1
|
Mavi AK, Gaur S, Gaur G, Babita, Kumar N, Kumar U. CAR T-cell therapy: Reprogramming patient's immune cell to treat cancer. Cell Signal 2023; 105:110638. [PMID: 36822565 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110638] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is a game changer in cancer treatment. Although CAR-T cell therapy has achieved significant clinical responses in specific subgroups of B cell leukaemia or lymphoma, various difficulties restrict CAR-T cell therapy's therapeutic effectiveness in solid tumours and haematological malignancies. Severe life-threatening toxicities, poor anti-tumour effectiveness, antigen escape, restricted trafficking, and limited tumour penetration are all barriers to successful CAR-T cell treatment. Furthermore, CAR-T cell interactions with the host and tumour microenvironment have a significant impact on their activity. Furthermore, developing and implementing these therapies necessitates a complicated staff. Innovative methodologies and tactics to engineering more potent CAR-T cells with greater anti-tumour activity and less toxicity are required to address these important difficulties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar Mavi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Sonal Gaur
- Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur, Rajasthan 304022, India
| | - Gauri Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana 133203, India
| | - Babita
- Department of Pharmacology, Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India
| | - Neelesh Kumar
- Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand 263145, India
| | - Umesh Kumar
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Management Studies Ghaziabad (University Courses Campus), NH09, Adhyatmik Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201015, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Maali A, Gholizadeh M, Feghhi-Najafabadi S, Noei A, Seyed-Motahari SS, Mansoori S, Sharifzadeh Z. Nanobodies in cell-mediated immunotherapy: On the road to fight cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1012841. [PMID: 36761751 PMCID: PMC9905824 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1012841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system is essential in recognizing and eliminating tumor cells. The unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as heterogeneity, reduced blood flow, hypoxia, and acidity, can reduce the efficacy of cell-mediated immunity. The primary goal of cancer immunotherapy is to modify the immune cells or the TME to enable the immune system to eliminate malignancies successfully. Nanobodies, known as single-domain antibodies, are light chain-free antibody fragments produced from Camelidae antibodies. The unique properties of nanobodies, including high stability, reduced immunogenicity, enhanced infiltration into the TME of solid tumors and facile genetic engineering have led to their promising application in cell-mediated immunotherapy. They can promote the cancer therapy either directly by bridging between tumor cells and immune cells and by targeting cancer cells using immune cell-bound nanobodies or indirectly by blocking the inhibitory ligands/receptors. The T-cell activation can be engaged through anti-CD3 and anti-4-1BB nanobodies in the bispecific (bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs)) and trispecific (trispecific T-cell engager (TriTEs)) manners. Also, nanobodies can be used as natural killer (NK) cell engagers (BiKEs, TriKEs, and TetraKEs) to create an immune synapse between the tumor and NK cells. Nanobodies can redirect immune cells to attack tumor cells through a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) incorporating a nanobody against the target antigen. Various cancer antigens have been targeted by nanobody-based CAR-T and CAR-NK cells for treating both hematological and solid malignancies. They can also cause the continuation of immune surveillance against tumor cells by stopping inappropriate inhibition of immune checkpoints. Other roles of nanobodies in cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy include reprogramming macrophages to reduce metastasis and angiogenesis, as well as preventing the severe side effects occurring in cell-mediated immunotherapy. Here, we highlight the critical functions of various immune cells, including T cells, NK cells, and macrophages in the TME, and discuss newly developed immunotherapy methods based on the targeted manipulation of immune cells and TME with nanobodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amirhosein Maali
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Monireh Gholizadeh
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Ahmad Noei
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Sheila Seyed-Motahari
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Zahra Sharifzadeh,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Safarzadeh Kozani P, Naseri A, Mirarefin SMJ, Salem F, Nikbakht M, Evazi Bakhshi S, Safarzadeh Kozani P. Nanobody-based CAR-T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2022; 10:24. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1186/s40364-022-00371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractChimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is the result of combining genetic engineering-based cancer immunotherapy with adoptive cell therapy (ACT). CAR-T therapy has been successful in treating various types of hematological cancers. CARs are receptors made of an extracellular domain, a membrane-spanning domain, and an intracellular domain. The extracellular domain of CARs harbors an antigen-targeting domain responsible for recognizing and binding cell surface-expressed target antigens. Conventionally, the single-chain fragment variable (scFv) of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) is used as the antigen-targeting domain of CARs. However, of late, researchers have exploited nanobodies for this aim based on numerous rationales including the small size of nanobodies, their stability, specificity, and high affinity, and their easy and feasible development process. Many findings have confirmed that nanobody-based CAR-Ts can be as functional as scFv-based CAR-Ts in preclinical and clinical settings. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of scFvs and nanobodies in regards to their application as the targeting domain of CARs. Ultimately, we discuss various CAR target antigens which have been targeted using nanobody-based CAR-T cells for the treatment of different types of malignancies.
