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Barisic S, Cherkasova E, Nadal R, Tian X, Chen L, Parrizzi A, Reger RN, Scurti GM, Nishimura MI, Childs RW. Quantification of circulating TCR-engineered T cells targeting a human endogenous retrovirus post-adoptive transfer using nanoplate digital PCR. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101324. [PMID: 39319301 PMCID: PMC11419864 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
In vivo expansion of genetically modified T cells in cancer patients following adoptive transfer has been linked to both anti-tumor activity and T cell-mediated toxicities. The development of digital PCR has improved the accuracy in quantifying the in vivo status of adoptively infused T cells compared to qPCR or flow cytometry. Here, we developed and evaluated the feasibility and performance of nanoplate-based digital PCR (ndPCR) to quantify adoptively infused T cells engineered with a T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes a human endogenous retrovirus type E (HERV-E) antigen. Analysis of blood samples collected from patients with metastatic kidney cancer following the infusion of HERV-E TCR-transduced T cells established the limit of detection of ndPCR to be 0.3 transgene copies/μL of reaction. The lower limit of quantification for ndPCR was one engineered T cell per 10,000 PBMCs, which outperformed both qPCR and flow cytometry by 1 log. High inter-test and test-retest reliability was confirmed by analyzing blood samples collected from multiple patients. In conclusion, we demonstrated the feasibility of ndPCR for detecting and monitoring the fate of TCR-engineered T cells in adoptive cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Barisic
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elena Cherkasova
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rosa Nadal
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Tian
- Office of Biostatistics Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Long Chen
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Angelina Parrizzi
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert N Reger
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gina M Scurti
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | | | - Richard W Childs
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Rennert PD, Dufort FJ, Su L, Sanford T, Birt A, Wu L, Lobb RR, Ambrose C. Anti-CD19 CAR T Cells That Secrete a Biparatopic Anti-CLEC12A Bridging Protein Have Potent Activity Against Highly Aggressive Acute Myeloid Leukemia In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2071-2081. [PMID: 34253594 PMCID: PMC9398100 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-1030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains an incurable malignancy despite the clinical use of novel targeted therapies, new antibody-based therapies, and cellular therapeutics. Here, we describe the preclinical development of a novel cell therapy that targets the antigen CLEC12A with a biparatopic bridging protein. Bridging proteins are designed as "CAR-T cell engagers," with a CAR-targeted protein fused to antigen binding domains derived from antibodies. Here, we created a CD19-anti-CLEC12A bridging protein that binds to CAR19 T cells and to the antigen CLEC12A. Biparatopic targeting increases the potency of bridging protein-mediated cytotoxicity by CAR19 T cells. Using CAR19 T cells that secrete the bridging protein we demonstrate potent activity against aggressive leukemic cell lines in vivo This CAR-engager platform is facile and modular, as illustrated by activity of a dual-antigen bridging protein targeting CLEC12A and CD33, designed to counter tumor heterogeneity and antigen escape, and created without the need for extensive CAR T-cell genetic engineering. CAR19 T cells provide an optimal cell therapy platform with well-understood inherent persistence and fitness characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Rennert
- Corresponding Author: Paul D. Rennert, Research & Development, Aleta Biotherapeutics Inc., Natick, MA 01760. Phone: 508-282-6370; E-mail:
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Johanna I, Straetemans T, Heijhuurs S, Aarts-Riemens T, Norell H, Bongiovanni L, de Bruin A, Sebestyen Z, Kuball J. Evaluating in vivo efficacy - toxicity profile of TEG001 in humanized mice xenografts against primary human AML disease and healthy hematopoietic cells. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:69. [PMID: 30871629 PMCID: PMC6419469 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0558-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND γ9δ2T cells, which express Vγ9 and Vδ2 chains of the T cell receptor (TCR), mediate cancer immune surveillance by sensing early metabolic changes in malignant leukemic blast and not their healthy hematopoietic stem counterparts via the γ9δ2TCR targeting joined conformational and spatial changes of CD277 at the cell membrane (CD277J). This concept led to the development of next generation CAR-T cells, so-called TEGs: αβT cells Engineered to express a defined γδTCR. The high affinity γ9δ2TCR clone 5 has recently been selected within the TEG format as a clinical candidate (TEG001). However, exploring safety and efficacy against a target, which reflects an early metabolic change in tumor cells, remains challenging given the lack of appropriate tools. Therefore, we tested whether TEG001 is able to eliminate established leukemia in a primary disease model, without harming other parts of the healthy hematopoiesis in vivo. METHODS Separate sets of NSG mice were respectively injected with primary human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts and cord blood-derived human progenitor cells from healthy donors. These mice were then treated with TEG001 and mock cells. Tumor burden and human cells engraftment were measured in peripheral blood and followed up over time by quantifying for absolute cell number by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric 2-tailed Mann-Whitney t-test. RESULTS We successfully engrafted primary AML blasts and healthy hematopoietic cells after 6-8 weeks. Here we report that metabolic cancer targeting through TEG001 eradicated established primary leukemic blasts in vivo, while healthy hematopoietic compartments derived from human cord-blood remained unharmed in spite of TEGs persistence up to 50 days after infusion. No additional signs of off-target toxicity were observed in any other tissues. