1
|
Zou JL, Chen KX, Wang XJ, Lu ZC, Wu XH, Wu YD. Structure-Based Rational and General Strategy for Stabilizing Single-Chain T-Cell Receptors to Enhance Affinity. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38661304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a crucial molecule in cellular immunity. The single-chain T-cell receptor (scTCR) is a potential format in TCR therapeutics because it eliminates the possibility of αβ-TCR mispairing. However, its poor stability and solubility impede the in vitro study and manufacturing of therapeutic applications. In this study, some conserved structural motifs are identified in variable domains regardless of germlines and species. Theoretical analysis helps to identify those unfavored factors and leads to a general strategy for stabilizing scTCRs by substituting residues at exact IMGT positions with beneficial propensities on the consensus sequence of germlines. Several representative scTCRs are displayed to achieve stability optimization and retain comparable binding affinities with the corresponding αβ-TCRs in the range of μM to pM. These results demonstrate that our strategies for scTCR engineering are capable of providing the affinity-enhanced and specificity-retained format, which are of great value in facilitating the development of TCR-related therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ling Zou
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | | | | | | | - Xian-Hui Wu
- Tianmu Institute of Health, Changzhou 213399, China
| | - Yun-Dong Wu
- Lab of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Giordano Attianese GMP, Ash S, Irving M. Coengineering specificity, safety, and function into T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:166-198. [PMID: 37548063 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapies, including of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and T cells gene-modified to express either a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), have demonstrated clinical efficacy for a proportion of patients and cancer-types. The field of ACT has been driven forward by the clinical success of CD19-CAR therapy against various advanced B-cell malignancies, including curative responses for some leukemia patients. However, relapse remains problematic, in particular for lymphoma. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, relative limited efficacy has been demonstrated for ACT of non-hematological solid tumors. Indeed, in addition to pre-infusion challenges including lymphocyte collection and manufacturing, ACT failure can be attributed to several biological processes post-transfer including, (i) inefficient tumor trafficking, infiltration, expansion and retention, (ii) chronic antigen exposure coupled with insufficient costimulation resulting in T-cell exhaustion, (iii) a range of barriers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated by both tumor cells and suppressive immune infiltrate, (iv) tumor antigen heterogeneity and loss, or down-regulation of antigen presentation machinery, (v) gain of tumor intrinsic mechanisms of resistance such as to apoptosis, and (vi) various forms of toxicity and other adverse events in patients. Affinity-optimized TCRs can improve T-cell function and innovative CAR designs as well as gene-modification strategies can be used to coengineer specificity, safety, and function into T cells. Coengineering strategies can be designed not only to directly support the transferred T cells, but also to block suppressive barriers in the TME and harness endogenous innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we review a selection of the remarkable T-cell coengineering strategies, including of tools, receptors, and gene-cargo, that have been developed in recent years to augment tumor control by ACT, more and more of which are advancing to the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Ash
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Degirmencay A, Thomas S, Mohammed F, Willcox BE, Stauss HJ. Modifications outside CDR1, 2 and 3 of the TCR variable β domain increase TCR expression and antigen-specific function. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148890. [PMID: 37122739 PMCID: PMC10134071 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) gene modified T cells are a promising form of adoptive cellular therapy against human malignancies and viral infections. Since the first human clinical trial was carried out in 2006, several strategies have been developed to improve the efficacy and safety of TCR engineered T cells by enhancing the surface expression of the introduced therapeutic TCRs whilst reducing the mis-pairing with endogenous TCR chains. In this study, we explored how modifications of framework residues in the TCR variable domains affect TCR expression and function. We used bioinformatic and protein structural analyses to identify candidate amino acid residues in the framework of the variable β domain predicted to drive high TCR surface expression. Changes of these residues in poorly expressed TCRs resulted in improved surface expression and boosted target cell specific killing by engineered T cells expressing the modified TCRs. Overall, these results indicate that small changes in the framework of the TCR variable domains can result in improved expression and functionality, while at the same time reducing the risk of toxicity associated with TCR mis-pairing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Degirmencay
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sharyn Thomas
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiyaz Mohammed
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin E. Willcox
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hans J. Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Hans J. Stauss,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hiltensperger M, Krackhardt AM. Current and future concepts for the generation and application of genetically engineered CAR-T and TCR-T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121030. [PMID: 36949949 PMCID: PMC10025359 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has seen a steep rise of new therapeutic approaches in its immune-oncology pipeline over the last years. This is in great part due to the recent approvals of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies and their remarkable efficacy in certain soluble tumors. A big focus of ACT lies on T cells and how to genetically modify them to target and kill tumor cells. Genetically modified T cells that are currently utilized are either equipped with an engineered CAR or a T cell receptor (TCR) for this purpose. Both strategies have their advantages and limitations. While CAR-T cell therapies are already used in the clinic, these therapies face challenges when it comes to the treatment of solid tumors. New designs of next-generation CAR-T cells might be able to overcome these hurdles. Moreover, CARs are restricted to surface antigens. Genetically engineered TCR-T cells targeting intracellular antigens might provide necessary qualities for the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we will summarize the major advancements of the CAR-T and TCR-T cell technology. Moreover, we will cover ongoing clinical trials, discuss current challenges, and provide an assessment of future directions within the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hiltensperger
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Michael Hiltensperger, ; Angela M. Krackhardt,
| | - Angela M. Krackhardt
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- IIIrd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Michael Hiltensperger, ; Angela M. Krackhardt,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Arman I, Haus-Cohen M, Reiter Y. The Intracellular Proteome as a Source for Novel Targets in CAR-T and T-Cell Engagers-Based Immunotherapy. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010027. [PMID: 36611821 PMCID: PMC9818436 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The impressive clinical success of cancer immunotherapy has motivated the continued search for new targets that may serve to guide potent effector functions in an attempt to efficiently kill malignant cells. The intracellular proteome is an interesting source for such new targets, such as neo-antigens and others, with growing interest in their application for cell-based immunotherapies. These intracellular-derived targets are peptides presented by MHC class I molecules on the cell surface of malignant cells. These disease-specific class I HLA-peptide complexes can be targeted by specific TCRs or by antibodies that mimic TCR-specificity, termed TCR-like (TCRL) antibodies. Adoptive cell transfer of TCR engineered T cells and T-cell-receptor-like based CAR-T cells, targeted against a peptide-MHC of interest, are currently tested as cancer therapeutic agents in pre-clinical and clinical trials, along with soluble TCR- and TCRL-based agents, such as immunotoxins and bi-specific T cell engagers. Targeting the intracellular proteome using TCRL- and TCR-based molecules shows promising results in cancer immunotherapy, as exemplified by the success of the anti-gp100/HLA-A2 TCR-based T cell engager, recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma. This review is focused on the selection and isolation processes of TCR- and TCRL-based targeting moieties, with a spotlight on pre-clinical and clinical studies, examining peptide-MHC targeting agents in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
6
|
Wei F, Cheng XX, Xue JZ, Xue SA. Emerging Strategies in TCR-Engineered T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:850358. [PMID: 35432319 PMCID: PMC9006933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.850358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of cancer has made tremendous progress in recent years, as demonstrated by the remarkable clinical responses obtained from adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of patient-derived tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells (CAR-T) and T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells (TCR-T). TCR-T uses specific TCRS optimized for tumor engagement and can recognize epitopes derived from both cell-surface and intracellular targets, including tumor-associated antigens, cancer germline antigens, viral oncoproteins, and tumor-specific neoantigens (neoAgs) that are largely sequestered in the cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells. Moreover, as TCRS are naturally developed for sensitive antigen detection, they are able to recognize epitopes at far lower concentrations than required for CAR-T activation. Therefore, TCR-T holds great promise for the treatment of human cancers. In this focused review, we summarize basic, translational, and clinical insights into the challenges and opportunities of TCR-T. We review emerging strategies used in current ACT, point out limitations, and propose possible solutions. We highlight the importance of targeting tumor-specific neoAgs and outline a strategy of combining neoAg vaccines, checkpoint blockade therapy, and adoptive transfer of neoAg-specific TCR-T to produce a truly tumor-specific therapy, which is able to penetrate into solid tumors and resist the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We believe such a combination approach should lead to a significant improvement in cancer immunotherapies, especially for solid tumors, and may provide a general strategy for the eradication of multiple cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wei
