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Li W, Wang X, Zhang X, Aziz AUR, Wang D. CAR-NK Cell Therapy: A Transformative Approach to Overcoming Oncological Challenges. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1035. [PMID: 39199421 DOI: 10.3390/biom14081035] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in natural killer (NK) cells for cancer therapy is gaining momentum, marking a significant shift in cancer treatment. This review aims to explore the potential of CAR-NK cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy, providing a fresh perspective. It discusses the innovative approaches in CAR-NK cell design and engineering, particularly targeting refractory or recurrent cancers. By comparing CAR-NK cells with traditional therapies, the review highlights their unique ability to tackle tumor heterogeneity and immune system suppression. Additionally, it explains how novel cytokines and receptors can enhance CAR-NK cell efficacy, specificity, and functionality. This review underscores the advantages of CAR-NK cells, including reduced toxicity, lower cost, and broader accessibility compared to CAR-T cells, along with their potential in treating both blood cancers and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangshu Li
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xiuying Wang
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 151801, China
| | - Aziz Ur Rehman Aziz
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China
| | - Daqing Wang
- China Key Laboratory for Early Diagnosis and Biotherapy of Malignant Tumors in Children and Women, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian 116012, China
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2
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Gong Y, Germeraad WTV, Zhang X, Wu N, Li B, Janssen L, He Z, Gijbels MJJ, Wu B, Gijsbers BLMG, Olieslagers TI, Bos GMJ, Zheng L, Klein Wolterink RGJ. NKG2A genetic deletion promotes human primary NK cell anti-tumor responses better than an anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibody. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2711-2727. [PMID: 38943249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.034] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate infected or cancer cells via their cytotoxic capacity. NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor on NK cells and cancer cells often overexpress its ligand HLA-E to evade NK cell surveillance. Given the successes of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy, NKG2A is an interesting novel target. However, anti-NKG2A antibodies have shown limited clinical response. In the pursuit of enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, we devised a Cas9-based strategy to delete KLRC1, encoding NKG2A, in human primary NK cells. Our approach involved electroporation of KLRC1-targeting Cas9 ribonucleoprotein resulting in effective ablation of NKG2A expression. Compared with anti-NKG2A antibody blockade, NKG2AKO NK cells exhibited enhanced activation, reduced suppressive signaling, and elevated expression of key transcription factors. NKG2AKO NK cells overcame inhibition from HLA-E, significantly boosting NK cell activity against solid and hematologic cancer cells. We validated this efficacy across multiple cell lines, a xenograft mouse model, and primary human leukemic cells. Combining NKG2A knockout with antibody coating of tumor cells further enhanced cytotoxicity through ADCC. Thus, we provide a comprehensive comparison of inhibition of the NKG2A pathway using genetic ablation and antibodies and provide novel insight in the observed differences in molecular mechanisms, which can be translated to enhance adoptive NK cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfred T V Germeraad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Xulin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Nisha Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Lynn Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Zongzhong He
- Department of Transfusion Medicine of General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Marion J J Gijbels
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bodeng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
| | - Birgit L M G Gijsbers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Timo I Olieslagers
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Transplantation Immunology, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard M J Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands; CiMaas BV, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rapid Diagnostic Biosensors, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China.
| | - Roel G J Klein Wolterink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, 6227 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW - Research Institute for Oncology & Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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3
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Nguyen NTT, Müller R, Briukhovetska D, Weber J, Feucht J, Künkele A, Hudecek M, Kobold S. The Spectrum of CAR Cellular Effectors: Modes of Action in Anti-Tumor Immunity. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2608. [PMID: 39061247 PMCID: PMC11274444 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142608] [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: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T cells have spearheaded the field of adoptive cell therapy and have shown remarkable results in treating hematological neoplasia. Because of the different biology of solid tumors compared to hematological tumors, response rates of CAR-T cells could not be transferred to solid entities yet. CAR engineering has added co-stimulatory domains, transgenic cytokines and switch receptors to improve performance and persistence in a hostile tumor microenvironment, but because of the inherent cell type limitations of CAR-T cells, including HLA incompatibility, toxicities (cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity) and high costs due to the logistically challenging preparation process for autologous cells, the use of alternative immune cells is gaining traction. NK cells and γδ T cells that do not need HLA compatibility or macrophages and dendritic cells with additional properties such as phagocytosis or antigen presentation are increasingly seen as cellular vehicles with potential for application. As these cells possess distinct properties, clinicians and researchers need a thorough understanding of their peculiarities and commonalities. This review will compare these different cell types and their specific modes of action seen upon CAR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Thien Thu Nguyen
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.T.N.); (R.M.); (D.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, a Partnership between the DKFZ Heidelberg and the University Hospital of the LMU, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Rasmus Müller
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.T.N.); (R.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Daria Briukhovetska
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.T.N.); (R.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Justus Weber
- Department of Medicine II, Chair in Cellular Immunotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.W.); (M.H.)
| | - Judith Feucht
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Tuebingen, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Department of Medicine II, Chair in Cellular Immunotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.W.); (M.H.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Cellular Immunotherapy Branch Site Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (N.T.T.N.); (R.M.); (D.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, a Partnership between the DKFZ Heidelberg and the University Hospital of the LMU, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München—German Research Center for Environmental Health Neuherberg, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
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Wang D, Dou L, Sui L, Xue Y, Xu S. Natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e626. [PMID: 38882209 PMCID: PMC11179524 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, as innate lymphocytes, possess cytotoxic capabilities and engage target cells through a repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors. Particularly, natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor on NK cells recognizes stress-induced ligands-the MHC class I chain-related molecules A and B (MICA/B) presented on tumor cells and is key to trigger the cytolytic response of NK cells. However, tumors have developed sophisticated strategies to evade NK cell surveillance, which lead to failure of tumor immunotherapy. In this paper, we summarized these immune escaping strategies, including the downregulation of ligands for activating receptors, upregulation of ligands for inhibitory receptors, secretion of immunosuppressive compounds, and the development of apoptosis resistance. Then, we focus on recent advancements in NK cell immune therapies, which include engaging activating NK cell receptors, upregulating NKG2D ligand MICA/B expression, blocking inhibitory NK cell receptors, adoptive NK cell therapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells (CAR-NK), and NKG2D CAR-T cells, especially several vaccines targeting MICA/B. This review will inspire the research in NK cell biology in tumor and provide significant hope for improving cancer treatment outcomes by harnessing the potent cytotoxic activity of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- DanRu Wang
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - LingYun Dou
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - LiHao Sui
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Yiquan Xue
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Sheng Xu
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology Naval Medical University Shanghai China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation Dongfang Hospital Shanghai China
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5
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Heim C, Hartig L, Weinelt N, Moser LM, Salzmann-Manrique E, Merker M, Wels WS, Tonn T, Bader P, Klusmann JH, van Wijk SJ, Rettinger E. Bortezomib promotes the TRAIL-mediated killing of resistant rhabdomyosarcoma by ErbB2/Her2-targeted CAR-NK-92 cells via DR5 upregulation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200802. [PMID: 38706988 PMCID: PMC11067460 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200802] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Treatment resistance and immune escape are hallmarks of metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), underscoring the urgent medical need for therapeutic agents against this disease entity as a key challenge in pediatric oncology. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based immunotherapies, such as the ErbB2 (Her2)-CAR-engineered natural killer (NK) cell line NK-92/5.28.z, provide antitumor cytotoxicity primarily through CAR-mediated cytotoxic granule release and thereafter-even in cases with low surface antigen expression or tumor escape-by triggering intrinsic NK cell-mediated apoptosis induction via additional ligand/receptors. In this study, we showed that bortezomib increased susceptibility toward apoptosis in clinically relevant RMS cell lines RH30 and RH41, and patient-derived RMS tumor organoid RMS335, by upregulation of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor DR5 in these metastatic, relapsed/refractory (r/r) RMS tumors. Subsequent administration of NK-92/5.28.z cells significantly enhanced antitumor activity in vitro. Applying recombinant TRAIL instead of NK-92/5.28.z cells confirmed that the synergistic antitumor effects of the combination treatment were mediated via TRAIL. Western blot analyses indicated that the combination treatment with bortezomib and NK-92/5.28.z cells increased apoptosis by interacting with the nuclear factor κB, JNK, and caspase pathways. Overall, bortezomib pretreatment can sensitize r/r RMS tumors to CAR- and, by upregulating DR5, TRAIL-mediated cytotoxicity of NK-92/5.28.z cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrin Heim
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leonie Hartig
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadine Weinelt
- Institute for Experimental Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (EPOH), 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laura M. Moser
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt am Main, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) Frankfurt Marburg, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Emilia Salzmann-Manrique
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Merker
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) Frankfurt Marburg, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt am Main, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg/Hessen gemeinnützige GmbH, 60505 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) Frankfurt Marburg, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jan-Henning Klusmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt am Main, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) Frankfurt Marburg, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sjoerd J.L. van Wijk
- Institute for Experimental Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (EPOH), 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt am Main, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) Frankfurt Marburg, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt am Main, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) Frankfurt Marburg, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kuznetsova AV, Glukhova XA, Popova OP, Beletsky IP, Ivanov AA. Contemporary Approaches to Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2270. [PMID: 38927974 PMCID: PMC11201544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122270] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the arrival of the immunotherapy industry has introduced the possibility of providing transformative, durable, and potentially curative outcomes for various forms of malignancies. However, further research has shown that there are a number of issues that significantly reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy, especially in solid tumors. First of all, these problems are related to the protective mechanisms of the tumor and its microenvironment. Currently, major efforts are focused on overcoming protective mechanisms by using different adoptive cell therapy variants and modifications of genetically engineered constructs. In addition, a complex workforce is required to develop and implement these treatments. To overcome these significant challenges, innovative strategies and approaches are necessary to engineer more powerful variations of immunotherapy with improved antitumor activity and decreased toxicity. In this review, we discuss recent innovations in immunotherapy aimed at improving clinical efficacy in solid tumors, as well as strategies to overcome the limitations of various immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla V. Kuznetsova
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Russian University of Medicine (Formerly A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bld 4, Dolgorukovskaya Str, 1127006 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.K.); (O.P.P.)
