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Yu W, Truong NTH, Polara R, Gargett T, Tea MN, Pitson SM, Cockshell MP, Bonder CS, Ebert LM, Brown MP. Endogenous bystander killing mechanisms enhance the activity of novel FAP-specific CAR-T cells against glioblastoma. Clin Transl Immunology 2024; 13:e1519. [PMID: 38975278 PMCID: PMC11225608 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives CAR-T cells are being investigated as a novel immunotherapy for glioblastoma, but clinical success has been limited. We recently described fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as an ideal target antigen for glioblastoma immunotherapy, with expression on both tumor cells and tumor blood vessels. However, CAR-T cells targeting FAP have never been investigated as a therapy for glioblastoma. Methods We generated a novel FAP targeting CAR with CD3ζ and CD28 signalling domains and tested the resulting CAR-T cells for their lytic activity and cytokine secretion function in vitro (using real-time impedance, flow cytometry, imaging and bead-based cytokine assays), and in vivo (using a xenograft mimicking the natural heterogeneity of human glioblastoma). Results FAP-CAR-T cells exhibited target specificity against model cell lines and potent cytotoxicity against patient-derived glioma neural stem cells, even when only a subpopulation expressed FAP, indicating a bystander killing mechanism. Using co-culture assays, we confirmed FAP-CAR-T cells mediate bystander killing of antigen-negative tumor cells, but only after activation by FAP-positive target cells. This bystander killing was at least partially mediated by soluble factors and amplified by IL-2 which activated the non-transduced fraction of the CAR-T product. Finally, a low dose of intravenously administered FAP-CAR-T cells controlled, without overt toxicity, the growth of subcutaneous tumors created using a mixture of antigen-negative and antigen-positive glioblastoma cells. Conclusions Our findings advance FAP as a leading candidate for clinical CAR-T therapy of glioblastoma and highlight under-recognised antigen nonspecific mechanisms that may contribute meaningfully to the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Yu
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Cancer Clinical Trials UnitRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Nga TH Truong
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Cancer Clinical Trials UnitRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Ruhi Polara
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Tessa Gargett
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Cancer Clinical Trials UnitRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSAAustralia
- Adelaide Medical SchoolThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Melinda N Tea
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Adelaide Medical SchoolThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Michaelia P Cockshell
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Claudine S Bonder
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Adelaide Medical SchoolThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Lisa M Ebert
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Cancer Clinical Trials UnitRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSAAustralia
- Adelaide Medical SchoolThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Michael P Brown
- Centre for Cancer BiologySA Pathology and University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Cancer Clinical Trials UnitRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSAAustralia
- Adelaide Medical SchoolThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
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Kennewick KT, Yamaguchi Y, Gibson J, Gerdts EA, Jeang B, Tilakawardane D, Murad JP, Chang WC, Wright SL, Thiel MS, Forman SJ, Stern LA, Priceman SJ. Nonsignaling extracellular spacer regulates tumor antigen selectivity of CAR T cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200789. [PMID: 38939825 PMCID: PMC11208731 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Advancing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells for the treatment of solid tumors is a major focus in the field of cellular immunotherapy. Several hurdles have hindered similar CAR T cell clinical responses in solid tumors as seen in hematological malignancies. These challenges include on-target off-tumor toxicities, which have inspired efforts to optimize CARs for improved tumor antigen selectivity and overall safety. We recently developed a CAR T cell therapy targeting prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) for prostate and pancreatic cancers, showing improved preclinical antitumor activity and T cell persistence by optimizing the intracellular co-stimulatory domain. Similar studies were undertaken to optimize HER2-directed CAR T cells with modifications to the intracellular co-stimulatory domain for selective targeting of breast cancer brain metastasis. In the present study, we evaluate various nonsignaling extracellular spacers in these CARs to further improve tumor antigen selectivity. Our findings suggest that length and structure of the extracellular spacer can dictate the ability of CARs to selectively target tumor cells with high antigen density, while sparing cells with low antigen density. This study contributes to CAR construct design considerations and expands our knowledge of tuning solid tumor CAR T cell therapies for improved safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly T. Kennewick
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yukiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jackson Gibson
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ethan A. Gerdts
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Brook Jeang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Dileshni Tilakawardane
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - John P. Murad
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sarah L. Wright
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Michalina S. Thiel
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lawrence A. Stern
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Saul J. Priceman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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3
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Gordon KS, Perez CR, Garmilla A, Lam MSY, Aw JJ, Datta A, Lauffenburger DA, Pavesi A, Birnbaum ME. Pooled screening for CAR function identifies novel IL13Rα2-targeted CARs for treatment of glioblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.586240. [PMID: 38766252 PMCID: PMC11100612 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.586240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor therapies have demonstrated potent efficacy in treating B cell malignancies, but have yet to meaningfully translate to solid tumors. Here, we utilize our pooled screening platform, CARPOOL, to expedite the discovery of CARs with anti-tumor functions necessary for solid tumor efficacy. We performed selections in primary human T cells expressing a library of 1.3×10 6 3 rd generation CARs targeting IL13Rα2, a cancer testis antigen commonly expressed in glioblastoma. Selections were performed for cytotoxicity, proliferation, memory formation, and persistence upon repeated antigen challenge. Each enriched CAR robustly produced the phenotype for which it was selected, and one enriched CAR triggered potent cytotoxicity and long-term proliferation upon in vitro tumor rechallenge. It also showed significantly improved persistence and comparable antigen-specific tumor control in a microphysiological human in vitro model and a xenograft model of human glioblastoma. Taken together, this work demonstrates the utility of extending CARPOOL to diseases beyond hematological malignancies and represents the largest exploration of signaling combinations in human primary cells to date.
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4
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Brown CE, Hibbard JC, Alizadeh D, Blanchard MS, Natri HM, Wang D, Ostberg JR, Aguilar B, Wagner JR, Paul JA, Starr R, Wong RA, Chen W, Shulkin N, Aftabizadeh M, Filippov A, Chaudhry A, Ressler JA, Kilpatrick J, Myers-McNamara P, Chen M, Wang LD, Rockne RC, Georges J, Portnow J, Barish ME, D'Apuzzo M, Banovich NE, Forman SJ, Badie B. Locoregional delivery of IL-13Rα2-targeting CAR-T cells in recurrent high-grade glioma: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:1001-1012. [PMID: 38454126 PMCID: PMC11031404 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02875-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an emerging strategy to improve treatment outcomes for recurrent high-grade glioma, a cancer that responds poorly to current therapies. Here we report a completed phase I trial evaluating IL-13Rα2-targeted CAR-T cells in 65 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma, the majority being recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Primary objectives were safety and feasibility, maximum tolerated dose/maximum feasible dose and a recommended phase 2 dose plan. Secondary objectives included overall survival, disease response, cytokine dynamics and tumor immune contexture biomarkers. This trial evolved to evaluate three routes of locoregional T cell administration (intratumoral (ICT), intraventricular (ICV) and dual ICT/ICV) and two manufacturing platforms, culminating in arm 5, which utilized dual ICT/ICV delivery and an optimized manufacturing process. Locoregional CAR-T cell administration was feasible and well tolerated, and as there were no dose-limiting toxicities across all arms, a maximum tolerated dose was not determined. Probable treatment-related grade 3+ toxicities were one grade 3 encephalopathy and one grade 3 ataxia. A clinical maximum feasible dose of 200 × 106 CAR-T cells per infusion cycle was achieved for arm 5; however, other arms either did not test or achieve this dose due to manufacturing feasibility. A recommended phase 2 dose will be refined in future studies based on data from this trial. Stable disease or better was achieved in 50% (29/58) of patients, with two partial responses, one complete response and a second complete response after additional CAR-T cycles off protocol. For rGBM, median overall survival for all patients was 7.7 months and for arm 5 was 10.2 months. Central nervous system increases in inflammatory cytokines, including IFNγ, CXCL9 and CXCL10, were associated with CAR-T cell administration and bioactivity. Pretreatment intratumoral CD3 T cell levels were positively associated with survival. These findings demonstrate that locoregional IL-13Rα2-targeted CAR-T therapy is safe with promising clinical activity in a subset of patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02208362 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Jonathan C Hibbard
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Darya Alizadeh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - M Suzette Blanchard
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Heini M Natri
- The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, and Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Julie R Ostberg
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jinny A Paul
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Robyn A Wong
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wuyang Chen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Noah Shulkin
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Maryam Aftabizadeh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Aleksandr Filippov
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ammar Chaudhry
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie A Ressler
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie Kilpatrick
- Department of Clinical Research, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Paige Myers-McNamara
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mike Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Leo D Wang
- Departments of Immuno-Oncology and Pediatrics, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Russell C Rockne
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Georges
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jana Portnow
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Barish
- Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Massimo D'Apuzzo
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Behnam Badie
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
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5
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Zhang T, Tai Z, Miao F, Zhang X, Li J, Zhu Q, Wei H, Chen Z. Adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors beyond CAR-T: Current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. J Control Release 2024; 368:372-396. [PMID: 38408567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a highly specific anti-tumor immunotherapy that has shown promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there has been a slow progress toward the treatment of solid tumors owing to the complex tumor microenvironment that affects the localization and killing ability of the CAR cells. Solid tumors with a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment and complex vascular system are unaffected by CAR cell infiltration and attack. To improve their efficacy toward solid tumors, CAR cells have been modified and upgraded by "decorating" and "pruning". This review focuses on the structure and function of CARs, the immune cells that can be engineered by CARs and the transformation strategies to overcome solid tumors, with a view to broadening ideas for the better application of CAR cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China; Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fengze Miao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Jiadong Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
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6
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Cho Y, Laird M, Bishop T, Li R, Ruffo E, Lohmueller J, Zervantonakis IK. CAR T cell infiltration and cytotoxic killing within the core of 3D breast cancer spheroids under control of antigen sensing in microwell arrays. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.14.585033. [PMID: 38654820 PMCID: PMC11037865 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.14.585033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in blood cancers has intensified efforts to develop CAR T therapies for solid cancers. In the solid tumor microenvironment, CAR T cell trafficking and suppression of cytotoxic killing represent limiting factors for therapeutic efficacy. Here, we present a microwell platform to study CAR T cell interactions with 3D tumor spheroids and determine predictors of anti-tumor CAR T cell function. To precisely control antigen sensing by CAR T cells, we utilized a switchable adaptor CAR system, that instead of directly binding to an antigen of interest, covalently attaches to co-administered antibody adaptors that mediate tumor antigen recognition. Following addition of an anti-HER2 adaptor antibody, primary human CAR T cells exhibited higher infiltration and clustering compared to the no adaptor control. By tracking CAR T cell killing at the individual spheroid level, we showed the suppressive effects of spheroid size and identified the initial CAR T cell : spheroid area ratio as a predictor of cytotoxicity. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed lower CAR T cell numbers and cytotoxicity in the spheroid core compared to the periphery. Finally, increasing CAR T cell seeding density, resulted in higher CAR T cell infiltration and cancer cell elimination in the spheroid core. Our findings provide new quantitative insights into CAR T cell-mediated killing of HER2+ breast tumor cells. Given the miniaturized nature and live imaging capabilities, our microfabricated system holds promise for discovering cell-cell interaction mechanisms that orchestrate antitumor CAR T cell functions and screening cellular immunotherapies in 3D tumor models.