Collapse
|
4
|
Mazinani M, Rahbarizadeh F. CAR-T cell potency: from structural elements to vector backbone components. Biomark Res 2022; 10:70. [PMID: 36123710 PMCID: PMC9487061 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which a patient’s own T lymphocytes are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, has achieved remarkable success in some hematological malignancies in preclinical and clinical trials, resulting in six FDA-approved CAR-T products currently available in the market. Once equipped with a CAR construct, T cells act as living drugs and recognize and eliminate the target tumor cells in an MHC-independent manner. In this review, we first described all structural modular of CAR in detail, focusing on more recent findings. We then pointed out behind-the-scene elements contributing to CAR expression and reviewed how CAR expression can be drastically affected by the elements embedded in the viral vector backbone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mazinani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran. .,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zeng Q, Liu Z, Niu T, He C, Qu Y, Qian Z. Application of nanotechnology in CAR-T-cell immunotherapy. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.107747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
|
6
|
Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Rahbarizadeh F. CAR T cells redirected against tumor-specific antigen glycoforms: can low-sugar antigens guarantee a sweet success? Front Med 2022; 16:322-338. [PMID: 35687277 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0901-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Immune-based therapies have experienced a pronounced breakthrough in the past decades as they acquired multiple US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for various indications. To date, six chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies have been permitted for the treatment of certain patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. However, several clinical trials of solid tumor CAR-T therapies were prematurely terminated, or they reported life-threatening treatment-related damages to healthy tissues. The simultaneous expression of target antigens by healthy organs and tumor cells is partly responsible for such toxicities. Alongside targeting tumor-specific antigens, targeting the aberrantly glycosylated glycoforms of tumor-associated antigens can also minimize the off-tumor effects of CAR-T therapies. Tn, T, and sialyl-Tn antigens have been reported to be involved in tumor progression and metastasis, and their expression results from the dysregulation of a series of glycosyltransferases and the endoplasmic reticulum protein chaperone, Cosmc. Moreover, these glycoforms have been associated with various types of cancers, including prostate, breast, colon, gastric, and lung cancers. Here, we discuss how underglycosylated antigens emerge and then detail the latest advances in the development of CAR-T-based immunotherapies that target some of such antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, P.O. Box 14115/111, Iran
| | - Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, P.O. Box 44771/66595, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, P.O. Box 14115/111, Iran. .,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, P.O. Box 14115/111, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Awad RM, Meeus F, Ceuppens H, Ertveldt T, Hanssens H, Lecocq Q, Mateusiak L, Zeven K, Valenta H, De Groof TWM, De Vlaeminck Y, Krasniqi A, De Veirman K, Goyvaerts C, D'Huyvetter M, Hernot S, Devoogdt N, Breckpot K. Emerging applications of nanobodies in cancer therapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:143-199. [PMID: 35777863 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, requiring treatment tailored to the unique phenotype of the patient's tumor. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and variants thereof have enabled targeted therapies to selectively target cancer cells. Cancer cell-specific mAbs have been used for image-guided surgery and targeted delivery of radionuclides or toxic agents, improving classical treatment strategies. Cancer cell-specific mAbs can further inhibit tumor cell growth or can stimulate immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells, a feature that has also been achieved through mAb-mediated manipulation of immune cells and pathways. Drawbacks of mAbs and their variants, together with the discovery of camelid heavy chain-only antibodies and the many advantageous features of their variable domains, referred to as VHHs, single domain antibodies or nanobodies (Nbs), resulted in the exploration of Nbs as an alternative targeting moiety. We therefore review the state-of-the-art as well as novel exploitation strategies of Nbs for targeted cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fien Meeus
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Ceuppens
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Ertveldt
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heleen Hanssens
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lukasz Mateusiak
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katty Zeven
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hana Valenta
- Lab for Nanobiology, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ahmet Krasniqi
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'Huyvetter
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Hernot
