1
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Johnson AJ, Wei J, Rosser JM, Künkele A, Chang CA, Reid AN, Jensen MC. Rationally Designed Transgene-Encoded Cell-Surface Polypeptide Tag for Multiplexed Programming of CAR T-cell Synthetic Outputs. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1047-1060. [PMID: 34244298 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic immunology, as exemplified by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy, has transformed the treatment of relapsed/refractory B cell-lineage malignancies. However, there are substantial barriers-including limited tumor homing, lack of retention of function within a suppressive tumor microenvironment, and antigen heterogeneity/escape-to using this technology to effectively treat solid tumors. A multiplexed engineering approach is needed to equip effector T cells with synthetic countermeasures to overcome these barriers. This, in turn, necessitates combinatorial use of lentiviruses because of the limited payload size of current lentiviral vectors. Accordingly, there is a need for cell-surface human molecular constructs that mark multi-vector cotransduced T cells, to enable their purification ex vivo and their tracking in vivo. To this end, we engineered a cell surface-localizing polypeptide tag based on human HER2, designated HER2t, that was truncated in its extracellular and intracellular domains to eliminate ligand binding and signaling, respectively, and retained the membrane-proximal binding epitope of the HER2-specific mAb trastuzumab. We linked HER2t to CAR coexpression in lentivirally transduced T cells and showed that co-transduction with a second lentivirus expressing our previously described EGFRt tag linked to a second CAR efficiently generated bispecific dual-CAR T cells. Using the same approach, we generated T cells expressing a CAR and a second module, a chimeric cytokine receptor. The HER2txEGFRt multiplexing strategy is now being deployed for the manufacture of CD19xCD22 bispecific CAR T-cell products for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (NCT03330691).
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Johnson
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jia Wei
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington
| | - James M Rosser
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington
| | - Annette Künkele
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Cindy A Chang
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Aquene N Reid
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael C Jensen
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington. .,Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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2
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Sakemura R, Terakura S, Watanabe K, Julamanee J, Takagi E, Miyao K, Koyama D, Goto T, Hanajiri R, Nishida T, Murata M, Kiyoi H. A Tet-On Inducible System for Controlling CD19-Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expression upon Drug Administration. Cancer Immunol Res 2016; 4:658-68. [PMID: 27329987 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-16-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
T cells genetically modified with a CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CD19CAR) are remarkably effective against B-cell malignancies in clinical trials. However, major concerns remain regarding toxicities, such as hypogammaglobulinemia, due to B-cell aplasia or severe cytokine release syndrome after overactivation of CAR T cells. To resolve these adverse events, we aimed to develop an inducible CAR system by using a tetracycline regulation system that would be activated only in the presence of doxycycline (Dox). In this study, the second-generation CD19CAR was fused into the third-generation Tet-On vector (Tet-CD19CAR) and was retrovirally transduced into primary CD8(+) T cells. Tet-CD19CAR T cells were successfully generated and had minimal background CD19CAR expression without Dox. Tet-CD19CAR T cells in the presence of Dox were equivalently cytotoxic against CD19(+) cell lines and had equivalent cytokine production and proliferation upon CD19 stimulation, compared with conventional CD19CAR T cells. The Dox(+) Tet-CD19CAR T cells also had significant antitumor activity in a xenograft model. However, without Dox, Tet-CD19CAR T cells lost CAR expression and CAR T-cell functions in vitro and in vivo, clearly segregating the "On" and "Off" status of Tet-CD19CAR cells by Dox administration. In addition to suicide-gene technology, controlling the expression and the functions of CAR with an inducible vector is a potential solution for CAR T-cell therapy-related toxicities, and may improve the safety profile of CAR T-cell therapy. This strategy might also open the way to treat other malignancies in combination with other CAR or TCR gene-modified T cells. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(8); 658-68. ©2016 AACRSee related Spotlight by June, p. 643.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reona Sakemura
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Seitaro Terakura
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Watanabe
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jakrawadee Julamanee
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. Division of Clinical Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Erina Takagi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kotaro Miyao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Koyama
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Goto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryo Hanajiri
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Nishida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Makoto Murata
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kiyoi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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3
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Spear TT, Callender GG, Roszkowski JJ, Moxley KM, Simms PE, Foley KC, Murray DC, Scurti GM, Li M, Thomas JT, Langerman A, Garrett-Mayer E, Zhang Y, Nishimura MI. TCR gene-modified T cells can efficiently treat established hepatitis C-associated hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:293-304. [PMID: 26842125 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1800-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The success in recent clinical trials using T cell receptor (TCR)-genetically engineered T cells to treat melanoma has encouraged the use of this approach toward other malignancies and viral infections. Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is being treated with a new set of successful direct anti-viral agents, potential for virologic breakthrough or relapse by immune escape variants remains. Additionally, many HCV+ patients have HCV-associated disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which does not respond to these novel drugs. Further exploration of other approaches to address HCV infection and its associated disease are highly warranted. Here, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of PBL-derived T cells genetically engineered with a high-affinity, HLA-A2-restricted, HCV NS3:1406-1415-reactive TCR. HCV1406 TCR-transduced T cells can recognize naturally processed antigen and elicit CD8-independent recognition of both peptide-loaded targets and HCV+ human HCC cell lines. Furthermore, these cells can mediate regression of established HCV+ HCC in vivo. Our results suggest that HCV TCR-engineered antigen-reactive T cells may be a plausible immunotherapy option to treat HCV-associated malignancies, such as HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Spear
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Glenda G Callender
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.,Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | | | - Kelly M Moxley
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Patricia E Simms
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Kendra C Foley
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - David C Murray
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Gina M Scurti
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Mingli Li
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Justin T Thomas
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA.,Biotherapy Center and Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA. .,Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. .,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA.