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Cheng
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| | - John Zhao Xue
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| | - Shao-An Xue
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Lan X. Rapid screening of TCR-pMHC interactions by the YAMTAD system. Cell Discov 2022; 8:30. [PMID: 35379810 PMCID: PMC8979966 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00386-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Personalized immunotherapy, such as cancer vaccine and TCR-T methods, demands rapid screening of TCR-pMHC interactions. While several screening approaches have been developed, their throughput is limited. Here, the Yeast Agglutination Mediated TCR antigen Discovery system (YAMTAD) was designed and demonstrated to allow fast and unbiased library-on-library screening of TCR-pMHC interactions. Our proof-of-principle study achieved high sensitivity and specificity in identifying antigens for a given TCR and identifying TCRs recognizing a given pMHC for modest library sizes. Finally, the enrichment of high-affinity TCR-pMHC interactions by YAMTAD in library-on-library screening was demonstrated. Given the high throughput (106–108 × 106–108 in theory) and simplicity (identifying TCR-pMHC interactions without purification of TCR and pMHC) of YAMTAD, this study provides a rapid but effective platform for TCR-pMHC interaction screening, with valuable applications in future personalized immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Lan
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shafer P, Kelly LM, Hoyos V. Cancer Therapy With TCR-Engineered T Cells: Current Strategies, Challenges, and Prospects. Front Immunol 2022; 13:835762. [PMID: 35309357 PMCID: PMC8928448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.835762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To redirect T cells against tumor cells, T cells can be engineered ex vivo to express cancer-antigen specific T cell receptors (TCRs), generating products known as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR T). Unlike chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), TCRs recognize HLA-presented peptides derived from proteins of all cellular compartments. The use of TCR T cells for adoptive cellular therapies (ACT) has gained increased attention, especially as efforts to treat solid cancers with ACTs have intensified. In this review, we describe the differing mechanisms of T cell antigen recognition and signal transduction mediated through CARs and TCRs. We describe the classes of cancer antigens recognized by current TCR T therapies and discuss both classical and emerging pre-clinical strategies for antigen-specific TCR discovery, enhancement, and validation. Finally, we review the current landscape of clinical trials for TCR T therapy and discuss what these current results indicate for the development of future engineered TCR approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Shafer
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lauren M. Kelly
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Cancer & Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu Y, Yan X, Zhang F, Zhang X, Tang F, Han Z, Li Y. TCR-T Immunotherapy: The Challenges and Solutions. Front Oncol 2022; 11:794183. [PMID: 35145905 PMCID: PMC8822241 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.794183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapy is free from the limit of surface antigen expression of the target cells, which is a potential cellular immunotherapy for cancer treatment. Significant advances in the treatment of hematologic malignancies with cellular immunotherapy have aroused the interest of researchers in the treatment of solid tumors. Nevertheless, the overall efficacy of TCR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors was not significantly high when compared with hematological malignancies. In this article, we pay attention to the barriers of TCR-T cell immunotherapy for solid tumors, as well as the strategies affecting the efficacy of TCR-T cell immunotherapy. To provide some reference for researchers to better overcome the impact of TCR-T cell efficiency in solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yating Liu
- Department of Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Futian Tang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Han
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yumin Li
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yumin Li,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zur RT, Adler G, Shamalov K, Tal Y, Ankri C, Cohen CJ. Adoptive T-cell Immunotherapy: Perfecting Self-Defenses. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:253-294. [PMID: 35165867 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As an important part of the immune system, T lymphocytes exhibit undoubtedly an important role in targeting and eradicating cancer. However, despite these characteristics, their natural antitumor response may be insufficient. Numerous clinical trials in terminally ill cancer patients testing the design of novel and efficient immunotherapeutic approaches based on the adoptive transfer of autologous tumor-specific T lymphocytes have shown encouraging results. Moreover, this also led to the approval of engineered T-cell therapies in patients. Herein, we will expand on the development and the use of such strategies using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or genetically engineered T-cells. We will also comment on the requirements and potential hurdles encountered when elaborating and implementing such treatments as well as the exciting prospects for this kind of emerging personalized medicine therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raphaëlle Toledano Zur
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Galit Adler
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Katerina Shamalov
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yair Tal
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Chen Ankri
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Cyrille J Cohen
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Raskin S, Van Pelt S, Toner K, Balakrishnan PB, Dave H, Bollard CM, Yvon E. Novel TCR-like CAR-T cells targeting an HLA∗0201-restricted SSX2 epitope display strong activity against acute myeloid leukemia. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:296-306. [PMID: 34729377 PMCID: PMC8526777 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The synovial sarcoma X breakpoint 2 (SSX2) belongs to a multigene family of cancer-testis antigens and can be found overexpressed in multiple malignancies. Its restricted expression in immune-privileged normal tissues suggest that SSX2 may be a relevant target antigen for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy. We have developed a T cell receptor (TCR)-like antibody (Fab/3) that binds SSX2 peptide 41-49 (KASEKIFYV) in the context of HLA-A∗-0201. The sequence of Fab/3 was utilized to engineer a CAR with the CD3 zeta intra-cellular domain along with either a CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory endodomain. Human T cells from HLA-A2+ donors were transduced to mediate anti-tumor activity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) tumor cells. Upon challenge with HLA-A2+/SSX2+ AML tumor cells, CAR-expressing T cells released interferon-γ and eliminated the tumor cells in a long-term co-culture assay. Using the HLA-A2+ T2 cell line, we demonstrated a strong specificity of the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for SSX2 p41-49 and the closely related SSX3 p41-49, with no response against the others SSX-homologous peptides or unrelated homologous peptides. Since SSX3 has not been observed in tumor cells and expression cannot be induced by pharmacological intervention, SSX241-49 represents an attractive target for CAR-based cellular therapy to treat multiple types of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Raskin
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Stacey Van Pelt
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.,The George Washington University Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Keri Toner
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.,The George Washington University Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | | | - Hema Dave
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.,The George Washington University Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.,The George Washington University Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Eric Yvon
- The George Washington University Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20052, USA.,Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ch'ng ACW, Lam P, Alassiri M, Lim TS. Application of phage display for T-cell receptor discovery. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 54:107870. [PMID: 34801662 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The immune system is tasked to keep our body unharmed and healthy. In the immune system, B- and T-lymphocytes are the two main components working together to stop and eliminate invading threats like virus particles, bacteria, fungi and parasite from attacking our healthy cells. The function of antibodies is relatively more direct in target recognition as compared to T-cell receptors (TCR) which recognizes antigenic peptides being presented on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Although phage display has been widely applied for antibody presentation, this is the opposite in the case of TCR. The cell surface TCR is a relatively large and complex molecule, making presentation on phage surfaces challenging. Even so, recombinant versions and modifications have been introduced to allow the growing development of TCR in phage display. In addition, the increasing application of TCR for immunotherapy has made it an important binding motif to be developed by phage display. This review will emphasize on the application of phage display for TCR discovery as well as the engineering aspect of TCR for improved characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Chiew Wen Ch'ng
