternatives. Additionally, CAR T-cell responses in CLL have not been as high as in other B-cell lymphomas or leukemias. However, a critical void exists in therapeutic options for patients with high-risk diseases who are resistant to the current CLL therapies, underscoring the urgency for adoptive immunotherapies in these patients. The diminished CAR T-cell efficacy within CLL can be traced to factors such as compromised T-cell fitness due to persistent antigenic stimulation inherent to CLL. Resistance mechanisms encompass tumor-related factors like antigen escape, CAR T-cell-intrinsic factors like T-cell exhaustion, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). New strategies to combat CAR T-cell resistance include the concurrent administration of therapies that augment CAR T-cell endurance and function, as well as the engineering of novel CAR T-cells targeting different antigens. Moreover, the concept of "armored" CAR T-cells, armed with transgenic modulators to modify both CAR T-cell function and the tumor milieu, is gaining traction. Beyond this, the development of readily available, allogeneic CAR T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells presents a promising countermeasure to innate T-cell defects in CLL patients. In this review, we explore the role of CAR T-cell therapy in CLL, the intricate tapestry of resistance mechanisms, and the pioneering methods studied to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Borogovac
- City of Hope, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Tanya Siddiqi
- City of Hope, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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15
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Zhu Y, Wang K, Yue L, Zuo D, Sheng J, Lan S, Zhao Z, Dong S, Hu S, Chen X, Feng M. Mesothelin CAR-T cells expressing tumor-targeted immunocytokine IL-12 yield durable efficacy and fewer side effects. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107186. [PMID: 38641176 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy has achieved remarkable efficacy in treating hematological malignancies, but it confronts many challenges in treating solid tumors, such as the immunosuppressive microenvironment of the solid tumors. These factors reduce the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells in clinical trials. Therefore, we used the immunocytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) to enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy. In this study, we engineered CAR-IL12R54 T cells that targeted mesothelin (MSLN) and secreted a single-chain IL-12 fused to a scFv fragment R54 that recognized a different epitope on mesothelin. The evaluation of the anti-tumor activity of the CAR-IL12R54 T cells alone or in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody in vitro and in vivo was followed by the exploration of the functional mechanism by which the immunocytokine IL-12 enhanced the antitumor activity. CAR-IL12R54 T cells had potency to lyse mesothelin positive tumor cells in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated that CAR-IL12R54 T cells were effective in controlling the growth of established tumors in a xenograft mouse model with fewer side effects than CAR-T cells that secreted naked IL-12. Furthermore, combination of PD-1 blockade antibody with CAR-IL12R54 T cells elicited durable anti-tumor responses. Mechanistic studies showed that IL12R54 enhanced Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and dampened the activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs). IL12R54 also upregulated CXCR6 expression in the T cells through the NF-κB pathway, which facilitated T cell infiltration and persistence in the tumor tissues. In summary, the studies provide a good therapeutic option for the clinical treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuankui Zhu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Ke Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Linghe Yue
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Dianbao Zuo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Junfeng Sheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Sina Lan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Zilong Zhao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Shuang Dong
- Department of Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Department of Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Mingqian Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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16
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Harrer DC, Li SS, Kaljanac M, Bezler V, Barden M, Pan H, Herr W, Abken H. Magnetic CAR T cell purification using an anti-G4S linker antibody. J Immunol Methods 2024; 528:113667. [PMID: 38574803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113667] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirected T cells are successfully employed in the combat against several hematological malignancies, however, are often compromised by low transduction rates making refinement of the CAR T cell products necessary. Here, we report a broadly applicable enrichment protocol relying on marking CAR T cells with an anti-glycine4-serine (G4S) linker antibody followed by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). The protocol is broadly applicable since the G4S peptide is an integral part of the vast majority of CARs as it links the VH and VL recognition domains. We demonstrate the feasibility by using the canonical second generation CARs specific for CEA and Her2, respectively, obtaining highly purified CAR T cell products in a one-step procedure without impairing cell viability. The protocol is also applicable to a dual specific CAR (tandem CAR). Except for CD39, T cell activation/exhaustion markers were not upregulated after separation. Purified CAR T cells retained their functionality with respect to antigen-specific cytokine secretion, cytotoxicity, and the capacity to proliferate and eliminate cognate tumor cells upon repetitive stimulation. Collectively, the one-step protocol for purifying CAR T cells extends the toolbox for preclinical research and specifically for clinical CAR T cell manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Department of Internal Medicine III - Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Sin-Syue Li
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany; Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Marcell Kaljanac
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany
| | - Valerie Bezler
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus Barden
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hong Pan
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Internal Medicine III - Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Div. Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Germany
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17
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Xu MY, Zeng N, Liu CQ, Sun JX, An Y, Zhang SH, Xu JZ, Zhong XY, Ma SY, He HD, Hu J, Xia QD, Wang SG. Enhanced cellular therapy: revolutionizing adoptive cellular therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:47. [PMID: 38664743 PMCID: PMC11046957 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00506-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhanced cellular therapy has emerged as a novel concept following the basis of cellular therapy. This treatment modality applied drugs or biotechnology to directly enhance or genetically modify cells to enhance the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy (ACT). Drugs or biotechnology that enhance the killing ability of immune cells include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) / antibody drugs, small molecule inhibitors, immunomodulatory factors, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), oncolytic virus (OV), etc. Firstly, overcoming the inhibitory tumor microenvironment (TME) can enhance the efficacy of ACT, which can be achieved by blocking the immune checkpoint. Secondly, cytokines or cytokine receptors can be expressed by genetic engineering or added directly to adoptive cells to enhance the migration and infiltration of adoptive cells to tumor cells. Moreover, multi-antigen chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can be designed to enhance the specific recognition of tumor cell-related antigens, and OVs can also stimulate antigen release. In addition to inserting suicide genes into adoptive cells, PROTAC technology can be used as a safety switch or degradation agent of immunosuppressive factors to enhance the safety and efficacy of adoptive cells. This article comprehensively summarizes the mechanism, current situation, and clinical application of enhanced cellular therapy, describing potential improvements to adoptive cellular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yao Xu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Na Zeng