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7
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Jilani S, Saco JD, Mugarza E, Pujol-Morcillo A, Chokry J, Ng C, Abril-Rodriguez G, Berger-Manerio D, Pant A, Hu J, Gupta R, Vega-Crespo A, Baselga-Carretero I, Chen JM, Shin DS, Scumpia P, Radu RA, Chen Y, Ribas A, Puig-Saus C. CAR-T cell therapy targeting surface expression of TYRP1 to treat cutaneous and rare melanoma subtypes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1244. [PMID: 38336975 PMCID: PMC10858182 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45221-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A major limitation to developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies for solid tumors is identifying surface proteins highly expressed in tumors but not in normal tissues. Here, we identify Tyrosinase Related Protein 1 (TYRP1) as a CAR-T cell therapy target to treat patients with cutaneous and rare melanoma subtypes unresponsive to immune checkpoint blockade. TYRP1 is primarily located intracellularly in the melanosomes, with a small fraction being trafficked to the cell surface via vesicular transport. We develop a highly sensitive CAR-T cell therapy that detects surface TYRP1 in tumor cells with high TYRP1 overexpression and presents antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo in murine and patient-derived cutaneous, acral and uveal melanoma models. Furthermore, no systemic or off-tumor severe toxicities are observed in an immunocompetent murine model. The efficacy and safety profile of the TYRP1 CAR-T cell therapy supports the ongoing preparation of a phase I clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameeha Jilani
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Justin D Saco
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edurne Mugarza
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aleida Pujol-Morcillo
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Chokry
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Clement Ng
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Abril-Rodriguez
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David Berger-Manerio
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ami Pant
- UCLA Stein Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jane Hu
- UCLA Stein Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rubi Gupta
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Agustin Vega-Crespo
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ignacio Baselga-Carretero
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jia M Chen
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Sanghoon Shin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Philip Scumpia
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System-West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Roxana A Radu
- UCLA Stein Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yvonne Chen
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cristina Puig-Saus
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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8
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Harfmann M, Schröder T, Głów D, Jung M, Uhde A, Kröger N, Horn S, Riecken K, Fehse B, Ayuk FA. CD45-Directed CAR-T Cells with CD45 Knockout Efficiently Kill Myeloid Leukemia and Lymphoma Cells In Vitro Even after Extended Culture. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:334. [PMID: 38254824 PMCID: PMC10814116 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CAR-T cell therapy has shown impressive results and is now part of standard-of-care treatment of B-lineage malignancies, whereas the treatment of myeloid diseases has been limited by the lack of suitable targets. CD45 is expressed on almost all types of blood cells including myeloid leukemia cells, but not on non-hematopoietic tissue, making it a potential target for CAR-directed therapy. Because of its high expression on T and NK cells, fratricide is expected to hinder CD45CAR-mediated therapy. Due to its important roles in effector cell activation, signal transduction and cytotoxicity, CD45 knockout aimed at preventing fratricide in T and NK cells has been expected to lead to considerable functional impairment. METHODS CD45 knockout was established on T and NK cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9-RNPs and electroporation, and the successful protocol was transferred to primary T cells. A combined protocol was developed enabling CD45 knockout and retroviral transduction with a third-generation CAR targeting CD45 or CD19. The functionality of CD45ko effector cells, CD45ko/CD45CAR-T and CD45ko/CD19CAR-T cells was studied using proliferation as well as short- and long-term cytotoxicity assays. RESULTS As expected, the introduction of a CD45-CAR into T cells resulted in potent fratricide that can be avoided by CD45 knockout. Unexpectedly, the latter had no negative impact on T- and NK-cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, CD45ko/CD45CAR-T cells showed potent cytotoxicity against CD45-expressing AML and lymphoma cell lines in short-term and long-term co-culture assays. A pronounced cytotoxicity of CD45ko/CD45CAR-T cells was maintained even after four weeks of culture. In a further setup, we confirmed the conserved functionality of CD45ko cells using a CD19-CAR. Again, the proliferation and cytotoxicity of CD45ko/CD19CAR-T cells showed no differences from those of their CD45-positive counterparts in vitro. CONCLUSIONS We report the efficient production of highly and durably active CD45ko/CAR-T cells. CD45 knockout did not impair the functionality of CAR-T cells in vitro, irrespective of the target antigen. If their activity can be confirmed in vivo, CD45ko/CD45CAR-T cells might, for example, be useful as part of conditioning regimens prior to stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maraike Harfmann
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Tanja Schröder
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Dawid Głów
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Maximilian Jung
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Almut Uhde
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Horn
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany (A.U.)
| | - Francis A. Ayuk
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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9
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Teng F, Cui T, Zhou L, Gao Q, Zhou Q, Li W. Programmable synthetic receptors: the next-generation of cell and gene therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:7. [PMID: 38167329 PMCID: PMC10761793 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01680-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases. However, concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential. Synthetic receptors, a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules, have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution. Delicately designed and engineered, they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities, i.e., to regulate production of dosed, bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers. This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research. With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors, we address the generalized strategies to design, construct and improve synthetic receptors. Meanwhile, we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Teng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Tongtong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qingqin Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Wei Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
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10
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Majumder A. Evolving CAR-T-Cell Therapy for Cancer Treatment: From Scientific Discovery to Cures. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:39. [PMID: 38201467 PMCID: PMC10777914 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has emerged as the most promising immunotherapy for cancer that typically uses patients' T cells and genetically engineered them to target cancer cells. Although recent improvements in CAR-T-cell therapy have shown remarkable success for treating hematological malignancies, the heterogeneity in tumor antigens and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) limits its efficacy in solid tumors. Despite the enormous efforts that have been made to make CAR-T-cell therapy more effective and have minimal side effects for treating hematological malignancies, more research needs to be conducted regarding its use in the clinic for treating various other types of cancer. The main concern for CAR-T-cell therapy is severe toxicities due to the cytokine release syndrome, whereas the other challenges are associated with complexity and immune-suppressing TME, tumor antigen heterogeneity, the difficulty of cell trafficking, CAR-T-cell exhaustion, and reduced cytotoxicity in the tumor site. This review discussed the latest discoveries in CAR-T-cell therapy strategies and combination therapies, as well as their effectiveness in different cancers. It also encompasses ongoing clinical trials; current challenges regarding the therapeutic use of CAR-T-cell therapy, especially for solid tumors; and evolving treatment strategies to improve the therapeutic application of CAR-T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisek Majumder
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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11
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Temple WC, Nix MA, Naik A, Izgutdina A, Huang BJ, Wicaksono G, Phojanakong P, Serrano JAC, Young EP, Ramos E, Salangsang F, Steri V, Xirenayi S, Hermiston M, Logan AC, Stieglitz E, Wiita AP. Framework humanization optimizes potency of anti-CD72 nanobody CAR-T cells for B-cell malignancies. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006985. [PMID: 38007238 PMCID: PMC10680002 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 50% of patients who receive anti-CD19 CAR-T cells relapse, and new immunotherapeutic targets are urgently needed. We recently described CD72 as a promising target in B-cell malignancies and developed nanobody-based CAR-T cells (nanoCARs) against it. This cellular therapy design is understudied compared with scFv-based CAR-T cells, but has recently become of significant interest given the first regulatory approval of a nanoCAR in multiple myeloma. METHODS We humanized our previous nanobody framework regions, derived from llama, to generate a series of humanized anti-CD72 nanobodies. These nanobody binders were inserted into second-generation CD72 CAR-T cells and were evaluated against preclinical models of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in vitro and in vivo. Humanized CD72 nanoCARs were compared with parental ("NbD4") CD72 nanoCARs and the clinically approved CD19-directed CAR-T construct tisangenlecleucel. RNA-sequencing, flow cytometry, and cytokine secretion profiling were used to determine differences between the different CAR constructs. We then used affinity maturation on the parental NbD4 construct to generate high affinity binders against CD72 to test if higher affinity to CD72 improved antitumor potency. RESULTS Toward clinical translation, here we humanize our previous nanobody framework regions, derived from llama, and surprisingly discover a clone ("H24") with enhanced potency against B-cell tumors, including patient-derived samples after CD19 CAR-T relapse. Potentially underpinning improved potency, H24 has moderately higher binding affinity to CD72 compared with a fully llama framework. However, further affinity maturation (KD<1 nM) did not lead to improvement in cytotoxicity. After treatment with H24 nanoCARs, in vivo relapse was accompanied by CD72 antigen downregulation which was partially reversible. The H24 nanobody clone was found to have no off-target binding and is therefore designated as a true clinical candidate. CONCLUSION This work supports translation of H24 CD72 nanoCARs for refractory B-cell malignancies, reveals potential mechanisms of resistance, and unexpectedly demonstrates that nanoCAR potency can be improved by framework alterations alone. These findings may have implications for future engineering of nanobody-based cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Temple
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Matthew A Nix
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Akul Naik
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Adila Izgutdina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Benjamin J Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gianina Wicaksono
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Paul Phojanakong
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth P Young
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emilio Ramos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fernando Salangsang
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Veronica Steri
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Simayijiang Xirenayi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michelle Hermiston
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aaron C Logan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elliot Stieglitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Arun P Wiita
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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12