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4
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[(18)F]FHBG PET/CT Imaging of CD34-TK75 Transduced Donor T Cells in Relapsed Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients: Safety and Feasibility. Mol Ther 2015; 23:1110-1122. [PMID: 25807290 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Described herein is a first-in-man attempt to both genetically modify T cells with an imagable suicide gene and track these transduced donor T cells in allogeneic stem cell transplantation recipients using noninvasive positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) imaging. A suicide gene encoding a human CD34-Herpes Simplex Virus-1-thymidine kinase (CD34-TK75) fusion enabled enrichment of retrovirally transduced T cells (TdT), control of graft-versus-host disease and imaging of TdT migration and expansion in vivo in mice and man. Analysis confirmed that CD34-TK75-enriched TdT contained no replication competent γ-retrovirus, were sensitive to ganciclovir, and displayed characteristic retroviral insertion sites (by targeted sequencing). Affinity-purified CD34-TK75(+)-selected donor T cells (1.0-13 × 10(5))/kg were infused into eight patients who relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Six patients also were administered 9-[4-((18)F)fluoro-3-hydroxymethyl-butyl]guanine ([(18)F]FHBG) to specifically track the genetically modified donor T cells by PET/CT at several time points after infusion. All patients were assessed for graft-versus-host disease, response to ganciclovir, circulating TdT cells (using both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and [(18)F]FHBG PET/CT imaging), TdT cell clonal expansion, and immune response to the TdT. This phase 1 trial demonstrated that genetically modified T cells and [(18)F]FHBG can be safely infused in patients with relapsed hematologic malignancies after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
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5
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Berger C, Sommermeyer D, Hudecek M, Berger M, Balakrishnan A, Paszkiewicz PJ, Kosasih PL, Rader C, Riddell SR. Safety of targeting ROR1 in primates with chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 3:206-16. [PMID: 25355068 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Genetic engineering of T cells for adoptive transfer by introducing a tumor-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is a new approach to cancer immunotherapy. A challenge for the field is to define cell surface molecules that are both preferentially expressed on tumor cells and can be safely targeted with T cells. The orphan tyrosine kinase receptor ROR1 is a candidate target for T-cell therapy with CAR-modified T cells (CAR-T cells) because it is expressed on the surface of many lymphatic and epithelial malignancies and has a putative role in tumor cell survival. The cell surface isoform of ROR1 is expressed in embryogenesis but absent in adult tissues except for B-cell precursors and low levels of transcripts in adipocytes, pancreas, and lung. ROR1 is highly conserved between humans and macaques and has a similar pattern of tissue expression. To determine if low-level ROR1 expression on normal cells would result in toxicity or adversely affect CAR-T cell survival and/or function, we adoptively transferred autologous ROR1 CAR-T cells into nonhuman primates. ROR1 CAR-T cells did not cause overt toxicity to normal organs and accumulated in bone marrow and lymph node sites, where ROR1-positive B cells were present. The findings support the clinical evaluation of ROR1 CAR-T cells for ROR1(+) malignancies and demonstrate the utility of nonhuman primates for evaluating the safety of immunotherapy with engineered T cells specific for tumor-associated molecules that are homologous between humans and nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Berger
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
| | | | - Michael Hudecek
- Department of Medicine II-Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Berger
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Paulina J Paszkiewicz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Cancer Biology, Scripps Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida. Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Germany
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6
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Marin V, Cribioli E, Philip B, Tettamanti S, Pizzitola I, Biondi A, Biagi E, Pule M. Comparison of different suicide-gene strategies for the safety improvement of genetically manipulated T cells. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2013. [PMID: 23186165 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Use of adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) is increasing; however, T-cell therapy can result in severe toxicity. Consequently, several suicide-gene strategies that allow selective destruction of the infused T cells have been described. We compared effectiveness of four such strategies in vitro in Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK), human inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9), mutant human thymidylate kinase (mTMPK), and human CD20 codon optimized genes were cloned in frame with 2A-truncated codon optimized CD34 (dCD34) in a retroviral vector. Codon-optimization considerably improved CD20 expression. EBV-CTLs could be efficiently transduced in all constructs, with transgene expression similar to the control vector containing dCD34 alone. Expression was maintained for prolonged cultures. Expression of the suicide genes was not associated with alterations in immunophenotype, proliferation, or function of CTLs. Activation of HSV-TK, iCasp9, and CD20 ultimately resulted in equally effective destruction of transduced T cells. However, while iCasp9 and CD20 effected immediate cell-death induction, HSV-TK-expressing T cells required 3 days of exposure to ganciclovir to reach full effect. mTMPK-transduced cells showed lower T-cell killing all time points. Our results suggest that the faster activity of iCasp9 might be advantageous in treating certain types of acutely life-threatening toxicity. Codon-optimized CD20 has potential as a suicide gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virna Marin