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chen-Qian Liu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jian-Xuan Sun
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ye An
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Si-Han Zhang
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jin-Zhou Xu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xing-Yu Zhong
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Si-Yang Ma
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao-Dong He
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia Hu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi-Dong Xia
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Shao-Gang Wang
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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18
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Zhang T, Tai Z, Miao F, Zhang X, Li J, Zhu Q, Wei H, Chen Z. Adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors beyond CAR-T: Current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. J Control Release 2024; 368:372-396. [PMID: 38408567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.033] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a highly specific anti-tumor immunotherapy that has shown promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there has been a slow progress toward the treatment of solid tumors owing to the complex tumor microenvironment that affects the localization and killing ability of the CAR cells. Solid tumors with a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment and complex vascular system are unaffected by CAR cell infiltration and attack. To improve their efficacy toward solid tumors, CAR cells have been modified and upgraded by "decorating" and "pruning". This review focuses on the structure and function of CARs, the immune cells that can be engineered by CARs and the transformation strategies to overcome solid tumors, with a view to broadening ideas for the better application of CAR cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China; Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fengze Miao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Jiadong Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
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19
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Bell M, Lange S, Sejdiu BI, Ibanez J, Shi H, Sun X, Meng X, Nguyen P, Sutton M, Wagner J, Kc A, Langfitt D, Patil SL, Tan H, Pandey RV, Li Y, Yuan ZF, Anido AA, Ho M, Sheppard H, Vogel P, Yu J, Peng J, Chi H, Babu MM, Krenciute G, Gottschalk S. Modular chimeric cytokine receptors with leucine zippers enhance the antitumour activity of CAR T cells via JAK/STAT signalling. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:380-396. [PMID: 38036617 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01143-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The limited availability of cytokines in solid tumours hinders maintenance of the antitumour activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Cytokine receptor signalling pathways in CAR T cells can be activated by transgenic expression or injection of cytokines in the tumour, or by engineering the activation of cognate cytokine receptors. However, these strategies are constrained by toxicity arising from the activation of bystander cells, by the suboptimal biodistribution of the cytokines and by downregulation of the cognate receptor. Here we show that replacement of the extracellular domains of heterodimeric cytokine receptors in T cells with two leucine zipper motifs provides optimal Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signalling. Such chimeric cytokine receptors, which can be generated for common γ-chain receptors, interleukin-10 and -12 receptors, enabled T cells to survive cytokine starvation without induction of autonomous cell growth, and augmented the effector function of CAR T cells in vitro in the setting of chronic antigen exposure and in human tumour xenografts in mice. As a modular design, leucine zippers can be used to generate constitutively active cytokine receptors in effector immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bell
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shannon Lange
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Besian I Sejdiu
- Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jorge Ibanez
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hao Shi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiang Sun
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiaoxi Meng
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Phuong Nguyen
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Morgan Sutton
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jessica Wagner
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Anil Kc
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Deanna Langfitt
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sagar L Patil
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ram Vinay Pandey
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yuxin Li
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Zuo-Fei Yuan
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Alejandro Allo Anido
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Heather Sheppard
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Peter Vogel
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hongbo Chi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - M Madan Babu
- Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giedre Krenciute
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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20
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Borogovac A, Siddiqi T. Transforming CLL management with immunotherapy: Investigating the potential of CAR T-cells and bispecific antibodies. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:119-130. [PMID: 38290860 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.01.001] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies or T-cell engagers, have revolutionized the treatment landscape for various B-cell malignancies, including B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and many non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Despite their significant impact on these malignancies, their application in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) management is still largely under investigation. Although the initial success of CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy was observed in 3 multiply relapsed CLL patients, with 2 of them surviving over 10 years without relapse, recent CAR T-cell therapy trials in CLL have shown reduced response rates compared to their efficacy in other B-cell malignancies. One of the challenges with using immunotherapy in CLL is the compromised T-cell fitness from persistent CLL-related antigenic stimulation, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). These challenges underscore a critical gap in therapeutic options for CLL patients intolerant or resistant to current therapies, emphasizing the imperative role of effective immunotherapy. Encouragingly, innovative strategies are emerging to overcome these challenges. These include integrating synergistic agents like ibrutinib to enhance CAR T-cell function and persistence and engineering newer CAR T-cell constructs targeting diverse antigens or employing dual-targeting approaches. Bispecific antibodies are an exciting "off-the-shelf" prospect for these patients, with their investigation in CLL currently entering the realm of clinical trials. Additionally, the development of allogeneic CAR T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells from healthy donors presents a promising solution to address the diminished T-cell fitness observed in CLL patients. This comprehensive review delves into the latest insights regarding the role of immunotherapy in CLL, the complex landscape of resistance mechanisms, and a spectrum of innovative approaches to surmount therapeutic challenges.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Antibodies, Bispecific/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Immunotherapy/methods
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Borogovac
- City of Hope, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA.