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Safarzadeh Kozani P, Naseri A, Mirarefin SMJ, Salem F, Nikbakht M, Evazi Bakhshi S, Safarzadeh Kozani P. Nanobody-based CAR-T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2022; 10:24. [PMID: 35468841 PMCID: PMC9036779 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is the result of combining genetic engineering-based cancer immunotherapy with adoptive cell therapy (ACT). CAR-T therapy has been successful in treating various types of hematological cancers. CARs are receptors made of an extracellular domain, a membrane-spanning domain, and an intracellular domain. The extracellular domain of CARs harbors an antigen-targeting domain responsible for recognizing and binding cell surface-expressed target antigens. Conventionally, the single-chain fragment variable (scFv) of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) is used as the antigen-targeting domain of CARs. However, of late, researchers have exploited nanobodies for this aim based on numerous rationales including the small size of nanobodies, their stability, specificity, and high affinity, and their easy and feasible development process. Many findings have confirmed that nanobody-based CAR-Ts can be as functional as scFv-based CAR-Ts in preclinical and clinical settings. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of scFvs and nanobodies in regards to their application as the targeting domain of CARs. Ultimately, we discuss various CAR target antigens which have been targeted using nanobody-based CAR-T cells for the treatment of different types of malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Naseri
- School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Faeze Salem
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Nikbakht
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Evazi Bakhshi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Rahbarizadeh F. Novel antigens of CAR T cell therapy: New roads; old destination. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101079. [PMID: 33862524 PMCID: PMC8065293 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has so far proved itself as a reliable therapeutic option for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, this picture is not as colorful when it comes to the treatment of solid tumors mainly due to the lack of definitive tumor antigens, as well as the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and poor CAR-T infiltration. The recent developments in bioinformatics and cell biology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, have offered silver linings in the subject of tumor antigen discovery. In the current review, we summarize the development of some CAR-T therapies that target novel tumor antigens, rather than the traditionally CAR-T-targeted ones, and briefly discuss the clinical antitumor achievements of those evaluated in patients, so far. Furthermore, we propose some tumor antigens that might someday be therapeutically beneficial while targeted by CAR-Ts based on the experimental evaluations of their specific monoclonal antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran; Student Research Committee, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The Application of Nanobody in CAR-T Therapy. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020238. [PMID: 33567640 PMCID: PMC7914546 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy represents a form of immune cellular therapy with clinical efficacy and a specific target. A typical chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct consists of an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. Nanobodies have been widely applied as the antigen binding domain of CAR-T due to their small size, optimal stability, high affinity, and manufacturing feasibility. The nanobody-based CAR structure has shown a proven function in more than ten different tumor-specific targets. After being transduced in Jurkat cells, natural killer cells, or primary T cells, the resulting nanobody-based CAR-T or CAR-NK cells demonstrate anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, anti-BCMA CAR-T modulated by a single nanobody or bi-valent nanobody displays comparable clinical effects with that of single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-modulated CAR-T. The application of nanobodies in CAR-T therapy has been well demonstrated from bench to bedside and displays great potential in forming advanced CAR-T for more challenging tasks.
Collapse
|
11
|
Strategies for having a more effective and less toxic CAR T-cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Med Oncol 2020; 37:100. [PMID: 33047234 PMCID: PMC7549730 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-020-01416-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the recent years, using genetically modified T cells has been known as a rapid developing therapeutic approach due to the heartwarming results of clinical trials with patients suffering from relapsed or refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies such as R/R Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (R/R ALL). One of these renowned approaches is Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). CARs are synthetic receptors with the ability to be expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes and are specifically designed to target a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) of interest. CAR-expressing T cells have the capability of proliferating and maintaining their immunological functionality in the recipient body but like any other therapeutic approach, the safety, effectiveness, and specificity enhancement of CAR T cells still lingers in the ambiguity arena. Genetic manipulation methods, expansion protocols, infusion dosage, and conditioning regimens are all among crucial factors which can affect the efficacy of CAR T cell-based cancer therapy. In this article, we discuss the studies that have focused on various aspects that affect the efficacy and persistence of CAR T-cell therapy for ALL treatment and provide a widespread overview regarding the practical approaches capable of elevating the effectiveness and lessening the relative toxicities attributed to it.