- Centro Ricerca M. Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica Università Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo, 20900 Monza, Italy
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7
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Choi J, Ziga ED, Ritchey J, Collins L, Prior JL, Cooper ML, Piwnica-Worms D, DiPersio JF. IFNγR signaling mediates alloreactive T-cell trafficking and GVHD. Blood 2012; 120:4093-103. [PMID: 22972985 PMCID: PMC3496960 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-01-403196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical goal of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is to minimize GVHD while maintaining GvL. Here, we show that interferon γ receptor-deficient (IFNγR(-/-)) allogeneic Tconv, which possess normal alloreactivity and cytotoxicity, induce significantly less GVHD than wild-type (WT) Tconv. This effect is mediated by altered trafficking of IFNγR(-/-) Tconv to GVHD target organs, especially the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We show that the chemokine receptor CXCR3 is induced via IFNγR-mediated signaling and partially contributes to the trafficking of WT Tconv to GVHD target organs. Indeed, CXCR3(-/-) Tconv recapitulate the reduced GVHD potential of IFNγR(-/-) Tconv in a minor-mismatched GVHD model. Most importantly, IFNγR(-/-) (and CXCR3(-/-)) Tconv mediate a robust and beneficial GvL effect. In addition, we show that IFNγR(-/-) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are fully suppressive in vitro although defective in suppressor function in vivo and that WT Tregs suppress GVHD in vivo only when allogeneic Tconv produce interferon γ (IFNγ), suggesting that the IFNγR signaling pathway is the major mechanism for both Tregs and Tconv to migrate to GVHD target organs. Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of IFNγR signaling with inhibitors of JAK1/JAK2, which are mediators of IFNγR signaling, results in the decreased expression of CXCR3 and reduced GVHD and improved survival after allo-HSCT and this effect is mediated by altered trafficking of Tconv to GVHD target organs.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunology
- Antigen-Presenting Cells/metabolism
- Cell Movement/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Graft vs Host Disease/genetics
- Graft vs Host Disease/immunology
- Graft vs Host Disease/metabolism
- Graft vs Host Disease/mortality
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Humans
- Janus Kinase 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Janus Kinase 2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Nitriles
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Pyrimidines
- Receptors, CXCR3/genetics
- Receptors, CXCR3/immunology
- Receptors, CXCR3/metabolism
- Receptors, Interferon/genetics
- Receptors, Interferon/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Transplantation, Homologous/adverse effects
- Transplantation, Homologous/immunology
- Interferon gamma Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaebok Choi
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washingtion University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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8
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Preuss E, Treschow A, Newrzela S, Brücher D, Weber K, Felldin U, Alici E, Gahrton G, von Laer D, Dilber MS, Fehse B. TK.007: A novel, codon-optimized HSVtk(A168H) mutant for suicide gene therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 21:929-41. [PMID: 20201626 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditional elimination of infused gene-modified alloreactive T cells, using suicide gene activation, has been shown to be an efficient strategy to abrogate severe graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in the context of adoptive immunotherapy. To overcome shortcomings of the most widely used suicide gene, wild-type (splice-corrected) herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (scHSVtk), we generated two new variants: the codon-optimized coHSVtk and, by introducing an additional mutation (A168H), the novel TK.007. We transduced human hematopoietic cell lines and primary T cells with retroviral "sort-suicide vectors" encoding combinations of selection markers (tCD34 and OuaSelect) with one of three HSVtk variants. In vitro we observed higher expression levels and sustained long-term expression of TK.007, indicating lower nonspecific toxicity. Also, we noted significantly improved kinetics of ganciclovir (GCV)-mediated killing for TK.007-transduced cells. In an experimental (murine) allogeneic transplantation model, TK.007-transduced T cells mediated severe GvHD, which was readily abrogated by application of GCV (10 mg/kg). Last, we established a modified allotransplantation model that allowed quantitative comparison of the in vivo activities of TK.007 versus scHSVtk. We found that TK.007 mediates both significantly faster and higher absolute killing at low GCV concentrations (10 and 25 mg/kg). In summary, we demonstrate that the novel TK.007 suicide gene combines better killing performance with reduced nonspecific toxicity (as compared with the frequently used splice-corrected wild-type scHSVtk gene), thus representing a promising alternative for suicide gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Preuss
- Clinic for Stem Cell Transplantation, Research Department of Cell and Gene Therapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf , 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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9
