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Russell GC, Hamzaoui Y, Rho D, Sutrave G, Choi JS, Missan DS, Reckard GA, Gustafson MP, Kim GB. Synthetic biology approaches for enhancing safety and specificity of CAR-T cell therapies for solid cancers. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:842-857. [PMID: 38639669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.03.484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapies have been successful in treating numerous hematologic malignancies as the T cell can be engineered to target a specific antigen associated with the disease. However, translating CAR-T cell therapies for solid cancers is proving more challenging due to the lack of truly tumor-associated antigens and the high risk of off-target toxicities. To combat this, numerous synthetic biology mechanisms are being incorporated to create safer and more specific CAR-T cells that can be spatiotemporally controlled with increased precision. Here, we seek to summarize and analyze the advancements for CAR-T cell therapies with respect to clinical implementation, from the perspective of synthetic biology and immunology. This review should serve as a resource for further investigation and growth within the field of personalized cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace C Russell
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Yassin Hamzaoui
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Daniel Rho
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Gaurav Sutrave
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Immuno & Gene Therapy Committee, International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joseph S Choi
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Dara S Missan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Gabrielle A Reckard
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael P Gustafson
- Immuno & Gene Therapy Committee, International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Gloria B Kim
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
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Wenyao C, Shuai M, Yifeng F, Xinzhi L, Xiangyong Q. Combined use of niraparib enhanced the inhibitory effect of Anti-GD2 antibody on osteosarcoma cells. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:304. [PMID: 39048747 PMCID: PMC11269552 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01166-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the effect of Niraparib in combination with an Anti-GD2 Antibody on osteosarcoma cells. METHODS Scratch test was utilized to assess cell migration capacity, while the Transwell experiment was utilized to evaluate cell invasion potential. Cell proliferation was measured using the CCK8 experiment. The affinity between the anti-GD2 antibody and its antigen was determined via ELISA. Tumor growth was evaluated through animal experiments. Western blotting, QRT-PCR, and histological analysis were conducted to examine the expression of relevant proteins and mRNAs. RESULTS MG63 cell line was used for an example. The scratch test showed that the migration rate of osteosarcoma cells in Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 1.07 ± 0.04 after 48 h, and 0.34 ± 0.04 in the Control group. Transwell experiment showed that the invasion ability of osteosarcoma cells in Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 21.0 ± 1.5, and that in Control group was 87.7 ± 2.9. CCK8 experiment showed that the absorbance value of Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 0.16 ± 0.10 on day 5, and that of the Control group was 0.76 ± 0.09. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of BALP and CICP in Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group were 0.751 ± 0.135 and 1.086 ± 0.115, respectively, and those in Control group were 1.025 ± 0.143 and 1.216 ± 0.168, respectively. QRT-PCR results showed that the absorbance values of Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group were 0.173 ± 0.065 and 0.170 ± 0.078 on day 14. The results of animal experiments showed that on day 5, the tumor volume of the Control group was 2433 ± 391, and that of the Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 1137 ± 148. Histological analysis showed that the mean density values of Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group were 0.19 ± 0.08 and 0.22 ± 0.07, and those of Control group were 0.26 ± 0.09 and 0.29 ± 0.10. CONCLUSION The combination of Niraparib and Anti-GD2 antibody significantly inhibits Osteosarcoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wenyao
- Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, No. 410, Yiling Avenue, Yichang, 443001, China
| | - Ma Shuai
- Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, No. 410, Yiling Avenue, Yichang, 443001, China
| | - Fan Yifeng
- Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, No. 410, Yiling Avenue, Yichang, 443001, China
| | - Li Xinzhi
- Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, No. 410, Yiling Avenue, Yichang, 443001, China
| | - Que Xiangyong
- Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, No. 410, Yiling Avenue, Yichang, 443001, China.
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Wachholz GE, Akbari P, Huijbers EJM, Jalan P, van Beijnum JR, Griffioen AW. Targeting endothelial cell anergy to improve CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189155. [PMID: 39019408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189155] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy presents significant results, especially for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, there are limitations and challenges to be overcome to achieve similar success for the treatment of solid tumors. These challenges involve selection of the target, infiltration into the tumor microenvironment and maintenance of functionality. The tumor vasculature is a major barrier for leukocytes to enter the tumor parenchyma. Due to the exposure of the vasculature to angiogenic growth factors during tumor progression, the endothelial cells become anergic to inflammatory cytokines, resulting in reduced leukocyte adhesion molecule expression. As such adhesion molecules are a prerequisite for leukocyte extravasation, endothelial cell anergy allows tumors to escape from endogenous immunity, as well as from cellular immunotherapies such as CAR T cells. Hence, overcoming endothelial cell anergy, e.g. through the administration of angiogenesis inhibitors, is believed to restore anti-tumor immunity. Concomitantly, both endogenous immune cells as well as cellular therapeutics such as CAR T cells can permeate into the tumor parenchyma. Here, we discuss how prior or concomitant treatment with an antiangiogenic drug can improve CAR T cell therapy, to become an attractive strategy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela E Wachholz