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Xenia A. Glukhova
- Onni Biotechnologies Ltd., Aalto University Campus, Metallimiehenkuja 10, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (X.A.G.); (I.P.B.)
| | - Olga P. Popova
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Russian University of Medicine (Formerly A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bld 4, Dolgorukovskaya Str, 1127006 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.K.); (O.P.P.)
| | - Igor P. Beletsky
- Onni Biotechnologies Ltd., Aalto University Campus, Metallimiehenkuja 10, 02150 Espoo, Finland; (X.A.G.); (I.P.B.)
| | - Alexey A. Ivanov
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Russian University of Medicine (Formerly A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Bld 4, Dolgorukovskaya Str, 1127006 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.K.); (O.P.P.)
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Morel VJ, Rössler J, Bernasconi M. Targeted immunotherapy and nanomedicine for rhabdomyosarcoma: The way of the future. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38885148 DOI: 10.1002/med.22059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. Histology separates two main subtypes: embryonal RMS (eRMS; 60%-70%) and alveolar RMS (aRMS; 20%-30%). The aggressive aRMS carry one of two characteristic chromosomal translocations that result in the expression of a PAX3::FOXO1 or PAX7::FOXO1 fusion transcription factor; therefore, aRMS are now classified as fusion-positive (FP) RMS. Embryonal RMS have a better prognosis and are clinically indistinguishable from fusion-negative (FN) RMS. Next to histology and molecular characteristics, RMS risk groupings are now available defining low risk tumors with excellent outcomes and advanced stage disease with poor prognosis, with an overall survival of about only 20% despite intensified multimodal treatment. Therefore, development of novel effective targeted strategies to increase survival and to decrease long-term side effects is urgently needed. Recently, immunotherapies and nanomedicine have been emerging for potent and effective tumor treatments with minimal side effects, raising hopes for effective and safe cures for RMS patients. This review aims to describe the most relevant preclinical and clinical studies in immunotherapy and targeted nanomedicine performed so far in RMS and to provide an insight in future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Judith Morel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Rössler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Li X, Li W, Xu L, Song Y. Chimeric antigen receptor-immune cells against solid tumors: Structures, mechanisms, recent advances, and future developments. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:1285-1302. [PMID: 37640679 PMCID: PMC11191032 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapies has led to breakthroughs in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, their success in treating solid tumors has been limited. CAR-natural killer (NK) cells have several advantages over CAR-T cells because NK cells can be made from pre-existing cell lines or allogeneic NK cells with a mismatched major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which means they are more likely to become an "off-the-shelf" product. Moreover, they can kill cancer cells via CAR-dependent/independent pathways and have limited toxicity. Macrophages are the most malleable immune cells in the body. These cells can efficiently infiltrate into tumors and are present in large numbers in tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Importantly, CAR-macrophages (CAR-Ms) have recently yielded exciting preclinical results in several solid tumors. Nevertheless, CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-M all have their own advantages and limitations. In this review, we systematically discuss the current status, progress, and the major hurdles of CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, and CAR-M as they relate to five aspects: CAR structure, therapeutic mechanisms, the latest research progress, current challenges and solutions, and comparison according to the existing research in order to provide a reasonable option for treating solid tumors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Linping Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
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Pfefferle A, Contet J, Wong K, Chen C, Verhoeyen E, Slichter CK, Schluns KS, Cursons J, Berry R, Nikolic I, Rautela J, Huntington ND. Optimisation of a primary human CAR-NK cell manufacturing pipeline. Clin Transl Immunology 2024; 13:e1507. [PMID: 38707997 PMCID: PMC11063921 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy of B-cell malignancies achieves long-term disease remission in a high fraction of patients and has triggered intense research into translating this successful approach into additional cancer types. However, the complex logistics involved in autologous CAR-T manufacturing, the compromised fitness of patient-derived T cells, the high rates of serious toxicities and the overall cost involved with product manufacturing and hospitalisation have driven innovation to overcome such hurdles. One alternative approach is the use of allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells as a source for CAR-NK cell therapy. However, this source has traditionally faced numerous manufacturing challenges. Methods To address this, we have developed an optimised expansion and transduction protocol for primary human NK cells primed for manufacturing scaling and clinical evaluation. We have performed an in-depth comparison of primary human NK cell sources as a starting material by characterising their phenotype, functionality, expansion potential and transduction efficiency at crucial timepoints of our CAR-NK manufacturing pipeline. Results We identified adult peripheral blood-derived NK cells to be the superior source for generating a CAR-NK cell product because of a higher maximum yield of CAR-expressing NK cells combined with potent natural, as well as CAR-mediated anti-tumor effector functions. Conclusions Our optimised manufacturing pipeline dramatically improves lentiviral transduction efficiency of primary human NK cells. We conclude that the exponential expansion pre- and post-transduction and high on-target cytotoxicity make peripheral blood-derived NK cells a feasible and attractive CAR-NK cell product for clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Pfefferle
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
- oNKo‐Innate Pty LtdMoonee PondsVICAustralia
| | | | | | | | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, ENS de LyonUniversité Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5308LyonFrance
- INSERM, C3MUniversité Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jai Rautela
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
- oNKo‐Innate Pty LtdMoonee PondsVICAustralia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
- oNKo‐Innate Pty LtdMoonee PondsVICAustralia
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10
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Abbaszade Dibavar M, Soleimani M, Mohammadi MH, Zomorrod MS. High yield killing of lymphoma cells by anti-CD22 CAR-NK cell therapy. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:321-332. [PMID: 38589736 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00895-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) offer a promising new approach for targeting B cell malignancies through the immune system. Despite the proven effectiveness of CAR T cells targeting CD19 and CD22 in hematological malignancies, it is imperative to note that their production remains a highly complex process. Unlike T cells, NK cells eliminate targets in a non-antigen-specific manner while avoiding graft vs. host disease (GvHD). CAR-NK cells are considered safer than CAR-T cells because they have a shorter lifespan and produce less toxic cytokines. Due to their unlimited ability to proliferate in vitro, NK-92 cells can be used as a source for CAR-engineered NK cells. We found that CARs created from the m971 anti-CD22 mAb, which specifically targets a proximal CD22 epitope, were more effective at anti-leukemic activity compared to those made with other binding domains. To further enhance the anti-leukemic capacity of NK cells, we used lentiviral transduction to generate the m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92. CD22 is highly expressed in B cell lymphoma. To evaluate the potential of targeting CD22, Raji cells were selected as CD22-positive cells. Our study aimed to investigate CD22 as a potential target for CAR-NK-92 therapy in the treatment of B cell lymphoma. We first generated m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 that expressed a CAR for binding CD22 in vitro. Flow cytometric analysis was used to evaluate the expression of CAR. The 7AAD determined the cytotoxicity of the m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 towards target lymphoma cell lines by flow cytometry assay. The ELISA assay evaluated cytokine production in CAR NK-92 cells in response to target cells. The m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 cells have successfully expressed the CD22-specific CAR. m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 cells efficiently lysed CD22-expressing lymphoma cell lines and produced large amounts of cytokines such as IFN-γ and GM-CSF but a lower level of IL-6 after coculturing with target cells. Based on our results, it is evident that transferring m971-CD28-CD3ζ NK-92 cells could be a promising immunotherapy for B cell lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnoosh Abbaszade Dibavar
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- HSCT Research Center, Laboratory Hematology and Blood Banking Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mina Soufi Zomorrod
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Park S, Colville MJ, Paek JH, Shurer CR, Singh A, Secor EJ, Sailer CJ, Huang LT, Kuo JCH, Goudge MC, Su J, Kim M, DeLisa MP, Neelamegham S, Lammerding J, Zipfel WR, Fischbach C, Reesink HL, Paszek MJ. Immunoengineering can overcome the glycocalyx armour of cancer cells. NATURE MATERIALS 2024; 23:429-438. [PMID: 38361041 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cell glycocalyx is a major line of defence against immune surveillance. However, how specific physical properties of the glycocalyx are regulated on a molecular level, contribute to immune evasion and may be overcome through immunoengineering must be resolved. Here we report how cancer-associated mucins and their glycosylation contribute to the nanoscale material thickness of the glycocalyx and consequently modulate the functional interactions with cytotoxic immune cells. Natural-killer-cell-mediated cytotoxicity is inversely correlated with the glycocalyx thickness of the target cells. Changes in glycocalyx thickness of approximately 10 nm can alter the susceptibility to immune cell attack. Enhanced stimulation of natural killer and T cells through equipment with chimeric antigen receptors can improve the cytotoxicity against mucin-bearing target cells. Alternatively, cytotoxicity can be enhanced through engineering effector cells to display glycocalyx-editing enzymes, including mucinases and sialidases. Together, our results motivate the development of immunoengineering strategies that overcome the glycocalyx armour of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwoo Park
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Marshall J Colville
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Justin H Paek
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Carolyn R Shurer
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Arun Singh
- State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Erica J Secor
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Cooper J Sailer
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ling-Ting Huang
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Joe Chin-Hun Kuo
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Marc C Goudge
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jin Su
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Matthew P DeLisa
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Jan Lammerding
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Warren R Zipfel
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Heidi L Reesink
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Paszek
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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12