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Today, bio-medical efforts are entering the subcellular level, which is witnessed with the fast-developing fields of nanomedicine, nanodiagnostics and nanotherapy in conjunction with the implementation of nanoparticles for disease prevention, diagnosis, therapy and follow-up. Nanoparticles or nanocontainers offer advantages including high sensitivity, lower toxicity and improved safety—characteristics that are especially valued in the oncology field. Cancer cells develop and proliferate in complex microenvironments leading to heterogeneous diseases, often with a fatal outcome for the patient. Although antibody-based therapy is widely used in the clinical care of patients with solid tumours, its efficiency definitely needs improvement. Limitations of antibodies result mainly from their big size and poor penetration in solid tissues. Nanobodies are a novel and unique class of antigen-binding fragments, derived from naturally occurring heavy-chain-only antibodies present in the serum of camelids. Their superior properties such as small size, high stability, strong antigen-binding affinity, water solubility and natural origin make them suitable for development into next-generation biodrugs. Less than 30 years after the discovery of functional heavy-chain-only antibodies, the nanobody derivatives are already extensively used by the biotechnology research community. Moreover, a number of nanobodies are under clinical investigation for a wide spectrum of human diseases including inflammation, breast cancer, brain tumours, lung diseases and infectious diseases. Recently, caplacizumab, a bivalent nanobody, received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Jovčevska
- Medical Center for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhu L, Yang X, Zhong D, Xie S, Shi W, Li Y, Hou X, HuaYao, Zhou H, Zhao M, Ding Z, Zhao X, Mo F, Yin S, Liu A, Lu X. Single-Domain Antibody-Based TCR-Like CAR-T: A Potential Cancer Therapy. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:2454907. [PMID: 32964055 PMCID: PMC7492946 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2454907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retargeting the antigen-binding specificity of T cells to intracellular antigens that are degraded and presented on the tumor surface by engineering chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), also named TCR-like antibody CAR-T, remains limited. With the exception of the commercialized CD19 CAR-T for hematological malignancies and other CAR-T therapies aiming mostly at extracellular antigens achieving great success, the rareness and scarcity of TCR-like CAR-T therapies might be due to their current status and limitations. This review provides the probable optimized initiatives for improving TCR-like CAR-T reprogramming and discusses single-domain antibodies administered as an alternative to conventional scFvs and secreted by CAR-T cells, which might be of great value to the development of CAR-T immunotherapies for intracellular antigens.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Genetic Engineering
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Single-Chain Antibodies/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/genetics
- Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lichen Zhu
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xiaomei Yang
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Dani Zhong
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Chemotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Shenxia Xie
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yangzi Li
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Hou
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - HuaYao
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Huihui Zhou
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Minlong Zhao
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ziqiang Ding
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Fengzhen Mo
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Shihua Yin
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Aiqun Liu
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xiaoling Lu
- Nanobody Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- School of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
De Munter S, Van Parys A, Bral L, Ingels J, Goetgeluk G, Bonte S, Pille M, Billiet L, Weening K, Verhee A, Van der Heyden J, Taghon T, Leclercq G, Kerre T, Tavernier J, Vandekerckhove B. Rapid and Effective Generation of Nanobody Based CARs using PCR and Gibson Assembly. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030883. [PMID: 32019116 PMCID: PMC7037261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent approval of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)/Federal and Drug Administration (FDA) and the remarkable results of CAR T clinical trials illustrate the curative potential of this therapy. While CARs against a multitude of different antigens are being developed and tested (pre)clinically, there is still a need for optimization. The use of single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) as targeting moieties hampers the quick generation of functional CARs and could potentially limit the efficacy. Instead, nanobodies may largely circumvent these difficulties. We used an available nanobody library generated after immunization of llamas against Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 20 through DNA vaccination or against the ectodomain of CD33 using soluble protein. The nanobody specific sequences were amplified by PCR and cloned by Gibson Assembly into a retroviral vector containing two different second-generation CAR constructs. After transduction in T cells, we observed high cell membrane nanoCAR expression in all cases. Following stimulation of nanoCAR-expressing T cells with antigen-positive cell lines, robust T cell activation, cytokine production and tumor cell lysis both in vitro and in vivo was observed. The use of nanobody technology in combination with PCR and Gibson Assembly allows for the rapid and effective generation of compact CARs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn De Munter
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexander Van Parys
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Flanders Institute of Biotechnology, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Layla Bral
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joline Ingels
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Glenn Goetgeluk
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Bonte
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Melissa Pille
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lore Billiet
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Weening
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annick Verhee
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Flanders Institute of Biotechnology, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jose Van der Heyden
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Flanders Institute of Biotechnology, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Taghon
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Georges Leclercq
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tessa Kerre
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Flanders Institute of Biotechnology, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Vandekerckhove
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptors with fully human heavy-chain-only antigen recognition domains. Nat Commun 2020; 11:283. [PMID: 31941907 PMCID: PMC6962219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) have activity against multiple myeloma, but improvements in anti-BCMA CARs are needed. We demonstrated recipient anti-CAR T-cell responses against a murine single-chain variable fragment (scFv) used clinically in anti-BCMA CARs. To bypass potential anti-CAR immunogenicity and to reduce CAR binding domain size, here we designed CARs with antigen-recognition domains consisting of only a fully human heavy-chain variable domain without a light-chain domain. A CAR designated FHVH33-CD8BBZ contains a fully human heavy-chain variable domain (FHVH) plus 4-1BB and CD3ζ domains. T cells expressing FHVH33-CD8BBZ exhibit similar cytokine release, degranulation, and mouse tumor eradication as a CAR that is identical except for substitution of a scFv for FHVH33. Inclusion of 4-1BB is critical for reducing activation-induced cell death and promoting survival of T cells expressing FHVH33-containing CARs. Our results indicate that heavy-chain-only anti-BCMA CARs are suitable for evaluation in a clinical trial.