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Paula Lam
- CellVec Private Limited, 118518, Singapore; National University of Singapore, Department of Physiology, 117597, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Cancer and Stem Cells Biology Program, 169857, Singapore
| | - Mohammed Alassiri
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Theam Soon Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sun Y, Li F, Sonnemann H, Jackson KR, Talukder AH, Katailiha AS, Lizee G. Evolution of CD8 + T Cell Receptor (TCR) Engineered Therapies for the Treatment of Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092379. [PMID: 34572028 PMCID: PMC8469972 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered T cell receptor T (TCR-T) cell therapy has facilitated the generation of increasingly reliable tumor antigen-specific adaptable cellular products for the treatment of human cancer. TCR-T cell therapies were initially focused on targeting shared tumor-associated peptide targets, including melanoma differentiation and cancer-testis antigens. With recent technological developments, it has become feasible to target neoantigens derived from tumor somatic mutations, which represents a highly personalized therapy, since most neoantigens are patient-specific and are rarely shared between patients. TCR-T therapies have been tested for clinical efficacy in treating solid tumors in many preclinical studies and clinical trials all over the world. However, the efficacy of TCR-T therapy for the treatment of solid tumors has been limited by a number of factors, including low TCR avidity, off-target toxicities, and target antigen loss leading to tumor escape. In this review, we discuss the process of deriving tumor antigen-specific TCRs, including the identification of appropriate tumor antigen targets, expansion of antigen-specific T cells, and TCR cloning and validation, including techniques and tools for TCR-T cell vector construction and expression. We highlight the achievements of recent clinical trials of engineered TCR-T cell therapies and discuss the current challenges and potential solutions for improving their safety and efficacy, insights that may help guide future TCR-T studies in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yimo Sun
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Fenge Li
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Heather Sonnemann
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Kyle R. Jackson
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Amjad H. Talukder
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Arjun S. Katailiha
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
| | - Gregory Lizee
- Department of Melanoma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.S.); (F.L.); (H.S.); (K.R.J.); (A.H.T.); (A.S.K.)
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ou X, Ma Q, Yin W, Ma X, He Z. CRISPR/Cas9 Gene-Editing in Cancer Immunotherapy: Promoting the Present Revolution in Cancer Therapy and Exploring More. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:674467. [PMID: 34095145 PMCID: PMC8172808 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.674467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy has showed fantastic promise in pioneering and accelerating the field of cancer therapy and embraces unprecedented breakthroughs in clinical practice. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system, as a versatile gene-editing technology, lays a robust foundation to efficiently innovate cancer research and cancer therapy. Here, we summarize recent approaches based on CRISPR/Cas9 system for construction of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells and T cell receptor T (TCR-T) cells. Besides, we review the applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in inhibiting immune checkpoint signaling pathways and highlight the feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9 based engineering strategies to screen novel cancer immunotherapy targets. Conclusively, we discuss the perspectives, potential challenges and possible solutions in this vivid growing field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuejin Ou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qizhi Ma
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Yin
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiyao He
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Titov A, Zmievskaya E, Ganeeva I, Valiullina A, Petukhov A, Rakhmatullina A, Miftakhova R, Fainshtein M, Rizvanov A, Bulatov E. Adoptive Immunotherapy beyond CAR T-Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:743. [PMID: 33670139 PMCID: PMC7916861 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell immunotherapy (ACT) is a vibrant field of cancer treatment that began progressive development in the 1980s. One of the most prominent and promising examples is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of B-cell hematologic malignancies. Despite success in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas and leukemia, CAR T-cell therapy remains mostly ineffective for solid tumors. This is due to several reasons, such as the heterogeneity of the cellular composition in solid tumors, the need for directed migration and penetration of CAR T-cells against the pressure gradient in the tumor stroma, and the immunosuppressive microenvironment. To substantially improve the clinical efficacy of ACT against solid tumors, researchers might need to look closer into recent developments in the other branches of adoptive immunotherapy, both traditional and innovative. In this review, we describe the variety of adoptive cell therapies beyond CAR T-cell technology, i.e., exploitation of alternative cell sources with a high therapeutic potential against solid tumors (e.g., CAR M-cells) or aiming to be universal allogeneic (e.g., CAR NK-cells, γδ T-cells), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and transgenic T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell immunotherapies. In addition, we discuss the strategies for selection and validation of neoantigens to achieve efficiency and safety. We provide an overview of non-conventional TCRs and CARs, and address the problem of mispairing between the cognate and transgenic TCRs. Finally, we summarize existing and emerging approaches for manufacturing of the therapeutic cell products in traditional, semi-automated and fully automated Point-of-Care (PoC) systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Titov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunology, National Hematology Research Centre, 125167 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Zmievskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Irina Ganeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Aygul Valiullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexey Petukhov
- Institute of Hematology, Almazov National Medical Research Center, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Aygul Rakhmatullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Regina Miftakhova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | | | - Albert Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Emil Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (E.Z.); (I.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Johnson DK, Magoffin W, Myers SJ, Finnell JG, Hancock JC, Orton TS, Persaud SP, Christensen KA, Weber KS. CD4 Inhibits Helper T Cell Activation at Lower Affinity Threshold for Full-Length T Cell Receptors Than Single Chain Signaling Constructs. Front Immunol 2021; 11:561889. [PMID: 33542711 PMCID: PMC7851051 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.561889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells are crucial for effective repression and elimination of cancer cells. Despite a paucity of CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) clinical studies, CD4+ T cells are primed to become important therapeutics as they help circumvent tumor antigen escape and guide multifactorial immune responses. However, because CD8+ T cells directly kill tumor cells, most research has focused on the attributes of CD8+ TCRs. Less is known about how TCR affinity and CD4 expression affect CD4+ T cell activation in full length TCR (flTCR) and TCR single chain signaling (TCR-SCS) formats. Here, we generated an affinity panel of TCRs from CD4+ T cells and expressed them in flTCR and three TCR-SCS formats modeled after chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to understand the contributions of TCR-pMHCII affinity, TCR format, and coreceptor CD4 interactions on CD4+ T cell activation. Strikingly, the coreceptor CD4 inhibited intermediate and high affinity TCR-construct activation by Lck-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These inhibition mechanisms had unique affinity thresholds dependent on the TCR format. Intracellular construct formats affected the tetramer staining for each TCR as well as IL-2 production. IL-2 production was promoted by increased TCR-pMHCII affinity and the flTCR format. Thus, CD4+ T cell therapy development should consider TCR affinity, CD4 expression, and construct format.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah K Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Wyatt Magoffin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Sheldon J Myers
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Jordan G Finnell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - John C Hancock
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Taylor S Orton
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Stephen P Persaud
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kenneth A Christensen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - K Scott Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Xue SA, Chen Y, Voss RH, Kisan V, Wang B, Chen KK, He FQ, Cheng XX, Scolamiero L, Holler A, Gao L, Morris E, Stauss HJ. Enhancing the expression and function of an EBV-TCR on engineered T cells by combining Sc-TCR design with CRISPR editing to prevent mispairing. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:1275-1277. [PMID: 32203185 PMCID: PMC7784858 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0396-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shao-An Xue
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China.