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Eitler J, Rackwitz W, Wotschel N, Gudipati V, Murali Shankar N, Sidorenkova A, Huppa JB, Ortiz-Montero P, Opitz C, Künzel SR, Michen S, Temme A, Loureiro LR, Feldmann A, Bachmann M, Boissel L, Klingemann H, Wels WS, Tonn T. CAR-mediated targeting of NK cells overcomes tumor immune escape caused by ICAM-1 downregulation. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008155. [PMID: 38417916 PMCID: PMC10900364 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008155] [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] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antitumor activity of natural killer (NK) cells can be enhanced by specific targeting with therapeutic antibodies that trigger antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) or by genetic engineering to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Despite antibody or CAR targeting, some tumors remain resistant towards NK cell attack. While the importance of ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction for natural cytotoxicity of NK cells is known, its impact on ADCC induced by the ErbB2 (HER2)-specific antibody trastuzumab and ErbB2-CAR-mediated NK cell cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells has not been investigated. METHODS Here we used NK-92 cells expressing high-affinity Fc receptor FcγRIIIa in combination with trastuzumab or ErbB2-CAR engineered NK-92 cells (NK-92/5.28.z) as well as primary human NK cells combined with trastuzumab or modified with the ErbB2-CAR and tested cytotoxicity against cancer cells varying in ICAM-1 expression or alternatively blocked LFA-1 on NK cells. Furthermore, we specifically stimulated Fc receptor, CAR and/or LFA-1 to study their crosstalk at the immunological synapse and their contribution to degranulation and intracellular signaling in antibody-targeted or CAR-targeted NK cells. RESULTS Blockade of LFA-1 or absence of ICAM-1 significantly reduced cell killing and cytokine release during trastuzumab-mediated ADCC against ErbB2-positive breast cancer cells, but not so in CAR-targeted NK cells. Pretreatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induced ICAM-1 upregulation and reversed NK cell resistance in ADCC. Trastuzumab alone did not sufficiently activate NK cells and required additional LFA-1 co-stimulation, while activation of the ErbB2-CAR in CAR-NK cells induced efficient degranulation independent of LFA-1. Total internal reflection fluorescence single molecule imaging revealed that CAR-NK cells formed an irregular immunological synapse with tumor cells that excluded ICAM-1, while trastuzumab formed typical peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC) structures. Mechanistically, the absence of ICAM-1 did not affect cell-cell adhesion during ADCC, but rather resulted in decreased signaling via Pyk2 and ERK1/2, which was intrinsically provided by CAR-mediated targeting. Furthermore, while stimulation of the inhibitory NK cell checkpoint molecule NKG2A markedly reduced FcγRIIIa/LFA-1-mediated degranulation, retargeting by CAR was only marginally affected. CONCLUSIONS Downregulation of ICAM-1 on breast cancer cells is a critical escape mechanism from trastuzumab-triggered ADCC. In contrast, CAR-NK cells are able to overcome cancer cell resistance caused by ICAM-1 reduction, highlighting the potential of CAR-NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Eitler
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wiebke Rackwitz
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalie Wotschel
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Venugopal Gudipati
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nivedha Murali Shankar
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anastasia Sidorenkova
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paola Ortiz-Montero
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Corinna Opitz
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan R Künzel
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Michen
- TU Dresden, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Achim Temme
- TU Dresden, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Experimental Neurosurgery and Tumor Immunology, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Winfried S Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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13
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Kiefer A, Prüfer M, Röder J, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Bodden M, Kühnel I, Oberoi P, Wels WS. Dual Targeting of Glioblastoma Cells with Bispecific Killer Cell Engagers Directed to EGFR and ErbB2 (HER2) Facilitates Effective Elimination by NKG2D-CAR-Engineered NK Cells. Cells 2024; 13:246. [PMID: 38334638 PMCID: PMC10854564 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030246] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
NKG2D is an activating receptor of natural killer cells that recognizes stress-induced ligands (NKG2DL) expressed by many tumor cells. Nevertheless, NKG2DL downregulation or shedding can still allow cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. Here, we used lentiviral gene transfer to engineer clinically usable NK-92 cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (NKAR) which contains the extracellular domain of NKG2D for target recognition, or an NKAR, together with the IL-15 superagonist RD-IL15, and combined these effector cells with recombinant NKG2D-interacting bispecific engagers that simultaneously recognize the tumor-associated antigens epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or ErbB2 (HER2). Applied individually, in in vitro cell-killing assays, these NKAB-EGFR and NKAB-ErbB2 antibodies specifically redirected NKAR-NK-92 and NKAR_RD-IL15-NK-92 cells to glioblastoma and other cancer cells with elevated EGFR or ErbB2 levels. However, in mixed glioblastoma cell cultures, used as a model for heterogeneous target antigen expression, NKAR-NK cells only lysed the EGFR- or ErbB2-expressing subpopulations in the presence of one of the NKAB molecules. This was circumvented by applying NKAB-EGFR and NKAB-ErbB2 together, resulting in effective antitumor activity similar to that against glioblastoma cells expressing both target antigens. Our results demonstrate that combining NK cells carrying an activating NKAR receptor with bispecific NKAB antibodies allows for flexible targeting, which can enhance tumor-antigen-specific cytotoxicity and prevent immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kiefer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maren Prüfer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jordi Pfeifer Serrahima
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Malena Bodden
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ines Kühnel
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pranav Oberoi
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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14
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Zhang Y, Zhang C, He M, Xing W, Hou R, Zhang H. Co-expression of IL-21-Enhanced NKG2D CAR-NK cell therapy for lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:119. [PMID: 38263004 PMCID: PMC10807083 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11806-1] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive cell therapy has achieved great success in treating hematological malignancies. However, the production of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy still faces various difficulties. Natural killer (NK)-92 is a continuously expandable cell line and provides a promising alternative for patient's own immune cells. METHODS We established CAR-NK cells by co-expressing natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) and IL-21, and evaluated the efficacy of NKG2D-IL-21 CAR-NK cells in treating lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Our data suggested that the expression of IL-21 effectively increased the cytotoxicity of NKG2D CAR-NK cells against lung cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the proliferation of NKG2D-IL-21 CAR-NK cells were enhanced while the apoptosis and exhaustion of these cells were suppressed. Mechanistically, IL-21-mediated NKG2D CAR-NK cells function by activating AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our findings provide a novel option for treating lung cancer using NKG2D-IL-21 CAR-NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shenyang 242 Hospital, 110034, Shenyang, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 610072, Chengdu, China
| | - Minghong He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, 262500, Weifang, China
| | - Weipeng Xing
- Geneis Beijing Co., Ltd., 100102, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Hou
- Geneis Beijing Co., Ltd., 100102, Beijing, China.
| | - Haijin Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, 262500, Weifang, China.
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15
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Wang W, Liu Y, He Z, Li L, Liu S, Jiang M, Zhao B, Deng M, Wang W, Mi X, Sun Z, Ge X. Breakthrough of solid tumor treatment: CAR-NK immunotherapy. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:40. [PMID: 38245520 PMCID: PMC10799930 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01815-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
As the latest and most anticipated method of tumor immunotherapy, CAR-NK therapy has received increasing attention in recent years, and its safety and high efficiency have irreplaceable advantages over CAR-T. Current research focuses on the application of CAR-NK in hematological tumors, while there are fewer studies on solid tumor. This article reviews the process of constructing CAR-NK, the effects of hypoxia and metabolic factors, NK cell surface receptors, cytokines, and exosomes on the efficacy of CAR-NK in solid tumor, and the role of CAR-NK in various solid tumor. The mechanism of action and the research status of the potential of CAR-NK in the treatment of solid tumor in clinical practice, and put forward the advantages, limitations and future problems of CAR-NK in the treatment of solid tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhen He
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Li
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Senbo Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mingqiang Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bing Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng Deng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wendong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xuefang Mi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenqiang Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xin Ge
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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16
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Zhang B, Yang M, Zhang W, Liu N, Wang D, Jing L, Xu N, Yang N, Ren T. Chimeric antigen receptor-based natural killer cell immunotherapy in cancer: from bench to bedside. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:50. [PMID: 38221520 PMCID: PMC10788349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06438-7] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has rapidly evolved in the past decades in the battle against cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have demonstrated significant success in certain hematologic malignancies, although they still face certain limitations, including high costs and toxic effects. Natural killer cells (NK cells), as a vital component of the immune system, serve as the "first responders" in the context of cancer development. In this literature review, we provide an updated understanding of NK cell development, functions, and their applications in disease therapy. Furthermore, we explore the rationale for utilizing engineered NK cell therapies, such as CAR-NK cells, and discuss the differences between CAR-T and CAR-NK cells. We also provide insights into the key elements and strategies involved in CAR design for engineered NK cells. In addition, we highlight the challenges currently encountered and discuss the future directions in NK cell research and utilization, including pre-clinical investigations and ongoing clinical trials. Based on the outstanding antitumor potential of NK cells, it is highly likely that they will lead to groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Mengzhe Yang
- Graduate School of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530199, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518052, China
| | - Daogang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Liangfang Jing
- Department of Neonatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, 650101, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, China.
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17
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He S, Su L, Hu H, Liu H, Xiong J, Gong X, Chi H, Wu Q, Yang G. Immunoregulatory functions and therapeutic potential of natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles in chronic diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1328094. [PMID: 38239346 PMCID: PMC10795180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1328094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proven to play a significant immunoregulatory role in many chronic diseases, such as cancer and immune disorders. Among them, EVs derived from NK cells are an essential component of the immune cell functions. These EVs have been demonstrated to carry a variety of toxic proteins and nucleic acids derived from NK cells and play a therapeutic role in diseases like malignancies, liver fibrosis, and lung injury. However, natural NK-derived EVs (NKEVs) have certain limitations in disease treatment, such as low yield and poor targeting. Concurrently, NK cells exhibit characteristics of memory-like NK cells, which have stronger proliferative capacity, increased IFN-γ production, and enhanced cytotoxicity, making them more advantageous for disease treatment. Recent research has shifted its focus towards engineered extracellular vesicles and their potential to improve the efficiency, specificity, and safety of disease treatments. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of NK-derived EVs and the latest advancements in disease therapy. Specifically, we will compare different cellular sources of NKEVs and explore the current status and prospects of memory-like NK cell-derived EVs and engineered NKEVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang He
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lanqian Su
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiqi Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Xiong
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiangjin Gong
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
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18
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Chamorro DF, Somes LK, Hoyos V. Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:124. [PMID: 38201551 PMCID: PMC10778447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F. Chamorro
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (D.F.C.); (L.K.S.)