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Parvin Akbari
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Prachi Jalan
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judy R van Beijnum
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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4
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Garibyan M, Hoffman T, Makaske T, Do SK, Wu Y, Williams BA, March AR, Cho N, Pedroncelli N, Lima RE, Soto J, Jackson B, Santoso JW, Khademhosseini A, Thomson M, Li S, McCain ML, Morsut L. Engineering programmable material-to-cell pathways via synthetic notch receptors to spatially control differentiation in multicellular constructs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5891. [PMID: 39003263 PMCID: PMC11246427 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors are genetically encoded, modular synthetic receptors that enable mammalian cells to detect environmental signals and respond by activating user-prescribed transcriptional programs. Although some materials have been modified to present synNotch ligands with coarse spatial control, applications in tissue engineering generally require extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffolds and/or finer spatial positioning of multiple ligands. Thus, we develop here a suite of materials that activate synNotch receptors for generalizable engineering of material-to-cell signaling. We genetically and chemically fuse functional synNotch ligands to ECM proteins and ECM-derived materials. We also generate tissues with microscale precision over four distinct reporter phenotypes by culturing cells with two orthogonal synNotch programs on surfaces microcontact-printed with two synNotch ligands. Finally, we showcase applications in tissue engineering by co-transdifferentiating fibroblasts into skeletal muscle or endothelial cell precursors in user-defined micropatterns. These technologies provide avenues for spatially controlling cellular phenotypes in mammalian tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mher Garibyan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tyler Hoffman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thijs Makaske
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Utrecht University in the lab of Prof. Dr. Lukas Kapitein, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Stephanie K Do
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian A Williams
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alexander R March
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Nathan Cho
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Pedroncelli
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ricardo Espinosa Lima
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Soto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brooke Jackson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Santoso
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Matt Thomson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Megan L McCain
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Leonardo Morsut
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Kendsersky NM, Odrobina M, Mabe NW, Farrel A, Grossmann L, Tsang M, Groff D, Wolpaw AJ, Zammarchi F, van Berkel PH, Dang CV, Mossé YP, Stegmaier K, Maris JM. Lineage-dependence of the neuroblastoma surfaceome defines tumor cell state-dependent and independent immunotherapeutic targets. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.27.600865. [PMID: 39005383 PMCID: PMC11244869 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.27.600865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous disease with adrenergic (ADRN)- and therapy resistant mesenchymal (MES)-like cells driven by distinct transcription factor networks. Here, we investigate the expression of immunotherapeutic targets in each neuroblastoma subtype and propose pan-neuroblastoma and cell state specific targetable cell-surface proteins. Methods We characterized cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and patient samples as ADRN-dominant or MES- dominant to define subtype-specific and pan-neuroblastoma gene sets. Targets were validated with ChIP- sequencing, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry in neuroblastoma cell lines and isogenic ADRN-to-MES transition cell line models. Finally, we evaluated the activity of MES-specific agents in vivo and in vitro . Results Most immunotherapeutic targets being developed for neuroblastoma showed significantly higher expression in the ADRN subtype with limited expression in MES-like tumor cells. In contrast, CD276 (B7-H3) and L1CAM maintained expression across both ADRN and MES states. We identified several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) enriched in MES-dominant samples and showed that AXL targeting with ADCT-601 was potently cytotoxic in MES-dominant cell lines and showed specific anti-tumor activity in a MES cell line-derived xenograft. Conclusions Immunotherapeutic strategies for neuroblastoma must address the potential of epigenetic downregulation of antigen density as a mechanism for immune evasion. We identified several RTKs as candidate MES-specific immunotherapeutic target proteins for the elimination of therapy-resistant cells. We hypothesize that the phenomena of immune escape will be less likely when targeting pan-neuroblastoma cell surface proteins such as B7-H3 and L1CAM, and/or dual targeting strategies that consider both the ADRN- and MES-cell states. Key Points Cellular plasticity influences the abundance of immunotherapeutic targets.Subtype-specific targets may be susceptible to epigenetically-mediated downregulation.Immunotherapeutic targets in development, B7-H3 and L1CAM, show "pan-subtype" expression. Importance of Study Neuroblastoma is a lethal childhood malignancy that shows cellular plasticity in response to anti-cancer therapies. Several plasma membrane proteins are being developed as immunotherapeutic targets in this disease. Here we define which cell surface proteins are susceptible to epigenetically regulated downregulation during an adrenergic to mesenchymal cell state switch and propose immunotherapeutic strategies to anticipate and circumvent acquired immunotherapeutic resistance.