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Yuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Ralf-Holger Voss
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Virad Kisan
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Ke-Ke Chen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Qin He
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Xia Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Laura Scolamiero
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Liquan Gao
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Emma Morris
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Hans J Stauss
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Oppermans N, Kueberuwa G, Hawkins RE, Bridgeman JS. Transgenic T-cell receptor immunotherapy for cancer: building on clinical success. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2020; 8:2515135520933509. [PMID: 32613155 PMCID: PMC7309387 DOI: 10.1177/2515135520933509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of immunotherapy as a realistic and promising option for cancer treatment, adoptive cellular therapies are gaining significant interest in the clinic. Whilst the recent successes of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies for haematological malignancies are widely known, they have yet to show great success in solid cancers. However, immune cells transduced with T-cell receptors have been shown to traffic to and exert anti-cancer effects on solid tumour cells with some great successes. In this review, we explore the field of transgenic T-cell receptor immunotherapy, highlighting some of the key clinical trials which have paved the way for this type of cellular immunotherapy. Some trials have shown amazing clinical results, including long-term remissions and minimal toxicity, and can be looked at as an exemplar for this adoptive cell therapy. There have also been key trials where unexpected, fatal, off-tumour toxicity has occurred, and these trials have also been instrumental in shaping safer clinical trials, particularly regarding preclinical testing. In addition to previous trials, we analysed the current clinical trial space for T-cell receptor T-cell therapy, showing which trials are dominating in the clinic and which targets are being prioritised by researchers around the world. By looking at both past and current trials, we have been able to identify key drivers in developing transgenic T-cell receptor immunotherapy for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gray Kueberuwa
- Immetacyte Ltd., University of Manchester, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | | | - John S Bridgeman
- Immetacyte Ltd., University of Manchester, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tendeiro Rego R, Morris EC, Lowdell MW. T-cell receptor gene-modified cells: past promises, present methodologies and future challenges. Cytotherapy 2019; 21:341-357. [PMID: 30655164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy constitutes an exciting and rapidly evolving field, and the demonstration that genetically modified T-cell receptors (TCRs) can be used to produce T-lymphocyte populations of desired specificity offers new opportunities for antigen-specific T-cell therapy. Overall, TCR-modified T cells have the ability to target a wide variety of self and non-self targets through the normal biology of a T cell. Although major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted and dependent on co-receptors, genetically engineered TCRs still present a number of characteristics that ensure they are an important alternative strategy to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), and high-affinity TCRs can now be successfully engineered with the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse events. This review will focus on the main characteristics of TCR gene-modified cells, their potential clinical application and promise to the field of adoptive cell transfer (ACT), basic manufacturing procedures and characterization protocols and overall challenges that need to be overcome so that redirection of TCR specificity may be successfully translated into clinical practice, beyond early-phase clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Tendeiro Rego
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, London, UK; Centre for Cell, Gene & Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma C Morris
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, London, UK
| | - Mark W Lowdell
- UCL Cancer Institute, Department of Haematology, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Eisenberg V, Hoogi S, Shamul A, Barliya T, Cohen CJ. T-cells "à la CAR-T(e)" - Genetically engineering T-cell response against cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:23-40. [PMID: 30653988 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The last decade will be remembered as the dawn of the immunotherapy era during which we have witnessed the approval by regulatory agencies of genetically engineered CAR T-cells and of checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment. Understandably, T-lymphocytes represent the essential player in these approaches. These cells can mediate impressive tumor regression in terminally-ill cancer patients. Moreover, they are amenable to genetic engineering to improve their function and specificity. In the present review, we will give an overview of the most recent developments in the field of T-cell genetic engineering including TCR-gene transfer and CAR T-cells strategies. We will also elaborate on the development of other types of genetic modifications to enhance their anti-tumor immune response such as the use of co-stimulatory chimeric receptors (CCRs) and unconventional CARs built on non-antibody molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in genome editing and synthetic biology applied to T-cell engineering and comment on the next challenges ahead.
Collapse
|
21
|
Adoptive T cell therapy: points to consider. Curr Opin Immunol 2018; 51:197-203. [PMID: 29730057 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) has enjoyed a revival in recent years with the approval of CAR T cells for the treatment of patients with B cell malignancies. Advancing the use of adoptively transferred T cells for the treatment of patients with solid tumor and other hematologic malignancies however, will require addressing numerous effector cell intrinsic as well as tumor micro environmental hurdles and exploiting a broader ACT platform that includes not only engineered CAR-T cells, but also other forms of ACT including Endogenous T Cell (ETC) and Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. In this review, we open this discussion with some 'points to consider' as a starting point for envisioning more effective strategies that are now feasible because of recent discoveries In immune resistance and the development of enabling technologies to harness the power of tumor - reactive T cells for adoptive cell therapy.