Collapse
|
16
|
Hassani M, Hajari Taheri F, Sharifzadeh Z, Arashkia A, Hadjati J, van Weerden WM, Abdoli S, Modarressi MH, Abolhassani M. Engineered Jurkat Cells for Targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen on Prostate Cancer Cells by Nanobody-Based Chimeric Antigen Receptor. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2019. [PMID: 31677604 PMCID: PMC6984713 DOI: 10.29252/ibj.24.2.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Recently, modification of T cells with CAR has been an attractive approach for adoptive immunotherapy of cancers. Typically, CARs contain a scFv. Most often, scfvs are derived from a monoclonal antibody of murine origin and may be a trigger for host immune system that leads to the T-cell clearance. Nanobody is a specific antigen-binding fragment derived from camelid that has great homology to human VH and low immunogenic potential. Therefore, in this study, nanobody was employed instead of scFv in CAR construct. Methods: In this study, a CAR was constructed based on a nanobody against PSMA (NBPII-CAR). At first, Jurkat cells were electroporated with NBPII-CAR, and then flow cytometry was performed for NBPII-CAR expression. For functional analysis, CAR T cells were co-cultured with prostate cancer cells and analyzed for IL-2 secretion, CD25 expression, and cell proliferation. Results: Flow cytometry results confirmed the expression of NBPII-CAR on the transfected Jurkat cells. Our data showed the specificity of engineered Jurkat cells against prostate cancer cells by not only increasing the IL-2 cytokine (about 370 pg/ml) but also expressing the T-cell activation marker CD25 (about 30%). In addition, proliferation of engineered Jurkat cells increased nearly 60% when co-cultured with LNCaP (PSMA+), as compared with DU145 (PSMA-). Conclusion: Here, we describe the ability of nanobody-based CAR to recognize PSMA that leads to the activation of Jurkat cells. This construct might be used as a promising candidate for clinical applications in prostate cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Hassani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Hybridoma Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohammad Hossein Modarressi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Abolhassani
- Department of Immunology, Hybridoma Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nanobody-based CAR T cells that target the tumor microenvironment inhibit the growth of solid tumors in immunocompetent mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:7624-7631. [PMID: 30936321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1817147116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been successful in clinical trials against hematological cancers, but has experienced challenges in the treatment of solid tumors. One of the main difficulties lies in a paucity of tumor-specific targets that can serve as CAR recognition domains. We therefore focused on developing VHH-based, single-domain antibody (nanobody) CAR T cells that target aspects of the tumor microenvironment conserved across multiple cancer types. Many solid tumors evade immune recognition through expression of checkpoint molecules, such as PD-L1, that down-regulate the immune response. We therefore targeted CAR T cells to the tumor microenvironment via the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 and observed a reduction in tumor growth, resulting in improved survival. CAR T cells that target the tumor stroma and vasculature through the EIIIB+ fibronectin splice variant, which is expressed by multiple tumor types and on neovasculature, are likewise effective in delaying tumor growth. VHH-based CAR T cells can thus function as antitumor agents for multiple targets in syngeneic, immunocompetent animal models. Our results demonstrate the flexibility of VHH-based CAR T cells and the potential of CAR T cells to target the tumor microenvironment and treat solid tumors.