| | - Tanya Siddiqi
- City of Hope, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA
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21
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Lodka D, Zschummel M, Bunse M, Rousselle A, Sonnemann J, Kettritz R, Höpken UE, Schreiber A. CD19-targeting CAR T cells protect from ANCA-induced acute kidney injury. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:499-507. [PMID: 38182404 PMCID: PMC10958264 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are life-threatening systemic autoimmune diseases manifesting in the kidneys as necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN). ANCA antigens are myeloperoxidase (MPO) or proteinase 3. Current treatments include steroids, cytotoxic drugs and B cell-depleting antibodies. The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in autoimmune diseases is a promising new therapeutic approach. We tested the hypothesis that CAR T cells targeting CD19 deplete B cells, including MPO-ANCA-producing B cells, thereby protecting from ANCA-induced NCGN. METHODS We tested this hypothesis in a preclinical MPO-AAV mouse model. NCGN was established by immunisation of MPO-/- mice with murine MPO, followed by irradiation and transplantation with haematopoietic cells from wild-type mice alone or together with either CD19-targeting CAR T cells or control CAR T cells. RESULTS CD19 CAR T cells efficiently migrated to and persisted in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood and kidneys for up to 8 weeks. CD19 CAR T cells, but not control CAR T cells, depleted B cells and plasmablasts, enhanced the MPO-ANCA decline, and most importantly protected from NCGN. CONCLUSION Our proof-of-principle study may encourage further exploration of CAR T cells as a treatment for ANCA-vasculitis patients with the goal of drug-free remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dörte Lodka
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Zschummel
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bunse
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anthony Rousselle
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janis Sonnemann
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralph Kettritz
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uta E Höpken
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrian Schreiber
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Kann MC, Schneider EM, Almazan AJ, Lane IC, Bouffard AA, Supper VM, Takei HN, Tepper A, Leick MB, Larson RC, Ebert BL, Maus MV, Jan M. Chemical genetic control of cytokine signaling in CAR-T cells using lenalidomide-controlled membrane-bound degradable IL-7. Leukemia 2024; 38:590-600. [PMID: 38123696 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a breakthrough therapy for the treatment of relapsed and refractory hematologic malignancies. However, insufficient CAR-T cell expansion and persistence is a leading cause of treatment failure. Exogenous or transgenic cytokines have great potential to enhance CAR-T cell potency but pose the risk of exacerbating toxicities. Here we present a chemical-genetic system for spatiotemporal control of cytokine function gated by the off-patent anti-cancer molecular glue degrader drug lenalidomide and its analogs. When co-delivered with a CAR, a membrane-bound, lenalidomide-degradable IL-7 fusion protein enforced a clinically favorable T cell phenotype, enhanced antigen-dependent proliferative capacity, and enhanced in vivo tumor control. Furthermore, cyclical pharmacologic combined control of CAR and cytokine abundance enabled the deployment of highly active, IL-7-augmented CAR-T cells in a dual model of antitumor potency and T cell hyperproliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Kann
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily M Schneider
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio J Almazan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabel C Lane
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda A Bouffard
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valentina M Supper
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hana N Takei
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Tepper
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark B Leick
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Max Jan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Liu Z, Lei W, Wang H, Liu X, Fu R. Challenges and strategies associated with CAR-T cell therapy in blood malignancies. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:22. [PMID: 38402232 PMCID: PMC10893672 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T cells, has shown potential in the improvement of outcomes in patients with refractory and recurrent malignancies of the blood. However, achieving sustainable long-term complete remission for blood cancer remains a challenge, with resistance and relapse being expected outcomes for many patients. Although many studies have attempted to clarify the mechanisms of CAR-T cell therapy failure, the mechanism remains unclear. In this article, we discuss and describe the current state of knowledge regarding these factors, which include elements that influence the CAR-T cell, cancer cells as a whole, and the microenvironment surrounding the tumor. In addition, we propose prospective approaches to overcome these obstacles in an effort to decrease recurrence rates and extend patient survival subsequent to CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China.
| | - Wenhui Lei
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
- Department of Nephrology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Failure and Malignant Hemopoietic Clone46Control, Tianjin, 300052, P. R. China.
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24
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Taheri M, Tehrani HA, Daliri F, Alibolandi M, Soleimani M, Shoari A, Arefian E, Ramezani M. Bioengineering strategies to enhance the interleukin-18 bioactivity in the modern toolbox of cancer immunotherapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 75:65-80. [PMID: 37813764 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are the first modern immunotherapeutic agents used for activation immunotherapy. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) has emerged as a potent anticancer immunostimulatory cytokine over the past three decades. IL-18, structurally is a stable protein with very low toxicity at biological doses. IL-18 promotes the process of antigen presentation and also enhances innate and acquired immune responses. It can induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines and increase tumor infiltration of effector immune cells to revert the immunosuppressive milieu of tumors. Furthermore, IL-18 can reduce tumorigenesis, suppress tumor angiogenesis, and induce tumor cell apoptosis. These characteristics present IL-18 as a promising option for cancer immunotherapy. Although several preclinical studies have reported the immunotherapeutic potential of IL-18, clinical trials using it as a monotherapy agent have reported disappointing results. These results may be due to some biological characteristics of IL-18. Several bioengineering approaches have been successfully used to correct its defects as a bioadjuvant. Currently, the challenge with this anticancer immunotherapeutic agent is mainly how to use its capabilities in a rational combinatorial therapy for clinical applications. The present study discussed the strengths and weaknesses of IL-18 as an immunotherapeutic agent, followed by comprehensive review of various promising bioengineering approaches that have been used to overcome its disadvantages. Finally, this study highlights the promising application of IL-18 in modern combinatorial therapies, such as chemotherapy, immune checkpoint blockade therapy, cell-based immunotherapy and cancer vaccines to guide future studies, circumventing the barriers to administration of IL-18 for clinical applications, and bring it to fruition as a potent immunotherapy agent in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Taheri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Abdul Tehrani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran
| | - Alireza Shoari
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Ehsan Arefian
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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25
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Rossig C, Pearson AD, Vassal G, Scobie N, Bird N, Blanc P, Vormoor HJ, Calkoen FG, Locatelli F, Bufalo FD, Rives S, Jacoby E, Balduzzi A, Bourquin JP, Baruchel A. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Products for Pediatric Cancers: Why Alternative Development Paths Are Needed. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:253-257. [PMID: 38011605 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy and Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Nick Bird
- Solving Kids' Cancer UK, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - H Josef Vormoor
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Friso G Calkoen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
- AND Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Susana Rives
- CAR T-cell Unit, Leukemia and Lymphoma Department, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona /Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elad Jacoby
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adriana Balduzzi
- Pediatrics, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Bourquin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Immunology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Baruchel
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Immunology, Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré (APHP and Université Paris Cité), Paris, France
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26