Collapse
|
22
|
Krackhardt AM, Anliker B, Hildebrandt M, Bachmann M, Eichmüller SB, Nettelbeck DM, Renner M, Uharek L, Willimsky G, Schmitt M, Wels WS, Schüssler-Lenz M. Clinical translation and regulatory aspects of CAR/TCR-based adoptive cell therapies-the German Cancer Consortium approach. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:513-523. [PMID: 29380009 PMCID: PMC11028374 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2119-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells genetically modified by TCRs or CARs represents a highly attractive novel therapeutic strategy to treat malignant diseases. Various approaches for the development of such gene therapy medicinal products (GTMPs) have been initiated by scientists in recent years. To date, however, the number of clinical trials commenced in Germany and Europe is still low. Several hurdles may contribute to the delay in clinical translation of these therapeutic innovations including the significant complexity of manufacture and non-clinical testing of these novel medicinal products, the limited knowledge about the intricate regulatory requirements of the academic developers as well as limitations of funds for clinical testing. A suitable good manufacturing practice (GMP) environment is a key prerequisite and platform for the development, validation, and manufacture of such cell-based therapies, but may also represent a bottleneck for clinical translation. The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) have initiated joint efforts of researchers and regulators to facilitate and advance early phase, academia-driven clinical trials. Starting with a workshop held in 2016, stakeholders from academia and regulatory authorities in Germany have entered into continuing discussions on a diversity of scientific, manufacturing, and regulatory aspects, as well as the benefits and risks of clinical application of CAR/TCR-based cell therapies. This review summarizes the current state of discussions of this cooperative approach providing a basis for further policy-making and suitable modification of processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Krackhardt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Hämatologie und Onkologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München, TUM School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Brigitte Anliker
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI, German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines), Langen, Germany
| | - Martin Hildebrandt
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- TUMCells (Interdisciplinary Center for Cellular Therapies), TUM School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Radio and Tumorimmunology, Dresden, Germany
- Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (NCT), Heidelberg and Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan B Eichmüller
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (NCT), Heidelberg and Dresden, Germany
- GMP and T Cell Therapy Unit, DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk M Nettelbeck
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Renner
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI, German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines), Langen, Germany
| | - Lutz Uharek
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- Stem Cell Facility, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Willimsky
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schmitt
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine V, GMP Core Facility, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Winfried S Wels
- DKTK-Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (German Cancer Consortium) and DKFZ-Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), Heidelberg, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martina Schüssler-Lenz
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI, German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines), Langen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
An optimized single chain TCR scaffold relying on the assembly with the native CD3-complex prevents residual mispairing with endogenous TCRs in human T-cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:21199-221. [PMID: 27028870 PMCID: PMC5008279 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of cancer envisions the adoptive transfer of T-cells genetically engineered with tumor-specific heterodimeric α/β T-cell receptors (TCRα/β). However, potential mispairing of introduced TCRα/β-chains with endogenous β/α-ones may evoke unpredictable autoimmune reactivities. A novel single chain (sc)TCR format relies on the fusion of the Vα-Linker-Vβ-fragment to the TCR Cβ-domain and coexpression of the TCR Cα-domain capable of recruiting the natural CD3-complex for full and hence, native T-cell signaling. Here, we tested whether such a gp100(280-288)- or p53(264-272) tumor antigen-specific scTCR is still prone to mispairing with TCRα. In a human Jurkat-76 T-cell line lacking endogenous TCRs, surface expression and function of a scTCR could be reconstituted by any cointroduced TCRα-chain indicating mispairing to take place on a molecular basis. In contrast, transduction into human TCRα/β-positive T-cells revealed that mispairing is largely reduced. Competition experiments in Jurkat-76 confirmed the preference of dcTCR to selfpair and to spare scTCR. This also allowed for the generation of dc/scTCR-modified cytomegalovirus/tumor antigen-bispecific T-cells to augment T-cell activation in CMV-infected tumor patients. Residual mispairing was prevented by strenghtening the Vα-Li-Vβ-fragment through the design of a novel disulfide bond between a Vα- and a linker-resident residue close to Vβ. Multimer-stainings, and cytotoxicity-, IFNγ-secretion-, and CFSE-proliferation-assays, the latter towards dendritic cells endogenously processing RNA-electroporated gp100 antigen proved the absence of hybrid scTCR/TCRα-formation without impairing avidity of scTCR/Cα in T-cells. Moreover, a fragile cytomegalovirus pp65(495-503)-specific scTCR modified this way acquired enhanced cytotoxicity. Thus, optimized scTCR/Cα inhibits residual TCR mispairing to accomplish safe adoptive immunotherapy for bulk endogenous TCRα/β-positive T-cells.
Collapse
|
24
|
Spear TT, Foley KC, Garrett-Mayer E, Nishimura MI. TCR modifications that enhance chain pairing in gene-modified T cells can augment cross-reactivity and alleviate CD8 dependence. J Leukoc Biol 2018; 103:973-983. [PMID: 29350789 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5a0817-314r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) gene-modified T cells are a promising immunotherapy but require refinement to improve clinical responses and limit off-target toxicities. A variety of TCR and gene-delivery vector modifications have been developed to enhance introduced TCR expression and limit introduced/endogenous TCR chain mispairing, improving target antigen recognition and minimizing mispairing-induced cross-reactivity. Using our well-characterized HCV1406 TCR, we previously compared the impact of various chain pairing enhancing modifications on TCR expression and cognate antigen recognition. HCV1406 TCR is also natively cross-reactive against naturally occurring altered peptide ligands (APLs), which was shown to be dependent on high TCR surface density. In this report, we observed in a Jurkat model that absent TCR chain pairing competition alleviated CD8-dependent APL recognition and induced novel cross-reactivity of HCV1406 TCR. We then compared chain pairing enhancing modifications' effects on TCR cross-reactivity in Jurkat and T cells, showing C-terminal leucine zippers and constant region murinization alleviated CD8 dependence and induced novel APL recognition. While modifications enhancing TCR chain pairing intend to avoid cross-reactivity by limiting mispairing with the endogenous TCR, these data suggest they may also enhance natural cross-reactivity and reduce dependence on CD8. These observations have significant implications on the design/implementation of TCR gene-modified T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Spear
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Kendra C Foley
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kellmann SJ, Dübel S, Thie H. A strategy to identify linker-based modules for the allosteric regulation of antibody-antigen binding affinities of different scFvs. MAbs 2017; 9:404-418. [PMID: 28055297 PMCID: PMC5384732 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1277302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) are used in a variety of applications, such as for research, diagnosis and therapy. Essential for these applications is the extraordinary specificity, selectivity and affinity of antibody paratopes, which can also be used for efficient protein purification. However, this use is hampered by the high affinity for the protein to be purified because harsh elution conditions, which may impair folding, integrity or viability of the eluted biomaterials, are typically required. In this study, we developed a strategy to obtain structural elements that provide allosteric modulation of the affinities of different antibody scFvs for their antigen. To identify suitable allosteric modules, a complete set of cyclic permutations of calmodulin variants was generated and tested for modulation of the affinity when substituting the linker between VH and VL. Modulation of affinity induced by addition of different calmodulin-binding peptides at physiologic conditions was demonstrated for 5 of 6 tested scFvs of different specificities and antigens ranging from cell surface proteins to haptens. In addition, a variety of different modulator peptides were tested. Different structural solutions were found in respect of the optimal calmodulin permutation, the optimal peptide and the allosteric effect for scFvs binding to different antigen structures. Significantly, effective linker modules were identified for scFvs with both VH-VL and VL-VH architecture. The results suggest that this approach may offer a rapid, paratope-independent strategy to provide allosteric regulation of affinity for many other antibody scFvs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jane Kellmann
- a Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße , Bergisch Gladbach , Germany
| | - Stefan Dübel
- b Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Holger Thie