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Capponi S, Daniels KG. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to advance cell therapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:147-165. [PMID: 37415280 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapies are powerful technologies in which human cells are reprogrammed for therapeutic applications such as killing cancer cells or replacing defective cells. The technologies underlying cell therapies are increasing in effectiveness and complexity, making rational engineering of cell therapies more difficult. Creating the next generation of cell therapies will require improved experimental approaches and predictive models. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods have revolutionized several fields in biology including genome annotation, protein structure prediction, and enzyme design. In this review, we discuss the potential of combining experimental library screens and AI to build predictive models for the development of modular cell therapy technologies. Advances in DNA synthesis and high-throughput screening techniques enable the construction and screening of libraries of modular cell therapy constructs. AI and ML models trained on this screening data can accelerate the development of cell therapies by generating predictive models, design rules, and improved designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Capponi
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cellular Engineering, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, California, USA
- Center for Cellular Construction, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kyle G Daniels
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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13
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Smith R. Bringing cell therapy to tumors: considerations for optimal CAR binder design. Antib Ther 2023; 6:225-239. [PMID: 37846297 PMCID: PMC10576856 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have revolutionized the immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies and are poised to expand the range of their impact across a broad range of oncology and non-oncology indications. Critical to the success of a given CAR is the choice of binding domain, as this is the key driver for specificity and plays an important role (along with the rest of the CAR structure) in determining efficacy, potency and durability of the cell therapy. While antibodies have proven to be effective sources of CAR binding domains, it has become apparent that the desired attributes for a CAR binding domain do differ from those of a recombinant antibody. This review will address key factors that need to be considered in choosing the optimal binding domain for a given CAR and how binder properties influence and are influenced by the rest of the CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- Department of Research, Kite, a Gilead Company, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 240, Emeryville, CA 94070, USA
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14
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Rothemejer FH, Lauritsen NP, Søgaard OS, Tolstrup M. Strategies for enhancing CAR T cell expansion and persistence in HIV infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1253395. [PMID: 37671164 PMCID: PMC10475529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapies are tremendously successful in hematological malignancies and show great promise as treatment and curative strategy for HIV. A major determinant for effective CAR T cell therapy is the persistence of CAR T cells. Particularly, antigen density and target cell abundance are crucial for the engagement, engraftment, and persistence of CAR T cells. The success of HIV-specific CAR T cells is challenged by limited antigen due to low cell surface expression of viral proteins and the scarcity of chronically infected cells during antiretroviral therapy. Several strategies have been explored to increase the efficacy of CAR T cells by enhancing expansion and persistence of the engineered cells. This review highlights the challenges of designing CAR T cells against HIV and other chronic viral infections. We also discuss potential strategies to enhance CAR T cell expansion and persistence in the setting of low antigen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Holm Rothemejer
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nanna Pi Lauritsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Schmeltz Søgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Martin Tolstrup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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15
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Zhang P, Zhang G, Wan X. Challenges and new technologies in adoptive cell therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:97. [PMID: 37596653 PMCID: PMC10439661 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01492-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) have existed for decades. From the initial infusion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to the subsequent specific enhanced T cell receptor (TCR)-T and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies, many novel strategies for cancer treatment have been developed. Owing to its promising outcomes, CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the field of ACTs, particularly for hematologic malignancies. Despite these advances, CAR-T cell therapy still has limitations in both autologous and allogeneic settings, including practicality and toxicity issues. To overcome these challenges, researchers have focused on the application of CAR engineering technology to other types of immune cell engineering. Consequently, several new cell therapies based on CAR technology have been developed, including CAR-NK, CAR-macrophage, CAR-γδT, and CAR-NKT. In this review, we describe the development, advantages, and possible challenges of the aforementioned ACTs and discuss current strategies aimed at maximizing the therapeutic potential of ACTs. We also provide an overview of the various gene transduction strategies employed in immunotherapy given their importance in immune cell engineering. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that strategies capable of creating a positive feedback immune circuit, as healthy immune systems do, could address the flaw of a single type of ACT, and thus serve as key players in future cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Guizhong Zhang
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- Center for Protein and Cell-based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Lee EHJ, Murad JP, Christian L, Gibson J, Yamaguchi Y, Cullen C, Gumber D, Park AK, Young C, Monroy I, Yang J, Stern LA, Adkins LN, Dhapola G, Gittins B, Chang WC, Martinez C, Woo Y, Cristea M, Rodriguez-Rodriguez L, Ishihara J, Lee JK, Forman SJ, Wang LD, Priceman SJ. Antigen-dependent IL-12 signaling in CAR T cells promotes regional to systemic disease targeting. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4737. [PMID: 37550294 PMCID: PMC10406808 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40115-1] [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: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapeutic responses are hampered by limited T cell trafficking, persistence, and durable anti-tumor activity in solid tumors. However, these challenges can be largely overcome by relatively unconstrained synthetic engineering strategies. Here, we describe CAR T cells targeting tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG72), utilizing the CD28 transmembrane domain upstream of the 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain as a driver of potent anti-tumor activity and IFNγ secretion. CAR T cell-mediated IFNγ production facilitated by IL-12 signaling is required for tumor cell killing, which is recapitulated by engineering an optimized membrane-bound IL-12 (mbIL12) molecule in CAR T cells. These T cells show improved antigen-dependent T cell proliferation and recursive tumor cell killing in vitro, with robust in vivo efficacy in human ovarian cancer xenograft models. Locoregional administration of mbIL12-engineered CAR T cells promotes durable anti-tumor responses against both regional and systemic disease in mice. Safety and efficacy of mbIL12-engineered CAR T cells is demonstrated using an immunocompetent mouse model, with beneficial effects on the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Collectively, our study features a clinically-applicable strategy to improve the efficacy of locoregionally-delivered CAR T cells engineered with antigen-dependent immune-modulating cytokines in targeting regional and systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Hee Jun Lee
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - John P Murad
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Lea Christian
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jackson Gibson
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yukiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Cody Cullen
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Diana Gumber
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Anthony K Park
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Cari Young
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Isabel Monroy
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jason Yang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Lawrence A Stern
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Lauren N Adkins
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Gaurav Dhapola
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Brenna Gittins
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Catalina Martinez
- Department of Clinical and Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yanghee Woo
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Mihaela Cristea
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | | | - Jun Ishihara
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, 86 Wood Lane, London, W120BZ, UK
| | - John K Lee
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98019, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Leo D Wang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Saul J Priceman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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17
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Smith R, Shen R. Complexities in comparing the impact of costimulatory domains on approved CD19 CAR functionality. J Transl Med 2023; 21:515. [PMID: 37518011 PMCID: PMC10387212 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04372-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are engineered to target T cells specifically to tumor cells, resulting in the engineered T cell killing the tumor cell. This technology has been developed to target a range of cancers, with the most notable successes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies where four approved therapies, all targeting CD19, are on the market. These four products differ in the costimulation domains, with axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) and brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) both utilizing the CD28 costimulation domain whilst tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) and lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi) both utilizing the 4-1BB costimulation domain. There are clearly defined differences in how the CD28 and 4-1BB domains signal, yet it is difficult to ascertain which domain affords a superior mechanism of action given many other differences between these products, including overall CAR architecture and manufacturing methods. Additionally, while in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies have compared CARs with different costimulation domains, it remains a challenge to extrapolate differences observed in this biology across different experimental systems to the overall product performance. While there has been extensive preclinical and clinical work looking at CARs with a variety of targeting domains and architectures, this review will focus on the differences between the four marketed anti-CD19 CAR-Ts, with an additional focus on the impact of hinge and transmembrane domain on CAR activity and interaction with the target cell as well as other proteins on the surface of the T-cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhine Shen
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
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18
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Li N, Quan A, Li D, Pan J, Ren H, Hoeltzel G, de Val N, Ashworth D, Ni W, Zhou J, Mackay S, Hewitt SM, Cachau R, Ho M. The IgG4 hinge with CD28 transmembrane domain improves V HH-based CAR T cells targeting a membrane-distal epitope of GPC1 in pancreatic cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1986. [PMID: 37031249 PMCID: PMC10082787 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37616-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous antigen expression is a key barrier influencing the activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in solid tumors. Here, we develop CAR T cells targeting glypican-1 (GPC1), an oncofetal antigen expressed in pancreatic cancer. We report the generation of dromedary camel VHH nanobody (D4)-based CAR T cells targeting GPC1 and the optimization of the hinge (H) and transmembrane domain (TM) to improve activity. We find that a structurally rigid IgG4H and CD28TM domain brings the two D4 fragments in proximity, driving CAR dimerization and leading to enhanced T-cell signaling and tumor regression in pancreatic cancer models with low antigen density in female mice. Furthermore, single-cell-based proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of D4-IgG4H-CD28TM CAR T cells reveals specific genes (e.g., HMGB1) associated with high T-cell polyfunctionality. This study demonstrates the potential of VHH-based CAR T for pancreatic cancer therapy and provides an engineering strategy for developing potent CAR T cells targeting membrane-distal epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alex Quan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Dan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jiajia Pan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hua Ren