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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19
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He J, Yan Y, Zhang J, Wei Z, Li H, Xing L. Synergistic treatment strategy: combining CAR-NK cell therapy and radiotherapy to combat solid tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1298683. [PMID: 38162672 PMCID: PMC10755030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1298683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, notably chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified natural killer (NK) cell therapy, has shown exciting promise in the treatment of hematologic malignancies due to its unique advantages including fewer side effects, diverse activation mechanisms, and wide availability. However, CAR-NK cell therapies have demonstrated limited efficacy against solid tumors, primarily due to challenges posed by the solid tumor microenvironment. In contrast, radiotherapy, a well-established treatment modality, has been proven to modulate the tumor microenvironment and facilitate immune cell infiltration. With these observations, we hypothesize that a novel therapeutic strategy integrating CAR-NK cell therapy with radiotherapy could enhance the ability to treat solid tumors. This hypothesis aims to address the obstacles CAR-NK cell therapies face within the solid tumor microenvironment and explore the potential efficacy of their combination with radiotherapy. By capitalizing on the synergistic advantages of CAR-NK cell therapy and radiotherapy, we posit that this could lead to improved prognoses for patients with solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie He
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yushan Yan
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Asclepius (Soochow) Technology Company Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiming Wei
- Asclepius (Soochow) Technology Company Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huashun Li
- Asclepius (Soochow) Technology Company Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ligang Xing
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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20
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Hibler W, Merlino G, Yu Y. CAR NK Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma: Potential & Prospects. Cells 2023; 12:2750. [PMID: 38067178 PMCID: PMC10706172 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is among the most lethal forms of cancer, accounting for 80% of deaths despite comprising just 5% of skin cancer cases. Treatment options remain limited due to the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with melanoma heterogeneity that underlie the rapid development of secondary drug resistance. For this reason, the development of novel treatments remains paramount to the improvement of patient outcomes. Although the advent of chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapies has led to many clinical successes for hematological malignancies, these treatments are limited in their utility by their immune-induced side effects and a high risk of systemic toxicities. CAR natural killer (CAR-NK) cell immunotherapies are a particularly promising alternative to CAR-T cell immunotherapies, as they offer a more favorable safety profile and have the capacity for fine-tuned cytotoxic activity. In this review, the discussion of the prospects and potential of CAR-NK cell immunotherapies touches upon the clinical contexts of melanoma, the immunobiology of NK cells, the immunosuppressive barriers preventing endogenous immune cells from eliminating tumors, and the structure and design of chimeric antigen receptors, then finishes with a series of proposed design innovations that could improve the efficacy CAR-NK cell immunotherapies in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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21
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Burger MC, Forster MT, Romanski A, Straßheimer F, Macas J, Zeiner PS, Steidl E, Herkt S, Weber KJ, Schupp J, Lun JH, Strecker MI, Wlotzka K, Cakmak P, Opitz C, George R, Mildenberger IC, Nowakowska P, Zhang C, Röder J, Müller E, Ihrig K, Langen KJ, Rieger MA, Herrmann E, Bonig H, Harter PN, Reiss Y, Hattingen E, Rödel F, Plate KH, Tonn T, Senft C, Steinbach JP, Wels WS. Intracranial injection of natural killer cells engineered with a HER2-targeted chimeric antigen receptor in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:2058-2071. [PMID: 37148198 PMCID: PMC10628939 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GB) is incurable at present without established treatment options for recurrent disease. In this phase I first-in-human clinical trial we investigated safety and feasibility of adoptive transfer of clonal chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells (NK-92/5.28.z) targeting HER2, which is expressed at elevated levels by a subset of glioblastomas. METHODS Nine patients with recurrent HER2-positive GB were treated with single doses of 1 × 107, 3 × 107, or 1 × 108 irradiated CAR-NK cells injected into the margins of the surgical cavity during relapse surgery. Imaging at baseline and follow-up, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping and analyses of the immune architecture by multiplex immunohistochemistry and spatial digital profiling were performed. RESULTS There were no dose-limiting toxicities, and none of the patients developed a cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Five patients showed stable disease after relapse surgery and CAR-NK injection that lasted 7 to 37 weeks. Four patients had progressive disease. Pseudoprogression was found at injection sites in 2 patients, suggestive of a treatment-induced immune response. For all patients, median progression-free survival was 7 weeks, and median overall survival was 31 weeks. Furthermore, the level of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in recurrent tumor tissue prior to CAR-NK cell injection positively correlated with time to progression. CONCLUSIONS Intracranial injection of HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells is feasible and safe in patients with recurrent GB. 1 × 108 NK-92/5.28.z cells was determined as the maximum feasible dose for a subsequent expansion cohort with repetitive local injections of CAR-NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Burger
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Annette Romanski
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Straßheimer
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jadranka Macas
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pia S Zeiner
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eike Steidl
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Herkt
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katharina J Weber
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jonathan Schupp
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer H Lun
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maja I Strecker
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karolin Wlotzka
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pinar Cakmak
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Corinna Opitz
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rosemol George
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Iris C Mildenberger
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paulina Nowakowska
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Congcong Zhang
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Elvira Müller
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kristina Ihrig
- University Cancer Center (UCT), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Research Center Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael A Rieger
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eva Herrmann
- Institute for Biostatistics and Mathematical Modelling, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Halvard Bonig
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt and Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Patrick N Harter
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Reiss
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elke Hattingen
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Franz Rödel
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karl H Plate
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Senft
- Department of Neurosurgery, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Joachim P Steinbach
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
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22
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Murali Shankar N, Ortiz-Montero P, Kurzyukova A, Rackwitz W, Künzel SR, Wels WS, Tonn T, Knopf F, Eitler J. Preclinical assessment of CAR-NK cell-mediated killing efficacy and pharmacokinetics in a rapid zebrafish xenograft model of metastatic breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1254821. [PMID: 37885894 PMCID: PMC10599014 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive effectors for adoptive immunotherapy of cancer. Results from first-in-human studies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered primary NK cells and NK-92 cells are encouraging in terms of efficacy and safety. In order to further improve treatment strategies and to test the efficacy of CAR-NK cells in a personalized manner, preclinical screening assays using patient-derived tumor samples are needed. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae represent an attractive xenograft model to study growth and dissemination of patient-derived tumor cells because of their superb live cell imaging properties. Injection into the organism's circulation allows investigation of metastasis, cancer cell-to-immune cell-interactions and studies of the tumor cell response to anti-cancer drugs. Here, we established a zebrafish larval xenograft model to test the efficacy of CAR-NK cells against metastatic breast cancer in vivo by injecting metastatic breast cancer cells followed by CAR-NK cell injection into the Duct of Cuvier (DoC). We validated the functionality of the system with two different CAR-NK cell lines specific for PD-L1 and ErbB2 (PD-L1.CAR NK-92 and ErbB2.CAR NK-92 cells) against the PD-L1-expressing MDA-MB-231 and ErbB2-expressing MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cell lines. Injected cancer cells were viable and populated peripheral regions of the larvae, including the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), simulating homing of cancer cells to blood forming sites. CAR-NK cells injected 2.5 hours later migrated to the CHT and rapidly eliminated individual cancer cells throughout the organism. Unmodified NK-92 also demonstrated minor in vivo cytotoxicity. Confocal live-cell imaging demonstrated intravascular migration and real-time interaction of CAR-NK cells with MDA-MB-231 cells, explaining the rapid and effective in vivo cytotoxicity. Thus, our data suggest that zebrafish larvae can be used for rapid and cost-effective in vivo assessment of CAR-NK cell potency and to predict patient response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedha Murali Shankar
- Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paola Ortiz-Montero
- Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anastasia Kurzyukova
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wiebke Rackwitz
- Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan R. Künzel
- Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Knopf
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jiri Eitler
- Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
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23
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Elanany MM, Mostafa D, Hamdy NM. Remodeled tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) parade via natural killer cells reprogramming in breast cancer. Life Sci 2023; 330:121997. [PMID: 37536617 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Despite substantial advances in the identification and management of primary tumors, traditional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cannot completely eliminate the danger of relapse and metastatic illness. Metastasis is controlled by microenvironmental and systemic mechanisms, including immunosurveillance. This led to the evolvement of immunotherapies that has gained much attention in the recent years for cancer treatment directed to the innate immune system. The long forgotten innate immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as novel targets for more effective therapeutics for BC. Normally, NK cells has the capacity to identify and eradicate tumor cells either directly or by releasing cytotoxic granules, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, NK cells are exposed to inhibitory signals by cancer cells, which causes them to become dysfunctional in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in BC, supporting tumor escape and spread. Potential mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in BC metastasis have been recently identified. Understanding these immunologic pathways driving BC metastasis will lead to improvements in the current immunotherapeutic strategies. In the current review, we highlight how BC evades immunosurveillance by rendering NK cells dysfunctional and we shed the light on novel NK cell- directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Elanany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Mostafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Nadia M Hamdy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
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24
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Silvestre RN, Eitler J, de Azevedo JTC, Tirapelle MC, Fantacini DMC, de Souza LEB, Swiech K, Covas DT, Calado RT, Montero PO, Malmegrim KCR, Figueiredo ML, Tonn T, Picanço-Castro V. Engineering NK-CAR.19 cells with the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex improved proliferation and anti-tumor effect in vivo. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1226518. [PMID: 37818365 PMCID: PMC10561086 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Natural killer 92 (NK-92) cells are an attractive therapeutic approach as alternative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) carriers, different from T cells, once they can be used in the allogeneic setting. The modest in vivo outcomes observed with NK-92 cells continue to present hurdles in successfully translating NK-92 cell therapies into clinical applications. Adoptive transfer of CAR-NK-92 cells holds out the promise of therapeutic benefit at a lower rate of adverse events due to the absence of GvHD and cytokine release syndrome. However, it has not achieved breakthrough clinical results yet, and further improvement of CAR-NK-92 cells is necessary. Methods In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis between CD19-targeted CAR (CAR.19) co-expressing IL-15 (CAR.19-IL15) with IL-15/IL-15Rα (CAR.19-IL15/IL15Rα) to promote NK cell proliferation, activation, and cytotoxic activity against B-cell leukemia. CAR constructs were cloned into lentiviral vector and transduced into NK-92 cell line. Potency of CAR-NK cells were assessed against CD19-expressing cell lines NALM-6 or Raji in vitro and in vivo in a murine model. Tumor burden was measured by bioluminescence. Results We demonstrated that a fourth- generation CD19-targeted CAR (CAR.19) co-expressing IL-15 linked to its receptor IL-15/IL-15Rα (CAR.19-IL-15/IL-15Rα) significantly enhanced NK-92 cell proliferation, proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and cytotoxic activity against B-cell cancer cell lines in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. Conclusion Together with the results of the systematic analysis of the transcriptome of activated NK-92 CAR variants, this supports the notion that IL-15/IL-15Rα comprising fourth-generation CARs may overcome the limitations of NK-92 cell-based targeted tumor therapies in vivo by providing the necessary growth and activation signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Nacasaki Silvestre