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Pathania AS, Chava H, Chaturvedi NK, Chava S, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. The miR-29 family facilitates the activation of NK-cell immune responses by targeting the B7-H3 immune checkpoint in neuroblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:428. [PMID: 38890285 PMCID: PMC11189583 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06791-7] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer that originates from immature nerve cells, presenting significant treatment challenges due to therapy resistance. Despite intensive treatment, approximately 50% of high-risk NB cases exhibit therapy resistance or experience relapse, resulting in poor outcomes often associated with tumor immune evasion. B7-H3 is an immune checkpoint protein known to inhibit immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Our study aims to explore the impact of miRNAs on B7-H3 regulation, the anti-tumor immune response, and tumorigenicity in NB. Analysis of NB patients and patient-derived xenograft tumors revealed a correlation between higher B7-H3 expression and poorer patient survival. Notably, deceased patients exhibited a depletion of miR-29 family members (miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c), which displayed an inverse association with B7-H3 expression in NB patients. Overexpression and knockdown experiments demonstrated that these miRNAs degrade B7-H3 mRNA, resulting in enhanced NK cell activation and cytotoxicity. In vivo, experiments provided further evidence that miR-29 family members reduce tumorigenicity, macrophage infiltration, and microvessel density, promote infiltration and activation of NK cells, and induce tumor cell apoptosis. These findings offer a rationale for developing more effective combination treatments that leverage miRNAs to target B7-H3 in NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup S Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Haritha Chava
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Srinivas Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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7
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Cortese M, Torchiaro E, D'Andrea A, Petti C, Invrea F, Franco L, Donini C, Leuci V, Leto SM, Vurchio V, Cottino F, Isella C, Arena S, Vigna E, Bertotti A, Trusolino L, Sangiolo D, Medico E. Preclinical efficacy of a HER2 synNotch/CEA-CAR combinatorial immunotherapy against colorectal cancer with HER2 amplification. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00405-2. [PMID: 38894542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
HER2 amplification occurs in approximately 5% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and is associated only partially with clinical response to combined human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted treatment. An alternative approach based on adoptive cell therapy using T cells engineered with anti-HER2 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) proved to be toxic due to on-target/off-tumor activity. Here we describe a combinatorial strategy to safely target HER2 amplification and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression in CRC using a synNotch-CAR-based artificial regulatory network. The natural killer (NK) cell line NK-92 was engineered with an anti-HER2 synNotch receptor driving the expression of a CAR against CEA only when engaged. After being transduced and sorted for HER2-driven CAR expression, cells were cloned. The clone with optimal performances in terms of specificity and amplitude of CAR induction demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo specifically against HER2-amplified (HER2amp)/CEA+ CRC models, with no effects on cells with physiological HER2 levels. The HER2-synNotch/CEA-CAR-NK system provides an innovative, scalable, and safe off-the-shelf cell therapy approach with potential against HER2amp CRC resistant or partially responsive to HER2/EGFR blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cortese
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
| | - Erica Torchiaro
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Alice D'Andrea
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Consalvo Petti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Federica Invrea
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Letizia Franco
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Chiara Donini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Valeria Leuci
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Isella
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Sabrina Arena
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Elisa Vigna
- University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Andrea Bertotti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Livio Trusolino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Enzo Medico
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; University of Turin, Department of Oncology, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
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Epperly R, Gottschalk S, DeRenzo C. CAR T cells redirected to B7-H3 for pediatric solid tumors: Current status and future perspectives. EJC PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY 2024; 3:100160. [PMID: 38957786 PMCID: PMC11218663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2024.100160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite intensive therapies, pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors have poor outcomes and need novel treatments. Immune therapies offer an alternative to conventional treatment options but require the identification of differentially expressed antigens to direct antitumor activity to sites of disease. B7-H3 (CD276) is an immune regulatory protein that is expressed in a range of malignancies and has limited expression in normal tissues. B7-H3 is highly expressed in pediatric solid tumors including osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, and many rare tumors. In this article we review B7-H3-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (B7-H3-CAR) T cell therapies for pediatric solid tumors, reporting preclinical development strategies and outlining the landscape of active pediatric clinical trials. We identify challenges to the success of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors including localizing to and penetrating solid tumor sites, evading the hostile tumor microenvironment, supporting T cell expansion and persistence, and avoiding intrinsic tumor resistance. We highlight strategies to overcome these challenges and enhance the effect of B7-H3-CAR T cells, including advanced CAR T cell design and incorporation of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Epperly
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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Louault K, De Clerck YA, Janoueix-Lerosey I. The neuroblastoma tumor microenvironment: From an in-depth characterization towards novel therapies. EJC PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY 2024; 3:100161. [PMID: 39036648 PMCID: PMC11259008 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2024.100161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system that develops in young children, either as low-risk or high-risk disease. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is now recognized as an important player of the tumor ecosystem that may promote drug resistance and immune escape. Targeting the TME in combination with therapies directly targeting tumor cells therefore represents an interesting strategy to prevent the emergence of resistance in cancer and improve patient's outcome. The development of such strategies however requires an in-depth understanding of the TME landscape, due to its high complexity and intra and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. Various approaches have been used in the last years to characterize the immune and non-immune cell populations present in tumors of neuroblastoma patients, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in particular with the use of single-cell transcriptomics. It is anticipated that in the near future, both genomic and TME information in tumors will contribute to a precise approach to therapy in neuroblastoma. Deciphering the mechanisms of interaction between neuroblastoma cells and stromal or immune cells in the TME is key to identify novel therapeutic combinations. Over the last decade, numerous in vitro studies and in vivo pre-clinical experiments in immune-competent and immune-deficient models have identified therapeutic approaches to circumvent drug resistance and immune escape. Some of these studies have formed the basis for early phase I and II clinical trials in children with recurrent and refractory high-risk neuroblastoma. This review summarizes recently published data on the characterization of the TME landscape in neuroblastoma and novel strategies targeting various TME cellular components, molecules and pathways activated as a result of the tumor-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Louault
