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Mody H, Sutaria DS, Miles D. Clinical Pharmacology Considerations for the "Off-the-Shelf" Allogeneic Cell Therapies. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 115:1233-1250. [PMID: 38501153 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3241] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies have garnered unprecedented clinical success with multiple regulatory approvals for the treatment of various hematological malignancies. However, there are still several clinical challenges that limit their broad utilization for aggressive disease conditions. To address some of these challenges, allogeneic cell therapies are evaluated as an alternative approach. As compared with autologous products, they offer several advantages, such as a more standardized "off the shelf" product, reduced manufacturing complexity, and no requirement of bridging therapy. As with autologous CAR-T therapies, allogeneic cell therapies also present clinical pharmacology challenges due to their in vivo living nature, unique pharmacokinetics or cellular kinetics (CKs), and complex dose-exposure-response relationships that are impacted by various patient- and product-related factors. On top of that, allogeneic cell therapies present additional unique challenges, including attenuated in vivo persistence and graft-vs.-host disease risk as compared with autologous counterparts. This review draws comparison between autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, summarizing key engineering aspects unique to allogeneic cell therapy. Clinical pharmacology learnings from emerging clinical data of allogeneic cell therapy programs are also highlighted, with particular emphasis on CK, dose-exposure-response relationship, lymphodepletion regimen, repeat dosing, and patient- and product-related factors that can impact CK and patient outcomes. There are specific unique challenges and opportunities arising from the development of allogeneic cell therapies, especially in optimizing lymphodepletion and establishing a regimen for repeat dosing. This review highlights how clinical pharmacologists are well positioned to help address these challenges by leveraging novel clinical pharmacology and modeling and simulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik Mody
- Clinical Pharmacology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Dale Miles
- Clinical Pharmacology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
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2
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Brook MO, Hester J, Petchey W, Rombach I, Dutton S, Bottomley MJ, Black J, Abdul-Wahab S, Bushell A, Lombardi G, Wood K, Friend P, Harden P, Issa F. Transplantation Without Overimmunosuppression (TWO) study protocol: a phase 2b randomised controlled single-centre trial of regulatory T cell therapy to facilitate immunosuppression reduction in living donor kidney transplant recipients. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061864. [PMID: 35428650 PMCID: PMC9014059 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy has been demonstrated to facilitate long-term allograft survival in preclinical models of transplantation and may permit reduction of immunosuppression and its associated complications in the clinical setting. Phase 1 clinical trials have shown Treg therapy to be safe and feasible in clinical practice. Here we describe a protocol for the TWO study, a phase 2b randomised control trial of Treg therapy in living donor kidney transplant recipients that will confirm safety and explore efficacy of this novel treatment strategy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS 60 patients will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to Treg therapy (TR001) or standard clinical care (control). Patients in the TR001 arm will receive an infusion of autologous polyclonal ex vivo expanded Tregs 5 days after transplantation instead of standard monoclonal antibody induction. Maintenance immunosuppression will be reduced over the course of the post-transplant period to low-dose tacrolimus monotherapy. Control participants will receive a standard basiliximab-based immunosuppression regimen with long-term tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil immunosuppression. The primary endpoint is biopsy proven acute rejection over 18 months; secondary endpoints include immunosuppression burden, chronic graft dysfunction and drug-related complications. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been provided by the National Health Service Health Research Authority South Central-Oxford A Research Ethics Committee (reference 18/SC/0054). The study also received authorisation from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and is being run in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice, in collaboration with the registered trials unit Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit. Results from the TWO study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific/medical journals and presented at scientific/clinical symposia and congresses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN: 11038572; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Oliver Brook
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Transplant Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Joanna Hester
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - William Petchey
- Oxford Transplant Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ines Rombach
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan Dutton
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew James Bottomley
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Transplant Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Joanna Black
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Seetha Abdul-Wahab
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre GMP unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Andrew Bushell
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre GMP unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kathryn Wood
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Friend
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Transplant Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Harden
- Oxford Transplant Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Fadi Issa
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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3