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Jiri Eitler
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Mariane Cariati Tirapelle
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Eduardo Botelho de Souza
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Kamilla Swiech
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Dimas Tadeu Covas
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T. Calado
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Paola Ortiz Montero
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kelen Cristina Ribeiro Malmegrim
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Virginia Picanço-Castro
- Center for Cell-based Therapy CTC, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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25
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Wang X, Qiu W, Liu H, He M, He W, Li Z, Wu Z, Xu X, Chen P. The inducible secreting TLR5 agonist, CBLB502, enhances the anti-tumor activity of CAR133-NK92 cells in colorectal cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2023; 20:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0033. [PMID: 37731205 PMCID: PMC10546094 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CAR-T/NK cells have had limited success in the treatment of solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), in part because of the heterogeneous nature of tumor-associated antigens that lead to antigen-negative relapse after the initial response. This barrier might be overcome by enhancing the recruitment and durability of endogenous immune cells. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to assess the expression of CD133 antigen in tissue microarrays and cell lines, respectively. Retroviral vector transduction was used to generate CBLB502-secreting CAR133-NK92 cells (CAR133-i502-NK92). The tumor killing capacity of CAR133-NK92 cells in vitro and in vivo were quantified via LDH release, the RTCA assay, and the degranulation test, as well as measuring tumor bioluminescence signal intensity in mice xenografts. RESULTS We engineered CAR133-i502-NK92 cells and demonstrated that those cells displayed enhanced proliferation (9.0 × 104 cells vs. 7.0 × 104 cells) and specific anti-tumor activities in vitro and in a xenogeneic mouse model, and were well-tolerated. Notably, CBLB502 secreted by CAR133-i502-NK92 cells effectively activated endogenous immune cells. Furthermore, in hCD133+/hCD133- mixed cancer xenograft models, CAR133-i502-NK92 cells suppressed cancer growth better than the counterparts (n = 5, P = 0.0297). Greater T-cell infiltration was associated with greater anti-tumor potency (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Armed with a CBLB502 TLR5 agonist, CAR133-NK92 cells were shown to be capable of specifically eliminating CD133-positive colon cancer cells in a CAR133-dependent manner and indirectly eradicating CD133-negative colon cancer cells in a CBLB502-specific endogenous immune response manner. This study describes a novel technique for optimizing CAR-T/NK cells for the treatment of antigenically-diverse solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Haoyu Liu
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Min He
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Wei He
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhan Li
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- Department of Biotherapeutics, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Pfeifer Serrahima J, Zhang C, Oberoi P, Bodden M, Röder J, Arndt C, Feldmann A, Kiefer A, Prüfer M, Kühnel I, Tonn T, Bachmann M, Wels WS. Multivalent adaptor proteins specifically target NK cells carrying a universal chimeric antigen receptor to ErbB2 (HER2)-expressing cancers. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:2905-2918. [PMID: 36688995 PMCID: PMC10412657 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03374-x] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered immune effector cells constitute a promising approach for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, on-target/off-tumor toxicity and immune escape due to antigen loss represent considerable challenges. These may be overcome by adaptor CARs that are selectively triggered by bispecific molecules that crosslink the CAR with a tumor-associated surface antigen. Here, we generated NK cells carrying a first- or second-generation universal CAR (UniCAR) and redirected them to tumor cells with so-called target modules (TMs) which harbor an ErbB2 (HER2)-specific antibody domain for target cell binding and the E5B9 peptide recognized by the UniCAR. To investigate differential effects of the protein design on activity, we developed homodimeric TMs with one, two or three E5B9 peptides per monomer, and binding domains either directly linked or separated by an IgG4 Fc domain. The adaptor molecules were expressed as secreted proteins in Expi293F cells, purified from culture supernatants and their bispecific binding to UniCAR and ErbB2 was confirmed by flow cytometry. In cell killing experiments, all tested TMs redirected NK cell cytotoxicity selectively to ErbB2-positive tumor cells. Nevertheless, we found considerable differences in the extent of specific cell killing depending on TM design and CAR composition, with adaptor proteins carrying two or three E5B9 epitopes being more effective when combined with NK cells expressing the first-generation UniCAR, while the second-generation UniCAR was more active in the presence of TMs with one E5B9 sequence. These results may have important implications for the further development of optimized UniCAR and target module combinations for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Pfeifer Serrahima
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Congcong Zhang
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pranav Oberoi
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Malena Bodden
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Anne Kiefer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maren Prüfer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ines Kühnel
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC) Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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27
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Kiaei SZF, Nouralishahi A, Ghasemirad M, Barkhordar M, Ghaffari S, Kheradjoo H, Saleh M, Mohammadzadehsaliani S, Molaeipour Z. Advances in natural killer cell therapies for breast cancer. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:705-726. [PMID: 37282729 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12658] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer death in women. According to the American Cancer Society's yearly cancer statistics, BC constituted almost 15% of all the newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2022 for both sexes. Metastatic disease occurs in 30% of patients with BC. The currently available treatments fail to cure metastatic BC, and the average survival time for patients with metastatic BC is approximately 2 years. Developing a treatment method that terminates cancer stem cells without harming healthy cells is the primary objective of novel therapeutics. Adoptive cell therapy is a branch of cancer immunotherapy that utilizes the immune cells to attack cancer cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of innate immunity and are critical in destroying tumor cells without prior stimulation with antigens. With the advent of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), the autologous or allogeneic use of NK/CAR-NK cell therapy has raised new hopes for treating patients with cancer. Here, we describe recent developments in NK and CAR-NK cell immunotherapy, including the biology and function of NK cells, clinical trials, different sources of NK cells and their future perspectives on BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Zahra Fotook Kiaei
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Ghasemirad
- Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Maryam Barkhordar
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center (HORCSCT), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sasan Ghaffari
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Mahshid Saleh
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin Graduate School, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Zahra Molaeipour
- Hematology Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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28
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Couto SCF, Kowes A, Aurabi CS, Oliveira TGM, Klinger P, Rocha V. Autologous, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T/NK therapy: what is their real importance in PTCL? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1195759. [PMID: 37711206 PMCID: PMC10498763 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1195759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that affects mature T cells. This type of cancer is characterized by the abnormal growth of T cells, which can accumulate in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other organs, leading to a variety of symptoms. PTCLs are often difficult to diagnose and treat, and they have a poorer prognosis than other types of lymphoma. However, recent advancements in treatment options, such as targeted therapies have shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with PTCL. Here, we discuss the use of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) as a treatment strategy for patients with PTCL, as well as the recent treatment approaches based on advanced cellular therapy. The current evidence for the use of HCT in PTCL is mainly derived from registry data, retrospective studies, and expert opinion, as randomized trials are limited due to the low incidence and histological heterogeneity of PTCL subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C. F. Couto
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Fundação Pró-Sangue–Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel Kowes
- Fundação Pró-Sangue–Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Theo G. M. Oliveira
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Fundação Pró-Sangue–Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo Klinger
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderson Rocha
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Fundação Pró-Sangue–Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto D’Or de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, Brazil
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29
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Bodden M, Häcker A, Röder J, Kiefer A, Zhang C, Bhatti A, Pfeifer Serrahima J, Ullrich E, Kühnel I, Wels WS. Co-Expression of an IL-15 Superagonist Facilitates Self-Enrichment of GD 2-Targeted CAR-NK Cells and Mediates Potent Cell Killing in the Absence of IL-2. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4310. [PMID: 37686586 PMCID: PMC10486391 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells do not require prior sensitization but are rapidly activated upon encountering virally infected or neoplastic cells. In addition, NK cells can be safely applied in an allogeneic setting, making them important effector cells for the development of off-the-shelf therapeutics for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. To further enhance their therapeutic potential, here, we engineered continuously expanding NK-92 cells as a clinically relevant model to express a humanized second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) with a composite CD28-CD3ζ signaling domain (hu14.18.28.z) that targets the disialoganglioside GD2, which is expressed at high levels by neuroblastoma cells and other tumors of neuroectodermal origin. In a separate approach, we fused an IL-15 superagonist (RD-IL15) to the GD2-CAR via a P2A processing site. Lentivirally transduced NK-92/hu14.18.28.z and NK-92/hu14.18.28.z_RD-IL15 cells both displayed high and stable CAR surface expression and specific cytotoxicity toward GD2-positive tumor cells. GD2-CAR NK cells carrying the RD-IL15 construct in addition expressed the IL-15 superagonist, resulting in self-enrichment and targeted cell killing in the absence of exogenous IL-2. Furthermore, co-culture with RD-IL15-secreting GD2-CAR NK cells markedly enhanced proliferation and cytotoxicity of bystander immune cells in a paracrine manner. Our results demonstrate that GD2-CAR NK cells co-expressing the IL-15 superagonist mediate potent direct and indirect antitumor effects, suggesting this strategy as a promising approach for the further development of functionally enhanced cellular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Bodden
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Aline Häcker
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Röder
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anne Kiefer
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Congcong Zhang
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anita Bhatti
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jordi Pfeifer Serrahima
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Experimental Immunology and Cell Therapy, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ines Kühnel
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, a Partnership between DKFZ and University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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30
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Golubovskaya V, Sienkiewicz J, Sun J, Zhang S, Huang Y, Zhou H, Harto H, Xu S, Berahovich R, Wu L. CAR-NK Cells Generated with mRNA-LNPs Kill Tumor Target Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13364. [PMID: 37686170 PMCID: PMC10487516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713364] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that are critical for the innate immune system. Engineering NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) allows CAR-NK cells to target tumor antigens more effectively. In this report, we present novel CAR mRNA-LNP (lipid nanoparticle) technology to effectively transfect NK cells expanded from primary PBMCs and to generate functional CAR-NK cells. CD19-CAR mRNA and BCMA-CAR mRNA were embedded into LNPs that resulted in 78% and 95% CAR expression in NK cells, respectively. BCMA-CAR-NK cells after transfection with CAR mRNA-LNPs killed multiple myeloma RPMI8226 and MM1S cells and secreted IFN-gamma and Granzyme B in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In addition, CD19-CAR-NK cells generated with CAR mRNA-LNPs killed Daudi and Nalm-6 cells and secreted IFN-gamma and Granzyme B in a dose-dependent manner. Both BCMA-CAR-NK and CD19-CAR-NK cells showed significantly higher cytotoxicity, IFN-gamma, and Granzyme B secretion compared with normal NK cells. Moreover, CD19-CAR-NK cells significantly blocked Nalm-6 tumor growth in vivo. Thus, non-viral delivery of CAR mRNA-LNPs can be used to generate functional CAR-NK cells with high anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vita Golubovskaya
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - John Sienkiewicz
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Jinying Sun
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Shiming Zhang
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Yanwei Huang
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Hua Zhou
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Hizkia Harto
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Shirley Xu
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Robert Berahovich
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Lijun Wu
- Promab Biotechnologies, 2600 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (J.S.); (H.Z.); (H.H.); (R.B.)