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gerard Hoeltzel
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Natalia de Val
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | | | - Weiming Ni
- IsoPlexis Corporation, Branford, CT, 06405, USA
| | - Jing Zhou
- IsoPlexis Corporation, Branford, CT, 06405, USA
| | - Sean Mackay
- IsoPlexis Corporation, Branford, CT, 06405, USA
| | - Stephen M Hewitt
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Raul Cachau
- Integrated Data Science Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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19
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Li S, Wang CS, Montel-Hagen A, Chen HC, Lopez S, Zhou O, Dai K, Tsai S, Satyadi W, Botero C, Wong C, Casero D, Crooks GM, Seet CS. Strength of CAR signaling determines T cell versus ILC differentiation from pluripotent stem cells. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112241. [PMID: 36906850 PMCID: PMC10315155 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) will enable advances in cancer immunotherapy. Understanding how CARs affect T cell differentiation from PSCs is important for this effort. The recently described artificial thymic organoid (ATO) system supports in vitro differentiation of PSCs to T cells. Unexpectedly, PSCs transduced with a CD19-targeted CAR resulted in diversion of T cell differentiation to the innate lymphoid cell 2 (ILC2) lineage in ATOs. T cells and ILC2s are closely related lymphoid lineages with shared developmental and transcriptional programs. Mechanistically, we show that antigen-independent CAR signaling during lymphoid development enriched for ILC2-primed precursors at the expense of T cell precursors. We applied this understanding to modulate CAR signaling strength through expression level, structure, and presentation of cognate antigen to demonstrate that the T cell-versus-ILC lineage decision can be rationally controlled in either direction, providing a framework for achieving CAR-T cell development from PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwen Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chloe S Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Amélie Montel-Hagen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ho-Chung Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shawn Lopez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Olivia Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kristy Dai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven Tsai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - William Satyadi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carlos Botero
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Claudia Wong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David Casero
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Gay M Crooks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Broad Stem Cell Research Center (BSCRC), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Christopher S Seet
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Broad Stem Cell Research Center (BSCRC), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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20
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Chen X, Chen LC, Khericha M, Meng X, Salvestrini E, Shafer A, Iyer N, Alag AS, Ding Y, Nicolaou DM, Chen YY. Rational Protein Design Yields a CD20 CAR with Superior Antitumor Efficacy Compared with CD19 CAR. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:150-163. [PMID: 36409926 PMCID: PMC9898126 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are fusion proteins whose functional domains are often connected in a plug-and-play manner to generate multiple CAR variants. However, CARs with highly similar sequences can exhibit dramatic differences in function. Thus, approaches to rationally optimize CAR proteins are critical to the development of effective CAR T-cell therapies. Here, we report that as few as two amino-acid changes in nonsignaling domains of a CAR were able to significantly enhance in vivo antitumor efficacy. We demonstrate juxtamembrane alanine insertion and single-chain variable fragment sequence hybridization as two strategies that could be combined to maximize CAR functionality, and describe a CD20 CAR that outperformed the CD19 CAR in antitumor efficacy in preclinical in vitro and in vivo assays. Precise changes in the CAR sequence drove dramatically different transcriptomic profiles upon antigen stimulation, with the most efficacious CAR inducing an enrichment in highly functional memory T cells upon antigen stimulation. These findings underscore the importance of sequence-level optimization to CAR T-cell function, and the protein-engineering strategy described here may be applied to the development of additional CARs against diverse antigens. See related Spotlight by Scheller and Hudecek, p. 142.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximin Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Laurence C Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mobina Khericha
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Emma Salvestrini
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amanda Shafer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Neha Iyer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, California
| | - Anya S Alag
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yunfeng Ding
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Demetri M Nicolaou
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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21
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Kolluri A, Li D, Li N, Duan Z, Roberts LR, Ho M. Human VH-based chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting glypican 3 eliminate tumors in preclinical models of HCC. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0022. [PMID: 36691969 PMCID: PMC9851680 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for treating solid tumors, including HCC, remains a challenge. Nanobodies are emerging building blocks of CAR T cells due to their small size and high expression. Membrane proximal sites have been shown as attractive epitopes of CAR T cells. However, current CAR formats are not tailored toward nanobodies or targeting membrane distal epitopes. APPROACH AND RESULTS Using hYP7 Fv (membrane proximal) and HN3 VH nanobody (membrane distal) as GPC3 targeting elements, we sought to determine how hinges and transmembrane portions of varying structures and sizes affect CAR T-cell function. We generated multiple permutations of CAR T cells containing CD8, CD28, IgG4, and Fc domains. We show that engineered HN3 CAR T cells can be improved by 2 independent, synergistic changes in the hinge and transmembrane domains. The T cells expressing the HN3 CAR which contains the hinge region of IgG4 and the CD28 transmembrane domain (HN3-IgG4H-CD28TM) exhibited high cytotoxic activity and caused complete HCC tumor eradication in immunodeficient mice. HN3-IgG4H-CD28TM CAR T cells were enriched for cytotoxic-memory CD8+ T cells and NFAT signals, and reduced β catenin levels in HCC cells. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that altering the hinge and transmembrane domains of a nanobody-based CAR targeting a distal GPC3 epitope, in contrast to a membrane proximal epitope, lead to robust T-cell signaling and induce swift and durable eradication of HCC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Kolluri
- Antibody Therapy Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Dan Li
- Antibody Therapy Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nan Li
- Antibody Therapy Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhijian Duan
- Antibody Engineering Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Antibody Therapy Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Antibody Engineering Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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22
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Huang Z, Dewanjee S, Chakraborty P, Jha NK, Dey A, Gangopadhyay M, Chen XY, Wang J, Jha SK. CAR T cells: engineered immune cells to treat brain cancers and beyond. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:22. [PMID: 36721153 PMCID: PMC9890802 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01712-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant brain tumors rank among the most challenging type of malignancies to manage. The current treatment protocol commonly entails surgery followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, however, the median patient survival rate is poor. Recent developments in immunotherapy for a variety of tumor types spark optimism that immunological strategies may help patients with brain cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells exploit the tumor-targeting specificity of antibodies or receptor ligands to direct the cytolytic capacity of T cells. Several molecules have been discovered as potential targets for immunotherapy-based targeting, including but not limited to EGFRvIII, IL13Rα2, and HER2. The outstanding clinical responses to CAR T cell-based treatments in patients with hematological malignancies have generated interest in using this approach to treat solid tumors. Research results to date support the astounding clinical response rates of CD19-targeted CAR T cells, early clinical experiences in brain tumors demonstrating safety and evidence for disease-modifying activity, and the promise for further advances to ultimately assist patients clinically. However, several variable factors seem to slow down the progress rate regarding treating brain cancers utilizing CAR T cells. The current study offers a thorough analysis of CAR T cells' promise in treating brain cancer, including design and delivery considerations, current strides in clinical and preclinical research, issues encountered, and potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoufang Huang
- grid.452437.3Department of Hematology, Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- grid.216499.10000 0001 0722 3459Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032 India
| | - Pratik Chakraborty
- grid.216499.10000 0001 0722 3459Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032 India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- grid.412552.50000 0004 1764 278XDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- grid.412537.60000 0004 1768 2925Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032 India
| | - Moumita Gangopadhyay
- grid.502979.00000 0004 6087 8632Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126 India
| | - Xuan-Yu Chen
- grid.264091.80000 0001 1954 7928Institute for Biotechnology, St. John’s University, Queens, New York, 11439 USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Affiliated Jiangyin People’s Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangyin, 214400 China
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- grid.412552.50000 0004 1764 278XDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310 India ,grid.448792.40000 0004 4678 9721Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413 India ,grid.449906.60000 0004 4659 5193Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, 248007 India
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23
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Jun Lee EH, Cullen C, Murad JP, Gumber D, Park AK, Yang J, Stern LA, Adkins LN, Dhapola G, Gittins B, Chung-Chang W, Martinez C, Woo Y, Cristea M, Rodriguez-Rodriguez L, Ishihara J, Lee JK, Forman SJ, Wang LD, Priceman SJ. Antigen-dependent IL-12 signaling in CAR T cells promotes regional to systemic disease targeting. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.06.522784. [PMID: 36711615 PMCID: PMC9881930 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.06.522784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapeutic responses are hampered by limited T cell trafficking, persistence, and durable anti-tumor activity in solid tumor microenvironments. However, these challenges can be largely overcome by relatively unconstrained synthetic engineering strategies, which are being harnessed to improve solid tumor CAR T cell therapies. Here, we describe fully optimized CAR T cells targeting tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG72) for the treatment of solid tumors, identifying the CD28 transmembrane domain upstream of the 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain as a driver of potent anti-tumor activity and IFNγ secretion. These findings have culminated into a phase 1 trial evaluating safety, feasibility, and bioactivity of TAG72-CAR T cells for the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer ( NCT05225363 ). Preclinically, we found that CAR T cell-mediated IFNγ production facilitated by IL-12 signaling was required for tumor cell killing, which was recapitulated by expressing an optimized membrane-bound IL-12 (mbIL12) molecule on CAR T cells. Critically, mbIL12 cell surface expression and downstream signaling was induced and sustained only following CAR T cell activation. CAR T cells with mbIL12 demonstrated improved antigen-dependent T cell proliferation and potent cytotoxicity in recursive tumor cell killing assays in vitro and showed robust in vivo anti-tumor efficacy in human xenograft models of ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis. Further, locoregional administration of TAG72-CAR T cells with antigen-dependent IL-12 signaling promoted durable anti-tumor responses against both regional and systemic disease in mice and was associated with improved systemic T cell persistence. Our study features a clinically-applicable strategy to improve the overall efficacy of locoregionally-delivered CAR T cells engineered with antigen-dependent immune-modulating cytokines in targeting both regional and systemic disease.