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Doty RT, Sabo KM, Chen J, Miller AD, Abkowitz JL. An all-feline retroviral packaging system for transduction of human cells. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 21:1019-27. [PMID: 20222826 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The subgroup C feline leukemia virus (FeLV-C) receptor FLVCR is a widely expressed 12-transmembrane domain transporter that exports cytoplasmic heme and is a promising target for retrovirus-mediated gene delivery. Previous studies demonstrated that FeLV-C pseudotype vectors were more efficient at targeting human hematopoietic stem cells than those pseudotyped with gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV), and thus we developed an all FeLV-C-based packaging system, termed CatPac. CatPac is helper-virus free and can produce higher titer vectors than existing gammaretroviral packaging systems, including systems mixing Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) Gag-Pol and FeLV-C Env proteins. The vectors can be readily concentrated (>30-fold), refrozen (three to five times), and held on ice (>2 days) with little loss of titer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CatPac pseudotype vectors efficiently target early CD34(+)CD38(-) stem/progenitor cells, monocytic and erythroid progenitors, activated T cells, mature macrophages, and cancer cell lines, suggesting utility for human cell and cell line transduction and possibly gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond T Doty
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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10
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Norell H, Zhang Y, McCracken J, Martins da Palma T, Lesher A, Liu Y, Roszkowski JJ, Temple A, Callender GG, Clay T, Orentas R, Guevara-Patiño J, Nishimura MI. CD34-based enrichment of genetically engineered human T cells for clinical use results in dramatically enhanced tumor targeting. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2010; 59:851-62. [PMID: 20052466 PMCID: PMC3736983 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-009-0810-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 12/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective clinical responses can be achieved in melanoma patients by infusion of T cell receptor (TCR) gene transduced T cells. Although promising, the therapy is still largely ineffective, as most patients did not benefit from treatment. That only a minority of the infused T cells were genetically modified and that these were extensively expanded ex vivo may have prevented their efficacy. We developed novel and generally applicable retroviral vectors that allow rapid and efficient selection of T cells transduced with human TCRs. These vectors encode two TCR chains and a truncated CD34 molecule (CD34t) in a single mRNA transcript. Transduced T cells were characterized and the effects of CD34-based enrichment of redirected T cells were evaluated. Both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells could be transduced and efficiently co-expressed all introduced transgenes on their surface. Importantly, more than fivefold enrichment of both the frequency of transduced cells and the specific anti-tumor reactivity of the effector population could be achieved by magnetic beads-based enrichment procedures readily available for clinical grade hematopoietic stem cell isolation. This CD34-based enrichment technology will improve the feasibility of adoptive transfer of clinically relevant effectors. In addition to their enhanced tumor recognition, the enriched redirected T cells may also show superior reactivity and persistence in vivo due to the high purity of transduced cells and the shortened ex vivo culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkan Norell
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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11
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Scaife MD, Neschadim A, Fowler DH, Medin JA. Novel application of lentiviral vectors towards treatment of graft-versus-host disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2009; 9:749-61. [DOI: 10.1517/14712590903002021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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12
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Chemosensitization of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following mobilization by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100. Blood 2008; 113:6206-14. [PMID: 19050309 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-06-162123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 393] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The CXCR4-SDF-1 axis plays a central role in the trafficking and retention of normal and malignant stem cells in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Here, we used a mouse model of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and a small molecule competitive antagonist of CXCR4, AMD3100, to examine the interaction of mouse APL cells with the BM microenvironment. APL cells from a murine cathepsin G-PML-RARalpha knockin mouse were genetically modified with firefly luciferase (APL(luc)) to allow tracking by bioluminescence imaging. Coculture of APL(luc) cells with M2-10B4 stromal cells protected the leukemia cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in vitro. Upon injection into syngeneic recipients, APL(luc) cells rapidly migrated to the BM followed by egress to the spleen then to the peripheral blood with death due to leukostasis by day 15. Administration of AMD3100 to leukemic mice induced a 1.6-fold increase in total leukocytes and a 9-fold increase of circulating APL blast counts, which peak at 3 hours and return to baseline by 12 hours. Treatment of leukemic mice with chemotherapy plus AMD3100 resulted in decreased tumor burden and improved overall survival compared with mice treated with chemotherapy alone. These studies provide a proof-of-principle for directing therapy to the critical tethers that promote AML-niche interactions.