- Laboratory for Critical Quality Attributes of Cell Therapy Products, Forevertek Biotechnology, Janshan Road, Changsha Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Changsha 410205, China
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31
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Heim C, Moser LM, Kreyenberg H, Bonig HB, Tonn T, Wels WS, Gradhand E, Ullrich E, Meister MT, Koerkamp MG, Holstege FCP, Drost J, Klusmann JH, Bader P, Merker M, Rettinger E. ErbB2 (HER2)-CAR-NK-92 cells for enhanced immunotherapy of metastatic fusion-driven alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228894. [PMID: 37662907 PMCID: PMC10471977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228894] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a challenging tumor entity that evades conventional treatments and endogenous antitumor immune responses, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Applying chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology to natural killer (NK) cells may offer safe, effective, and affordable therapies that enhance cancer immune surveillance. Methods Here, we assess the efficacy of clinically usable CAR-engineered NK cell line NK-92/5.28.z against ErbB2-positive RMS in vitro and in a metastatic xenograft mouse model. Results Our results show that NK-92/5.28.z cells effectively kill RMS cells in vitro and significantly prolong survival and inhibit tumor progression in mice. The persistence of NK-92/5.28.z cells at tumor sites demonstrates efficient antitumor response, which could help overcome current obstacles in the treatment of solid tumors. Discussion These findings encourage further development of NK-92/5.28.z cells as off-the-shelf immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrin Heim
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laura M. Moser
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, a Partnership Between DKFZ, University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Herman Kreyenberg
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Halvard B. Bonig
- Department of Cellular Therapeutics/Cell Processing, Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunotherapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, a Partnership Between DKFZ, University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elise Gradhand
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, a Partnership Between DKFZ, University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Experimental Immunology, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael T. Meister
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marian Groot Koerkamp
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Frank C. P. Holstege
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jan-Henning Klusmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, a Partnership Between DKFZ, University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Merker
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eva Rettinger
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, a Partnership Between DKFZ, University Hospital and Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Universitäres Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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32
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Zhang Y, Zhou W, Yang J, Yang J, Wang W. Chimeric antigen receptor engineered natural killer cells for cancer therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:70. [PMID: 37563648 PMCID: PMC10413722 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, a unique component of the innate immune system, are inherent killers of stressed and transformed cells. Based on their potent capacity to kill cancer cells and good tolerance of healthy cells, NK cells have been successfully employed in adoptive cell therapy to treat cancer patients. In recent years, the clinical success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells has proven the vast potential of gene-manipulated immune cells as the main force to fight cancer. Following the lessons learned from mature gene-transfer technologies and advanced strategies in CAR-T therapy, NK cells have been rapidly explored as a promising candidate for CAR-based therapy. An exponentially growing number of studies have employed multiple sources of CAR-NK cells to target a wide range of cancer-related antigens, showing remarkable outcomes and encouraging safety profiles. Clinical trials of CAR-NK cells have also shown their impressive therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of hematological tumors, but CAR-NK cell therapy for solid tumors is still in the initial stages. In this review, we present the favorable profile of NK cells as a potential platform for CAR-based engineering and then summarize the outcomes and strategies of CAR-NK therapies in up-to-date preclinical and clinical investigations. Finally, we evaluate the challenges remaining in CAR-NK therapy and describe existing strategies that can assist us in devising future prospective solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Weilin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangping Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinrong Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
- Hematology Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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Jin M, Kim CA, Bae DJ, Kim SY, Kim TY, Kim WB, Shong YK, Kim WG, Jeon MJ. Changes in peripheral blood immune cell population in thyroid cancer patients treated with lenvatinib. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12765. [PMID: 37550394 PMCID: PMC10406916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39503-w] [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: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated changes in the peripheral blood immune cell population in patients with advanced thyroid cancer receiving lenvatinib treatment to confirm the immune-modulatory effect of lenvatinib. After obtaining informed consent from patients, we prospectively collected 20 ml of whole blood at 2-3 months intervals 2-4 times from each patient; peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated, and the Maxpar Direct Immune Profiling Assay was performed. A total of 10 patients were enrolled, and 31 blood samples were obtained. The median age of patients was 65 years, and all patients showed durable responses to the lenvatinib treatment. When we compared the PBMC profiles between the pre-treatment, on-treatment, and off-treatment samples, the peripheral natural killer (NK) cell proportion differed significantly. The proportion of NK cells among total live cells significantly increased from 9.3 ± 4.5 (%) in the pre-treatment samples to 20.8 ± 7.9 (%) in the on-treatment samples (P = 0.009) and decreased to 13.3 ± 3.1 (%) in the off-treatment samples (P = 0.07). There was a significant increase in the peripheral NK cell population with lenvatinib treatment in advanced thyroid cancer patients. This finding confirms the immune-modulatory effect of lenvatinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Jin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, 3116, Korea
| | - Chae A Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Jun Bae
- PrismCDX Co., Ltd., 593-16, Dongtan Giheung-ro, Hwaseoung-si, 18469, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Sang-Yeob Kim
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 05505, Korea
| | - Tae Yong Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Bae Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kee Shong
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Gu Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ji Jeon
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
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Dagar G, Gupta A, Masoodi T, Nisar S, Merhi M, Hashem S, Chauhan R, Dagar M, Mirza S, Bagga P, Kumar R, Akil ASAS, Macha MA, Haris M, Uddin S, Singh M, Bhat AA. Harnessing the potential of CAR-T cell therapy: progress, challenges, and future directions in hematological and solid tumor treatments. J Transl Med 2023; 21:449. [PMID: 37420216 PMCID: PMC10327392 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04292-3] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional cancer treatments use nonspecific drugs and monoclonal antibodies to target tumor cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, however, leverages the immune system's T-cells to recognize and attack tumor cells. T-cells are isolated from patients and modified to target tumor-associated antigens. CAR-T therapy has achieved FDA approval for treating blood cancers like B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, large B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma by targeting CD-19 and B-cell maturation antigens. Bi-specific chimeric antigen receptors may contribute to mitigating tumor antigen escape, but their efficacy could be limited in cases where certain tumor cells do not express the targeted antigens. Despite success in blood cancers, CAR-T technology faces challenges in solid tumors, including lack of reliable tumor-associated antigens, hypoxic cores, immunosuppressive tumor environments, enhanced reactive oxygen species, and decreased T-cell infiltration. To overcome these challenges, current research aims to identify reliable tumor-associated antigens and develop cost-effective, tumor microenvironment-specific CAR-T cells. This review covers the evolution of CAR-T therapy against various tumors, including hematological and solid tumors, highlights challenges faced by CAR-T cell therapy, and suggests strategies to overcome these obstacles, such as utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to optimize clinical-grade CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Dagar
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ashna Gupta
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Nisar
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravi Chauhan
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Manisha Dagar
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sameer Mirza
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320, India
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
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Dastouri M, Kilic N, Yilmaz H. The apoptotic effects of NK-92 cells stimulated with an anti-CD226 antibody on MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Med Oncol 2023; 40:228. [PMID: 37410214 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02080-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Research on immunotherapy in breast cancer treatment has recently gained importance. In this context, natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to kill cancer cells without affecting normal cells. Our study used the NK-92 cells that were stimulated with anti-CD226 antibodies (sNK-92) to increase their activity to target MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. MCF-12A normal breast cells were used as the control in all experiments. The cytotoxic effects of NK-92 and sNK-92 cells on MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated using lactate dehydrogenase tests. The sNK-92 cells were more cytotoxic than NK-92 cells on MDA-MB-231 cells. In contrast, a significant cytotoxic change was not observed in MCF-12A cells cocultured with NK-92 and sNK-92 cells. An increase in granzyme B levels after coculturing with sNK-92 cells was investigated using the granzyme B enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The sNK-92 cells secreted more granzyme B than NK-92 cells against MDA-MB-231 cells. This increase was not observed in MCF-12A, indicating that sNK-92 cells specifically target cancer cells. In addition, immunostaining was used to investigate the synthesis level of BAX, CASP3, and CASP9 proteins to determine whether the observed cytotoxic effect was due to apoptosis. These proteins were synthesized more in MDA-MB-231 cells cocultured with sNK-92 than with NK-92 cells. However, no increase in their synthesis was observed in normal breast cells cocultured with NK-92 and sNK-92 cells. In conclusion, NK-92 cells stimulated with anti-CD226 antibodies secrete more granzyme B, resulting in a greater cytotoxic effect by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis). The fact that the observed effects on breast cancer cells were not observed in normal breast cells indicates that sNK-92 cells specifically target breast cancer cells. These results indicate the potential use of CD226-stimulated NK-92 cells in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Dastouri
- Ankara University Biotechnology Institute and SISBIYOTEK Advanced Research Unit, Gumusdere Yerleskesi, Kecioren, 06135, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Nil Kilic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Tandogan Campus, 06100, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Humeyra Yilmaz
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Turkey
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Mazinani M, Rahbarizadeh F. New cell sources for CAR-based immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2023; 11:49. [PMID: 37147740 PMCID: PMC10163725 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00482-9] [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: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] 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 striking success in some hematological malignancies in preclinical and clinical trials, resulting in six FDA-approved CAR-T products currently available in the market. Despite impressive clinical outcomes, concerns about treatment failure associated with low efficacy or high cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells remain. While the main focus has been on improving CAR-T cells, exploring alternative cellular sources for CAR generation has garnered growing interest. In the current review, we comprehensively evaluated other cell sources rather than conventional T cells for CAR generation.