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer, and Blood Disease Institute, 4650 Sunset Bld., Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yves A. De Clerck
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer, and Blood Disease Institute, 4650 Sunset Bld., Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California, CA, USA
| | - Isabelle Janoueix-Lerosey
- Curie Institute, PSL Research University, Inserm U830, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Curie Institute, Paris, France
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Wu H, Zhang G, Liu Z, Liu W, Wang X, Zhao Y. Enhanced anti-tumor activity mediated by combination chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting GD2 and GPC2 in high-risk neuroblastoma. Cytotherapy 2024:S1465-3249(24)00732-1. [PMID: 38904586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.05.023] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells targeting single antigens show limited activity against solid tumors due to poor T cell persistence, low efficiency infiltration, and exhaustion together with heterogeneous tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expression. This is also true in high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB), a lethal pediatric extracranial malignancy. To overcome these obstacles, a combinational strategy using GD2-specific and GPC2-specific CAR-T cells was developed to improve immunotherapeutic efficacy. METHODS We individually developed GD2-specific and GPC2-specific CARs containing a selective domain (sCAR) which was a peptide of 10 amino acids derived from human nuclear autoantigen La/SS-B. These constructs allowed us to generate two different HRNB antigen-specific CAR-T cells with enhanced biological activity through stimulating sCAR-engrafted T cells via a selective domain-specific monoclonal antibody (SmAb). Binding affinity and stimulation of GD2- and GPC2-specific sCARs by SmAb were measured, and transient and persistent anti-tumor cytotoxicity of GD2sCAR-T and GPC2sCAR-T cells were quantified in neuroblastoma cell lines expressing different TAA levels. The anti-tumor pharmaceutical effects and cellular mechanisms mediated by single or combinational sCAR-T cells were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS GD2- and GPC2-specific sCARs had antigen-specific binding affinity similar to their parental counterparts and were recognized by SmAb. SmAb-mediated stimulation selectively activated sCAR-T proliferation and increased central memory T cells in the final products. SmAb-stimulated sCAR-T cells had enhanced transient cytolytic activity, and combination therapy extended long-term anti-tumor activity in vitro through TNF-α and IL-15 release. Stimulated sCAR-T cells overcame heterogeneous antigen expression in HRNB, and the multi-TAA-targeting strategy was especially efficacious in vivo, inducing apoptosis through the caspase-3/PARP pathway and inhibiting the release of several tumor-promoting cytokines. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that combined targeting of multiple TAAs is a promising strategy to overcome heterogenous antigen expression in solid tumors and extend CAR-T cell persistence for HRNB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huantong Wu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Guangji Zhang
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongfeng Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.
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11
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Rosenkrans ZT, Erbe AK, Clemons NB, Feils AS, Medina-Guevara Y, Jeffery JJ, Barnhart TE, Engle JW, Sondel PM, Hernandez R. Targeting both GD2 and B7-H3 using bispecific antibody improves tumor selectivity for GD2-positive tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.23.595624. [PMID: 38853889 PMCID: PMC11160562 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.23.595624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Objectives Disialoganglioside 2 (GD2), overexpressed by cancers such as melanoma and neuroblastoma, is a tumor antigen for targeted therapy. The delivery of conventional IgG antibody technologies targeting GD2 is limited clinically by its co-expression on nerves that contributes to toxicity presenting as severe neuropathic pain. To improve the tumor selectivity of current GD2-targeting approaches, a next-generation bispecific antibody targeting GD2 and B7-H3 (CD276) was generated. Methods Differential expression of human B7-H3 (hB7-H3) was transduced into GD2+ B78 murine melanoma cells and confirmed by flow cytometry. We assessed the avidity and selectivity of our GD2-B7-H3 targeting bispecific antibodies (INV34-6, INV33-2, and INV36-6) towards GD2+/hB7-H3- B78 cells relative to GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 cells using flow cytometry and competition binding assays, comparing results an anti-GD2 antibody (dinutuximab, DINU). The bispecific antibodies, DINU, and a non-targeted bispecific control (bsAb CTRL) were conjugated with deferoxamine for radiolabeling with Zr-89 (t1/2 = 78.4 h). Using positron emission tomography (PET) studies, we evaluated the in vivo avidity and selectivity of the GD2-B7-H3 targeting bispecific compared to bsAb CTRL and DINU using GD2+/hB7-H3+ and GD2+/hB7-H3- B78 tumor models. Results Flow cytometry and competition binding assays showed that INV34-6 bound with high avidity to GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 cells with high avidity but not GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 cells. In comparison, no selectivity between cell types was observed for DINU. PET in mice bearing the GD2+/hB7-H3- and GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 murine tumor showed similar biodistribution in normal tissues for [89Zr]Zr-Df-INV34-6, [89Zr]Zr-Df-bsAb CTRL, and [89Zr]Zr-Df-DINU. Importantly, [89Zr]Zr-Df-INV34-6 tumor uptake was selective to GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 over GD2+/hB7-H3- B78 tumors, and substantially higher to GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 than the non-targeted [89Zr]Zr-Df-bsAb CTRL control. [89Zr]Zr-Df-DINU displayed similar uptake in both GD2+ tumor models, with uptake comparable to [89Zr]Zr-Df-INV34-6 in the GD2+/hB7-H3+ B78 model. Conclusion The GD2-B7-H3 targeting bispecific antibodies successfully improved selectivity to cells expressing both antigens. This approach should address the severe toxicities associated with GD2-targeting therapies by reducing off-tumor GD2 binding in nerves. Continued improvements in bispecific antibody technologies will continue to transform the therapeutic biologics landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T. Rosenkrans
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Amy K. Erbe
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Nathan B. Clemons
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Yadira Medina-Guevara
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Justin J. Jeffery
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Todd E. Barnhart
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jonathan W. Engle
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Paul M. Sondel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Reinier Hernandez
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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12
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Lutskovich D, Meleshko A, Katsin M. State of the art and perspectives of chimeric antigen receptor T cells cell therapy for neuroblastoma. Cytotherapy 2024:S1465-3249(24)00718-7. [PMID: 38852096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.05.011] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a solid, neuroendocrine pediatric solid tumor with divergent clinical behavior. Patients with high-risk diseases have poor prognoses despite complex multimodal therapy, which requires the search for new therapeutic approaches. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) have led to dramatic improvements in the survival of cancer patients, most notably those with hematologic malignancies. Early-phase clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for NB have proven safe and feasible, but limited clinical efficacy. At the same time, multiple experimental and preclinical studies have shown that the most common in clinical trials single 2nd or 3rd generation CAR structure is not sufficient for a complete response in solid tumors. Here, we review the recent advances and future perspectives associated with engineered receptors, including several antigens binding, armored CAR-T of 4th and 5th generation and CAR-T cell combination strategies with other immunotherapy. We also summarize the results and shortcomings of ongoing clinical trials of CAR-T therapy for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dzmitry Lutskovich
- Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Minsk, Belarus.