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Bennour E, Ferrand C, Rémy-Martin JP, Certoux JM, Gorke S, Qasim W, Gaspar HB, Baumert T, Duperrier A, Deschamps M, Fehse B, Tiberghien P, Robinet E. Abnormal Expression of Only the CD34 Part of a Transgenic CD34/Herpes Simplex Virus-Thymidine Kinase Fusion Protein Is Associated with Ganciclovir Resistance. Hum Gene Ther 2008; 19:699-709. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2007.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emad Bennour
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Christophe Ferrand
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Jean-Paul Rémy-Martin
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Jean-Marie Certoux
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Sebastian Gorke
- Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- INSERM U748, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Waseem Qasim
- Institute of Child Health, Molecular Immunology Unit, WC1N 1EH London, United Kingdom
| | - H. Bobby Gaspar
- Institute of Child Health, Molecular Immunology Unit, WC1N 1EH London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Baumert
- Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- INSERM U748, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Duperrier
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Marina Deschamps
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Clinical Biomonitoring Laboratory, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Boris Fehse
- Paediatric Clinic III, University Hospital of the Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pierre Tiberghien
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
| | - Eric Robinet
- INSERM U645, 25020 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, IFR133 IBCT, 25020 Besançon, France
- EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25020 Besançon, France
- Present address: INSERM, U748, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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Mercier-Letondal P, Montcuquet N, Sauce D, Certoux JM, Jeanningros S, Ferrand C, Bonyhadi M, Tiberghien P, Robinet E. Alloreactivity of ex vivo-expanded T cells is correlated with expansion and CD4/CD8 ratio. Cytotherapy 2008; 10:275-88. [PMID: 18418773 DOI: 10.1080/14653240801927032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Background We have demonstrated previously that retroviral-mediated transfer of a suicide gene into bone marrow (BM) donor T cells allows an efficient control of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic BM transplantation. However, the 12 days of ex vivo culture required for the production of gene-modified cells (GMC), including soluble CD3 monoclonal antibody (MAb)-mediated activation and expansion with interleukin (IL)-2, induced a decrease of GMC alloreactivity and a reversal of their CD4/CD8 ratio. Improving the culture protocol in order to maintain the highest alloreactivity is of critical importance in obtaining an optimal graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were activated with soluble CD3 MAb or CD3 and CD28 MAb co-immobilized on beads and expanded for 12 days in the presence of IL-2, IL-7 or IL-15 before analysis of alloreactivity and phenotype. Results Replacing the CD3 MAb by CD3/CD28 beads led to similar in vitro alloreactivity but improved the expansion and in vivo alloreactivity of GMC. Replacing the IL-2 with IL-7, but not IL-15, or decreasing IL-2 or IL-7 concentrations, improved the in vitro alloreactivity of expanded cells but was associated with lower expansion. Indeed, the alloreactivity of expanded cells was negatively correlated with cell expansion and positively correlated with CD4/CD8 ratio and CD8 expression level. Discussion Quantitative (i.e. low CD4/CD8 ratio) and qualitative (e.g. low CD8 expression) defects may account for the decreased alloreactivity of GMC. Using CD3/CD28 beads and/or IL-7 is more beneficial than CD3 MAb and IL-2 for preventing perturbations of the alloreactivity and phenotype of GMC.
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15
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Deschamps M, Robinet E, Certoux JM, Mercier P, Sauce D, De Vos J, Montcuquet N, Bonyhadi M, Rème T, Tiberghien P, Ferrand C. Transcriptome of retrovirally transduced CD8+ lymphocytes: Influence of cell activation, transgene integration, and selection process. Mol Immunol 2008; 45:1112-25. [PMID: 17825913 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2007.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2007] [Revised: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 07/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A suicide gene introduced by retroviral means can allow in vivo control of alloreactivity mediated by donor gene-modified T cells (GMTC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The present study establishes the transcriptomic profile of GMTC prepared according to the GMTC production process used in our clinical trial (activation/selection methods, CD3/NeoR), which was previously demonstrated to induce phenotypical and functional alterations. This transcriptomic profile was compared with that of GMTC prepared by a novel process (CD3-CD28/DeltaNGFR-MACS) that limits alterations. Using a human pan-genomic microarray and GeneSpring software, we determined the gene expression profiles of CD8+ T cells from four healthy donors before and after the different steps required for gene modification. This analysis revealed that the gene expression pattern of GMTC is affected mainly by the activation step. Specific analysis of GMTC production processes showed that DeltaNGFR-MACS selection combined with CD3-CD28 activation limits the aberrant expression of genes involved in immunological functions and apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, our results indicate a limited risk of oncogenesis associated with retroviral-mediated gene transfer in CD8+ cells, a lower perturbation of the cell cycle regulation pathway after CD3-CD28 activation than after CD3 activation, and no significant involvement of the DeltaNGFR transduction signaling pathway when DeltaNGFR is used for selection. Moreover, genes that might be targeted to limit T cell functional alterations after ex vivo manipulation and culture were identified. These findings should be relevant to further adoptive T cell immunotherapy trials using ex vivo-expanded, gene-modified or unmodified T cells.