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Tang Y, Yang X, Hu H, Jiang H, Xiong W, Mei H, Hu Y. Elevating the potential of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors: exploiting biomaterials-based delivery techniques. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 11:1320807. [PMID: 38312512 PMCID: PMC10835794 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1320807] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells exhibit promising progress in addressing hematologic malignancies. However, CAR-T therapy for solid tumors remains limited, with no FDA-approved CAR-T products available for clinical use at present. Primary reasons include insufficient infiltration, accumulation, tumor immunosuppression of the microenvironment, and related side effects. Single utilization of CAR-T cannot effectively overcome these unfavorable obstacles. A probable effective pathway to achieve a better CAR-T therapy effect would be to combine the benefits of biomaterials-based technology. In this article, comprehensive biomaterials strategies to break through these obstacles of CAR-T cell therapy at the tumor sites are summarized, encompassing the following aspects: 1) generating orthotopic CAR-T cells; 2) facilitating CAR-T cell trafficking; 3) stimulating CAR-T cell expansion and infiltration; 4) improving CAR-T cell activity and persistence; 5) reprogramming the immunosuppressive microenvironments. Additionally, future requirements for the development of this field, with a specific emphasis on promoting innovation and facilitating clinical translation, are thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Tang
- Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Institute of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Hu
- School of Pharmacy, ChangZhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Huiwen Jiang
- Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Institute of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Wuhan Sian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China
| | - Heng Mei
- Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Institute of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Institute of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Medical Center of Cell Therapy for Neoplastic Disease, Wuhan, China
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27
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Ren J, Liao X, Lewis JM, Chang J, Qu R, Carlson KR, Foss F, Girardi M. Generation and optimization of off-the-shelf immunotherapeutics targeting TCR-Vβ2+ T cell malignancy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:519. [PMID: 38225288 PMCID: PMC10789731 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44786-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for T cell malignancies encounter issues of disease relapse and off-target toxicity. Using T cell receptor (TCR)Vβ2 as a model, here we demonstrate the rapid generation of an off-the-shelf allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T platform targeting the clone-specific TCR Vβ chain for malignant T cell killing while limiting normal cell destruction. Healthy donor T cells undergo CRISPR-induced TRAC, B2M and CIITA knockout to eliminate T cell-dependent graft-versus-host and host-versus-graft reactivity. Second generation 4-1BB/CD3zeta CAR containing high affinity humanized anti-Vβ scFv is expressed efficiently on donor T cells via both lentivirus and adeno-associated virus transduction with limited detectable pre-existing immunoreactivity. Our optimized CAR-T cells demonstrate specific and persistent killing of Vβ2+ Jurkat cells and Vβ2+ patient derived malignant T cells, in vitro and in vivo, without affecting normal T cells. In parallel, we generate humanized anti-Vβ2 antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by Fc-engineering for NK cell ADCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Ren
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Xiaofeng Liao
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Julia M Lewis
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jungsoo Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rihao Qu
- The Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kacie R Carlson
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Francine Foss
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael Girardi
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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28
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Czaplicka A, Lachota M, Pączek L, Zagożdżon R, Kaleta B. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence. Cells 2024; 13:101. [PMID: 38201305 PMCID: PMC10777940 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of malignant and non-malignant disorders. CARs are synthetic transmembrane receptors expressed on genetically modified immune effector cells, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, or macrophages, which are able to recognize specific surface antigens on target cells and eliminate them. CAR-modified immune cells mediate cytotoxic antitumor effects via numerous mechanisms, including the perforin and granzyme pathway, Fas and Fas Ligand (FasL) pathway, and cytokine secretion. High hopes are associated with the prospective use of the CAR-T strategy against solid cancers, especially the ones resistant to standard oncological therapies, such as pancreatic cancer (PC). Herein, we summarize the current pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating potential tumor-associated antigens (TAA), CAR-T cell toxicities, and their efficacy in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Czaplicka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Mazovian “Bródnowski” Hospital, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Mieszko Lachota
- Laboratory of Cellular and Genetic Therapies, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (R.Z.)
| | - Leszek Pączek
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Radosław Zagożdżon
- Laboratory of Cellular and Genetic Therapies, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (R.Z.)
| | - Beata Kaleta
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland;
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29
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Teng F, Cui T, Zhou L, Gao Q, Zhou Q, Li W. Programmable synthetic receptors: the next-generation of cell and gene therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:7. [PMID: 38167329 PMCID: PMC10761793 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01680-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases. However, concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential. Synthetic receptors, a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules, have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution. Delicately designed and engineered, they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities, i.e., to regulate production of dosed, bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers. This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research. With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors, we address the generalized strategies to design, construct and improve synthetic receptors. Meanwhile, we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Teng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Tongtong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qingqin Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Wei Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
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30
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Sun F, Cheng Y, Chen JR, Wanchai V, Mery DE, Xu H, Gai D, Al Hadidi S, Schinke C, Thanendrarajan S, Zangari M, van Rhee F, Tricot G, Shaughnessy JD, Zhan F. BCMA- and CST6-specific CAR T cells lyse multiple myeloma cells and suppress murine osteolytic lesions. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e171396. [PMID: 37883186 PMCID: PMC10760955 DOI: 10.1172/jci171396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that cystatin E/M (CST6), which is elevated in a subset of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) lacking osteolytic lesions (OLs), suppresses MM bone disease by blocking osteoclast differentiation and function. CST6 is a secreted type 2 cystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor that regulates lysosomal cysteine proteases and the asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain. Here, we developed B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CST6 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), which lysed MM cells and released CST6 proteins. Our in vitro studies show that these CAR-T cells suppressed the differentiation and formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) osteoclasts. Using xenografted MM mice, bioluminescence images showed that both BCMA-CAR-T and BCMA-CST6-CAR-T cells inhibited MM growth to a similar extent. Reconstructed micro-computed tomography images revealed that BCMA-CST6-CAR-T cells, but not BCMA-CAR-T cells, prevented MM-induced bone damage and decreased osteoclast numbers. Our results provide a CAR-T strategy that targets tumor cells directly and delivers an inhibitor of bone resorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumou Sun
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Yan Cheng
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Jin-Ran Chen
- Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Visanu Wanchai
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - David E. Mery
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Dongzheng Gai
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Samer Al Hadidi
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Carolina Schinke
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | | | - Maurizio Zangari
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Frits van Rhee
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Guido Tricot
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - John D. Shaughnessy
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine and
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31