| | - Alexander Meleshko
- Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Mikalai Katsin
- Vitebsk Regional Clinical Cancer Centre, Vitebsk, Belarus
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13
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Lin H, Li C, Zhang W, Wu B, Wang Y, Wang S, Wang D, Li X, Huang H. Synthetic Cells and Molecules in Cellular Immunotherapy. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:2833-2859. [PMID: 38904025 PMCID: PMC11186374 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.94346] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy has emerged as an exciting strategy for cancer treatment, as it aims to enhance the body's immune response to tumor cells by engineering immune cells and designing synthetic molecules from scratch. Because of the cytotoxic nature, abundance in peripheral blood, and maturation of genetic engineering techniques, T cells have become the most commonly engineered immune cells to date. Represented by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy, T cell-based immunotherapy has revolutionized the clinical treatment of hematological malignancies. However, serious side effects and limited efficacy in solid tumors have hindered the clinical application of cellular immunotherapy. To address these limitations, various innovative strategies regarding synthetic cells and molecules have been developed. On one hand, some cytotoxic immune cells other than T cells have been engineered to explore the potential of targeted elimination of tumor cells, while some adjuvant cells have also been engineered to enhance the therapeutic effect. On the other hand, diverse synthetic cellular components and molecules are added to engineered immune cells to regulate their functions, promoting cytotoxic activity and restricting side effects. Moreover, novel bioactive materials such as hydrogels facilitating the delivery of therapeutic immune cells have also been applied to improve the efficacy of cellular immunotherapy. This review summarizes the innovative strategies of synthetic cells and molecules currently available in cellular immunotherapies, discusses the limitations, and provides insights into the next generation of cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haikun Lin
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Chentao Li
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanying Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
| | - Boxiang Wu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
| | - Shimin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongrui Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
| | - Xia Li
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Zhejiang Province Engineering Research Center for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Haining, China
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14
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Zhu B, Yin H, Zhang D, Zhang M, Chao X, Scimeca L, Wu MR. Synthetic biology approaches for improving the specificity and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:436-447. [PMID: 38605087 PMCID: PMC11061174 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01153-x] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown robust efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of hematological and solid cancers. Despite the transformative impact of immunotherapy on cancer treatment, several outstanding challenges remain. These challenges include on-target off-tumor toxicity, systemic toxicity, and the complexity of achieving potent and sustainable therapeutic efficacy. Synthetic biology has emerged as a promising approach to overcome these obstacles, offering innovative tools for engineering living cells with customized functions. This review provides an overview of the current landscape and future prospects of cancer immunotherapy, particularly emphasizing the role of synthetic biology in augmenting its specificity, controllability, and efficacy. We delineate and discuss two principal synthetic biology strategies: those targeting tumor surface antigens with engineered immune cells and those detecting intratumoral disease signatures with engineered gene circuits. This review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the enduring challenges in cancer immunotherapy and the potential breakthroughs that synthetic biology may contribute to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Di Zhang
- Drug Safety Research & Evaluation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Company, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaojuan Chao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Luca Scimeca
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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15
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Sakunrangsit N, Khuisangeam N, Inthanachai T, Yodsurang V, Taechawattananant P, Suppipat K, Tawinwung S. Incorporating IL7 receptor alpha signaling in the endodomain of B7H3-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells mediates antitumor activity in glioblastoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:98. [PMID: 38619641 PMCID: PMC11018726 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03685-7] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
CAR-T-cell therapy has shown promise in treating hematological malignancies but faces challenges in treating solid tumors due to impaired T-cell function in the tumor microenvironment. To provide optimal T-cell activation, we developed a B7 homolog 3 protein (B7H3)-targeting CAR construct consisting of three activation signals: CD3ζ (signal 1), 41BB (signal 2), and the interleukin 7 receptor alpha (IL7Rα) cytoplasmic domain (signal 3). We generated B7H3 CAR-T cells with different lengths of the IL7Rα cytoplasmic domain, including the full length (IL7R-L), intermediate length (IL7R-M), and short length (IL7R-S) domains, and evaluated their functionality in vitro and in vivo. All the B7H3-IL7Rα CAR-T cells exhibited a less differentiated phenotype and effectively eliminated B7H3-positive glioblastoma in vitro. Superiority was found in B7H3 CAR-T cells contained the short length of the IL7Rα cytoplasmic domain. Integration of the IL7R-S cytoplasmic domain maintained pSTAT5 activation and increased T-cell proliferation while reducing activation-induced cell death. Moreover, RNA-sequencing analysis of B7H3-IL7R-S CAR-T cells after coculture with a glioblastoma cell line revealed downregulation of proapoptotic genes and upregulation of genes associated with T-cell proliferation compared with those in 2nd generation B7H3 CAR-T cells. In animal models, compared with conventional CAR-T cells, B7H3-IL7R-S CAR-T cells suppressed tumor growth and prolonged overall survival. Our study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of IL7Rα-incorporating CAR-T cells for glioblastoma treatment, suggesting a promising strategy for augmenting the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithidol Sakunrangsit
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Nattarika Khuisangeam
- Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary and International Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thananya Inthanachai
- Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary and International Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Varalee Yodsurang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Pasrawin Taechawattananant
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Koramit Suppipat
- Department of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI), Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Supannikar Tawinwung
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI), Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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16