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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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Lizana-Vasquez GD, Torres-Lugo M, Dixon R, Powderly JD, Warin RF. The application of autologous cancer immunotherapies in the age of memory-NK cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1167666. [PMID: 37205105 PMCID: PMC10185894 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1167666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy has revolutionized the oncology field, yielding improved results against hematological and solid malignancies. NK cells have become an attractive alternative due to their capacity to activate upon recognition of "stress" or "danger" signals independently of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) engagement, thus making tumor cells a perfect target for NK cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy even as an allogeneic solution. While this allogeneic use is currently favored, the existence of a characterized memory function for NK cells ("memory-like" NK cells) advocates for an autologous approach, that would benefit from the allogeneic setting discoveries, but with added persistence and specificity. Still, both approaches struggle to exert a sustained and high anticancer effect in-vivo due to the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and the logistical challenges of cGMP production or clinical deployment. Novel approaches focused on the quality enhancement and the consistent large-scale production of highly activated therapeutic memory-like NK cells have yielded encouraging but still unconclusive results. This review provides an overview of NK biology as it relates to cancer immunotherapy and the challenge presented by solid tumors for therapeutic NKs. After contrasting the autologous and allogeneic NK approaches for solid cancer immunotherapy, this work will present the current scientific focus for the production of highly persistent and cytotoxic memory-like NK cells as well as the current issues with production methods as they apply to stress-sensitive immune cells. In conclusion, autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy appears to be a prime alternative for front line therapeutics but to be successful, it will be critical to establish comprehensives infrastructures allowing the production of extremely potent NK cells while constraining costs of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaby D. Lizana-Vasquez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - Madeline Torres-Lugo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| | - R. Brent Dixon
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - John D. Powderly
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - Renaud F. Warin
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
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Ding T, Yu Y, Pan X, Chen H. Establishment of humanized mice and its application progress in cancer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2023; 15:679-697. [PMID: 37096919 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2022-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The current high prevalence of malignant tumors has attracted considerable attention, and treating advanced malignancies is becoming increasingly difficult. Although immunotherapy is a hopeful alternative, it is effective in only a few people. Thus, development of preclinical animal models is needed. Humanized xenotransplantation mouse models can help with selecting treatment protocols, evaluating curative effects and assessing prognosis. This review discusses the establishment of humanized mouse models and their application prospects in cancer immunotherapy to identify tailored therapies for individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlong Ding
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
- Department of Tumor Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
| | - Yang Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
| | - Xiaoyuan Pan
- Department of Vision Rehabilitation, Gansu Province Hospital Rehabilitation Center, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Tumor Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, PR China
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Faeq MH, Al-Haideri M, Mohammad TAM, Gharebakhshi F, Marofi F, Tahmasebi S, Modaresahmadi S. CAR-modified immune cells as a rapidly evolving approach in the context of cancer immunotherapies. Med Oncol 2023; 40:155. [PMID: 37083979 PMCID: PMC10119530 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02019-4] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, one of the main challenges clinicians face is malignancies. Through the progression of technology in recent years, tumor nature and tumor microenvironment (TME) can be better understood. Because of immune system involvement in tumorigenesis and immune cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment, clinicians encounter significant challenges in patient treatment and normal function recovery. The tumor microenvironment can stop the development of tumor antigen-specific helper and cytotoxic T cells in the tumor invasion process. Tumors stimulate the production of proinflammatory and immunosuppressive factors and cells that inhibit immune responses. Despite the more successful outcomes, the current cancer therapeutic approaches, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have not been effective enough for tumor eradication. Hence, developing new treatment strategies such as monoclonal antibodies, adaptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and cytokines helps improve cancer treatment. Among adoptive cell therapies, the interaction between the immune system and malignancies and using molecular biology led to the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. CAR-modified immune cells are one of the modern cancer therapeutic methods with encouraging outcomes in most hematological and solid cancers. The current study aimed to discuss the structure, formation, subtypes, and application of CAR immune cells in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Hikmat Faeq
- Student of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maysoon Al-Haideri
- Department of Physiotherapy, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Talar Ahmad Merza Mohammad
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Farshad Gharebakhshi
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Safa Tahmasebi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shadan Modaresahmadi
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Siences Center, Abilene, TX, USA
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Xia W, Chen J, Hou W, Chen J, Xiong Y, Li H, Qi X, Xu H, Xie Z, Li M, Zhang X, Li J. Engineering a HER2-CAR-NK Cell Secreting Soluble Programmed Cell Death Protein with Superior Antitumor Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076843. [PMID: 37047817 PMCID: PMC10094803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A new therapy strategy for relapsing patients who have received trastuzumab treatment urgently needs to be explored. HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing NK cells are being rapidly developed for solid tumor therapy, as they have many advantages over HER2-CAR-T cells. Endogenous soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) from the PD-1 extracellular domain blocks PD-1/PD-L1 interaction to promote cancer immunology. Herein, we engineered a new HER2-CAR-NK cell that co-expresses sPD-1 (designed as sPD-1-CAR-NK cells) and assessed its cytotoxic activities toward various cancer cells, activation of immunity and sPD-1 release in vitro and in mouse models bearing breast cancer cells with high HER2 expression, with or without trastuzumab resistance. We demonstrated that sPD-1-CAR-NK cells were able to release bioactive sPD-1, thereby enhancing the cytolytic activities of HER2-CAR-NK cells against HER2 and PD-L1 highly expressing target cells accompanied by increases in the secretion of perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ. In vivo, sPD-1-CAR-NK cells had superior immunological anticancer efficacy compared to HER2-CAR-NK cells, and they had advantages over HER2-CAR-NK cells in the intraperitoneal injection of sPD-1. Moreover, the infiltration and activation of NK and T cells into tumor tissue were increased in mice with sPD-1-CAR-NK cells. There was no significant change in the body temperature, organ tissue and body weight in all groups except for the group with the PD-1 injection. Together, these data indicate that HER2-specific sPD-1-CAR-NK cells can transport sPD-1 into cancer tissues with high HER2 expression, further improving the efficacy of HER-CAR-NK cells without obvious side effects. sPD-1-CAR-NK is a promising cytotherapeutic agent for patients bearing HER2-positive breast cancer, including those with trastuzumab resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjiao Xia
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wenqing Hou
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Junsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xin Qi
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Hui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 200126, China
| | - Zuoquan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 200126, China
| | - Mingfeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
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Mercogliano MF, Bruni S, Mauro FL, Schillaci R. Emerging Targeted Therapies for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071987. [PMID: 37046648 PMCID: PMC10093019 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death. HER2 overexpression is found in approximately 20% of breast cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis and a shorter overall survival. Tratuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the HER2 receptor, is the standard of care treatment. However, a third of the patients do not respond to therapy. Given the high rate of resistance, other HER2-targeted strategies have been developed, including monoclonal antibodies such as pertuzumab and margetuximab, trastuzumab-based antibody drug conjugates such as trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd), and tyrosine kinase inhibitors like lapatinib and tucatinib, among others. Moreover, T-DXd has proven to be of use in the HER2-low subtype, which suggests that other HER2-targeted therapies could be successful in this recently defined new breast cancer subclassification. When patients progress to multiple strategies, there are several HER2-targeted therapies available; however, treatment options are limited, and the potential combination with other drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells, CAR-NK, CAR-M, and vaccines is an interesting and appealing field that is still in development. In this review, we will discuss the highlights and pitfalls of the different HER2-targeted therapies and potential combinations to overcome metastatic disease and resistance to therapy.
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Pan S, Wang F, Jiang J, Lin Z, Chen Z, Cao T, Yang L. Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Natural Killer Cells: A New Breakthrough in the Treatment of Solid Tumours. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:153-162. [PMID: 36437159 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can quickly and directly eradicate tumour cells without recognising tumour-specific antigens. NK cells also participate in immune surveillance, which arouses great interest in the development of novel cancer therapies. The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) family is composed of receptor proteins that give immune cells extra capabilities to target specific antigen proteins or enhance their killing effects. CAR-T cell therapy has achieved initial success in haematological tumours, but is prone to adverse reactions, especially with cytokine release syndrome in clinical applications. Currently, CAR-NK cell therapy has been shown to successfully kill haematological tumour cells with allogeneic NK cells in clinical trials without adverse reactions, proving its potential to become an off-the-shelf product with broad clinical application prospects. Meanwhile, clinical trials of CAR-NK cells for solid tumours are currently underway. Here we will focus on the latest advances in CAR-NK cells, including preclinical and clinical trials in solid tumours, the advantages and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy and new strategies to improve the safety and efficacy of CAR-NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pan
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - F Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
| | - J Jiang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Z Lin
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Z Chen
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - T Cao
- Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - L Yang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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43
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Fares J, Davis ZB, Rechberger JS, Toll SA, Schwartz JD, Daniels DJ, Miller JS, Khatua S. Advances in NK cell therapy for brain tumors. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:17. [PMID: 36792722 PMCID: PMC9932101 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in treatment regimens that comprise surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, outcome of many brain tumors remains dismal, more so when they recur. The proximity of brain tumors to delicate neural structures often precludes complete surgical resection. Toxicity and long-term side effects of systemic therapy remain a concern. Novel therapies are warranted. The field of NK cell-based cancer therapy has grown exponentially and currently constitutes a major area of immunotherapy innovation. This provides a new avenue for the treatment of cancerous lesions in the brain. In this review, we explore the mechanisms by which the brain tumor microenvironment suppresses NK cell mediated tumor control, and the methods being used to create NK cell products that subvert immune suppression. We discuss the pre-clinical studies evaluating NK cell-based immunotherapies that target several neuro-malignancies and highlight advances in molecular imaging of NK cells that allow monitoring of NK cell-based therapeutics. We review current and ongoing NK cell based clinical trials in neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Fares
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Zachary B Davis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Julian S Rechberger
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Stephanie A Toll
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Jonathan D Schwartz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Section of Neuro-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - David J Daniels
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
| | - Soumen Khatua
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Section of Neuro-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Duro-Sánchez S, Alonso MR, Arribas J. Immunotherapies against HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041069. [PMID: 36831412 PMCID: PMC9954045 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. HER2-positive breast cancer, which represents 15-20% of all cases, is characterized by the overexpression of the HER2 receptor. Despite the variety of treatments available for HER2-positive breast cancer, both targeted and untargeted, many patients do not respond to therapy and relapse and eventually metastasize, with a poor prognosis. Immunotherapeutic approaches aim to enhance the antitumor immune response to prevent tumor relapse and metastasis. Several immunotherapies have been approved for solid tumors, but their utility for HER2-positive breast cancer has yet to be confirmed. In this review, we examine the different immunotherapeutic strategies being tested in HER2-positive breast cancer, from long-studied cancer vaccines to immune checkpoint blockade, which targets immune checkpoints in both T cells and tumor cells, as well as the promising adoptive cell therapy in various forms. We discuss how some of these new approaches may contribute to the prevention of tumor progression and be used after standard-of-care therapies for resistant HER2-positive breast tumors, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each. We conclude that immunotherapy holds great promise for the treatment of HER2-positive tumors, with the potential to completely eradicate tumor cells and prevent the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Duro-Sánchez