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24
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Starr R, Aguilar B, Gumber D, Maker M, Huard S, Wang D, Chang WC, Brito A, Chiu V, Ostberg JR, Badie B, Forman SJ, Alizadeh D, Wang LD, Brown CE. Inclusion of 4-1BB Costimulation Enhances Selectivity and Functionality of IL13Rα2-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:66-79. [PMID: 36968221 PMCID: PMC10035515 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy is emerging as a powerful strategy for cancer therapy; however, an important safety consideration is the potential for off-tumor recognition of normal tissue. This is particularly important as ligand-based CARs are optimized for clinical translation. Our group has developed and clinically translated an IL13(E12Y) ligand-based CAR targeting the cancer antigen IL13Rα2 for treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). There remains limited understanding of how IL13-ligand CAR design impacts the activity and selectivity for the intended tumor-associated target IL13Rα2 versus the more ubiquitous unintended target IL13Rα1. In this study, we functionally compared IL13(E12Y)-CARs incorporating different intracellular signaling domains, including first-generation CD3ζ-containing CARs (IL13ζ), second-generation 4-1BB (CD137)-containing or CD28-containing CARs (IL13-BBζ or IL13-28ζ), and third-generation CARs containing both 4-1BB and CD28 (IL13-28BBζ). In vitro coculture assays at high tumor burden establish that second-generation IL13-BBζ or IL13-28ζ outperform first-generation IL13ζ and third-generation IL13-28BBζ CAR designs, with IL13-BBζ providing superior CAR proliferation and in vivo antitumor potency in human xenograft mouse models. IL13-28ζ displayed a lower threshold for antigen recognition, resulting in higher off-target IL13Rα1 reactivity both in vitro and in vivo. Syngeneic mouse models of GBM also demonstrate safety and antitumor potency of murine IL13-BBζ CAR T cells delivered systemically after lymphodepletion. These findings support the use of IL13-BBζ CARs for greater selective recognition of IL13Rα2 over IL13Rα1, higher proliferative potential, and superior antitumor responsiveness. This study exemplifies the potential of modulating factors outside the antigen targeting domain of a CAR to improve selective tumor recognition. Significance This study reveals how modulating CAR design outside the antigen targeting domain improves selective tumor recognition. Specifically, this work shows improved specificity, persistence, and efficacy of 4-1BB-based IL13-ligand CARs. Human clinical trials evaluating IL13-41BB-CAR T cells are ongoing, supporting the clinical significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Diana Gumber
- Department of Immuno-oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Madeleine Maker
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Stephanie Huard
- Department of Immuno-oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Alfonso Brito
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Vivian Chiu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Julie R. Ostberg
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Benham Badie
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Darya Alizadeh
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Leo D. Wang
- Department of Immuno-oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
- Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Christine E. Brown
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
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25
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Subham S, Jeppson JD, Worcester C, Schatmeyer B, Zhao J, Madan R, Lakis NS, Kimler BF, McGuirk JP, Chen RC, Stecklein SR, Akhavan D. EGFR as a potent CAR T target in triple negative breast cancer brain metastases. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 197:57-69. [PMID: 36318382 PMCID: PMC10987173 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06783-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is currently no curative treatment for patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer brain metastases (TNBC-BM). CAR T cells hold potential for curative treatment given they retain the cytolytic activity of a T cell combined with the specificity of an antibody. In this proposal we evaluated the potential of EGFR re-directed CAR T cells as a therapeutic treatment against TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS We leveraged a TNBC-BM tissue microarray and a large panel of TNBC cell lines and identified elevated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Next, we designed a second-generation anti-EGFR CAR T construct incorporating a clinically relevant mAb806 tumor specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and intracellular 4-1BB costimulatory domain and CD3ζ using a lentivirus system and evaluated in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity. RESULTS We demonstrate EGFR is enriched in TNBC-BM patient tissue after neurosurgical resection, with six of 13 brain metastases demonstrating both membranous and cytoplasmic EGFR. Eleven of 13 TNBC cell lines have EGFR surface expression ≥ 85% by flow cytometry. EGFR806 CAR T treated mice effectively eradicated TNBC-BM and enhanced mouse survival (log rank p < 0.004). CONCLUSION Our results demonstrates anti-tumor activity of EGFR806 CAR T cells against TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Given EGFR806 CAR T cells are currently undergoing clinical trials in primary brain tumor patients without obvious toxicity, our results are immediately actionable against the TNBC-BM patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Subham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- BioEngineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - John D Jeppson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Colette Worcester
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bryan Schatmeyer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Rashna Madan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Nelli S Lakis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bruce F Kimler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Joseph P McGuirk
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ronald C Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shane R Stecklein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - David Akhavan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
- BioEngineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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26
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Stepanov AV, Kalinin RS, Shipunova VO, Zhang D, Xie J, Rubtsov YP, Ukrainskaya VM, Schulga A, Konovalova EV, Volkov DV, Yaroshevich IA, Moysenovich AM, Belogurov AA, Zhang H, Telegin GB, Chernov AS, Maschan MA, Terekhov SS, Wu P, Deyev SM, Lerner RA, Gabibov AG, Altman S. Switchable targeting of solid tumors by BsCAR T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210562119. [PMID: 36343224 PMCID: PMC9674235 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210562119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has become a critical milestone in modern oncotherapy. Despite the remarkable in vitro effectiveness, the problem of safety and efficacy of CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors is challenged by the lack of tumor-specific antigens required to avoid on-target off-tumor effects. Spatially separating the cytotoxic function of CAR T cells from tumor antigen recognition provided by protein mediators allows for the precise control of CAR T cell cytotoxicity. Here, the high affinity and capability of the bacterial toxin-antitoxin barnase-barstar system were adopted to guide CAR T cells to solid tumors. The complementary modules based on (1) ankyrin repeat (DARPin)-barnase proteins and (2) barstar-based CAR (BsCAR) were designed to provide switchable targeting to tumor cells. The alteration of the DARPin-barnase switches enabled the targeting of different tumor antigens with a single BsCAR. A gradual increase in cytokine release and tunable BsCAR T cell cytotoxicity was achieved by varying DARPin-barnase loads. Switchable BsCAR T cell therapy was able to eradicate the HER2+ ductal carcinoma in vivo. Guiding BsCAR T cells by DARPin-barnase switches provides a universal approach for a controlled multitargeted adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V. Stepanov
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Roman S. Kalinin
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Victoria O. Shipunova
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Ding Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Jia Xie
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Yuri P. Rubtsov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Valeria M. Ukrainskaya
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey Schulga
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Elena V. Konovalova
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Dmitry V. Volkov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Igor A. Yaroshevich
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Anastasiia M. Moysenovich
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Belogurov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Hongkai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Georgij B. Telegin
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexandr S. Chernov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Mikhail A. Maschan
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Stanislav S. Terekhov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Sergey M. Deyev
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Richard A. Lerner
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Alexander G. Gabibov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Sidney Altman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
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27
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Singh H, Srour SA, Milton DR, McCarty J, Dai C, Gaballa MR, Ammari M, Olivares S, Huls H, De Groot E, Marin D, Petropoulos D, Olson AL, Anderlini P, Im JS, Khouri I, Hosing CM, Rezvani K, Champlin RE, Shpall EJ, Cooper LJN, Kebriaei P. Sleeping beauty generated CD19 CAR T-Cell therapy for advanced B-Cell hematological malignancies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1032397. [PMID: 36439104 PMCID: PMC9684710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1032397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged recently as a standard of care treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and several subtypes of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, its use remains limited to highly specialized centers, given the complexity of its administration and its associated toxicities. We previously reported our experience in using a novel Sleeping Beauty (SB) CD19-specific CAR T-cell therapy in the peri-transplant setting, where it exhibited an excellent safety profile with encouraging survival outcomes. We have since modified the SB CD19 CAR construct to improve its efficacy and shorten its manufacturing time. We report here the phase 1 clinical trial safety results. Fourteen heavily treated patients with relapsed/refractory ALL and NHL were infused. Overall, no serious adverse events were directly attributed to the study treatment. Three patients developed grades 1-2 cytokine release syndrome and none of the study patients experienced neurotoxicity. All dose levels were well tolerated and no dose-limiting toxicities were reported. For efficacy, 3 of 8 (38%) patients with ALL achieved CR/CRi (complete remission with incomplete count recovery) and 1 (13%) patient had sustained molecular disease positivity. Of the 4 patients with DLBCL, 2 (50%) achieved CR. The SB-based CAR constructs allow manufacturing of targeted CAR T-cell therapies that are safe, cost-effective and with encouraging antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harjeet Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samer A. Srour
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Denái R. Milton
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jessica McCarty
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cuiping Dai
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mahmoud R. Gaballa
- Cellular Therapy Program and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mariam Ammari
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Simon Olivares
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Helen Huls
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - David Marin
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Demetrios Petropoulos
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Amanda L. Olson
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Paolo Anderlini
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jin S. Im
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Issa Khouri
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chitra M. Hosing
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard E. Champlin
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth J. Shpall
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Partow Kebriaei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Partow Kebriaei,
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28
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Chimeric antigen receptor clustering via cysteines enhances T-cell efficacy against tumor. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2801-2814. [DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03195-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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29
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Chatterjee A, Asija S, Yadav S, Purwar R, Goda JS. Clinical utility of CAR T cell therapy in brain tumors: Lessons learned from the past, current evidence and the future stakes. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 41:606-624. [PMID: 36191126 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2125963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Abstract
The unprecedented clinical success of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in hematological malignancies has led researchers to study its role in solid tumors. Although, its utility in solid tumors especially in neuroblastoma has begun to emerge, preclinical studies of its efficacy in other solid tumors like osteosarcomas or gliomas has caught the attention of oncologist to be tried in clinical trials. Malignant high-grade brain tumors like glioblastomas or midline gliomas in children represent some of the most difficult malignancies to be managed with conventionally available therapeutics, while relapsed gliomas continue to have the most dismal prognosis due to limited therapeutic options. Innovative therapies such as CAR T cells could give an additional leverage to the treating oncologists by potentially improving outcomes and ameliorating the toxicity of the currently available therapies. Moreover, CAR T cell therapy has the potential to be integrated into the therapeutic paradigm for aggressive gliomas in the near future. In this review we discuss the challenges in using CAR T cell therapy in brain tumors, enumerate the completed and ongoing clinical trials of different types of CAR T cell therapy for different brain tumors with special emphasis on glioblastoma and also discuss the future role of CAR T cells in Brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Sweety Asija
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Sandhya Yadav
- Department of Radiation Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Rahul Purwar
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Jayant S Goda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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30
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Mazinani M, Rahbarizadeh F. CAR-T cell potency: from structural elements to vector backbone components. Biomark Res 2022; 10:70. [PMID: 36123710 PMCID: PMC9487061 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00417-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which a patient’s own T lymphocytes are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, has achieved remarkable success in some hematological malignancies in preclinical and clinical trials, resulting in six FDA-approved CAR-T products currently available in the market. Once equipped with a CAR construct, T cells act as living drugs and recognize and eliminate the target tumor cells in an MHC-independent manner. In this review, we first described all structural modular of CAR in detail, focusing on more recent findings. We then pointed out behind-the-scene elements contributing to CAR expression and reviewed how CAR expression can be drastically affected by the elements embedded in the viral vector backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mazinani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran. .,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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31
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Kast J, Nozohouri S, Zhou D, Yago MR, Chen PW, Ahamadi M, Dutta S, Upreti VV. Recent advances and clinical pharmacology aspects of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cellular therapy development. Clin Transl Sci 2022; 15:2057-2074. [PMID: 35677992 PMCID: PMC9468561 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in immuno-oncology have provided a variety of novel therapeutics that harness the innate immune system to identify and destroy neoplastic cells. It is noteworthy that acceptable safety profiles accompany the development of these targeted therapies, which result in efficacious cancer treatment with higher survival rates and lower toxicities. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) has shown promising results in inducing sustainable remissions in patients suffering from refractory diseases. Two main types of ACT include engineered Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells and T cell receptor (TCR) T cells. The application of these immuno-therapies in the last few years has been successful and has demonstrated a safe and rapid treatment regimen for solid and non-solid tumors. The current review presents an insight into the clinical pharmacology aspects of immuno-therapies, especially CAR-T cells. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of TCR and CAR-T cell immunotherapy with particular focus on the structure of CAR-T cells, the effects and toxicities associated with these therapies in clinical trials, risk mitigation strategies, dose selection approaches, and cellular kinetics. Finally, the quantitative approaches and modeling techniques used in the development of CAR-T cell therapies are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Kast
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Saeideh Nozohouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas, USA
| | - Di Zhou
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marc R Yago
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Po-Wei Chen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Malidi Ahamadi
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Sandeep Dutta
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Vijay V Upreti
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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32
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Bister A, Ibach T, Haist C, Gerhorst G, Smorra D, Soldierer M, Roellecke K, Wagenmann M, Scheckenbach K, Gattermann N, Wiek C, Hanenberg H. Optimized NGFR-derived hinges for rapid and efficient enrichment and detection of CAR T cells in vitro and in vivo. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 26:120-134. [PMID: 35795096 PMCID: PMC9240717 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated unprecedented success with high remission rates for heavily pretreated patients with hematological malignancies. The hinge connecting the extracellular antigen recognition unit to the transmembrane domain provides the length and flexibility of the CAR constructs and ensures that the CAR can reach the target antigen and mediate recognition and killing of target cells. The hinge can also include specific amino acid sequences to improve CAR expression, influence T cell proliferation, and facilitate CAR T cell detection, enrichment, and even elimination. Here, we report the generation of two novel hinge domains derived from the low-affinity p75 chain of the human nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), termed N3 and N4, which, when incorporated into the CAR backbone, allow detection as well as high-grade enrichment of CAR T cells with GMP-compatible immunomagnetic reagents. After optimizing the MACS protocol for excellent CAR T cell purity and yield, we demonstrated that N3- and N4-hinged CAR T cells are as efficacious as their CD8-hinged counterparts in vitro against hematological blasts and also in vivo in the control of acute monocytic leukemia in an immunodeficient mouse xenograft model. Thus, both hinges could potentially be an integral part of future CAR designs and universally applicable in clinical applications.