Collapse
|
18
|
Rahbarizadeh F, Ahmadvand D, Moghimi S. CAR T-cell bioengineering: Single variable domain of heavy chain antibody targeted CARs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:41-46. [PMID: 31004624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Redirecting the recognition specificity of T lymphocytes to designated tumour cell surface antigens by transferring chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) genes is becoming an effective strategy to combat cancer. Today, CAR T-cell therapy has proven successful in the treatment of haematological malignancies and the first CD19 CAR T-cell products has already entered the market. This success is expanding CAR design for broader malignancies including solid tumours. Nevertheless, CARs such as those built on antigen-specific single chain antibody variable fragment (scFv) may induce some adverse effects. Here, we briefly review CAR T-cell bioengineering and discuss selected important initiatives for improved T-cell reprogramming, function and safety. In this respect, we further elaborate on unconventional CARs structured on single variable domain of heavy chain (VHH) antibodies (single-domain antibodies) as an alternative to scFv, because of their interesting immunological and physicochemical characteristics and unique structure, which shows a high degree of homology with human VH3 gene family.
Collapse
|
19
|
Hajari Taheri F, Hassani M, Sharifzadeh Z, Behdani M, Arashkia A, Abolhassani M. T cell engineered with a novel nanobody‐based chimeric antigen receptor against VEGFR2 as a candidate for tumor immunotherapy. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1259-1267. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahmoud Hassani
- Department of ImmunologyHybridoma Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran Tehran Iran
- Department of Molecular MedicineTehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- Department of ImmunologyHybridoma Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran Tehran Iran
| | - Mehdi Behdani
- Department of Molecular MedicinePasteur Institute of Iran Tehran Iran
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of a Molecular VirologyPasteur Institute of Iran Tehran Iran
| | - Mohsen Abolhassani
- Department of ImmunologyHybridoma Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran Tehran Iran
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chanier T, Chames P. Nanobody Engineering: Toward Next Generation Immunotherapies and Immunoimaging of Cancer. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:E13. [PMID: 31544819 PMCID: PMC6640690 DOI: 10.3390/antib8010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, cancer immunotherapies have produced impressive therapeutic results. However, the potency of immunotherapy is tightly linked to immune cell infiltration within the tumor and varies from patient to patient. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor and modulate the tumor immune infiltrate for an efficient diagnosis and therapy. Various bispecific approaches are being developed to favor immune cell infiltration through specific tumor targeting. The discovery of antibodies devoid of light chains in camelids has spurred the development of single domain antibodies (also called VHH or nanobody), allowing for an increased diversity of multispecific and/or multivalent formats of relatively small sizes endowed with high tissue penetration. The small size of nanobodies is also an asset leading to high contrasts for non-invasive imaging. The approval of the first therapeutic nanobody directed against the von Willebrand factor for the treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocypenic purpura (Caplacizumab, Ablynx), is expected to bolster the rise of these innovative molecules. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in the development of nanobodies and nanobody-derived molecules for use in cancer immunotherapy and immunoimaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothée Chanier
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, Institute Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, 13009 Marseille, France.
| | - Patrick Chames
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, Institute Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, 13009 Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Addressing cancer immunotherapy research in Iran: adoptive cell therapy on the horizon. Cytotherapy 2018; 20:1227-1237. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
22
|
An N, Hou YN, Zhang QX, Li T, Zhang QL, Fang C, Chen H, Lee HC, Zhao YJ, Du X. Anti-Multiple Myeloma Activity of Nanobody-Based Anti-CD38 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:4577-4588. [PMID: 30185037 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts) are a promising strategy for the treatment of many cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM), a hematological malignancy characterized by the high expression of CD38. To broaden the applications of using CD38 as a therapeutic target for the disease, we developed a new nanobody against CD38 and constructed a CD38-CAR that was composed of this nanobody as the targeting domain, and 4-1BB and CD3ζ as the costimulatory and activating domains, in a lentiviral vector. CD3+ T cells from healthy individuals were transduced with the CD38-CAR at an efficiency higher than 60%, as determined by CD38-CAR expression using flow cytometry. The CD38-CAR-Ts proliferated efficiently and produced more inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, when activated. The CD38-CAR-Ts effectively lysed CD38+ MM cell lines, including LP-1, RPMI 8226, OPM2, and MOLP8, and primary MM cells from multiple myeloma patients. The specificity was demonstrated by the fact that CD38-CAR-Ts showed little cytotoxicity on LP-1 cells with CD38 knocked out or on K562 cells, which do not express CD38. CD38-CAR-Ts appeared to have a very slight cytotoxicity against CD38+ fractions of T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. In addition, the lysis of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells did not completely inhibit the development of colony-forming units. In vivo, CD38-CAR-Ts inhibited tumor growth in NOD/SCID mice that were subcutaneously inoculated with RPMI 8226 cells. These results demonstrate that the CD38-CAR-Ts constructed with the anti-CD38 nanobody are a promising approach for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na An