- a Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße , Bergisch Gladbach , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Liu D, Tian S, Zhang K, Xiong W, Lubaki NM, Chen Z, Han W. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified natural killer cell-based immunotherapy and immunological synapse formation in cancer and HIV. Protein Cell 2017; 8:861-877. [PMID: 28488245 PMCID: PMC5712291 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-017-0415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells contribute to the body’s immune defenses. Current chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell immunotherapy shows strong promise for treating various cancers and infectious diseases. Although CAR-modified NK cell immunotherapy is rapidly gaining attention, its clinical applications are mainly focused on preclinical investigations using the NK92 cell line. Despite recent advances in CAR-modified T cell immunotherapy, cost and severe toxicity have hindered its widespread use. To alleviate these disadvantages of CAR-modified T cell immunotherapy, additional cytotoxic cell-mediated immunotherapies are urgently needed. The unique biology of NK cells allows them to serve as a safe, effective, alternative immunotherapeutic strategy to CAR-modified T cells in the clinic. While the fundamental mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity and side effects of CAR-modified T and NK cell immunotherapies remain poorly understood, the formation of the immunological synapse (IS) between CAR-modified T or NK cells and their susceptible target cells is known to be essential. The role of the IS in CAR T and NK cell immunotherapies will allow scientists to harness the power of CAR-modified T and NK cells to treat cancer and infectious diseases. In this review, we highlight the potential applications of CAR-modified NK cells to treat cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and discuss the challenges and possible future directions of CAR-modified NK cell immunotherapy, as well as the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms of CAR-modified T cell- or NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and side effects, with a focus on the CAR-modified NK cell IS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongfang Liu
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Shuo Tian
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wei Xiong
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ndongala Michel Lubaki
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhiying Chen
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Weidong Han
- Institute of Basic Medicine, College of Life Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tao C, Shao H, Zhang W, Bo H, Wu F, Shen H, Huang S. γδTCR immunoglobulin constant region domain exchange in human αβTCRs improves TCR pairing without altering TCR gene-modified T cell function. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:1555-1564. [PMID: 28259946 PMCID: PMC5365024 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoptive genetic transfer of T cell receptors (TCRs) has been shown to be overall feasible and offer clinical potential as a treatment for different types of cancer. However, this promising clinical approach is limited by the serious potential consequence that exogenous TCR mispairing with endogenous TCR chains may lead to the risk of self-reactivity. In the present study, domain-exchange and three-dimensional modeling strategies were used to create a set of chimeric TCR variants, which were used to exchange the partial or complete constant region of αβTCR with corresponding γδTCR domains. The expression, assembly and function of the chimeric TCR variants were examined in Jurkat T cells and peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs). Genetically-encoded chimeras were fused with a pair of fluorescent proteins (ECFP/EYFP) to monitor expression and the pairing between chimeric TCRα chains and TCRβ chains. The fluorescence energy transfer based on confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the introduction of γδTCR constant sequences into the αβTCR did not result in a global reduction of mispairing with endogenous TCR. However, the TCR harboring the immunoglobulin-like domain of the γδTCR constant region (i.e., TCR∆IgC), showed a higher expression and preferential pairing, compared with wild-type (wt)TCR. The function analysis showed that TCR∆IgC exhibited the same levels of interferon-γ production and cytotoxic activity, compared with wtTCR. Furthermore, these modified TCR-transduced T cells retained the classic human leukocyte antigen restriction of the original TCR. The other two chimeric TCRs, had either exchange of the cp+tm+ic domain or exchange of the whole C domain (Fig. 1). Ultimately, exchange of these domains demonstrated defective function in the transduced T cells. Taken together, these findings may provide further understanding of the γδTCR constant domain with implications for the improvement of TCR gene transfer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changli Tao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Shao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Huaben Bo
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Fenglin Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Han Shen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Shulin Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Spear TT, Nagato K, Nishimura MI. Strategies to genetically engineer T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:631-49. [PMID: 27138532 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1842-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is one of the most promising and innovative approaches to treat cancer, viral infections, and other immune-modulated diseases. Adoptive immunotherapy using gene-modified T cells is an exciting and rapidly evolving field. Exploiting knowledge of basic T cell biology and immune cell receptor function has fostered innovative approaches to modify immune cell function. Highly translatable clinical technologies have been developed to redirect T cell specificity by introducing designed receptors. The ability to engineer T cells to manifest desired phenotypes and functions is now a thrilling reality. In this review, we focus on outlining different varieties of genetically engineered T cells, their respective advantages and disadvantages as tools for immunotherapy, and their promise and drawbacks in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Spear
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Bldg 112, Room 308, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
| | - Kaoru Nagato
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Bldg 112, Room 308, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Bldg 112, Room 308, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Harris DT, Kranz DM. Adoptive T Cell Therapies: A Comparison of T Cell Receptors and Chimeric Antigen Receptors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2015; 37:220-230. [PMID: 26705086 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The tumor-killing properties of T cells provide tremendous opportunities to treat cancer. Adoptive T cell therapies have begun to harness this potential by endowing a functionally diverse repertoire of T cells with genetically modified, tumor-specific recognition receptors. Normally, this antigen recognition function is mediated by an αβ T cell receptor (TCR), but the dominant therapeutic forms currently in development are synthetic constructs called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). While CAR-based adoptive cell therapies are already showing great promise, their basic mechanistic properties have been studied in less detail compared with those of αβ TCRs. In this review, we compare and contrast various features of TCRs versus CARs, with a goal of highlighting issues that need to be addressed to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of both.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, 600 S. Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - David M Kranz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, 600 S. Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nakatsugawa M, Yamashita Y, Ochi T, Tanaka S, Chamoto K, Guo T, Butler MO, Hirano N. Specific roles of each TCR hemichain in generating functional chain-centric TCR. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:3487-500. [PMID: 25710913 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
TCRα- and β-chains cooperatively recognize peptide-MHC complexes. It has been shown that a "chain-centric" TCR hemichain can, by itself, dictate MHC-restricted Ag specificity without requiring major contributions from the paired TCR counterchain. Little is known, however, regarding the relative contributions and roles of chain-centric and its counter, non-chain-centric, hemichains in determining T cell avidity. We comprehensively analyzed a thymically unselected T cell repertoire generated by transducing the α-chain-centric HLA-A*02:01(A2)/MART127-35 TCRα, clone SIG35α, into A2-matched and unmatched postthymic T cells. Regardless of their HLA-A2 positivity, a substantial subset of peripheral T cells transduced with SIG35α gained reactivity for A2/MART127-35. Although the generated A2/MART127-35-specific T cells used various TRBV genes, TRBV27 predominated with >10(2) highly diverse and unique clonotypic CDR3β sequences. T cells individually reconstituted with various A2/MART127-35 TRBV27 TCRβ genes along with SIG35α possessed a wide range (>2 log orders) of avidity. Approximately half possessed avidity higher than T cells expressing clone DMF5, a naturally occurring A2/MART127-35 TCR with one of the highest affinities. Importantly, similar findings were recapitulated with other self-Ags. Our results indicate that, although a chain-centric TCR hemichain determines Ag specificity, the paired counterchain can regulate avidity over a broad range (>2 log orders) without compromising Ag specificity. TCR chain centricity can be exploited to generate a thymically unselected Ag-specific T cell repertoire, which can be used to isolate high-avidity antitumor T cells and their uniquely encoded TCRs rarely found in the periphery because of tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Munehide Nakatsugawa
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Yuki Yamashita
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Toshiki Ochi
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Shinya Tanaka
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Takara Bio, Inc., Otsu, Shiga 520-2193, Japan
| | - Kenji Chamoto
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Tingxi Guo
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; and
| | - Marcus O Butler
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Naoto Hirano
- Immune Therapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; and
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Keenan BP, Jaffee EM, Armstrong TD. Tumor immunology: multidisciplinary science driving basic and clinical advances. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 1:16-23. [PMID: 24409447 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-13-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The fourth AACR Special Conference "Tumor Immunology: Basic and Clinical Advances" was held in Miami, FL in December 2012. The overall objective of this meeting was to discuss emerging concepts in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. The key findings that emerged from this meeting included: (i) multiple immune checkpoints should be inhibited to increase effective T-cell therapy, (ii) successful adoptive T-cell therapy will rely on obtaining the proper T-cell phenotype, (iii) chimeric antigen receptors have shown promise in treating some B-cell malignancies, and (iv) multiple pathways of inflammation within the tumor microenvironment are immunotherapy targets.