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Tang TCY, Xu N, Nordon R, Haber M, Micklethwaite K, Dolnikov A. Donor T cells for CAR T cell therapy. Biomark Res 2022; 10:14. [PMID: 35365224 PMCID: PMC8973942 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00359-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using patient-derived chimeric receptor antigen (CAR) T cells redirected against tumor cells has shown remarkable success in treating hematologic cancers. However, wider accessibility of cellular therapies for all patients is needed. Manufacture of patient-derived CAR T cells is limited by prolonged lymphopenia in heavily pre-treated patients and risk of contamination with tumor cells when isolating T cells from patient blood rich in malignant blasts. Donor T cells provide a good source of immune cells for adoptive immunotherapy and can be used to generate universal off-the-shelf CAR T cells that are readily available for administration into patients as required. Genome editing tools such as TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 and non-gene editing methods such as short hairpin RNA and blockade of protein expression are currently used to enhance CAR T cell safety and efficacy by abrogating non-specific toxicity in the form of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and preventing CAR T cell rejection by the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany C Y Tang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Ning Xu
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Nordon
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Kids Cancer Center, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kenneth Micklethwaite
- Blood Transplant and Cell Therapies Program, Department of Hematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Blood Transplant and Cell Therapies Laboratory, NSW Health Pathology, ICPMR Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alla Dolnikov
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Kids Cancer Center, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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4
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Caldwell KJ, Gottschalk S, Talleur AC. Allogeneic CAR Cell Therapy-More Than a Pipe Dream. Front Immunol 2021; 11:618427. [PMID: 33488631 PMCID: PMC7821739 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.618427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has shown promise, particularly for the treatment of hematological malignancies. To date, the majority of clinically evaluated CAR cell products have been derived from autologous immune cells. While this strategy can be effective it also imposes several constraints regarding logistics. This includes i) availability of center to perform leukapheresis, ii) necessity for shipment to and from processing centers, and iii) time requirements for product manufacture and clinical release testing. In addition, previous cytotoxic therapies can negatively impact the effector function of autologous immune cells, which may then affect efficacy and/or durability of resultant CAR products. The use of allogeneic CAR cell products generated using cells from healthy donors has the potential to overcome many of these limitations, including through generation of “off the shelf” products. However, allogeneic CAR cell products come with their own challenges, including potential to induce graft-versus-host-disease, as well as risk of immune-mediated rejection by the host. Here we will review promises and challenges of allogeneic CAR immunotherapies, including those being investigated in preclinical models and/or early phase clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J Caldwell
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Aimee C Talleur
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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5
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Podestà MA, Binder C, Sellberg F, DeWolf S, Shonts B, Ho SH, Obradovic A, Waffarn E, Danzl N, Berglund D, Sykes M. Siplizumab selectively depletes effector memory T cells and promotes a relative expansion of alloreactive regulatory T cells in vitro. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:88-100. [PMID: 31319439 PMCID: PMC6940533 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Siplizumab, a humanized anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody, has been used in conditioning regimens for hematopoietic cell transplantation and tolerance induction with combined kidney-bone marrow transplantation. Siplizumab-based tolerance induction regimens deplete T cells globally while enriching regulatory T cells (Tregs) early posttransplantation. Siplizumab inhibits allogeneic mixed-lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) in vitro. We compared the impact of siplizumab on Tregs versus other T cell subsets in HLA-mismatched allogeneic MLRs using PBMCs. Siplizumab predominantly reduced the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ effector memory T cells, which express higher CD2 levels than naïve T cells or resting Tregs. Conversely, siplizumab enriched proliferating CD45RA- FoxP3HI cells in MLRs. FoxP3 expression was stable over time in siplizumab-containing cultures, consistent with enrichment for bona fide Tregs. Consistently, high-throughput TCRβ CDR3 sequencing of sorted unstimulated and proliferating T cells in MLRs revealed selective expansion of donor-reactive Tregs along with depletion of donor-reactive CD4+ effector/memory T cells in siplizumab-containing MLRs. These results indicate that siplizumab may have immunomodulatory functions that may contribute to its success in tolerance-inducing regimens. Our studies also confirm that naïve in addition to effector/memory T cells contribute to the allogeneic MLR and mandate further investigation of the impact of siplizumab on alloreactive naïve T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Alfredo Podestà
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA.,Current affiliations: Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy and Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Christian Binder
- ITB-Med AB, Sonja Kovalevskys gata 4, 113 66 Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Section of Clinical Immunology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Felix Sellberg
- ITB-Med AB, Sonja Kovalevskys gata 4, 113 66 Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Section of Clinical Immunology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Susan DeWolf