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Albelda SM. CAR T cell therapy for patients with solid tumours: key lessons to learn and unlearn. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:47-66. [PMID: 37904019 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been approved for use in patients with B cell malignancies or relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, yet efficacy against most solid tumours remains elusive. The limited imaging and biopsy data from clinical trials in this setting continues to hinder understanding, necessitating a reliance on imperfect preclinical models. In this Perspective, I re-evaluate current data and suggest potential pathways towards greater success, drawing lessons from the few successful trials testing CAR T cells in patients with solid tumours and the clinical experience with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. The most promising approaches include the use of pluripotent stem cells, co-targeting multiple mechanisms of immune evasion, employing multiple co-stimulatory domains, and CAR ligand-targeting vaccines. An alternative strategy focused on administering multiple doses of short-lived CAR T cells in an attempt to pre-empt exhaustion and maintain a functional effector pool should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Albelda
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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32
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Chamorro DF, Somes LK, Hoyos V. Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:124. [PMID: 38201551 PMCID: PMC10778447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Chamorro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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33
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Soto KEG, Loureiro LR, Bartsch T, Arndt C, Kegler A, Mitwasi N, Drewitz L, Hoffmann L, Saleh HA, Crespo E, Mehnert M, Daglar C, Abken H, Momburg F, Bachmann M, Feldmann A. Targeting colorectal cancer cells using AND-gated adaptor RevCAR T-cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1302354. [PMID: 38169746 PMCID: PMC10758449 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1302354] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells especially for treating hematological malignancies, critical drawbacks, such as "on-target, off-tumor" toxicities, need to be addressed to improve safety in translating to clinical application. This is especially true, when targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that are not exclusively expressed by solid tumors but also on hea9lthy tissues. To improve the safety profile, we developed switchable adaptor CAR systems including the RevCAR system. RevCAR T-cells are activated by cross-linking of bifunctional adaptor molecules termed target modules (RevTM). In a further development, we established a Dual-RevCAR system for an AND-gated combinatorial targeting by splitting the stimulatory and co-stimulatory signals of the RevCAR T-cells on two individual CARs. Examples of common markers for colorectal cancer (CRC) are the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), while these antigens are also expressed by healthy cells. Here we describe four novel structurally different RevTMs for targeting of CEA and EpCAM. All anti-CEA and anti-EpCAM RevTMs were validated and the simultaneous targeting of CEA+ and EpCAM+ cancer cells redirected specific in vitro and in vivo killing by Dual-RevCAR T-cells. In summary, we describe the development of CEA and EpCAM specific adaptor RevTMs for monospecific and AND-gated targeting of CRC cells via the RevCAR platform as an improved approach to increase tumor specificity and safety of CAR T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla E. G. Soto
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana R. Loureiro
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kegler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Drewitz
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lydia Hoffmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Haidy A. Saleh
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Eugenia Crespo
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Mehnert
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cansu Daglar
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Department of Gene-Immunotherapy, Leibniz-Institute of Immunotherapy, and University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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34
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Kizerwetter M, Pietz K, Tomasovic LM, Spangler JB. Empowering gene delivery with protein engineering platforms. Gene Ther 2023; 30:775-782. [PMID: 36529795 PMCID: PMC10277311 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00379-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The repertoire of therapeutic proteins has been substantially augmented by molecular engineering approaches, which have seen remarkable advancement in recent years. In particular, advances in directed evolution technologies have empowered the development of custom-designed proteins with novel and disease-relevant functions. Whereas engineered proteins have typically been administered through systemic injection of the purified molecule, exciting progress in gene delivery affords the opportunity to elicit sustained production of the engineered proteins by targeted cells in the host organism. Combining developments at the leading edge of protein engineering and gene delivery has catapulted a new wave of molecular and cellular therapy approaches, which harbor great promise for personalized and precision medicine. This mini-review outlines currently used display platforms for protein evolution and describes recent examples of how the resulting engineered proteins have been incorporated into DNA- and cell-based therapeutic platforms, both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, the strategies detailed herein provide a framework for synthesizing molecular engineering workflows with gene therapy systems for a breadth of applications in research and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kizerwetter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Pietz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luke M Tomasovic
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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35
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Hong M, Talluri S, Chen YY. Advances in promoting chimeric antigen receptor T cell trafficking and infiltration of solid tumors. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 84:103020. [PMID: 37976958 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
T cells engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have demonstrated robust response rates in treating hematological malignancies. However, solid tumors present multiple challenges that hinder the antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells, including antigen heterogeneity, off-tumor and systemic toxicities, and the immunosuppressive milieu of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Notably, the TME of solid tumors is characterized by chemokine dysregulation and a dense architecture consisting of tumor stroma, extracellular matrix, and aberrant vasculature that impede migration of CAR-T cells to the tumor site as well as infiltration into the solid-tumor mass. In this review, we highlight recent advances to improve CAR-T-cell trafficking to and infiltration of solid tumors to promote effective antigen recognition by CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihe Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sohan Talluri
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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36
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Hajibabaie F, Abedpoor N, Haghjooy Javanmard S, Hasan A, Sharifi M, Rahimmanesh I, Shariati L, Makvandi P. The molecular perspective on the melanoma and genome engineering of T-cells in targeting therapy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116980. [PMID: 37648188 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma, an aggressive malignant tumor originating from melanocytes in humans, is on the rise globally, with limited non-surgical treatment options available. Recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying immune escape, tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and cancer metastasis have paved the way for innovative therapeutic strategies. Combination therapy targeting multiple pathways simultaneously has been shown to be promising in treating melanoma, eliciting favorable responses in most melanoma patients. CAR T-cells, engineered to overcome the limitations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-dependent tumor cell detection associated with T-cell receptors, offer an alternative approach. By genetically modifying apheresis-collected allogeneic or autologous T-cells to express chimeric antigen receptors, CAR T-cells can appreciate antigens on cell surfaces independently of major histocompatibility complex (MHC), providing a significant cancer cell detection advantage. However, identifying the most effective target antigen is the initial step, as it helps mitigate the risk of toxicity due to "on-target, off-tumor" and establishes a targeted therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, evaluating signaling pathways and critical molecules involved in melanoma pathogenesis remains insufficient. This study emphasizes the novel approaches of CAR T-cell immunoediting and presents new insights into the molecular signaling pathways associated with melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hajibabaie
- Department of Biology, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Navid Abedpoor
- Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar.
| | - Mehran Sharifi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Cancer Prevention Research Center, Seyyed Al-Shohada Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Ilnaz Rahimmanesh
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Laleh Shariati
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 8174673461, Iran; Biosensor Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, 324000, Zhejiang, China; School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JL, UK.