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16
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Abstract
Clinical trials have established that T cells have the ability to prevent and treat pathogens and tumors. This is perhaps best exemplified by engraftment of allogeneic T cells in the context of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), which for over the last 50 years remains one of the best and most robust examples of cell-based therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Yet, the approach to infuse T cells for treatment of cancer, in general, and pediatric tumors, in particular, generally remains on the sidelines of cancer therapy. This review outlines the current state-of-the-art and provides a rationale for undertaking adoptive immunotherapy trials with emphasis on childhood malignancies.
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17
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Sangiolo D, Lesnikova M, Nash RA, Jensen MC, Nikitine A, Kiem HP, Georges GE. Lentiviral vector conferring resistance to mycophenolate mofetil and sensitivity to ganciclovir for in vivo T-cell selection. Gene Ther 2007; 14:1549-54. [PMID: 17805303 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3303018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Several clinical studies of gene-modified T cells have shown limited in vivo function of the cells, immunogenicity of the transgene, and lack of a selective advantage for gene-modified T cells. To address these problems, we developed a lentiviral vector (LV) that provides a selectable, proliferative advantage and potentially decreases immunogenicity for transduced T cells. The bicistronic vector expressed two genes linked with an internal ribosomal entry site. One gene is a variant of the inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH(IY)), conferring resistance to the immunosuppressive drug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The other is a suicide gene, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK), rendering proliferating cells sensitive to ablation with ganciclovir, fused to the selectable transmembrane marker DeltaCD34 (DeltaCD34/TK). Cells transduced with LV-DeltaCD34/TK.IMPDH(IY) were efficiently enriched by immunomagnetic selection for CD34, proliferated in 0.5-5 microM MMF, and were killed by 0.5-25 microg ml(-1) ganciclovir. We demonstrate efficient selection and killing of gene-modified cells and suggest LV-DeltaCD34/TK.IMPDH(IY)-transduced T cells could be used to facilitate allogeneic hematopoietic cell engraftment. The expression of IMPDH(IY) would allow in vivo selection with MMF, and DeltaCD34/TK expression would allow rapid and safe elimination of transduced T cells if graft-versus-host disease developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sangiolo
- Transplantation Biology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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18
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Nervi B, Rettig MP, Ritchey JK, Wang HL, Bauer G, Walker J, Bonyhadi ML, Berenson RJ, Prior JL, Piwnica-Worms D, Nolta JA, DiPersio JF. Factors affecting human T cell engraftment, trafficking, and associated xenogeneic graft-vs-host disease in NOD/SCID beta2mnull mice. Exp Hematol 2007; 35:1823-38. [PMID: 17764813 PMCID: PMC2238776 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2007.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2007] [Revised: 05/17/2007] [Accepted: 06/13/2007] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Models of immunodeficient mice that consistently and efficiently reconstitute with xenoreactive human T cells would be a valuable tool for the in vivo study of GVHD, as well as other human immune responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a consistent and sensitive model of human GVHD by retro-orbitally injecting purified human T cells into sublethally irradiated nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID)-beta2m(null) recipients. In addition, we characterized for the first time the trafficking patterns and expansion profiles of xenoreactive human T cells in NOD/SCID-beta2m(null) recipients using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. RESULTS All NOD/SCID-beta2m(null) mice conditioned with 300 cGy total body irradiation and injected with 1 x 10(7) human T cells exhibited human T-cell engraftment, activation, and expansion, with infiltration of multiple target tissues and a subsequent >20% loss of pretransplantation body weight. Importantly, histological examination of the GVHD target tissues revealed changes consistent with human GVHD. Furthermore, we also showed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging that development of lethal GVHD in the NOD/SCID-beta2m(null) recipients was dependent upon the initial retention and early expansion of human T cells in the retro-orbital sinus cavity. CONCLUSION Our NOD/SCID-beta2m(null) mouse model provides a system to study the pathophysiology of acute GVHD induced by human T cells and aids in development of more effective therapies for human GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Nervi
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - Michael P. Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - Julie K. Ritchey
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - Hanlin L. Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - Gerhard Bauer
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - Jon Walker
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | | | | | - Julie L. Prior
- Molecular Imaging Center, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - David Piwnica-Worms
- Molecular Imaging Center, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
- Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - Jan A. Nolta
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
| | - John F. DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States, 63110
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19