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33
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Sterner RC, Sterner RM. Immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome in chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:879608. [PMID: 36081506 PMCID: PMC9445841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is an emerging staple in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies. While CAR-T cells have produced robust responses in certain hematological malignancies, toxicities associated with the therapy have limited their use. Immune Effector Cell Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) is a potentially life-threatening neurotoxicity that commonly occurs with CAR-T cell therapy. Here we will discuss ICANS, its treatment, possible mechanisms, and potential solutions to this critical limitation of CAR-T cell therapy. As the field of CAR-T cell therapy evolves, improved treatments and methods to circumvent or overcome ICANS are necessary to improve morbidity, mortality, and decrease the cost of CAR-T cell therapy. This serious, life-threatening side effect needs to be studied to better understand its mechanisms and develop treatments and alternative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Sterner
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Rosalie M. Sterner
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Rosalie M. Sterner,
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34
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Stern LA, Gholamin S, Moraga I, Yang X, Saravanakumar S, Cohen JR, Starr R, Aguilar B, Salvary V, Hibbard JC, Kalbasi A, Shepphird JK, O’Hearn J, Garcia KC, Brown CE. Engineered IL13 variants direct specificity of IL13Rα2-targeted CAR T cell therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112006119. [PMID: 35939683 PMCID: PMC9388138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112006119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
IL13Rα2 is an attractive target due to its overexpression in a variety of cancers and rare expression in healthy tissue, motivating expansion of interleukin 13 (IL13)-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy from glioblastoma into systemic malignancies. IL13Rα1, the other binding partner of IL13, is ubiquitously expressed in healthy tissue, raising concerns about the therapeutic window of systemic administration. IL13 mutants with diminished binding affinity to IL13Rα1 were previously generated by structure-guided protein engineering. In this study, two such variants, termed C4 and D7, are characterized for their ability to mediate IL13Rα2-specific response as binding domains for CAR T cells. Despite IL13Rα1 and IL13Rα2 sharing similar binding interfaces on IL13, mutations to IL13 that decrease binding affinity for IL13Rα1 did not drastically change binding affinity for IL13Rα2. Micromolar affinity to IL13Rα1 was sufficient to pacify IL13-mutein CAR T cells in the presence of IL13Rα1-overexpressing cells in vitro. Interestingly, effector activity of D7 CAR T cells, but not C4 CAR T cells, was demonstrated when cocultured with IL13Rα1/IL4Rα-coexpressing cancer cells. While low-affinity interactions with IL13Rα1 did not result in observable toxicities in mice, in vivo biodistribution studies demonstrated that C4 and D7 CAR T cells were better able to traffic away from IL13Rα1+ lung tissue than were wild-type (WT) CAR T cells. These results demonstrate the utility of structure-guided engineering of ligand-based binding domains with appropriate selectivity while validating IL13-mutein CARs with improved selectivity for application to systemic IL13Rα2-expressing malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A. Stern
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Sharareh Gholamin
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Division of Biology and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125
| | - Ignacio Moraga
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Supraja Saravanakumar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Joseph R. Cohen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Vanessa Salvary
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Jonathan C. Hibbard
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - Anusha Kalbasi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024
| | - Jennifer K. Shepphird
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - James O’Hearn
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
| | - K. Christopher Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5345
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5345
| | - Christine E. Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010
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Abstract
As the targets of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells expand to a variety of cancers, autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and fibrosis, there is an increasing demand for identifying new antigens and designing new CARs that can be effectively activated. However, the rational selection of antigens and the design of CARs are limited by a lack of knowledge regarding the molecular mechanism by which CARs are activated by antigens. Here, we present data supporting a "size exclusion" model explaining how antigen signals are transmitted across the plasma membrane to activate the intracellular domains of CARs. In this model, antigen engagement with CAR results in a narrow intermembrane space that physically excludes CD45, a bulky phosphatase, out of the CAR zone, thus favoring CAR phosphorylation by kinases, which further triggers downstream pathways leading to T cell activation. Aligned with this model, increasing the size of CAR extracellular domains diminished CAR-T activation both in vitro and in a mouse lymphoma model; membrane-proximal epitopes activated CAR-Ts better than membrane-distal epitopes. Moreover, increasing the size of CD45 by antibody conjugation enhanced the activation of CARs that recognize membrane-distal epitopes. Consistently, CAR-Ts expressing CD45RABC, the larger isoform, were activated to a higher level than those expressing a smaller isoform CD45RO. Together, our work revealed that CAR-T activation depends on the size difference between the CAR-antigen pair and CD45; the size of CAR, antigen, and CD45 can thus be targets for tuning CAR-T activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA,Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA,Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Liqun Tu
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA
| | - Jian Cao
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA,Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Christian S. Hinrichs
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA,Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA,Corresponding author: Xiaolei Su,
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Kranz E, Kuhlmann CJ, Chan J, Kim PY, Chen ISY, Kamata M. Efficient derivation of chimeric-antigen receptor-modified TSCM cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:877682. [PMID: 35967430 PMCID: PMC9366550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.877682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy employs autologous-T cells modified with an antigen-specific CAR. Current CAR-T manufacturing processes tend to yield products dominated by effector T cells and relatively small proportions of long-lived memory T cells. Those few cells are a so-called stem cell memory T (TSCM) subset, which express naïve T-cell markers and are capable of self-renewal and oligopotent differentiation into effector phenotypes. Increasing the proportion of this subset may lead to more effective therapies by improving CAR-T persistence; however, there is currently no standardized protocol for the effective generation of CAR-TSCM cells. Here we present a simplified protocol enabling efficient derivation of gene-modified TSCM cells: Stimulation of naïve CD8+ T cells with only soluble anti-CD3 antibody and culture with IL-7 and IL-15 was sufficient for derivation of CD8+ T cells harboring TSCM phenotypes and oligopotent capabilities. These in-vitro expanded TSCM cells were engineered with CARs targeting the HIV-1 envelope protein as well as the CD19 molecule and demonstrated effector activity both in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. This simple protocol for the derivation of CAR-TSCM cells may facilitate improved adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiko Kranz
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Charles J. Kuhlmann
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Joshua Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Y. Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Irvin S. Y. Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Masakazu Kamata
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- *Correspondence: Masakazu Kamata,
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37
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Li G, Wang H, Wu H, Chen J. B7-H3-targeted CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 41:625-637. [PMID: 35855615 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2102619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Since B7-H3 is overexpressed or amplified in many types of solid tumors with a restricted expression in the normal tissues, it has been an emerging immunotherapeutic target for solid tumors. This review will focus on the structural designs of developing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting B7-H3. The expression, receptor, and function of the B7-H3, as well as a short overview of B7-H3-targeted monoclonal antibody therapy, are discussed. Finally, a detailed summary of B7-H3 redirected CAR-T and CAR-NK cell approaches utilized in preclinical models and currently ongoing or completed clinical trials are presented. It has been demonstrated that B7-H3-targeted CAR-based cell therapies were safe in initial trials, but their efficacy was limited. Employing the local delivery routes, the introduction of novel modifications promoting CAR-T persistence, and combined treatment with other standard therapies could improve the efficacy of B7-H3-targeted CAR-T cell therapy against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangfei Li
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haopeng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Chen
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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38
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Erickson TA, Shih YP, Fass J, Jang M, Tran E. T Cells Engineered to Express Immunoreceptors Targeting the Frequently Expressed Medullary Thyroid Cancer Antigens Calcitonin, CEA, and RET M918T. Thyroid 2022; 32:789-798. [PMID: 35587601 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2022.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare malignancy originating from the calcitonin-producing C cells of the thyroid. Despite recent therapeutic advances, metastatic MTC remains incurable. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using genetically engineered T cells targeting either tissue-restricted tumor-associated antigens or mutated neoantigens has led to durable remissions in other metastatic solid tumors. The majority of MTC express the tumor-associated antigens calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and ∼40% of MTC harbor the RET M918T oncogenic driver mutation. Methods: We developed and characterized three immunoreceptors that recognize extracellular CEA, a calcitonin epitope presented by HLA-A*24:02, or an RET M918T neoepitope restricted by HLA-DPB1*04:01/02. The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CEA was synthetically designed, while the T cell receptors (TCRs) targeting calcitonin and RET M918T were isolated from a transgenic mouse and patient with MTC, respectively. These immunoreceptors were genetically engineered into peripheral blood T cells and tested for antigen specificity and antitumor activity. Results: T cells expressing the anti-CEA CAR or the calcitonin-reactive TCR produced effector cytokines and displayed cytotoxicity against cell lines expressing their cognate antigen in vitro. In immunodeficient mice harboring a human MTC cell line, the adoptive transfer of T cells engineered to express the anti-CEA CAR or calcitonin-reactive TCR led to complete tumor regression. T cells expressing the HLA-DPB1*04:01/02-restricted TCR targeting RET M918T, which was cloned from peripheral blood CD4+ T cells of a patient with MTC, demonstrated specific reactivity against cells pulsed with the mutated peptide and MTC tumor cells that expressed HLA-DPB1*04:01 and RET M918T. Conclusion: The preclinical data presented herein demonstrate the potential of using genetically engineered T cells targeting CEA, calcitonin, and/or RET M918T to treat metastatic MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Andrew Erickson
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Yi-Ping Shih
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Joseph Fass
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Myungkyu Jang
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Eric Tran
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
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39