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Funk MA, Heller G, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Leitner J, Steinberger P. Inhibitory CARs fail to protect from immediate T cell cytotoxicity. Mol Ther 2024; 32:982-999. [PMID: 38384128 PMCID: PMC11163222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.022] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) equipped with an inhibitory signaling domain (iCARs) have been proposed as strategy to increase on-tumor specificity of CAR-T cell therapies. iCARs inhibit T cell activation upon antigen recognition and thereby program a Boolean NOT gate within the CAR-T cell. If cancer cells do not express the iCAR target antigen while it is highly expressed on healthy tissue, CAR/iCAR coexpressing T cells are supposed to kill cancer cells but not healthy cells expressing the CAR antigen. In this study, we employed a well-established reporter cell system to demonstrate high potency of iCAR constructs harboring BTLA-derived signaling domains. We then created CAR/iCAR combinations for the clinically relevant antigen pairs B7-H3/CD45 and CD123/CD19 and show potent reporter cell suppression by iCARs targeting CD45 or CD19. In primary human T cells αCD19-iCARs were capable of suppressing T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Surprisingly, the iCAR failed to veto immediate CAR-mediated cytotoxicity. Likewise, T cells overexpressing PD-1 or BTLA did not show impaired cytotoxicity toward ligand-expressing target cells, indicating that inhibitory signaling by these receptors does not mediate protection against cytotoxicity by CAR-T cells. Future approaches employing iCAR-equipped CAR-T cells for cancer therapy should therefore monitor off-tumor reactivity and potential CAR/iCAR-T cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian A Funk
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Medicine III, Munich, Germany; Gene Center, LMU Munich, Cancer and Immunometabolism Research Group, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich Site and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Bhatt B, García-Díaz P, Foight GW. Synthetic transcription factor engineering for cell and gene therapy. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:449-463. [PMID: 37865540 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.09.010] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic transcription factors (synTFs) that control beneficial transgene expression are an important method to increase the safety and efficacy of cell and gene therapy. Reliance on synTF components from non-human sources has slowed progress in the field because of concerns about immunogenicity and inducer drug properties. Recent advances in human-derived DNA-binding domains (DBDs) and transcriptional activation domains (TADs) paired with novel control modules responsive to clinically approved small molecules have poised the synTF field to overcome these hurdles. Advances include controllers inducible by autonomous signaling inputs and more complex, multi-input synTF circuits. Demonstrations of advanced control strategies with human-derived transcription factor components in clinically relevant vectors and in vivo models will facilitate progression into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhoomi Bhatt
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pablo García-Díaz
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Glenna Wink Foight
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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18
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Yang Z, Sun L, Chen H, Sun C, Xia L. New progress in the treatment of diffuse midline glioma with H3K27M alteration. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24877. [PMID: 38312649 PMCID: PMC10835306 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24877] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse midline glioma with H3K27 M alteration is a primary malignant tumor located along the linear structure of the brain, predominantly manifesting in children and adolescents. The mortality rate is exceptionally high, with a mere 1 % 5-year survival rate for newly diagnosed patients. Beyond conventional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, novel approaches are imperative to enhance patient prognosis. This article comprehensively reviews current innovative treatment modalities and provides updates on the latest research advancements in preclinical studies and clinical trials focusing on H3K27M-altered diffuse midline glioma. The goal is to contribute positively to clinical treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
- Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, WenZhou, 325035, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Liang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
- Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, WenZhou, 325035, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Haibin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
- Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, WenZhou, 325035, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Caixing Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
- Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, WenZhou, 325035, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Liang Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
- Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, WenZhou, 325035, Zhejiang province, China
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Acharya L, Garg A, Rai M, Kshetri R, Grewal US, Dhakal P. Novel chimeric antigen receptor targets and constructs for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Moving beyond CD19. J Investig Med 2024; 72:32-46. [PMID: 37497999 DOI: 10.1177/10815589231191811] [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] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the second most common acute leukemia in adults with a poor prognosis with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell lineage ALL (B-ALL). Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown excellent response rates in RR B-ALL, but most patients relapse due to poor persistence of CAR T-cell therapy or other tumor-associated escape mechanisms. In addition, anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy causes several serious side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. In this review, we will discuss novel CAR targets, CAR constructs, and various strategies to boost CARs for the treatment of RR B-ALL. In addition, we discuss a few novel strategies developed to reduce the side effects of CAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna Acharya
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Alpana Garg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Manoj Rai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Rupesh Kshetri
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Udhayvir S Grewal
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Prajwal Dhakal
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
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20