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Brittany Shonts
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Siu-Hong Ho
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Aleksandar Obradovic
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Waffarn
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Nichole Danzl
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - David Berglund
- ITB-Med AB, Sonja Kovalevskys gata 4, 113 66 Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Section of Clinical Immunology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Megan Sykes
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA and Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA
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6
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Leventhal JR, Miller J, Mathew JM, Kurian S, Tambur AR, Friedewald J, Charrette J, Abecassis MM. Updated follow-up of a tolerance protocol in HLA-identical renal transplant pairs given donor hematopoietic stem cells. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:277-282. [PMID: 29408689 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Kidney transplant recipients given donor hematopoietic stem cells from their HLA-identical living related donors have now been followed between 5 and 9½ years post-operatively. Recipients who were designated as tolerant (Tol) have remained so since the last report when the 5 year (biopsy associated) milestone was reached. There has been 1 mortality of a Tol patient, unrelated to the study protocol, while 5 (of 15) have remained Tol between 7 and 8½ years post-operatively. There has been continuing elevated T-regulatory (CD4+CD25HighCD127-FOXP3+) cells in PBMC previously reported on. Ten year renal transplant biopsies are tentatively planned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Leventhal
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joshua Miller
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James M Mathew
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Sunil Kurian
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute and Scripps Center for Organ Transplantation, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anat R Tambur
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John Friedewald
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jane Charrette
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael M Abecassis
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Mathew JM, Ansari MJ, Gallon L, Leventhal JR. Cellular and functional biomarkers of clinical transplant tolerance. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:322-333. [PMID: 29374560 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Development of tolerance protocols requires assays or biomarkers that distinguish tolerant recipients from non-tolerant ones to be established. In addition, a thorough understanding of the plausible mechanisms associated with clinical transplant tolerance is necessary to take the field forward. Unlike the majority of molecular signature analyses utilized by others, the emphasis of this article is on the cellular and functional biomarkers of induced transplant tolerance. Immunity to an organ transplant is very complex, comprised of two broad categories - innate and acquired or adaptive immune responses. Innate immunity can be avoided by eliminating or preventing ischemic injuries to the donor organ and tolerance at the level of adaptive immunity can be induced by infusions of a number of cellular products. Since adaptive immune response consists of inflammatory hypersensitivity, cellular (cytotoxic and helper) and humoral aspects, all these need to be measured, and the recipients who demonstrate donor-specific unresponsiveness in all can be considered tolerant or candidates for immunosuppression minimization and/or withdrawal. The mechanisms by which these agents bring about transplant tolerance include regulation, anergy, exhaustion, senescence and deletion of the recipient immune cells. Another proven mechanism of tolerance is full or mixed donor chimerism. However, it should be cautioned that non-deletional tolerance can be reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Mathew
- Department of Surgery - Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Mohammed Javeed Ansari
- Department of Surgery - Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Medicine-Nephrology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lorenzo Gallon
- Department of Surgery - Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Medicine-Nephrology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joseph R Leventhal
- Department of Surgery - Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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8
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Generation and Characterization of Alloantigen-Specific Regulatory T Cells For Clinical Transplant Tolerance. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1136. [PMID: 29348660 PMCID: PMC5773708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19621-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Donor-specific CD4+CD127−CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (AgTregs) have the potential to induce clinical transplant tolerance; however, their expansion ex vivo remains challenging. We optimized a novel expansion protocol to stimulate donor-specific Tregs using soluble 4-trimer CD40 ligand (CD40L)-activated donor B cells that expressed mature antigen-presenting cell markers. This avoided the use of CD40L-expressing stimulator cells that might otherwise result in potential cellular contamination. Purified allogeneic “recipient” CD4+CD25+ Tregs were stimulated on days 0 and 7 with expanded “donor” B cells in the presence of IL-2, TGFβ and sirolimus (SRL). Tregs were further amplified by polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads on day 14 without SRL, and harvested on day 21, with extrapolated fold expansion into the thousands. The expanded AgTregs maintained expression of classical Treg markers including demethylation of the Treg-specific demethylated region (CNS2) and also displayed constricted TcR repertoire. We observed AgTregs more potently inhibited MLR than polyclonally expanded Tregs and generated new Tregs in autologous responder cells (a measure of infectious tolerance). Thus, an optimized and more clinically applicable protocol for the expansion of donor-specific Tregs has been developed.