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Tang L, Pan S, Wei X, Xu X, Wei Q. Arming CAR-T cells with cytokines and more: Innovations in the fourth-generation CAR-T development. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3146-3162. [PMID: 37803832 PMCID: PMC10638038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.09.021] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy has shown great potential in tumor treatment. However, many factors impair the efficacy of CAR-T therapy, such as antigenic heterogeneity and loss, limited potency and persistence, poor infiltration capacity, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome these obstacles, recent studies have reported a new generation of CAR-T cells expressing cytokines called armored CAR-T, TRUCK-T, or the fourth-generation CAR-T. Here we summarize the strategies of arming CAR-T cells with natural or synthetic cytokine signals to enhance their anti-tumor capacity. Moreover, we summarize the advances in CAR-T cells expressing non-cytokine proteins, such as membrane receptors, antibodies, enzymes, co-stimulatory molecules, and transcriptional factors. Furthermore, we discuss several prospective strategies for armored CAR-T therapy development. Altogether, these ideas may provide new insights for the innovations of the next-generation CAR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Sheng Pan
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Qiang Wei
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
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38
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Malviya M, Aretz Z, Molvi Z, Lee J, Pierre S, Wallisch P, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Challenges and solutions for therapeutic TCR-based agents. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:58-82. [PMID: 37455333 PMCID: PMC11141734 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent development of methods to discover and engineer therapeutic T-cell receptors (TCRs) or antibody mimics of TCRs, and to understand their immunology and pharmacology, lag two decades behind therapeutic antibodies. Yet we have every expectation that TCR-based agents will be similarly important contributors to the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, especially cancers. TCR engineered cells, soluble TCRs and their derivatives, TCR-mimic antibodies, and TCR-based CAR T cells promise the possibility of highly specific drugs that can expand the scope of immunologic agents to recognize intracellular targets, including mutated proteins and undruggable transcription factors, not accessible by traditional antibodies. Hurdles exist regarding discovery, specificity, pharmacokinetics, and best modality of use that will need to be overcome before the full potential of TCR-based agents is achieved. HLA restriction may limit each agent to patient subpopulations and off-target reactivities remain important barriers to widespread development and use of these new agents. In this review we discuss the unique opportunities for these new classes of drugs, describe their unique antigenic targets, compare them to traditional antibody therapeutics and CAR T cells, and review the various obstacles that must be overcome before full application of these drugs can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Malviya
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Zita Aretz
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Zaki Molvi
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Jayop Lee
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Stephanie Pierre
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Tri-Institutional Medical Scientist Program, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Patrick Wallisch
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
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Uscanga-Palomeque AC, Chávez-Escamilla AK, Alvizo-Báez CA, Saavedra-Alonso S, Terrazas-Armendáriz LD, Tamez-Guerra RS, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Alcocer-González JM. CAR-T Cell Therapy: From the Shop to Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15688. [PMID: 37958672 PMCID: PMC10649325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Nevertheless, new technologies in the immunotherapy field have emerged. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology is a novel biological form to treat cancer; CAR-T cell genetic engineering has positively revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. In this paper, we review the latest developments in CAR-T in cancer treatment. We present the structure of the different generations and variants of CAR-T cells including TRUCK (T cells redirected for universal cytokine killing. We explain the approaches of the CAR-T cells manufactured ex vivo and in vivo. Moreover, we describe the limitations and areas of opportunity for this immunotherapy and the current challenges of treating hematological and solid cancer using CAR-T technology as well as its constraints and engineering approaches. We summarize other immune cells that have been using CAR technology, such as natural killer (NK), macrophages (M), and dendritic cells (DC). We conclude that CAR-T cells have the potential to treat not only cancer but other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashanti Concepción Uscanga-Palomeque
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Nuevo León, Mexico; (A.K.C.-E.); (C.A.A.-B.); (S.S.-A.); (L.D.T.-A.); (R.S.T.-G.); (C.R.-P.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Juan Manuel Alcocer-González
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Nuevo León, Mexico; (A.K.C.-E.); (C.A.A.-B.); (S.S.-A.); (L.D.T.-A.); (R.S.T.-G.); (C.R.-P.)
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Gardam B, Gargett T, Brown MP, Ebert LM. Targeting the dendritic cell-T cell axis to develop effective immunotherapies for glioblastoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1261257. [PMID: 37928547 PMCID: PMC10623138 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1261257] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is an aggressive primary brain tumor that has seen few advances in treatments for over 20 years. In response to this desperate clinical need, multiple immunotherapy strategies are under development, including CAR-T cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses and dendritic cell vaccines, although these approaches are yet to yield significant clinical benefit. Potential reasons for the lack of success so far include the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, the blood-brain barrier, and systemic changes to the immune system driven by both the tumor and its treatment. Furthermore, while T cells are essential effector cells for tumor control, dendritic cells play an equally important role in T cell activation, and emerging evidence suggests the dendritic cell compartment may be deeply compromised in glioblastoma patients. In this review, we describe the immunotherapy approaches currently under development for glioblastoma and the challenges faced, with a particular emphasis on the critical role of the dendritic cell-T cell axis. We suggest a number of strategies that could be used to boost dendritic cell number and function and propose that the use of these in combination with T cell-targeting strategies could lead to successful tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Gardam
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and South Australia (SA) Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Tessa Gargett
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and South Australia (SA) Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michael P. Brown
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and South Australia (SA) Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lisa M. Ebert
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and South Australia (SA) Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Singh N, Maus MV. Synthetic manipulation of the cancer-immunity cycle: CAR-T cell therapy. Immunity 2023; 56:2296-2310. [PMID: 37820585 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic immunity to cancer has been pioneered by the application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering into autologous T cells. CAR T cell therapy is highly amenable to molecular engineering to bypass barriers of the cancer immunity cycle, such as endogenous antigen presentation, immune priming, and natural checkpoints that constrain immune responses. Here, we review CAR T cell design and the mechanisms that drive sustained CAR T cell effector activity and anti-tumor function. We discuss engineering approaches aimed at improving anti-tumor function through a variety of mechanistic interventions for both hematologic and solid tumors. The ability to engineer T cells in such a variety of ways, including by modifying their trafficking, antigen recognition, costimulation, and addition of synthetic genes, circuits, knockouts and base edits to finely tune complex functions, is arguably the most powerful way to manipulate the cancer immunity cycle in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Singh