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Tey SK, Dotti G, Rooney CM, Heslop HE, Brenner MK. Inducible caspase 9 suicide gene to improve the safety of allodepleted T cells after haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2007; 13:913-24. [PMID: 17640595 PMCID: PMC2040267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2007.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2007] [Accepted: 04/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Addback of donor T cells following T cell-depleted stem cell transplantation (SCT) can accelerate immune reconstitution and be effective against relapsed malignancy. After haploidentical SCT, a high risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) essentially precludes this option, unless the T cells are first depleted of alloreactive precursor cells. Even then, the risks of severe GVHD remain significant. To increase the safety of the approach and thereby permit administration of larger T cell doses, we used a suicide gene, inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9), to transduce allodepleted T cells, permitting their destruction should administration have adverse effects. We made a retroviral vector encoding iCasp9 and a selectable marker (truncated CD19). Even after allodepletion (using anti-CD25 immunotoxin), donor T cells could be efficiently transduced, expanded, and subsequently enriched by CD19 immunomagnetic selection to >90% purity. These engineered cells retained antiviral specificity and functionality, and contained a subset with regulatory phenotype and function. Activating iCasp9 with a small-molecule dimerizer rapidly produced >90% apoptosis. Although transgene expression was downregulated in quiescent T cells, iCasp9 remained an efficient suicide gene, as expression was rapidly upregulated in activated (alloreactive) T cells. We have demonstrated the clinical feasibility of this approach after haploidentical transplantation by scaling up production using clinical grade materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siok-Keen Tey
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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20
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Bonini C, Bondanza A, Perna SK, Kaneko S, Traversari C, Ciceri F, Bordignon C. The suicide gene therapy challenge: how to improve a successful gene therapy approach. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1248-52. [PMID: 17505474 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The transfer of a suicide gene into donor lymphocytes to control alloreactivity in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) represents the widest clinical application of T-cell based gene transfer, as shown by more than 100 patients treated worldwide to date, several phase I-II studies completed, and a registrative phase III study, sponsored by a biotech firm, about to begin. In this mini-review, we will summarize the clinical results obtained to date, and attempt to identify the steps envisaged to optimize the suicide gene therapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bonini
- Cancer Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy Program, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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21
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Abstract
Gene-marking studies were the first gene-transfer protocols approved for human use. Their intent was not directly therapeutic but rather to track the behavior and fate of cells in vivo, and to use this information to improve treatment protocols. For more than fifteen years, gene-marking studies using retroviral vectors have provided invaluable information about the biology of human hematopoietic cells and T lymphocytes, and have helped guide cell therapies intended to treat malignant disease. Although the safety record of marking studies has been impeccable, the development of leukemia by immunodeficient children treated with retroviral vectors cast a pall over the entire field and essentially brought the era of pure gene-marking studies to an abrupt end. Paradoxically, the impetus these events gave to studying retroviral integration sites in host cell DNA emphasized the additional information that marker studies could provide about the behavior of cells at the clonal level. As confidence has slowly returned, marker studies have reappeared, usually as components of gene therapy protocols in which a marker gene or sequence is incorporated to allow the modified cells to be tracked or imaged in vivo. Hence, gene marking continues to have much to offer in terms of our understanding of the behavior, fate, and safety of gene-modified cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siok-Keen Tey
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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22
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Lazarus HM, Rowe JM. Reduced-intensity conditioning for acute myeloid leukemia: is this strategy correct. Leukemia 2006; 20:1673-82. [PMID: 16871280 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2404328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) is based on the strategy of attaining donor cell engraftment with immunosuppressive agents. This approach, which relies predominantly on donor effector cells for anti-leukemic or graft-versus-leukemia effect, is being used with increased frequency. Treatment-related mortality appears less with RIC than that observed with conventional myeloablative regimens. Available data support the fact that a myeloablative regimen is not required for successful engraftment and some patients appear to be cured of their disease. Despite the plethora of clinical reports, however, no prospective studies have been conducted that establish this procedure as the preferred option in AML. On the other hand, patients formerly excluded from a myeloablative procedure such as the 'elderly' and those with significant comorbid conditions, often may be RIC transplant candidates. By using prospective controlled clinical trials, we will determine whether these encouraging RIC data are applicable to a nonselect population of AML. The transplant community now is poised to design and complete investigations to ascertain the true role of RIC in the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Lazarus
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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23