Collapse
|
32
|
Novel codon-optimized mini-intronic plasmid for efficient, inexpensive, and xeno-free induction of pluripotency. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8081. [PMID: 25628230 PMCID: PMC4308704 DOI: 10.1038/srep08081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has revolutionized the regenerative medicine field. This technology provides a powerful tool for disease modeling and drug screening approaches. To circumvent the risk of random integration into the host genome caused by retroviruses, non-integrating reprogramming methods have been developed. However, these techniques are relatively inefficient or expensive. The mini-intronic plasmid (MIP) is an alternative, robust transgene expression vector for reprogramming. Here we developed a single plasmid reprogramming system which carries codon-optimized (Co) sequences of the canonical reprogramming factors (Oct4, Klf4, Sox2, and c-Myc) and short hairpin RNA against p53 ("4-in-1 CoMiP"). We have derived human and mouse iPSC lines from fibroblasts by performing a single transfection. Either independently or together with an additional vector encoding for LIN28, NANOG, and GFP, we were also able to reprogram blood-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into iPSCs. Taken together, the CoMiP system offers a new highly efficient, integration-free, easy to use, and inexpensive methodology for reprogramming. Furthermore, the CoMIP construct is color-labeled, free of any antibiotic selection cassettes, and independent of the requirement for expression of the Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen (EBNA), making it particularly beneficial for future applications in regenerative medicine.
Collapse
|
33
|
Kobayashi E, Kishi H, Ozawa T, Hamana H, Nakagawa H, Jin A, Lin Z, Muraguchi A. A chimeric antigen receptor for TRAIL-receptor 1 induces apoptosis in various types of tumor cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 453:798-803. [PMID: 25445592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its associated receptors (TRAIL-R/TR) are attractive targets for cancer therapy because TRAIL induces apoptosis in tumor cells through TR while having little cytotoxicity on normal cells. Therefore, many agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for TR have been produced, and these induce apoptosis in multiple tumor cell types. However, some TR-expressing tumor cells are resistant to TR-specific mAb-induced apoptosis. In this study, we constructed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) of a TRAIL-receptor 1 (TR1)-specific single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody (TR1-scFv-CAR) and expressed it on a Jurkat T cell line, the KHYG-1 NK cell line, and human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). We found that the TR1-scFv-CAR-expressing Jurkat cells killed target cells via TR1-mediated apoptosis, whereas TR1-scFv-CAR-expressing KHYG-1 cells and PBLs killed target cells not only via TR1-mediated apoptosis but also via CAR signal-induced cytolysis, resulting in cytotoxicity on a broader range if target cells than with TR1-scFv-CAR-expressing Jurkat cells. The results suggest that TR1-scFv-CAR could be a new candidate for cancer gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kishi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
| | - Tatsuhiko Ozawa
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamana
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Aishun Jin
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan; College of Basic Medical Science, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhezhu Lin
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan; Department of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Atsushi Muraguchi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Stone JD, Harris DT, Soto CM, Chervin AS, Aggen DH, Roy EJ, Kranz DM. A novel T cell receptor single-chain signaling complex mediates antigen-specific T cell activity and tumor control. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:1163-76. [PMID: 25082071 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1586-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of genetically modified T cells to treat cancer has shown promise in several clinical trials. Two main strategies have been applied to redirect T cells against cancer: (1) introduction of a full-length T cell receptor (TCR) specific for a tumor-associated peptide-MHC, or (2) introduction of a chimeric antigen receptor, including an antibody fragment specific for a tumor cell surface antigen, linked intracellularly to T cell signaling domains. Each strategy has advantages and disadvantages for clinical applications. Here, we present data on the in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of a single-chain signaling receptor incorporating a TCR variable fragment as the targeting element (referred to as TCR-SCS). This receptor contained a single-chain TCR (Vα-linker-Vβ) from a high-affinity TCR called m33, linked to the intracellular signaling domains of CD28 and CD3ζ. This format avoided mispairing with endogenous TCR chains and mediated specific T cell activity when expressed in either CD4 or CD8 T cells. TCR-SCS-transduced CD8-negative cells showed an intriguing sensitivity, compared to full-length TCRs, to higher densities of less stable pepMHC targets. T cells that expressed this peptide-specific receptor persisted in vivo, and exhibited polyfunctional responses. Growth of metastatic antigen-positive tumors was significantly inhibited by T cells that expressed this receptor, and tumor cells that escaped were antigen-loss variants. TCR-SCS receptors represent an alternative targeting receptor strategy that combines the advantages of single-chain expression, avoidance of TCR chain mispairing, and targeting of intracellular antigens presented in complex with MHC proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Stone
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapy involves the ex vivo enrichment and expansion of tumor-reactive T cells for infusion. As an immune-based approach, adoptive therapy has become an increasingly attractive modality for the treatment of patients with cancer due to its potential for high specificity, non-cross resistance with conventional therapies, and promise of long-term immunoprotection. In recent years, a resurgence in discoveries underlying T-cell recognition, tumor immune evasion, and T-cell memory and differentiation coupled with the development of several enabling technologies have facilitated a renewed focus in the field of adoptive therapy and its transition to the clinical arena as a treatment modality for patients with cancer. In this review, endogenous T cells derived from peripheral blood or tumor sites will be presented as a source of effector cells for adoptive therapy and strategies to isolate, manipulate, and enhance the function of antigen-specific T cells in vitro and to augment their in vivo efficacy and persistence by host immunomodulation are presented in the context of an ever-increasing inventory of preclinical and clinically available reagents. Optimizing the combination of adoptive cellular therapy and other immune-based and conventional approaches will herald a new generation of research and clinical opportunities for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassian Yee
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Department of Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Banu N, Chia A, Ho ZZ, Garcia AT, Paravasivam K, Grotenbreg GM, Bertoletti A, Gehring AJ. Building and optimizing a virus-specific T cell receptor library for targeted immunotherapy in viral infections. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4166. [PMID: 24566718 PMCID: PMC3933865 DOI: 10.1038/srep04166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Restoration of antigen-specific T cell immunity has the potential to clear persistent viral infection. T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy can reconstitute CD8 T cell immunity in chronic patients. We cloned 10 virus-specific TCRs targeting 5 different viruses, causing chronic and acute infection. All 10 TCR genetic constructs were optimized for expression using a P2A sequence, codon optimization and the addition of a non-native disulfide bond. However, maximum TCR expression was only achieved after establishing the optimal orientation of the alpha and beta chains in the expression cassette; 9/10 TCRs favored the beta-P2A-alpha orientation over alpha-P2A-beta. Optimal TCR expression was associated with a significant increase in the frequency of IFN-gamma+ T cells. In addition, activating cells for transduction in the presence of Toll-like receptor ligands further enhanced IFN-gamma production. Thus, we have built a virus-specific TCR library that has potential for therapeutic intervention in chronic viral infection or virus-related cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nasirah Banu
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore
| | - Adeline Chia
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore
| | - Zi Zong Ho
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore
| | - Alfonso Tan Garcia
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore
| | - Komathi Paravasivam
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore
| | - Gijsbert M Grotenbreg