- Shenzhen Bone Marrow Transplantation Public Service Platform, Department of Hematology , Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518035 , China
| | - Yun Nan Hou
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Qiao Xia Zhang
- Shenzhen Bone Marrow Transplantation Public Service Platform, Department of Hematology , Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518035 , China
| | - Ting Li
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Qiong Li Zhang
- Shenzhen Bone Marrow Transplantation Public Service Platform, Department of Hematology , Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518035 , China
| | - Cheng Fang
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Huan Chen
- Shenzhen Bone Marrow Transplantation Public Service Platform, Department of Hematology , Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518035 , China
| | - Hon Cheung Lee
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Yong Juan Zhao
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Xin Du
- Shenzhen Bone Marrow Transplantation Public Service Platform, Department of Hematology , Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518035 , China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
De Munter S, Ingels J, Goetgeluk G, Bonte S, Pille M, Weening K, Kerre T, Abken H, Vandekerckhove B. Nanobody Based Dual Specific CARs. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020403. [PMID: 29385713 PMCID: PMC5855625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials have shown that adoptive chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a very potent and possibly curative option in the treatment of B cell leukemias and lymphomas. However, targeting a single antigen may not be sufficient, and relapse due to the emergence of antigen negative leukemic cells may occur. A potential strategy to counter the outgrowth of antigen escape variants is to broaden the specificity of the CAR by incorporation of multiple antigen recognition domains in tandem. As a proof of concept, we here describe a bispecific CAR in which the single chain variable fragment (scFv) is replaced by a tandem of two single-antibody domains or nanobodies (nanoCAR). High membrane nanoCAR expression levels are observed in retrovirally transduced T cells. NanoCARs specific for CD20 and HER2 induce T cell activation, cytokine production and tumor lysis upon incubation with transgenic Jurkat cells expressing either antigen or both antigens simultaneously. The use of nanobody technology allows for the production of compact CARs with dual specificity and predefined affinity.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- Jurkat Cells
- Leukemia, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, B-Cell/therapy
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/genetics
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/immunology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/genetics
- Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Transduction, Genetic
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn De Munter
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Joline Ingels
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Glenn Goetgeluk
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sarah Bonte
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Melissa Pille
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Karin Weening
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Tessa Kerre
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Departement of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Bart Vandekerckhove
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bannas P, Hambach J, Koch-Nolte F. Nanobodies and Nanobody-Based Human Heavy Chain Antibodies As Antitumor Therapeutics. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1603. [PMID: 29213270 PMCID: PMC5702627 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized cancer therapy. However, delivery to tumor cells in vivo is hampered by the large size (150 kDa) of conventional antibodies. The minimal target recognition module of a conventional antibody is composed of two non-covalently associated variable domains (VH and VL). The proper orientation of these domains is mediated by their hydrophobic interface and is stabilized by their linkage to disulfide-linked constant domains (CH1 and CL). VH and VL domains can be fused via a genetic linker into a single-chain variable fragment (scFv). scFv modules in turn can be fused to one another, e.g., to generate a bispecific T-cell engager, or they can be fused in various orientations to antibody hinge and Fc domains to generate bi- and multispecific antibodies. However, the inherent hydrophobic interaction of VH and VL domains limits the stability and solubility of engineered antibodies, often causing aggregation and/or mispairing of V-domains. Nanobodies (15 kDa) and nanobody-based human heavy chain antibodies (75 kDa) can overcome these limitations. Camelids naturally produce antibodies composed only of heavy chains in which the target recognition module is composed of a single variable domain (VHH or Nb). Advantageous features of nanobodies include their small size, high solubility, high stability, and excellent tissue penetration in vivo. Nanobodies can readily be linked genetically to Fc-domains, other nanobodies, peptide tags, or toxins and can be conjugated chemically at a specific site to drugs, radionuclides, photosensitizers, and nanoparticles. These properties make them particularly suited for specific and efficient targeting of tumors in vivo. Chimeric nanobody-heavy chain antibodies combine advantageous features of nanobodies and human Fc domains in about half the size of a conventional antibody. In this review, we discuss recent developments and perspectives for applications of nanobodies and nanobody-based human heavy chain antibodies as antitumor therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bannas