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Vieira AP, Trindade MAB, de Paula FJ, Sakai-Valente NY, Duarte AJDS, Lemos FBC, Benard G. Severe type 1 upgrading leprosy reaction in a renal transplant recipient: a paradoxical manifestation associated with deficiency of antigen-specific regulatory T-cells? BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:305. [PMID: 28438129 PMCID: PMC5404339 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2406-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to its chronic subclinical course and large spectrum of manifestations, leprosy often represents a diagnostic challenge. Even with proper anti-mycobacteria treatment, leprosy follow up remains challenging: almost half of leprosy patients may develop reaction episodes. Leprosy is an infrequent complication of solid organ transplant recipients. This case report illustrates the challenges in diagnosing and managing leprosy and its reactional states in a transplant recipient. CASE PRESENTATION A 53-year-old man presented 34 months after a successful renal transplantation a borderline-tuberculoid leprosy with signs of mild type 1 upgrading reaction (T1R). Cutaneous manifestations were atypical, and diagnosis was only made when granulomatous neuritis was found in a cutaneous biopsy. He was successfully treated with the WHO recommended multidrug therapy (MDT: rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine). However he developed a severe T1R immediately after completion of the MDT but no signs of allograft rejection. T1R results from flare-ups of the host T-helper-1 cell-mediated immune response against Mycobacterium leprae antigens in patients with immunologically unstable, borderline forms of leprosy and has been considered an inflammatory syndrome in many aspects similar to the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromes (IRS). The T1R was successfully treated by increasing the prednisone dose without modifying the other immunosuppressive drugs used for preventing allograft rejection. Immunological study revealed that the patient had a profound depletion of both in situ and circulating regulatory T-cells and lack of expansion of the Tregs upon M. leprae stimulation compared to T1R leprosy patients without iatrogenic immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS Our case report highlights that leprosy, especially in the transplant setting, requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and the contribution of histopathology. It also suggests that the development of upgrading inflammatory syndromes such as T1R can occur despite the sustained immunosuppressors regimen for preventing graft rejection. Our hypothesis is that the well-known deleterious effects of these immunosuppressors on pathogen-induced regulatory T-cells contributed to the immunedysregulation and development T1R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Vieira
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 56, Division of Clinical Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Flávio Jota de Paula
- Renal Transplantation Service, Clinics Hospital, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neusa Yurico Sakai-Valente
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 53, Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alberto José da Silva Duarte
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 56, Division of Clinical Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gil Benard
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 56, Division of Clinical Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Laboratory of Medical Investigation Unit 53, Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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10
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Levitsky J, Miller J, Huang X, Gallon L, Leventhal JR, Mathew JM. Immunoregulatory Effects of Everolimus on In Vitro Alloimmune Responses. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156535. [PMID: 27275747 PMCID: PMC4898829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Everolimus (EVL) is a novel mTOR-inhibitor similar to sirolimus (SRL) that is used in organ transplant recipients, often in combination with tacrolimus (TAC) or mycophenolate (MPA). The current study aims to determine its effects on regulatory T cells. Increasing concentrations of EVL, MPA and TAC alone or in combination were added to MLRs of healthy volunteers. Lymphoproliferation by 3H-TdR incorporation and the percentage of newly generated CD4+CD127-CD25+FOXP3+ (total Treg) and CD4+CD127-CD25HighFOXP3+ (natural Treg) in CFSE labeled responder cells were assessed by flow cytometry. In comparison to medium controls, EVL and other agents dose-dependently inhibited 3H-TdR incorporation in HLA-2DR-matched and HLA-mismatched MLRs (n = 3-10). However, EVL significantly amplified newly generated total and natural Tregs in CFSE labeled responder cells (p<0.05) at all concentrations, while MPA and SRL did this only at sub-therapeutic concentrations and inhibited at therapeutic levels. In contrast, TAC inhibited newly generated Tregs at all concentrations. When tested in combination with TAC, EVL failed to reverse TAC inhibition of Treg generation. Combinations of EVL and low concentrations of MPA inhibited proliferation and amplified Treg generation in an additive manner when compared to medium controls or each drug tested alone (p<0.05). The relative tolerogenic effect from high to low was EVL > SRL> MPA > TAC. If the results from these in vitro studies are extrapolated to clinical transplantation, it would suggest EVL plus low concentrations of MPA may be the most tolerogenic combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joshua Miller
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Xuemei Huang
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Lorenzo Gallon
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joseph R. Leventhal
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - James M. Mathew