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Macarena Román Alonso
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquín Arribas
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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45
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Maalej KM, Merhi M, Inchakalody VP, Mestiri S, Alam M, Maccalli C, Cherif H, Uddin S, Steinhoff M, Marincola FM, Dermime S. CAR-cell therapy in the era of solid tumor treatment: current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:20. [PMID: 36717905 PMCID: PMC9885707 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01723-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 116.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic approach to fight cancers. This approach consists of genetically engineered immune cells expressing a surface receptor, called CAR, that specifically targets antigens expressed on the surface of tumor cells. In hematological malignancies like leukemias, myeloma, and non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas, adoptive CAR-T cell therapy has shown efficacy in treating chemotherapy refractory patients. However, the value of this therapy remains inconclusive in the context of solid tumors and is restrained by several obstacles including limited tumor trafficking and infiltration, the presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, as well as adverse events associated with such therapy. Recently, CAR-Natural Killer (CAR-NK) and CAR-macrophages (CAR-M) were introduced as a complement/alternative to CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors. CAR-NK cells could be a favorable substitute for CAR-T cells since they do not require HLA compatibility and have limited toxicity. Additionally, CAR-NK cells might be generated in large scale from several sources which would suggest them as promising off-the-shelf product. CAR-M immunotherapy with its capabilities of phagocytosis, tumor-antigen presentation, and broad tumor infiltration, is currently being investigated. Here, we discuss the emerging role of CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-M cells in solid tumors. We also highlight the advantages and drawbacks of CAR-NK and CAR-M cells compared to CAR-T cells. Finally, we suggest prospective solutions such as potential combination therapies to enhance the efficacy of CAR-cells immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karama Makni Maalej
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box: 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box: 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese P. Inchakalody
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box: 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box: 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Majid Alam
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Dermatology Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar ,grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- grid.467063.00000 0004 0397 4222Laboratory of Immune and Biological Therapy, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Honar Cherif
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XDepartment of Hematology, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Dermatology Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Dermatology Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar ,grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar ,grid.416973.e0000 0004 0582 4340Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar ,grid.412603.20000 0004 0634 1084College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar ,grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Francesco M. Marincola
- grid.418227.a0000 0004 0402 1634Global Head of Research, Kite Pharma, Santa Monica, California USA
| | - Said Dermime
- grid.413548.f0000 0004 0571 546XTranslational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box: 3050, Doha, Qatar ,grid.452146.00000 0004 1789 3191College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
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46
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Morimoto T, Nakazawa T, Maeoka R, Nakagawa I, Tsujimura T, Matsuda R. Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy against Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032111. [PMID: 36768432 PMCID: PMC9916747 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite multimodality treatment involving surgical resection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and tumor-treating fields, the median overall survival (OS) after diagnosis is approximately 2 years and the 5-year OS is poor. Considering the poor prognosis, novel treatment strategies are needed, such as immunotherapies, which include chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccine therapy, and oncolytic virus therapy. However, these therapies have not achieved satisfactory outcomes. One reason for this is that these therapies are mainly based on activating T cells and controlling GBM progression. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy involves the new feature of recognizing GBM via differing mechanisms from that of T cell-based immunotherapy. In this review, we focused on NK cell-based immunotherapy as a novel GBM treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Morimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nara City Hospital, Nara 630-8305, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.M.); (T.N.); Tel.: +81-744-22-3051 (T.M.); +81-745-84-9335 (T.N.)
| | - Tsutomu Nakazawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
- Grandsoul Research Institute for Immunology, Inc., Uda 633-2221, Japan
- Clinic Grandsoul Nara, Uda 633-2221, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.M.); (T.N.); Tel.: +81-744-22-3051 (T.M.); +81-745-84-9335 (T.N.)
| | - Ryosuke Maeoka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakagawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tsujimura
- Grandsoul Research Institute for Immunology, Inc., Uda 633-2221, Japan
- Clinic Grandsoul Nara, Uda 633-2221, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Matsuda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
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47
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Klingemann H. The NK-92 cell line-30 years later: its impact on natural killer cell research and treatment of cancer. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:451-457. [PMID: 36610812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The NK-92 cell line, established in 1992, mirrors all the characteristics of highly active blood natural killer (NK) cells but with much broader and greater cytotoxicity. The cell line was established from the blood cells of a patient with lymphoma and has been made widely available for research since it was deposited into the American Type Culture Collection in 1998. The worldwide distribution of NK-92 cells has led to a plethora of scientific discoveries that have greatly increased the understanding of NK-cell biology. NK-92 cells also have been developed for clinical use, overcoming the challenges of obtaining and expanding NK cells from donor or patient blood. More than 100 patients with cancer have now been treated all over the world with unmodified or genetically engineered NK-92 cells. Modified cells include high-affinity Fc-receptor expressing NK-92 cells (haNKR) and various chimeric antigen receptor targeted haNK cells (t-haNKTM). Infusions of either unmodified or modified NK-92 cells have been reported to be safe and efficacious, leading in some cases to disease remission even in patients who had failed multiple previous lines of therapy. It is the purpose of this review to distill the plethora of scientific data on NK-92 cells and its genetic variants, highlighting relevant experimental findings that have contributed to a better understanding of NK cell biology and summarize the therapeutic potential of these cells for treatment of cancer and infections.
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48
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Darvishi M, Tosan F, Nakhaei P, Manjili DA, Kharkouei SA, Alizadeh A, Ilkhani S, Khalafi F, Zadeh FA, Shafagh SG. Recent progress in cancer immunotherapy: Overview of current status and challenges. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 241:154241. [PMID: 36543080 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer treatment is presently one of the most important challenges in medical science. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or combining these methods is used to eliminate the tumor. Hormone therapy, bone marrow transplantation, stem cell therapy as well as immunotherapy are other well-known therapeutic modalities. Immunotherapy, as the most important complementary method, uses the immune system for treating cancer followed by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This method is systematically used to prevent malignancies development mainly via potentiating antitumor immune cells activation and conversely compromising their exhaustion with the lowest negative effects on healthy cells. Active immunotherapy can be employed for cancer immunotherapy by directly using the ingredients of the immune system and activating immune responses. On the other hand, inactive immunotherapy is utilized by indirect induction and using immune cell-based products consisting of monoclonal antibodies. It has strongly been proved that combination therapy with immunotherapies and other therapeutic means, such as anti-angiogenic agents, could be a rational plan to treat cancer. Herein, we have focused on recent findings concerning the therapeutic merits of cancer therapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cell transfer (ACT) and cancer vaccine alone or in combination with other approaches. Also, we offer a glimpse into the current challenges in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Darvishi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center (IDTMRC), Department of Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine, AJA University of Medicinal Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Foad Tosan
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Pooria Nakhaei
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Danial Amiri Manjili
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | | | - Ali Alizadeh
- Department of Digital Health, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saba Ilkhani
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farima Khalafi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Strecker M, Wlotzka K, Strassheimer F, Roller B, Ludmirski G, König S, Röder J, Opitz C, Alekseeva T, Reul J, Sevenich L, Tonn T, Wels W, Steinbach J, Buchholz C, Burger M. AAV-mediated gene transfer of a checkpoint inhibitor in combination with HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells as experimental therapy for glioblastoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2127508. [PMID: 36249274 PMCID: PMC9559045 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2127508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary brain tumor, which is characterized by low immunogenicity of tumor cells and prevalent immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeted local combination immunotherapy is a promising strategy to overcome these obstacles. Here, we evaluated tumor-cell specific delivery of an anti-PD-1 immunoadhesin (aPD-1) via a targeted adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) as well as HER2-specific NK-92/5.28.z (anti-HER2.CAR/NK-92) cells as components for a combination immunotherapy. In co-culture experiments, target-activated anti-HER2.CAR/NK-92 cells modified surrounding tumor cells and bystander immune cells by triggering the release of inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of PD-L1. Tumor cell-specific delivery of aPD-1 was achieved by displaying a HER2-specific designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) on the AAV surface. HER2-AAV mediated gene transfer into GB cells correlated with HER2 expression levels, without inducing anti-viral responses in transduced cells. Furthermore, AAV-transduction did not interfere with anti-HER2.CAR/NK-92 cell-mediated tumor cell lysis. After selective transduction of HER2+ cells, aPD-1 expression was detected at the mRNA and protein level. The aPD-1 immunoadhesin was secreted in a time-dependent manner, bound its target on PD-1-expressing cells and was able to re-activate T cells by efficiently disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Moreover, high intratumoral and low systemic aPD-1 concentrations were achieved following local injection of HER2-AAV into orthotopic tumor grafts in vivo. aPD-1 was selectively produced in tumor tissue and could be detected up to 10 days after a single HER2-AAV injection. In subcutaneous GL261-HER2 and Tu2449-HER2 immunocompetent mouse models, administration of the combination therapy significantly prolonged survival, including complete tumor control in several animals in the GL261-HER2 model. In summary, local therapy with aPD-1 encoding HER2-AAVs in combination with anti-HER2.CAR/NK-92 cells may be a promising novel strategy for GB immunotherapy with the potential to enhance efficacy and reduce systemic side effects of immune-checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.I. Strecker
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - K. Wlotzka
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - F. Strassheimer
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - B. Roller
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - G. Ludmirski
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - S. König
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J. Röder
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - C. Opitz
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - T. Alekseeva
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J. Reul
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Langen, Germany
| | - L. Sevenich
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - T. Tonn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - W.S. Wels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J.P. Steinbach
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - C.J. Buchholz
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Langen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M.C. Burger
- Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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50
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Ghaedrahmati F, Esmaeil N, Abbaspour M. Targeting immune checkpoints: how to use natural killer cells for fighting against solid tumors. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 43:177-213. [PMID: 36585761 PMCID: PMC9926962 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12394] [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] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate immune cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. Thus, they might hold great potential for cancer immunotherapy. NK cell adoptive immunotherapy in humans has shown modest efficacy. In particular, it has failed to demonstrate therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of solid tumors, possibly due in part to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which reduces NK cell immunotherapy's efficiencies. It is known that immune checkpoints play a prominent role in creating an immunosuppressive TME, leading to NK cell exhaustion and tumor immune escape. Therefore, NK cells must be reversed from their dysfunctional status and increased in their effector roles in order to improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Blockade of immune checkpoints can not only rescue NK cells from exhaustion but also augment their robust anti-tumor activity. In this review, we discussed immune checkpoint blockade strategies with a focus on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells to redirect NK cells to cancer cells in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeil
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran,Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‐Communicable DiseaseIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Maryam Abbaspour
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyFaculty of PharmacyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
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