- Division of Oncology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Yang Z, Wang Y. Clinical development of chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy for hematological malignancies. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:2285-2296. [PMID: 37358555 PMCID: PMC10538902 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cellular therapies have revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies since their conception and rapid development. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is the most widely applied cellular therapy. Since the Food and Drug Administration approved two CD19-CAR-T products for clinical treatment of relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 2017, five more CAR-T cell products were subsequently approved for treating multiple myeloma or B cell malignancies. Moreover, clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for treating other hematological malignancies are ongoing. Both China and the United States have contributed significantly to the development of clinical trials. However, CAR-T cell therapy has many limitations such as a high relapse rate, adverse side effects, and restricted availability. Various methods are being implemented in clinical trials to address these issues, some of which have demonstrated promising breakthroughs. This review summarizes developments in CAR-T cell trials and advances in CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy for Blood Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
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43
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Altvater B, Kailayangiri S, Spurny C, Flügge M, Meltzer J, Greune L, Urban K, Schwöppe C, Brand C, Schliemann C, Hintelmann H, Harrach S, Hartmann W, Abken H, Kuehle J, Schambach A, Görlich D, Berdel WE, Rossig C. CAR T cells as micropharmacies against solid cancers: Combining effector T-cell mediated cell death with vascular targeting in a one-step engineering process. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:1355-1368. [PMID: 37391502 PMCID: PMC10581901 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00642-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
To enhance the potency of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells in solid cancers, we designed a novel cell-based combination strategy with an additional therapeutic mode of action. CAR T cells are used as micropharmacies to produce a targeted pro-coagulatory fusion protein, truncated tissue factor (tTF)-NGR, which exerts pro-coagulatory activity and hypoxia upon relocalization to the vascular endothelial cells that invade tumor tissues. Delivery by CAR T cells aimed to induce locoregional tumor vascular infarction for combined immune-mediated and hypoxic tumor cell death. Human T cells that were one-vector gene-modified to express a GD2-specific CAR along with CAR-inducible tTF-NGR exerted potent GD2-specific effector functions while secreting tTF-NGR that activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway in a strictly GD2-dependent manner. In murine models, the CAR T cells infiltrated GD2-positive tumor xenografts, secreted tTF-NGR into the tumor microenvironment and showed a trend towards superior therapeutic activity compared with control cells producing functionally inactive tTF-NGR. In vitro evidence supports a mechanism of hypoxia-mediated enhancement of T cell cytolytic activity. We conclude that combined CAR T cell targeting with an additional mechanism of antitumor action in a one-vector engineering strategy is a promising approach to be further developed for targeted treatment of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Altvater
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sareetha Kailayangiri
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christian Spurny
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Maike Flügge
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jutta Meltzer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lea Greune
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Katja Urban
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Caroline Brand
- Department of Medicine A, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Heike Hintelmann
- Department of Medicine A, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Saliha Harrach
- Department of Medicine A, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Division of Translational Pathology, Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), and University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Kuehle
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Görlich
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 - CiM), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 - CiM), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Reichenbach P, Giordano Attianese GMP, Ouchen K, Cribioli E, Triboulet M, Ash S, Saillard M, Vuillefroy de Silly R, Coukos G, Irving M. A lentiviral vector for the production of T cells with an inducible transgene and a constitutively expressed tumour-targeting receptor. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1063-1080. [PMID: 37069267 PMCID: PMC10504085 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01013-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Vectors that facilitate the engineering of T cells that can better harness endogenous immunity and overcome suppressive barriers in the tumour microenvironment would help improve the safety and efficacy of T-cell therapies for more patients. Here we report the design, production and applicability, in T-cell engineering, of a lentiviral vector leveraging an antisense configuration and comprising a promoter driving the constitutive expression of a tumour-directed receptor and a second promoter enabling the efficient activation-inducible expression of a genetic payload. The vector allows for the delivery of a variety of genes to human T cells, as we show for interleukin-2 and a microRNA-based short hairpin RNA for the knockdown of the gene coding for haematopoietic progenitor kinase 1, a negative regulator of T-cell-receptor signalling. We also show that a gene encoded under an activation-inducible promoter is specifically expressed by tumour-redirected T cells on encountering a target antigen in the tumour microenvironment. The single two-gene-encoding vector can be produced at high titres under an optimized protocol adaptable to good manufacturing practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Reichenbach
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Khaoula Ouchen
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Cribioli
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Triboulet
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Ash
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Margaux Saillard
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Romain Vuillefroy de Silly
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - George Coukos
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Melita Irving
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Righi M, Gannon I, Robson M, Srivastava S, Kokalaki E, Grothier T, Nannini F, Allen C, Bai YV, Sillibourne J, Cordoba S, Thomas S, Pule M. Enhancing CAR T-cell Therapy Using Fab-Based Constitutively Heterodimeric Cytokine Receptors. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1203-1221. [PMID: 37352396 PMCID: PMC10472109 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapy aims to achieve lasting tumor clearance, requiring enhanced engraftment and survival of the immune cells. Cytokines are paramount modulators of T-cell survival and proliferation. Cytokine receptors signal via ligand-induced dimerization, and this principle has been hijacked utilizing nonnative dimerization domains. A major limitation of current technologies resides in the absence of a module that recapitulates the natural cytokine receptor heterodimeric pairing. To circumvent this, we created a new engineered cytokine receptor able to constitutively recreate receptor-heterodimer utilizing the heterodimerization domain derived from the IgG1 antibody (dFab_CCR). We found that the signal delivered by the dFab_CCR-IL2 proficiently mimicked the cytokine receptor heterodimerization, with transcriptomic signatures like those obtained by activation of the native IL2 receptor. Moreover, we found that this dimerization structure was agnostic, efficiently activating signaling through four cytokine receptor families. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro screening approaches, we characterized a library of 18 dFab_CCRs coexpressed with a clinically relevant solid tumor-specific GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Based on this characterization, we suggest that the coexpression of either the common β-chain GMCSF or the IL18 dFab_CCRs is optimal to improve CAR T-cell expansion, engraftment, and efficacy. Our results demonstrate how Fab dimerization is efficient and versatile in recapitulating a cytokine receptor heterodimerization signal. This module could be applied for the enhancement of adoptive T-cell therapies, as well as therapies based on other immune cell types. Furthermore, these results provide a choice of cytokine signal to incorporate with adoptive T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Nannini
- Department of Haematology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Pule