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Veerappan A, VanWagner LB, Mathew JM, Huang X, Miller J, Lapin B, Levitsky J. Low incidence of acute rejection in hepatitis B virus positive liver transplant recipients and the impact of hepatitis B immunoglobulin. Hum Immunol 2016; 77:367-74. [PMID: 26924082 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Historically, hepatitis B virus (HBV) liver transplantation (LT) recipients have less acute cellular rejection (ACR) than those without HBV. We questioned whether this has persisted in an era of decreased Hepatitis B immunoglobulin use (HBIG) given its in vitro immunoregulatory effects. We compared the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of ACR among 40,593 primary LT recipients with HBV, hepatitis C, steatohepatitis, and immune liver disease (OPTN 2000-2011). We also assessed the in vitro effect of HBIG on alloimmune lymphoproliferation and regulatory T cell generation using mixed lymphocyte reactions. In multivariate analysis, HBV status remained a strong independent predictor of freedom from ACR (OR 0.58, 95% CI: 1.5-2.1). Patient (67.7% vs 72.3%) and graft (60.8% vs 69.1%) survival were significantly lower in patients with ACR versus no ACR for all causes except HBV. HBIG use had no statistical association with ACR. In vitro, HBIG at concentrations equivalent to clinical dosing did not inhibit lymphoproliferation or promote regulatory T cell development. In summary, the incidence and impact of ACR is lower now for HBV LT and does not appear to be secondary to HBIG by our in vitro and in vivo analyses. Rather, it may be due to the innate immunosuppressive properties of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapoorani Veerappan
- Department of Medicine - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 251 East Huron Street Galter Suite 3-150, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Lisa B VanWagner
- Department of Medicine - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 251 East Huron Street Galter Suite 3-150, Chicago, IL 60611, United States; Department of Preventive Medicine, 680 N. Lake Shore Drive Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611, United States; Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC), 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - James M Mathew
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, 303 East Chicago Ave Ward 8-296, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Xuemei Huang
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Joshua Miller
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Brittany Lapin
- Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC), 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States; Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Department of Medicine - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 251 East Huron Street Galter Suite 3-150, Chicago, IL 60611, United States; Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC), 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States; Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, 676 N. St. Clair 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
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Masuyama JI, Murakami T, Iwamoto S, Fujita S. Ex vivo expansion of natural killer cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells co-stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD52 monoclonal antibodies. Cytotherapy 2016; 18:80-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Rosenblum JM, Kirk AD. Recollective homeostasis and the immune consequences of peritransplant depletional induction therapy. Immunol Rev 2015; 258:167-82. [PMID: 24517433 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
One's cellular immune repertoire is composed of lymphocytes in multiple stages of maturation - the dynamic product of their responses to antigenic challenges and the homeostatic contractions necessary to accommodate immune expansions within physiologic norms. Given that alloreactivity is predominantly a cross-reactive phenomenon that is stochastically distributed throughout the overall T-cell repertoire, one's allospecific repertoire is similarly made up of cells in a variety of differentiation states. As such, the continuous expansion and elimination of activated memory populations, producing a 'recollective homeostasis' of sorts, has the potential over time to alter the maturation state and effector composition of both ones protective and alloreactive T-cell repertoire. Importantly, a T cell's maturation state significantly influences its response to numerous immunomodulatory therapies used in organ transplantation, including depletional antibody induction. In this review, we discuss clinically utilized depletional induction strategies, how their use alters a transplant recipient's cellular immune repertoire, and how a recipient's repertoire influences the clinical effects of induction therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk R J Kuypers
- Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven B-3000, Belgium.
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15
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Defining the alloreactive T cell repertoire using high-throughput sequencing of mixed lymphocyte reaction culture. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111943. [PMID: 25365040 PMCID: PMC4218856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular immune response is the most important mediator of allograft rejection and is a major barrier to transplant tolerance. Delineation of the depth and breadth of the alloreactive T cell repertoire and subsequent application of the technology to the clinic may improve patient outcomes. As a first step toward this, we have used MLR and high-throughput sequencing to characterize the alloreactive T cell repertoire in healthy adults at baseline and 3 months later. Our results demonstrate that thousands of T cell clones proliferate in MLR, and that the alloreactive repertoire is dominated by relatively high-abundance T cell clones. This clonal make up is consistently reproducible across replicates and across a span of three months. These results indicate that our technology is sensitive and that the alloreactive TCR repertoire is broad and stable over time. We anticipate that application of this approach to track donor-reactive clones may positively impact clinical management of transplant patients.