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Ou L, Su C, Liang L, Duan Q, Li Y, Zang H, He Y, Zeng R, Li Y, Zhou H, Xiao L. Current status and future prospects of chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy in lymphoma research: A bibliometric analysis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2267865. [PMID: 37846106 PMCID: PMC10583622 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2267865] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy, a novel therapeutic approach that has attracted much attention in the field of cancer treatment at present, has become the subject of many studies and has shown great potential in the treatment of hematological malignancies, such as leukemia and lymphoma. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of articles published on CAR-T cell therapy in the lymphoma field and explore the existing hotspots and frontiers. The relevant articles published from 2013 to 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometric online analysis platform, Microsoft Excel, and R software were used for bibliometric analysis and visualization. The number of publications related to the research has been increasing year by year, including 1023 articles and 760 reviews from 62 countries and regions, 2092 institutions, 1040 journals, and 8727 authors. The United States, China, and Germany are the main publishing countries in this research field. The top 10 institutions are all from the United States, the journal with the highest impact factor is BLOOD, the author with the most publications is Frederick L Locke, and the most influential author is Carl H June. The top three keywords are "Lymphoma," "Immunotherapy," and "Therapy." "Maude (2014)" is the most cited and strongest burstiness reference over the past decade. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CAR-T cell therapy in lymphoma, which can help researchers understand the current research hotspots in this field, explore potential research directions, and identify future development trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Ou
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chang Su
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liang Liang
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Graduate Collaborative Training Base of Hunan Cancer Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qintong Duan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yufeng Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology of School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yiyang Medical College, Yiyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yizi He
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ruolan Zeng
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yajun Li
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Lymphoma & Hematology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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21
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Kennedy PT, Zannoupa D, Son MH, Dahal LN, Woolley JF. Neuroblastoma: an ongoing cold front for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007798. [PMID: 37993280 PMCID: PMC10668262 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007798] [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: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial childhood tumour but effective treatment with current immunotherapies is challenging due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment. Efforts to date have focused on using immunotherapy to increase tumour immunogenicity and enhance anticancer immune responses, including anti-GD2 antibodies; immune checkpoint inhibitors; drugs which enhance macrophage and natural killer T (NKT) cell function; modulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathway; and engineering neuroblastoma-targeting chimeric-antigen receptor-T cells. Some of these strategies have strong preclinical foundation and are being tested clinically, although none have demonstrated notable success in treating paediatric neuroblastoma to date. Recently, approaches to overcome heterogeneity of neuroblastoma tumours and treatment resistance are being explored. These include rational combination strategies with the aim of achieving synergy, such as dual targeting of GD2 and tumour-associated macrophages or natural killer cells; GD2 and the B7-H3 immune checkpoint; GD2 and enhancer of zeste-2 methyltransferase inhibitors. Such combination strategies provide opportunities to overcome primary resistance to and maximize the benefits of immunotherapy in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Demetra Zannoupa
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Meong Hi Son
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Lekh N Dahal
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - John F Woolley
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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22
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Zappa E, Vitali A, Anders K, Molenaar JJ, Wienke J, Künkele A. Adoptive cell therapy in paediatric extracranial solid tumours: current approaches and future challenges. Eur J Cancer 2023; 194:113347. [PMID: 37832507 PMCID: PMC10695178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.113347] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has ignited hope to cure paediatric solid tumours that resist traditional therapies. Among the most promising methods is adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Particularly, ACT using T cells equipped with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has moved into the spotlight in clinical studies. However, the efficacy of ACT is challenged by ACT-intrinsic factors, like lack of activation or T cell exhaustion, as well as immune evasion strategies of paediatric solid tumours, such as their highly immunosuppressive microenvironment. Novel strategies, including ACT using innate-like lymphocytes, innovative cell engineering techniques, and ACT combination therapies, are being developed and will be crucial to overcome these challenges. Here, we discuss the main classes of ACT for the treatment of paediatric extracranial solid tumours, reflect on the available preclinical and clinical evidence supporting promising strategies, and address the challenges that ACT is still facing. Ultimately, we highlight state-of-the-art developments and opportunities for new therapeutic options, which hold great potential for improving outcomes in this challenging patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Zappa
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alice Vitali
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Kathleen Anders
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Judith Wienke
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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23
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Cui Y, Luo M, Gu C, He Y, Yao Y, Li P. CAR designs for solid tumors: overcoming hurdles and paving the way for effective immunotherapy. BIOPHYSICS REPORTS 2023; 9:279-297. [PMID: 38516299 PMCID: PMC10951476 DOI: 10.52601/bpr.2023.230020] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized immunotherapy by modifying patients' immune cells genetically. By expressing CARs, these modified cells can specifically identify and eliminate tumor cells. The success of CAR-T therapy in hematological malignancies, such as leukemia and lymphoma, has been remarkable. Numerous studies have reported improved patient outcomes and increased survival rates. However, the application of CAR-T therapy in treating solid tumors faces significant challenges. Solid tumors possess complex microenvironments containing stromal cells, extracellular matrix components, and blood vessels. These factors can impede the infiltration and persistence of CAR-T cells within the tumor. Additionally, the lack of target antigens exclusively expressed on tumor cells raises concerns about off-target effects and potential toxicity. This review aims to discuss advancements achieved by CAR-T therapy in solid tumors and the clinical outcomes in the realm of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbin Cui
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Mintao Luo
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Chuanyuan Gu
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yuxian He
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0021, USA