- Departments of Microbiology and Biological Sciences, Immunology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- 1] Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore [2] Program of Emerging Viral Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Adam J Gehring
- 1] Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), Singapore [2] Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA [3] Saint Louis University Liver Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kunert A, Straetemans T, Govers C, Lamers C, Mathijssen R, Sleijfer S, Debets R. TCR-Engineered T Cells Meet New Challenges to Treat Solid Tumors: Choice of Antigen, T Cell Fitness, and Sensitization of Tumor Milieu. Front Immunol 2013; 4:363. [PMID: 24265631 PMCID: PMC3821161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells gene-engineered with antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) has proven its feasibility and therapeutic potential in the treatment of malignant tumors. To ensure further clinical development of TCR gene therapy, it is necessary to target immunogenic epitopes that are related to oncogenesis and selectively expressed by tumor tissue, and implement strategies that result in optimal T cell fitness. In addition, in particular for the treatment of solid tumors, it is equally necessary to include strategies that counteract the immune-suppressive nature of the tumor micro-environment. Here, we will provide an overview of the current status of TCR gene therapy, and redefine the following three challenges of improvement: “choice of target antigen”; “fitness of T cells”; and “sensitization of tumor milieu.” We will categorize and discuss potential strategies to address each of these challenges, and argue that advancement of clinical TCR gene therapy critically depends on developments toward each of the three challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andre Kunert
- Laboratory of Experimental Tumor Immunology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute , Rotterdam , Netherlands ; Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute , Rotterdam , Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Reuß S, Sebestyén Z, Heinz N, Loew R, Baum C, Debets R, Uckert W. TCR-engineered T cells: a model of inducible TCR expression to dissect the interrelationship between two TCRs. Eur J Immunol 2013; 44:265-74. [PMID: 24114521 PMCID: PMC4209802 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
TCR gene modified T cells for adoptive therapy simultaneously express the Tg TCR and the endogenous TCR, which might lead to mispaired TCRs with harmful unknown specificity and to a reduced function of TCR-Tg T cells. We generated dual TCR T cells in two settings in which either TCR was constitutively expressed by a retroviral promoter while the second TCR expression was regulable by a Tet-on system. Constitutively expressed TCR molecules were reduced on the cell surface depending on the induced TCR expression leading to strongly hampered function. Besides that, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer we detected mispaired TCR dimers and different pairing behaviors of individual TCR chains with a mutual influence on TCR chain expression. The loss of function and mispairing could not be avoided by changing the TCR expression level or by introduction of an additional cysteine bridge. However, in polyclonal T cells, optimized TCR formats (cysteineization, codon optimization) enhanced correct pairing and function. We conclude from our data that (i) the level of mispairing depends on the individual TCRs and is not reduced by increasing the level of one TCR, and (ii) modifications (cysteineization, codon optimization) improve correct pairing but do not completely exclude mispairing (cysteineization).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Reuß
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
T cells have the capacity to eradicate diseased cells, but tumours present considerable challenges that render T cells ineffectual. Cancer cells often make themselves almost 'invisible' to the immune system, and they sculpt a microenvironment that suppresses T cell activity, survival and migration. Genetic engineering of T cells can be used therapeutically to overcome these challenges. T cells can be taken from the blood of cancer patients and then modified with genes encoding receptors that recognize cancer-specific antigens. Additional genes can be used to enable resistance to immunosuppression, to extend survival and to facilitate the penetration of engineered T cells into tumours. Using genetic modification, highly active, self-propagating 'slayers' of cancer cells can be generated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. michael.kershaw@ petermac.org
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Hebeisen M, Oberle SG, Presotto D, Speiser DE, Zehn D, Rufer N. Molecular insights for optimizing T cell receptor specificity against cancer. Front Immunol 2013; 4:154. [PMID: 23801991 PMCID: PMC3685811 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic CD8 T cells mediate immunity to pathogens and they are able to eliminate malignant cells. Immunity to viruses and bacteria primarily involves CD8 T cells bearing high affinity T cell receptors (TCRs), which are specific to pathogen-derived (non-self) antigens. Given the thorough elimination of high affinity self/tumor-antigen reactive T cells by central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms, anti-cancer immunity mostly depends on TCRs with intermediate-to-low affinity for self-antigens. Because of this, a promising novel therapeutic approach to increase the efficacy of tumor-reactive T cells is to engineer their TCRs, with the aim to enhance their binding kinetics to pMHC complexes, or to directly manipulate the TCR-signaling cascades. Such manipulations require a detailed knowledge on how pMHC-TCR and co-receptors binding kinetics impact the T cell response. In this review, we present the current knowledge in this field. We discuss future challenges in identifying and targeting the molecular mechanisms to enhance the function of natural or TCR-affinity optimized T cells, and we provide perspectives for the development of protective anti-tumor T cell responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hebeisen
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital Center (CHUV), University of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
A Promising Vector for TCR Gene Therapy: Differential Effect of siRNA, 2A Peptide, and Disulfide Bond on the Introduced TCR Expression. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2012; 1:e63. [PMID: 23250361 PMCID: PMC3528300 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2012.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy using TCR gene-modified T-lymphocytes is an attractive strategy for targeting malignancies. However, TCR mispairings between endogenous and introduced TCR chains are a major concern, as they may induce mixed TCRs with unknown specificities and may reduce the expression of therapeutic TCRs. To overcome these problems, we have recently established a novel retroviral siTCR vector encoding small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to knockdown endogenous TCR genes for the efficient expression of therapeutic TCRs. In this study, to improve the efficacy of siTCR vectors, we developed 2A peptide-based siTCR vectors that could increase the expression levels of transduced TCRs compared with internal promoter-based siTCR vectors. We also evaluated the efficacy of an siTCR strategy and the addition of a new interchain disulfide bond created by cysteine modification. We found that the effect of the cysteine modification depended on TCR variations, while the siTCR strategy improved the expression of all TCRs tested. Furthermore, the combined effect of the siTCR and cysteine modification strategies was highly significant for certain TCRs. Therefore, our novel siTCR technology, in isolation or in combination with another strategy, may open the door to effective immunotherapy for cancer patients.Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids (2012) 1, e63. doi:10.1038/mtna.2012.52; published online 18 December 2012.
Collapse
|
42
|
Daniel-Meshulam I, Ya'akobi S, Ankri C, Cohen CJ. How (specific) would like your T-cells today? Generating T-cell therapeutic function through TCR-gene transfer. Front Immunol 2012; 3:186. [PMID: 22783259 PMCID: PMC3390604 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cells are central players in the immune response against both pathogens and cancer. Their specificity is solely dictated by the T-cell receptor (TCR) they clonally express. As such, the genetic modification of T lymphocytes using pathogen- or cancer-specific TCRs represents an appealing strategy to generate a desired immune response from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Moreover, notable objective clinical responses were observed in terminally ill cancer patients treated with TCR-gene modified cells in several clinical trials conducted recently. Nevertheless, several key aspects of this approach are the object of intensive research aimed at improving the reliability and efficacy of this strategy. Herein, we will survey recent studies in the field of TCR-gene transfer dealing with the improvement of this approach and its application for the treatment of malignant, autoimmune, and infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Daniel-Meshulam
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|