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Syed A, Garcia MA, Lyu SC, Bucayu R, Kohli A, Ishida S, Berglund JP, Tsai M, Maecker H, O'Riordan G, Galli SJ, Nadeau KC. Peanut oral immunotherapy results in increased antigen-induced regulatory T-cell function and hypomethylation of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3). J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133:500-10. [PMID: 24636474 PMCID: PMC4121175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.12.1037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms contributing to clinical immune tolerance remain incompletely understood. This study provides evidence for specific immune mechanisms that are associated with a model of operationally defined clinical tolerance. OBJECTIVE Our overall objective was to study laboratory changes associated with clinical immune tolerance in antigen-induced T cells, basophils, and antibodies in subjects undergoing oral immunotherapy (OIT) for peanut allergy. METHODS In a phase 1 single-site study, we studied participants (n = 23) undergoing peanut OIT and compared them with age-matched allergic control subjects (n = 20) undergoing standard of care (abstaining from peanut) for 24 months. Participants were operationally defined as clinically immune tolerant (IT) if they had no detectable allergic reactions to a peanut oral food challenge after 3 months of therapy withdrawal (IT, n = 7), whereas those who had an allergic reaction were categorized as nontolerant (NT; n = 13). RESULTS Antibody and basophil activation measurements did not statistically differentiate between NT versus IT participants. However, T-cell function and demethylation of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) CpG sites in antigen-induced regulatory T cells were significantly different between IT versus NT participants. When IT participants were withdrawn from peanut therapy for an additional 3 months (total of 6 months), only 3 participants remained classified as IT participants, and 4 participants regained sensitivity along with increased methylation of FOXP3 CpG sites in antigen-induced regulatory T cells. CONCLUSION In summary, modifications at the DNA level of antigen-induced T-cell subsets might be predictive of a state of operationally defined clinical immune tolerance during peanut OIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleena Syed
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Marco A Garcia
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Shu-Chen Lyu
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Robert Bucayu
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Arunima Kohli
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Satoru Ishida
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Jelena P Berglund
- Duke Translational Medicine Institute, Regulatory Affairs, Durham, NC
| | - Mindy Tsai
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Holden Maecker
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Gerri O'Riordan
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Stephen J Galli
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.
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Levitsky J, Miller J, Huang X, Chandrasekaran D, Chen L, Mathew JM. Inhibitory effects of belatacept on allospecific regulatory T-cell generation in humans. Transplantation 2013; 96:689-96. [PMID: 23883971 PMCID: PMC3800494 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e31829f1607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear if new costimulatory blockade agents, such as the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-Ig molecule belatacept (BEL), promote or inhibit the potential for immunologic tolerance in transplantation. We therefore tested the in vitro effects of BEL on human regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) alone and in combination with maintenance agents used in transplant recipients. METHODS BEL, mycophenolic acid (MPA), and sirolimus, either alone or in combination, were added to healthy volunteer Treg-MLR, testing (a) H-TdR incorporation for inhibition of lymphoproliferation and (b) flow cytometry to analyze for newly generated CD4+ CD25(high) FOXP3+ Tregs in carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester-labeled MLR responders. In addition, the modulatory effects of putative Tregs generated in the presence of these drugs were also tested using the lymphoproliferation and flow cytometric assays. RESULTS In comparison with medium controls, BEL dose-dependently inhibited both lymphoproliferation and Treg generation in human leukocyte antigen DR matched and mismatched MLRs either alone or in combination with MPA or sirolimus. However, MPA alone inhibited lymphoproliferation but significantly enhanced Treg generation at subtherapeutic concentrations (P<0.01). In addition, purified CD4+ CD127- cells generated in MLR in the presence of MPA and added as third component modulators in fresh MLRs significantly enhanced newly developed Tregs in the proliferating responder cells compared with those generated with BEL or medium controls. CONCLUSIONS BEL alone and in combination with agents used in transplant recipients inhibits the in vitro generation of human Tregs. BEL might therefore be a less optimal agent for tolerance induction in human organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Levitsky