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of humanized PD-X models, targeting CD277J by TEG001 is safe and efficient. Therefore, we have initiated clinical testing of TEG001 in a phase I first-in-human clinical trial (NTR6541; date of registration 25 July 2017).
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Affiliation(s)
- Inez Johanna
- Department of Hematology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Trudy Straetemans
- Department of Hematology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Heijhuurs
- Department of Hematology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tineke Aarts-Riemens
- Department of Hematology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Håkan Norell
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Laura Bongiovanni
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dutch Molecular Pathology Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alain de Bruin
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dutch Molecular Pathology Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zsolt Sebestyen
- Department of Hematology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Kuball
- Department of Hematology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Tomuleasa C, Fuji S, Berce C, Onaciu A, Chira S, Petrushev B, Micu WT, Moisoiu V, Osan C, Constantinescu C, Pasca S, Jurj A, Pop L, Berindan-Neagoe I, Dima D, Kitano S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells for the Treatment of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29515572 PMCID: PMC5825894 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell technology has seen a rapid development over the last decade mostly due to the potential that these cells may have in treating malignant diseases. It is a generally accepted principle that very few therapeutic compounds deliver a clinical response without treatment-related toxicity, and studies have shown that CAR T-cells are not an exception to this rule. While large multinational drug companies are currently investigating the potential role of CAR T-cells in hematological oncology, the potential of such cellular therapies are being recognized worldwide as they are expected to expand in the patient to support the establishment of the immune memory, provide a continuous surveillance to prevent and/or treat a relapse, and keep the targeted malignant cell subpopulation in check. In this article, we present the possible advantages of using CAR T-cells in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, presenting the technology and the current knowledge in their preclinical and early clinical trial use. Thus, this article first presents the main present-day knowledge on the standard of care for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Afterward, current knowledge is presented about the use of CAR T-cells in cancer immunotherapy, describing their design, the molecular constructs, and the preclinical data on murine models to properly explain the background for their clinical use. Last, but certainly not least, this article presents the use of CAR T-cells for the immunotherapy of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, describing both their potential clinical advantages and the possible side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Tomuleasa
- Department of Hematology, Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta, Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Shigeo Fuji
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Cristian Berce
- Animal Facility, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Onaciu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Sergiu Chira
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Bobe Petrushev
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Wilhelm-Thomas Micu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad Moisoiu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Ciprian Osan
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Catalin Constantinescu
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Sergiu Pasca
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Ancuta Jurj
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Laura Pop
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Delia Dima
- Department of Hematology, Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Shigehisa Kitano
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Brown CE, Adusumilli PS. Next frontiers in CAR T-cell therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2016; 3:16028. [PMID: 27990476 PMCID: PMC5129836 DOI: 10.1038/mto.2016.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Brown
- T cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope National Medical Center , Duarte, California, USA
| | - Prasad S Adusumilli
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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