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Hambach
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Koch-Nolte
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Steeland S, Vandenbroucke RE, Libert C. Nanobodies as therapeutics: big opportunities for small antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1076-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
26
|
T cells expressing VHH-directed oligoclonal chimeric HER2 antigen receptors: Towards tumor-directed oligoclonal T cell therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2014; 1840:378-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
27
|
Sharifzadeh Z, Rahbarizadeh F, Shokrgozar MA, Ahmadvand D, Mahboudi F, Rahimi Jamnani F, Aghaee Bakhtiari SH. Development of oligoclonal nanobodies for targeting the tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 antigen. Mol Biotechnol 2013; 54:590-601. [PMID: 23015323 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-012-9601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) is a membrane mucin whose over-expression is correlated with advanced tumor stage and increased invasion and metastasis. In this study, we identified a panel of four nanobodies, single variable domains of dromedary heavy-chain antibodies that specifically recognize the TAG-72 antigen. All selected nanobodies were shown to selectively bind to this cancer-related molecule with low-nanomolar affinities and do not cross-react with other antigens, such as MUC1 or HER2. Furthermore, they can detect TAG-72 in concentrations as low as 5 U/ml which is valuable in sensitive detection of this molecule in cancerous patients. Cell ELISA experiments proved their ability for binding to the native target antigen on TAG-72 expressing cells while not showing any reactivity to HT-29 cells, a TAG-72-negative cell line. Using competition studies, we found that each nanobody recognizes a distinct epitope on the TAG-72 antigen that is different from the one recognized by the mouse anti-TAG-72 antibody, CC49. Considering their high specificity, reduced immunogenicity and multi-targeting behavior, these oligoclonal nanobodies represent a promising tool to target TAG-72 over-expressing tumor cells.
Collapse
|
28
|
Sharifzadeh Z, Rahbarizadeh F, Shokrgozar MA, Ahmadvand D, Mahboudi F, Jamnani FR, Moghimi SM. Genetically engineered T cells bearing chimeric nanoconstructed receptors harboring TAG-72-specific camelid single domain antibodies as targeting agents. Cancer Lett 2012; 334:237-44. [PMID: 22902507 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite the preclinical success of adoptive therapy with T cells bearing chimeric nanoconstructed antigen receptors (CARs), certain limitations of this therapeutic approach such as the immunogenicity of the antigen binding domain, the emergence of tumor cell escape variants and the blocking capacity of soluble antigen still remain. Here, we address these issues using a novel CAR binding moiety based on the oligoclonal camelid single domain antibodies. A unique set of 13 single domain antibodies were selected from an immunized camel phage library based on their target specificity and binding affinity. A combination of these single domain antibodies was used to generate four tumor associated glycoprotein (TAG-72)-specific CARs harboring an identical antigen binding site, but with different signaling and spacer domains. Although all four CARs were functionally active against the TAG-72 expressing tumor cells, the combination of CD3ζ, OX40, CD28 as well as the CH3-CH2-hinge-hinge domains most efficiently triggered T cell activation. Importantly, CAR mediated functions were not blocked by the soluble TAG-72 antigen at a supraphysiological concentration. Our approach may have the potential to reverse multiple tumor immune evasion mechanisms, avoid CAR immunogenicity, and overcome problems in cancer gene therapy with engineered nanoconstructs.
Collapse
|
29
|
Khaleghi S, Rahbarizadeh F, Ahmadvand D, Rasaee MJ, Pognonec P. A caspase 8-based suicide switch induces apoptosis in nanobody-directed chimeric receptor expressing T cells. Int J Hematol 2012; 95:434-44. [PMID: 22407872 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-012-1037-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2011] [Revised: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In accordance with the two-step hypothesis of T cell activation and the observation that stimulation through the T cell receptor (TCR) alone may lead to anergy, we focused on the introduction of co-stimulatory signaling to this type of receptors to achieve optimal activation. Enhanced mRNA and cell surface receptor expression via the co-stimulatory gene fragment (OX40) was confirmed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Inclusion of the OX40 co-stimulatory signaling region in series with the TCR led to enhanced antigen-induced IL-2 production after stimulation by MUC1-expressing cancer cell lines as compared to the chimeric receptor without OX40. Moreover, with the aim of maintaining high efficiency, while providing a means of controlling any possible unwanted proliferation in vivo, a regulation system was used. This controls the dimerization of a membrane-bound caspase 8 protein. Toward that goal, pFKC8 and CAR constructs were co-transfected into Jurkat cells, and the level of apoptosis was measured. 24 h after addition of the dimerizer, a 91% decrease in transfected cells was observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Khaleghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box: 14115-331 Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Comparison of genomic DNA extraction techniques from whole blood samples: a time, cost and quality evaluation study. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 39:5961-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-1408-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|