- 1 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. 2 Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. 3 Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL. 4 Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Dons E, Raimondi G, Zhang H, Zahorchak A, Bhama J, Lu L, Ezzelarab M, Ijzermans J, Cooper D, Thomson A. Ex vivo-expanded cynomolgus macaque regulatory T cells are resistant to alemtuzumab-mediated cytotoxicity. Am J Transplant 2013; 13:2169-78. [PMID: 23635093 PMCID: PMC3780590 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.12248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) is a humanized monoclonal antibody (Ab) directed against CD52 that depletes lymphocytes and other leukocytes, mainly by complement-dependent mechanisms. We investigated the influence of alemtuzumab (i) on ex vivo-expanded cynomolgus monkey regulatory T cells (Treg) generated for prospective use in adoptive cell therapy and (ii) on naturally occurring Treg following alemtuzumab infusion. Treg were isolated from PBMC and lymph nodes and expanded for two rounds. CD52 expression, binding of alemtuzumab and both complement-mediated killing and Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were compared between freshly isolated and expanded Treg and effector T cells. Monkeys undergoing allogeneic heart transplantation given alemtuzumab were monitored for Treg and serum alemtuzumab activity. Ex vivo-expanded Treg showed progressive downregulation of CD52 expression, absence of alemtuzumab binding, minimal change in complement inhibitory protein (CD46) expression and no complement-dependent killing or ADCC. Infusion of alemtuzumab caused potent depletion of all lymphocytes, but a transient increase in the incidence of circulating Treg. After infusion of alemtuzumab, monkey serum killed fresh PBMC, but not expanded Treg. Thus, expanded cynomolgus monkey Treg are resistant to alemtuzumab-mediated, complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, our data suggest that these expanded monkey Treg can be infused into graft recipients given alemtuzumab without risk of complement-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- E.M. Dons
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G. Raimondi
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - H. Zhang
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - A.F. Zahorchak
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - J.K. Bhama
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - L. Lu
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - M. Ezzelarab
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - J.N.M. Ijzermans
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D.K.C. Cooper
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - A.W. Thomson
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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Nikiforow S, Kim HT, Bindra B, McDonough S, Glotzbecker B, Armand P, Koreth J, Ho VT, Alyea EP, Blazar BR, Ritz J, Soiffer RJ, Antin JH, Cutler CS. Phase I study of alemtuzumab for therapy of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2013; 19:804-11. [PMID: 23416855 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2013.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) carries a poor prognosis with no agreed upon algorithm for treatment. Because both B and T cells contribute to the pathophysiology of cGVHD, we conducted a phase I study in subjects with steroid-refractory cGVHD using the anti-CD52 antibody alemtuzumab to transiently deplete most mononuclear subsets. Three regimens were investigated in a 3+3 dose-escalation design: 3 mg × 6 (dose level 1), 3 mg × 1, then 10 mg × 5 (dose level 2) and 3 mg × 1, 10 mg × 1, then 30 mg × 4 (dose level 3) administered over 4 weeks. The maximum tolerated dose of alemtuzumab was dose level 2. Thirteen patients were assessable for toxicities, which were primarily infectious and hematologic. Rates of infectious complications in the first 12 weeks were 0% at dose level 1 (n = 3), 50% at dose level 2 (1 death, n = 6), and 75% at dose level 3 (2 deaths, n = 4). Of 10 patients assessable for response, 7 (70%) responded at 12 weeks, with a 30% complete response rate. Four subjects reduced steroid dose or discontinued an immunosuppressant at 12 weeks. The median decrease in steroid dose at 1 year was 61.6%. Infectious complications occurred predominantly in the first 3 months after therapy, but full B and T cell recovery took well over 12 months. Immunophenotypic profiling revealed early recovery by natural killer cells and relative sparing of CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cell subsets. Our study indicates that therapy with alemtuzumab for steroid-refractory cGVHD is tolerable with close attention to dosing and may be active in subjects who have failed multiple therapies. The pattern of lymphocyte recovery after alemtuzumab will inform the biology and future therapy of cGVHD. The use of alemtuzumab in the context of therapy for cGVHD deserves study in larger phase II trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nikiforow
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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