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Robinet E, Fehse B, Ebeling S, Sauce D, Ferrand C, Tiberghien P. Improving the ex vivo retroviral-mediated suicide-gene transfer process in T lymphocytes to preserve immune function. Cytotherapy 2005; 7:150-7. [PMID: 16040394 DOI: 10.1080/14653240510018190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The retroviral-mediated transfer of a suicide gene into donor T cells has been proposed as a method to control alloreactivity after hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Gene-modified cells (GMC) may be infused into the patient either at the time of transplantation, together with a T-cell depleted HSC graft, or after transplantation, as a donor lymphocyte infusion. Administration of a so-called pro-drug activating the "suicide" mechanism only after occurrence of GvHD should selectively destroy the alloreactive GMC in vivo, eventually leading to GvHD abrogation. Although phase I-II clinical trials provided vital proof of the principle of GvHD control by suicide-gene therapy, this approach is still suboptimal. Indeed, current gene transfer strategies rely on gamma-retroviral vectors that require extensive T-cell activation and expansion for efficient transduction. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the activation, cell expansion, transduction and selection steps lead to TCR repertoire alterations and impairment of crucial T-cell functions, such as alloreactivity and anti-EBV reactivity. Thus, improvements of the suicide-gene transfer processes are required in order to preserve T-cell function. This could be achieved by using CD3/CD28 co-stimulation and immunomagnetic selection of transduced cells. In future clinical trials, lentiviral vectors may prove to be a better alternative to gamma-retroviral-mediated gene transfer, by reducing the need for prolonged ex vivo culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Robinet
- INSERM U645-UPRES EA2284, EFS Bourgogne/Franche-Comté, 1 boulevard A. Fleming, IFR 133, 25020 Besançon Cedex, France
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24
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Berger C, Flowers ME, Warren EH, Riddell SR. Analysis of transgene-specific immune responses that limit the in vivo persistence of adoptively transferred HSV-TK-modified donor T cells after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Blood 2005; 107:2294-302. [PMID: 16282341 PMCID: PMC1895724 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-08-3503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of an inducible suicide gene such as the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) might allow exploitation of the antitumor activity of donor T cells after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) without graft versus host disease. However, HSV-TK is foreign, and immune responses to gene-modified T cells could lead to their premature elimination. We show that after the infusion of HSV-TK-modified donor T cells to HCT recipients, CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses to HSV-TK are rapidly induced and coincide with the disappearance of transferred cells. Cytokine flow cytometry using an overlapping panel of HSV-TK peptides allowed rapid detection and quantitation of HSV-TK-specific T cells in the blood and identified multiple immunogenic epitopes. Repeated infusion of modified T cells boosted the induced HSV-TK-specific T cells, which persisted as memory cells. These studies demonstrate the need for nonimmunogenic suicide genes and identify a strategy for detection of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses to transgene products that should be generally applicable to monitoring patients on gene therapy trials. The potency of gene-modified T cells to elicit robust and durable immune responses imply this approach might be used for vaccination to elicit T-cell responses to viral or tumor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Berger
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
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25
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Rettig MP, Ritchey JK, Prior JL, Haug JS, Piwnica-Worms D, DiPersio JF. Kinetics of in vivo elimination of suicide gene-expressing T cells affects engraftment, graft-versus-host disease, and graft-versus-leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 173:3620-30. [PMID: 15356106 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.6.3620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Suicide gene therapy is one approach being evaluated for the control of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We recently constructed a novel chimeric suicide gene in which the entire coding region of HSV thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) was fused in-frame to the extracellular and transmembrane domains of human CD34 (DeltaCD34-tk). DeltaCD34-tk is an attractive candidate as a suicide gene in man because of the ensured expression of HSV-tk in all selected cells and the ability to rapidly and efficiently purify gene-modified cells using clinically approved CD34 immunoselection techniques. In this study we assessed the efficacy of the DeltaCD34-tk suicide gene in the absence of extended ex vivo manipulation by generating transgenic animals that express DeltaCD34-tk in the peripheral and thymic T cell compartments using the CD2 locus control region. We found that DeltaCD34-tk-expressing T cells could be purified to near homogeneity by CD34 immunoselection and selectively eliminated ex vivo and in vivo when exposed to low concentrations of GCV. The optimal time to administer GCV after allogeneic BMT with DeltaCD34-tk-expressing transgenic T cells was dependent on the intensity of the conditioning regimen, the leukemic status of the recipient, and the dose and timing of T cell infusion. Importantly, we used a controlled graft-vs-host reaction to promote alloengraftment in sublethally irradiated mice and provide a graft-vs-leukemia effect in recipients administered a delayed infusion of DeltaCD34-tk-expressing T cells. This murine model demonstrates the potential usefulness of DeltaCD34-tk-expressing T cells to control GVHD, promote alloengraftment, and provide a graft-vs-leukemia effect in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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26
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Introna M, Rambaldi A. Suicide gene therapy and the control of graft-vs-host disease. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2004; 17:453-63. [PMID: 15498716 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2004.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation as a cure for leukaemia and lymphoma is limited by the development of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), an immunological reaction of the donor's T lymphocytes against the host's normal tissues. One therapeutic option to treat GVHD is the transfer of 'suicide' genes into the donor's T lymphocytes to render them susceptible to prodrug administration. This procedure should permit the elimination of unwanted T lymphocytes in GVHD. The main genes proposed for such a strategy will be described in this chapter, together with the advantages and limitations found during preclinical and clinical studies to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martino Introna
- Laboratory of Cellular and Gene Therapy G. Lanzani, Division of Haematology, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Italy.
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