- Autolus Therapeutics, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Zhang P, Zhang G, Wan X. Challenges and new technologies in adoptive cell therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:97. [PMID: 37596653 PMCID: PMC10439661 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01492-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) have existed for decades. From the initial infusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to the subsequent specific enhanced T cell receptor (TCR)-T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies, many novel strategies for cancer treatment have been developed. Owing to its promising outcomes, CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the field of ACTs, particularly for hematologic malignancies. Despite these advances, CAR-T cell therapy still has limitations in both autologous and allogeneic settings, including practicality and toxicity issues. To overcome these challenges, researchers have focused on the application of CAR engineering technology to other types of immune cell engineering. Consequently, several new cell therapies based on CAR technology have been developed, including CAR-NK, CAR-macrophage, CAR-γδT, and CAR-NKT. In this review, we describe the development, advantages, and possible challenges of the aforementioned ACTs and discuss current strategies aimed at maximizing the therapeutic potential of ACTs. We also provide an overview of the various gene transduction strategies employed in immunotherapy given their importance in immune cell engineering. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that strategies capable of creating a positive feedback immune circuit, as healthy immune systems do, could address the flaw of a single type of ACT, and thus serve as key players in future cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Guizhong Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
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Zhu I, Piraner DI, Roybal KT. Synthesizing a Smarter CAR T Cell: Advanced Engineering of T-cell Immunotherapies. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1030-1043. [PMID: 37429007 PMCID: PMC10527511 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The immune system includes an array of specialized cells that keep us healthy by responding to pathogenic cues. Investigations into the mechanisms behind immune cell behavior have led to the development of powerful immunotherapies, including chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Although CAR T cells have demonstrated efficacy in treating blood cancers, issues regarding their safety and potency have hindered the use of immunotherapies in a wider spectrum of diseases. Efforts to integrate developments in synthetic biology into immunotherapy have led to several advancements with the potential to expand the range of treatable diseases, fine-tune the desired immune response, and improve therapeutic cell potency. Here, we examine current synthetic biology advances that aim to improve on existing technologies and discuss the promise of the next generation of engineered immune cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iowis Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Dan I. Piraner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Kole T. Roybal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA 8Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone UCSF Institute for Genetic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Ma L, Hostetler A, Morgan DM, Maiorino L, Sulkaj I, Whittaker CA, Neeser A, Pires IS, Yousefpour P, Gregory J, Qureshi K, Dye J, Abraham W, Suh H, Li N, Love JC, Irvine DJ. Vaccine-boosted CAR T crosstalk with host immunity to reject tumors with antigen heterogeneity. Cell 2023; 186:3148-3165.e20. [PMID: 37413990 PMCID: PMC10372881 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy effectively treats human cancer, but the loss of the antigen recognized by the CAR poses a major obstacle. We found that in vivo vaccine boosting of CAR T cells triggers the engagement of the endogenous immune system to circumvent antigen-negative tumor escape. Vaccine-boosted CAR T promoted dendritic cell (DC) recruitment to tumors, increased tumor antigen uptake by DCs, and elicited the priming of endogenous anti-tumor T cells. This process was accompanied by shifts in CAR T metabolism toward oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and was critically dependent on CAR-T-derived IFN-γ. Antigen spreading (AS) induced by vaccine-boosted CAR T enabled a proportion of complete responses even when the initial tumor was 50% CAR antigen negative, and heterogeneous tumor control was further enhanced by the genetic amplification of CAR T IFN-γ expression. Thus, CAR-T-cell-derived IFN-γ plays a critical role in promoting AS, and vaccine boosting provides a clinically translatable strategy to drive such responses against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyuan Ma
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Alexander Hostetler
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Duncan M Morgan
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura Maiorino
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ina Sulkaj
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Charles A Whittaker
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alexandra Neeser
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ivan Susin Pires
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Parisa Yousefpour
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Justin Gregory
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kashif Qureshi
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan Dye
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Heikyung Suh
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Na Li
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - J Christopher Love
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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Barboy O, Katzenelenbogen Y, Shalita R, Amit I. In Synergy: Optimizing CAR T Development and Personalizing Patient Care Using Single-Cell Technologies. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1546-1555. [PMID: 37219074 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapies hold immense promise to revolutionize cancer treatment. Nevertheless, key challenges, primarily in solid tumor settings, continue to hinder the application of this technology. Understanding CAR T-cell mechanism of action, in vivo activity, and clinical implications is essential for harnessing its full therapeutic potential. Single-cell genomics and cell engineering tools are becoming increasingly effective for the comprehensive research of complex biological systems. The convergence of these two technologies can accelerate CAR T-cell development. Here, we examine the potential of applying single-cell multiomics for the development of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies. SIGNIFICANCE Although CAR T-cell therapies have demonstrated remarkable clinical results in treating cancer, their effectiveness in most patients and tumor types remains limited. Single-cell technologies, which are transforming our understanding of molecular biology, provide new opportunities to overcome the challenges of CAR T-cell therapies. Given the potential of CAR T-cell therapy to tip the balance in the fight against cancer, it is important to understand how single-cell multiomic approaches can be leveraged to develop the next generations of more effective and less toxic CAR T-cell products and to provide powerful decision-making tools for clinicians to optimize treatment and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Barboy
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Rotem Shalita
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Maher J. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy for Patients with Lung Cancer: Current Perspectives. Onco Targets Ther 2023; 16:515-532. [PMID: 37425981 PMCID: PMC10327905 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s341179] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cells has achieved unprecedented efficacy in selected hematological cancers. However, solid tumors such as lung cancer impose several additional challenges to the attainment of clinical success using this emerging therapeutic modality. Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million deaths worldwide each year. Obstacles to the development of CAR T-cell immunotherapy for lung cancer include the selection of safe tumor-selective targets, accounting for the large number of candidates that have been evaluated thus far. Tumor heterogeneity is also a key hurdle, meaning that single target-based approaches are susceptible to therapeutic failure through the emergence of antigen null cancers. There is also a need to enable CAR T-cells to traffic efficiently to sites of disease, to infiltrate tumor deposits and to operate within the hostile tumor microenvironment formed by solid tumors, resisting the onset of exhaustion. Multiple immune, metabolic, physical and chemical barriers operate at the core of malignant lesions, with potential for further heterogeneity and evolution in the face of selective therapeutic pressures. Although the extraordinarily adaptable nature of lung cancers has recently been unmasked, immunotherapy using immune checkpoint blockade can achieve long-term disease control in a small number of patients, establishing clinical proof of concept that immunotherapies can control advanced lung carcinomas. This review summarizes pre-clinical CAR T-cell research that is specifically focused on lung cancer in addition to published and ongoing clinical trial activity. A number of advanced engineering strategies are also described which are designed to bridge the gap to the attainment of meaningful efficacy using genetically engineered T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maher
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAR Mechanics Lab, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2UD, UK
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