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Alnefaie A, Albogami S, Asiri Y, Ahmad T, Alotaibi SS, Al-Sanea MM, Althobaiti H. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells: An Overview of Concepts, Applications, Limitations, and Proposed Solutions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:797440. [PMID: 35814023 PMCID: PMC9256991 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.797440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immunity, orchestrated by B-cells and T-cells, plays a crucial role in protecting the body from pathogenic invaders and can be used as tools to enhance the body's defense mechanisms against cancer by genetically engineering these immune cells. Several strategies have been identified for cancer treatment and evaluated for their efficacy against other diseases such as autoimmune and infectious diseases. One of the most advanced technologies is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a pioneering therapy in the oncology field. Successful clinical trials have resulted in the approval of six CAR-T cell products by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there have been various obstacles that limit the use of CAR T-cell therapy as the first line of defense mechanism against cancer. Various innovative CAR-T cell therapeutic designs have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical trial settings and have demonstrated much potential for development. Such trials testing the suitability of CARs against solid tumors and HIV are showing promising results. In addition, new solutions have been proposed to overcome the limitations of this therapy. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding this novel technology, including CAR T-cell structure, different applications, limitations, and proposed solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Alnefaie
- Department of Medical Services, King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Albogami
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yousif Asiri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tanveer Ahmad
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Saqer S. Alotaibi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad M. Al-Sanea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hisham Althobaiti
- Chief of Medical Department, King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC), Taif, Saudi Arabia
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40
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Guan M, Lim L, Holguin L, Han T, Vyas V, Urak R, Miller A, Browning DL, Echavarria L, Li S, Li S, Chang WC, Scott T, Yazaki P, Morris KV, Cardoso AA, Blanchard MS, Le Verche V, Forman SJ, Zaia JA, Burnett JC, Wang X. Pre-clinical data supporting immunotherapy for HIV using CMV-HIV-specific CAR T cells with CMV vaccine. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 25:344-359. [PMID: 35573050 PMCID: PMC9062763 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
T cells engineered to express HIV-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) represent a promising strategy to clear HIV-infected cells, but to date have not achieved clinical benefits. A likely hurdle is the limited T cell activation and persistence when HIV antigenemia is low, particularly during antiretroviral therapy (ART). To overcome this issue, we propose to use a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine to stimulate CMV-specific T cells that express CARs directed against the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120. In this study, we use a GMP-compliant platform to engineer CMV-specific T cells to express a second-generation CAR derived from the N6 broadly neutralizing antibody, one of the broadest anti-gp120 neutralizing antibodies. These CMV-HIV CAR T cells exhibit dual effector functions upon in vitro stimulation through their endogenous CMV-specific T cell receptors or the introduced CARs. Using a humanized HIV mouse model, we show that CMV vaccination during ART accelerates CMV-HIV CAR T cell expansion in the peripheral blood and that higher numbers of CMV-HIV CAR T cells were associated with a better control of HIV viral load and fewer HIV antigen p24+ cells in the bone marrow upon ART interruption. Collectively, these data support the clinical development of CMV-HIV CAR T cells in combination with a CMV vaccine in HIV-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Guan
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Laura Lim
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Leo Holguin
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Tianxu Han
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Miller
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Diana L. Browning
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Liliana Echavarria
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Shasha Li
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Shirley Li
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Tristan Scott
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Paul Yazaki
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Kevin V. Morris
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Angelo A. Cardoso
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - M. Suzette Blanchard
- Division of Biostatistics, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Virginia Le Verche
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - John A. Zaia
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - John C. Burnett
- Center for Gene Therapy, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Corresponding author Xiuli Wang, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, USA.
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41
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Kuo YC, Kuo CF, Jenkins K, Hung AFH, Chang WC, Park M, Aguilar B, Starr R, Hibbard J, Brown C, Williams JC. Antibody-based redirection of universal Fabrack-CAR T cells selectively kill antigen bearing tumor cells. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003752. [PMID: 35728874 PMCID: PMC9214433 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells engineered to recognize and target tumor associated antigens have made a profound impact on the quality of life for many patients with cancer. However, tumor heterogeneity and intratumoral immune suppression reduce the efficacy of this approach, allowing for tumor cells devoid of the target antigen to seed disease recurrence. Here, we address the complexity of tumor heterogeneity by developing a universal CAR. Method We constructed a universal Fabrack-CAR with an extracellular domain composed of the non-tumor targeted, cyclic, twelve residue meditope peptide that binds specifically to an engineered binding pocket within the Fab arm of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). As this site is readily grafted onto therapeutic mAbs, the antigen specificity of these universal Fabrack-CAR T cells is simply conferred by administering mAbs with specificity to the heterogeneous tumor. Results Using in vitro and in vivo studies with multiple meditope-engineered mAbs, we show the feasibility, specificity, and robustness of this approach. These studies demonstrate antigen- and antibody-specific T cell activation, proliferation, and IFNγ production, selective killing of target cells in a mixed population, and tumor regression in animal models. Conclusion Collectively, these findings support the feasibility of this universal Fabrack-CAR T cell approach and provide the rationale for future clinical use in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chiu Kuo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Cheng-Fu Kuo
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA.,Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Kurt Jenkins
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA.,Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Alfur Fu-Hsin Hung
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Miso Park
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Jonathan Hibbard
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Christine Brown
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - John C Williams
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
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42
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López-Cantillo G, Urueña C, Camacho BA, Ramírez-Segura C. CAR-T Cell Performance: How to Improve Their Persistence? Front Immunol 2022; 13:878209. [PMID: 35572525 PMCID: PMC9097681 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.878209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with T cells reprogrammed to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) has been highly successful in patients with hematological neoplasms. However, its therapeutic benefits have been limited in solid tumor cases. Even those patients who respond to this immunotherapy remain at risk of relapse due to the short-term persistence or non-expansion of CAR-T cells; moreover, the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) leads to the dysfunction of these cells after reinfusion. Some research has shown that, in adoptive T-cell therapies, the presence of less differentiated T-cell subsets within the infusion product is associated with better clinical outcomes. Naive and memory T cells persist longer and exhibit greater antitumor activity than effector T cells. Therefore, new methods are being studied to overcome the limitations of this therapy to generate CAR-T cells with these ideal phenotypes. In this paper, we review the characteristics of T-cell subsets and their implications in the clinical outcomes of adoptive therapy with CAR-T cells. In addition, we describe some strategies developed to overcome the reduced persistence of CAR T-cells and alternatives to improve this therapy by increasing the expansion ability and longevity of modified T cells. These methods include cell culture optimization, incorporating homeostatic cytokines during the expansion phase of manufacturing, modulation of CAR-T cell metabolism, manipulating signaling pathways involved in T-cell differentiation, and strategies related to CAR construct designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina López-Cantillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Urueña
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Cesar Ramírez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia.,Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
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43
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Wang X, Dong Z, Awuah D, Chang WC, Cheng WA, Vyas V, Cha S, Anderson A, Zhang T, Wang Z, Szymura S, Kuang B, Clark MC, Aldoss I, Forman SJ, Kwak LW, Qin H. CD19/BAFF-R dual-targeted CAR T cells for the treatment of mixed antigen-negative variants of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:1015-1024. [PMID: 35039637 PMCID: PMC8983465 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting CD19 mediate potent antitumor effects in B-cell malignancies including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but antigen loss remains the major cause of treatment failure. To mitigate antigen escape and potentially improve the durability of remission, we developed a dual-targeting approach using an optimized, bispecific CAR construct that targets both CD19 and BAFF-R. CD19/BAFF-R dual CAR T cells exhibited antigen-specific cytokine release, degranulation, and cytotoxicity against both CD19-/- and BAFF-R-/- variant human ALL cells in vitro. Immunodeficient mice engrafted with mixed CD19-/- and BAFF-R-/- variant ALL cells and treated with a single dose of CD19/BAFF-R dual CAR T cells experienced complete eradication of both CD19-/- and BAFF-R-/- ALL variants, whereas mice treated with monospecific CD19 or BAFF-R CAR T cells succumbed to outgrowths of CD19-/BAFF-R+ or CD19+/BAFF-R- tumors, respectively. Further, CD19/BAFF-R dual CAR T cells showed prolonged in vivo persistence, raising the possibility that these cells may have the potential to promote durable remissions. Together, our data support clinical translation of BAFF-R/CD19 dual CAR T cells to treat ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Wang
- Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhenyuan Dong
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Dennis Awuah
- Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Wesley A Cheng
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Soungchul Cha
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Aaron Anderson
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Szymon Szymura
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Benjamin Kuang
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mary C. Clark
- Department of Clinical and Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ibrahim Aldoss
- Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA,Corresponding Authors: Larry W. Kwak, MD., Ph.D., Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, ; Phone: 626-256-4673 ext. 80025; Fax: 626-218-3607, Stephen J. Forman., MD., Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, ; Tel: 626-218-2405; Fax: 626-301-8256
| | - Larry W Kwak
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| | - Hong Qin
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Preclinical Evaluation of CAR T Cell Function: In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063154. [PMID: 35328572 PMCID: PMC8955360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a rapidly emerging modality that engineers T cells to redirect tumor-specific cytotoxicity. CAR T cells have been well characterized for their efficacy against B cell malignancies, and rigorously studied in other types of tumors. Preclinical evaluation of CAR T cell function, including direct tumor killing, cytokine production, and memory responses, is crucial to the development and optimization of CAR T cell therapies. Such comprehensive examinations are usually performed in different types of models. Model establishment should focus on key challenges in the clinical setting and the capability to generate reliable data to indicate CAR T cell therapeutic potency in the clinic. Further, modeling the interaction between CAR T cells and tumor microenvironment provides additional insight for the future endeavors to enhance efficacy, especially against solid tumors. This review will summarize both in vitro and in vivo models for CAR T cell functional evaluation, including how they have evolved with the needs of CAR T cell research, the information they can provide for preclinical assessment of CAR T cell products, and recent technology advances to test CAR T cells in more clinically relevant models.
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Wang Z, McWilliams-Koeppen HP, Reza H, Ostberg JR, Chen W, Wang X, Huynh C, Vyas V, Chang WC, Starr R, Wagner JR, Aguilar B, Yang X, Wu X, Wang J, Chen W, Koelker-Wolfe E, Seet CS, Montel-Hagen A, Crooks GM, Forman SJ, Brown CE. 3D-organoid culture supports differentiation of human CAR+ iPSCs into highly functional CAR T cells. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:515-527.e8. [PMID: 35278370 PMCID: PMC9119152 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unlimited generation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is an attractive approach for "off-the-shelf" CAR T cell immunotherapy. Approaches to efficiently differentiate iPSCs into canonical αβ T cell lineages, while maintaining CAR expression and functionality, however, have been challenging. We report that iPSCs reprogramed from CD62L+ naive and memory T cells followed by CD19-CAR engineering and 3D-organoid system differentiation confers products with conventional CD8αβ-positive CAR T cell characteristics. Expanded iPSC CD19-CAR T cells showed comparable antigen-specific activation, degranulation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine secretion compared with conventional CD19-CAR T cells and maintained homogeneous expression of the TCR derived from the initial clone. iPSC CD19-CAR T cells also mediated potent antitumor activity in vivo, prolonging survival of mice with CD19+ human tumor xenografts. Our study establishes feasible methodologies to generate highly functional CAR T cells from iPSCs to support the development of "off-the-shelf" manufacturing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Helen P McWilliams-Koeppen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Hernan Reza
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Julie R Ostberg
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wuyang Chen
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christian Huynh
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Chung Chang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ellery Koelker-Wolfe
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christopher S Seet
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amélie Montel-Hagen
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gay M Crooks
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Christine E Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Goldberg L, Haas ER, Vyas V, Urak R, Forman SJ, Wang X. Single-cell analysis by mass cytometry reveals CD19 CAR T cell spatiotemporal plasticity in patients. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2040772. [PMID: 35223193 PMCID: PMC8865283 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2040772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptive T cell immune response requires cellular plasticity to generate distinct subsets with diverse functional and migratory capacities. Studies of CAR T cells have primarily focused on a limited number of phenotypic markers in blood, representing an incomplete view of CAR T cell complexity. Here, we adapted mass cytometry to simultaneously analyze trafficking and functional proteins expression in CD19 CAR T cells across patients’ tissues, including leukapheresis T cells, CAR product, CAR T cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and cerebrospinal fluid post infusion and correlate them with phenotypes. This approach revealed spatiotemporal plasticity of CAR T cells. Patients’ CAR product revealed upregulation in many trafficking and activation molecules compared to leukapheresis T cells as baseline. Including statistically significant upregulation in CD4 and CD8 integrin-β7, CD4 granzyme B, and CD11a as well as CD8 CD25 and CD95. Moreover, patients’ tissues showed spatiotemporal alteration in trafficking, activation, maturation, and exhaustion features, with a distinct signature in the central nervous system niche. Compared to peripheral blood samples, cerebrospinal fluid samples were statistically significant enriched in CD4 and CD8 trafficking and memory phenotype proteins integrin β7, CCR7, CXCR4, and CD8 CD69. Our data provide a potential framework to remodel CAR T cells and enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | | | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
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Guo J, He S, Zhu Y, Yu W, Yang D, Zhao X. Humanized CD30-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Exhibit Potent Preclinical Activity Against Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:775599. [PMID: 35096811 PMCID: PMC8790321 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.775599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CD30-directed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) with single chain antibody fragment (scFv)-binding domains from murine HRS3 show strong cytotoxicity to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cells and have been used in clinical trials. However, murine scFv in CAR might induce specific rejective immune responses in patients, which compromises the therapeutic effects. The use of human or humanized antibody fragments for CAR construction, rather than those derived from mouse antibodies, can reduce the immunogenicity of the CAR. Importantly, this strategy might simultaneously decrease the risk of cytokine-mediated toxicities and improve CAR T cell persistence. Murine HRS3 antibody has been successfully humanized by grafting the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) from the mouse antibody framework onto human immunoglobulin consensus sequences, followed by an in vitro evolutionary strategy to select functional Fab fragments with the same affinity as murine sources. In this study, humanized scFvs were utilized to construct a CD30-directed CAR (hHRS3-CAR), and its effectiveness was compared with that of HRS3-CAR. The hHRS3-CAR-T cells specifically kill CD30-positive tumor cell lines in vitro and eliminate lymphoma xenografts in immunodeficient mice with comparable efficiency to HRS3-CAR. The hHRS-CAR-T could be used in clinical trials based on the previously reported advantages of humanized CARs, such as the reduction of immune rejection and better persistence of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuai He
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongjie Zhu
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Yu
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Brown CE, Rodriguez A, Palmer J, Ostberg JR, Naranjo A, Wagner JR, Aguilar B, Starr R, Weng L, Synold TW, Tran V, Wang S, Reik A, D’Apuzzo M, Ressler JA, Zhou Y, Mendel M, Gregory PD, Holmes MC, Tang WW, Forman SJ, Jensen MC, Badie B. Off-the-shelf, steroid-resistant, IL13Rα2-specific CAR T cells for treatment of glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:1318-1330. [PMID: 35100373 PMCID: PMC9340633 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wide-spread application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for cancer is limited by the current use of autologous CAR T cells necessitating the manufacture of individualized therapeutic products for each patient. To address this challenge, we have generated an off-the-shelf, allogeneic CAR T cell product for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), and present here the feasibility, safety, and therapeutic potential of this approach. METHODS We generated for clinical use a healthy-donor derived IL13Rα2-targeted CAR+ (IL13-zetakine+) cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) product genetically engineered using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to permanently disrupt the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (GRm13Z40-2) and endow resistance to glucocorticoid treatment. In a phase I safety and feasibility trial we evaluated these allogeneic GRm13Z40-2 T cells in combination with intracranial administration of recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2; aldesleukin) in six patients with unresectable recurrent GBM that were maintained on systemic dexamethasone (4-12 mg/day). RESULTS The GRm13Z40-2 product displayed dexamethasone-resistant effector activity without evidence for in vitro alloreactivity. Intracranial administration of GRm13Z40-2 in four doses of 108 cells over a two-week period with aldesleukin (9 infusions ranging from 2500-5000 IU) was well tolerated, with indications of transient tumor reduction and/or tumor necrosis at the site of T cell infusion in four of the six treated research subjects. Antibody reactivity against GRm13Z40-2 cells was detected in the serum of only one of the four tested subjects. CONCLUSIONS This first-in-human experience establishes a foundation for future adoptive therapy studies using off-the-shelf, zinc-finger modified, and/or glucocorticoid resistant CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Brown
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Joycelynne Palmer
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Julie R Ostberg
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Araceli Naranjo
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Jamie R Wagner
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Brenda Aguilar
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Renate Starr
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Lihong Weng
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Timothy W Synold
- Department of Cancer Biology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Vivi Tran
- Department of Cancer Biology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Shelley Wang
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Richmond, California, USA
| | - Andreas Reik
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Richmond, California, USA
| | - Massimo D’Apuzzo
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Julie A Ressler
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Yuanyue Zhou
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Richmond, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Winson W Tang
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Richmond, California, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratories), City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center; Duarte, California, USA
| | - Michael C Jensen
- Ben Town Center for Childhood Cancer, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Behnam Badie
- Corresponding Author: Behnam Badie, MD, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Rd., Rm 1201 Pavilion Bldg., Duarte, CA, USA ()
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Wang X, Urak R, Walter M, Guan M, Han T, Vyas V, Chien SH, Gittins B, Clark MC, Mokhtari S, Cardoso A, Diamond DJ, Zaia J, Forman SJ, Nakamura R. Large-scale manufacturing and characterization of CMV-CD19CAR T cells. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003461. [PMID: 35027426 PMCID: PMC8762141 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive transfer of CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CD19CAR) T cells can induce dramatic disease regression in patients with B cell malignancies. CD19CAR T cell therapy may be limited by insufficient engraftment and persistence, resulting in tumor relapse. We previously demonstrated a proof of principle that cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells can be isolated and enriched prior to CD19CAR transduction to produce CMV-CD19CAR T cells, and that these CMV-CD19CAR T cells can be expanded in vivo through CMV vaccination, resulting in better tumor control in a murine model. Here we developed a clinical platform for generating CMV-CD19CAR T cells. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from CMV-seropositive healthy donors were stimulated with a good manufacturing practices-grade PepTivator overlapping CMVpp65 peptide pool and enriched for CMV-responsive interferon γ (IFNγ)+T cells using IFNγ Catchmatrix, within the CliniMACS Prodigy Cytokine Capture System (Miltenyi Biotec). Resulting CMV-specific T cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding a second generation CD19R:CD28:ζ/EGFRt CAR and expanded with interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-15 for 15 days before characterization. RESULTS CMV-specific T cells were enriched from 0.8%±0.5 of input PBMC to 76.3%±11.6 in nine full-scale qualification runs (absolute yield of 4.2±3.3×106 IFNγ+T cells from an input of 1×109 PBMCs). Average CD19CAR transduction efficiency of CMV-specific T cells was 27.0%±14.2 in the final products, which underwent rapid expansion, resulting in a total cell dose of 6.2±0.9 × 106 CD19CAR-tranduced T cells with CMV specificity (ie, functionally bispecific). CMV-CD19CAR T cells were polyclonal, expressed memory markers but had low expression of exhaustion markers, responded to both CD19 and CMVpp65 stimulation with rapid proliferation and exhibited antigen-specific effector functions against both CD19-expressing tumors and CMVpp65 antigen. The final products passed release criteria for clinical use. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the feasibility of our large-scale platform for generating CMV-CD19CAR T cells for clinical application. We plan to initiate a clinical trial at City of Hope using CMV-CD19CAR T cells for patients with intermediate/high-grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma immediately after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation followed by vaccination with a novel CMV vaccine based on Modified Vaccinia Ankara (Triplex) 28 days and 56 days post-T cell infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Miriam Walter
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Min Guan
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Tianxu Han
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Vibhuti Vyas
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Sheng-Hsuan Chien
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Brenna Gittins
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Mary C Clark
- Department of Clinical Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Sally Mokhtari
- Department of Clinical Translational Project Development, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Angelo Cardoso
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Don J Diamond
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - John Zaia
- Center for Gene Therapy, Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Ryotaro Nakamura
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
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Abstract
In 1891, Dr. William B. Coley, an American surgeon, made a compelling observation that immune system can be triggered to shrink tumors. The quest to exploit the power of immunotherapy however was forestalled by an era of chemotherapy that ensued. During World War II, the accidental sinking of a US naval ship led to a group of sailors developing pancytopenia due to poisoning from mustard gas (nitrogen mustard). The observation prompted wide-scale screening of these chemical compounds with cytotoxic potential; further clinical trials led to the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a chemotherapy drug, nitrogen mustard. Immunotherapy field took further impetus, not until the last two decades, due to our deeper understanding of the immune system and the cellular and molecular pathways leading to tumor development. Two groundbreaking therapies which have shown great promise in this field involve "taking the breaks off" and "pushing the pedal" of the immune system. These therapies, namely, immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy, respectively, have been successful in a variety of malignancies, while the former mostly in solid tumors and the latter in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Nair
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jason Westin
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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