| | - Yao Yao
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Peng Li
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
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24
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Wang JY, Wang L. CAR-T cell therapy: Where are we now, and where are we heading? BLOOD SCIENCE 2023; 5:237-248. [PMID: 37941917 PMCID: PMC10629745 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000173] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapies have exhibited remarkable efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, with 9 CAR-T-cell products currently available. Furthermore, CAR-T cells have shown promising potential for expanding their therapeutic applications to diverse areas, including solid tumors, myocardial fibrosis, and autoimmune and infectious diseases. Despite these advancements, significant challenges pertaining to treatment-related toxic reactions and relapses persist. Consequently, current research efforts are focused on addressing these issues to enhance the safety and efficacy of CAR-T cells and reduce the relapse rate. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the present state of CAR-T-cell therapies, including their achievements, existing challenges, and potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Wang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
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25
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Zhang Y, Qin D, Shou AC, Liu Y, Wang Y, Zhou L. Exploring CAR-T Cell Therapy Side Effects: Mechanisms and Management Strategies. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6124. [PMID: 37834768 PMCID: PMC10573998 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of malignancies, especially hematological tumors, but toxicities have tempered its success. The main impediments to the development of CAR-T cell therapies are the following: cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune-effector-cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and on-target/off-tumor toxicity (OTOT). This review summarizes these side effects' underlying mechanisms and manifestations over time. It provides potential prevention and treatment according to the consensus grading, stressing the significance of establishing strategies that anticipate, reduce, and navigate the beginning of these side effects. It is essential to fully comprehend the mechanisms underlying these toxicities to create efficient treatment and preventive approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yugu Zhang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Lane, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (D.Q.)
| | - Diyuan Qin
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Lane, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (D.Q.)
| | - Arthur Churchill Shou
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Lane, Chengdu 610041, China; (A.C.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanbin Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Lane, Chengdu 610041, China; (A.C.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Lane, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (D.Q.)
| | - Lingyun Zhou
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 GuoXue Lane, Chengdu 610041, China; (A.C.S.); (Y.L.)
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26
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Cao Y, Efetov SK, He M, Fu Y, Beeraka NM, Zhang J, Zhang X, Bannimath N, Chen K. Updated Clinical Perspectives and Challenges of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Therapy in Colorectal Cancer and Invasive Breast Cancer. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2023; 71:19. [PMID: 37566162 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-023-00684-x] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) has increased worldwide and caused a higher mortality rate due to the lack of selective anti-tumor therapies. Current chemotherapies and surgical interventions are significantly preferred modalities to treat CRC or BC in advanced stages but the prognosis for patients with advanced CRC and BC remains dismal. The immunotherapy technique of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells has resulted in significant clinical outcomes when treating hematologic malignancies. The novel CAR-T therapy target antigens include GUCY2C, CLEC14A, CD26, TEM8/ANTXR1, PDPN, PTK7, PODXL, CD44, CD19, CD20, CD22, BCMA, GD2, Mesothelin, TAG-72, CEA, EGFR, B7H3, HER2, IL13Ra2, MUC1, EpCAM, PSMA, PSCA, NKG2D. The significant aim of this review is to explore the recently updated information pertinent to several novel targets of CAR-T for CRC, and BC. We vividly described the challenges of CAR-T therapies when treating CRC or BC. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors, the shortage of tumor-specific antigens, and post-treatment side effects are the major hindrances to promoting the development of CAR-T cells. Several clinical trials related to CAR-T immunotherapy against CRC or BC have already been in progress. This review benefits academicians, clinicians, and clinical oncologists to explore more about the novel CAR-T targets and overcome the challenges during this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Sergey K Efetov
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Mingze He
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Yu Fu
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Narasimha M Beeraka
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER), Chiyyedu, Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, 515721, India
| | - Jin Zhang
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Xinliang Zhang
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Namitha Bannimath
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Kuo Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, #1 Jianshedong Str., Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Pilgrim AA, Jonus HC, Ho A, Cole AC, Shim J, Goldsmith KC. The yes-associated protein (YAP) is associated with resistance to anti-GD2 immunotherapy in neuroblastoma through downregulation of ST8SIA1. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2240678. [PMID: 37554309 PMCID: PMC10405770 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2240678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma often relapse with chemotherapy-resistant, incurable disease. Relapsed neuroblastomas harbor chemo-resistant mesenchymal tumor cells and increased expression/activity of the transcriptional co-regulator, the Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Patients with relapsed neuroblastoma are often treated with immunotherapy such as the anti-GD2 antibody, dinutuximab, in combination with chemotherapy. We have previously shown that YAP mediates both chemotherapy and MEK inhibitor resistance in relapsed RAS mutated neuroblastoma and so posited that YAP might also be involved in anti-GD2 antibody resistance. We now show that YAP genetic inhibition significantly enhances sensitivity of mesenchymal neuroblastomas to dinutuximab and gamma delta (γδ) T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, YAP inhibition induces increased GD2 cell surface expression through upregulation of ST8SIA1, the gene encoding GD3 synthase and the rate-limiting enzyme in GD2 biosynthesis. The mechanism of ST8SIA1 suppression by YAP is independent of PRRX1 expression, a mesenchymal master transcription factor, suggesting YAP may be the downstream effector of mesenchymal GD2 resistance. These results therefore identify YAP as a therapeutic target to augment GD2 immunotherapy responses in patients with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeiye A. Pilgrim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hunter C. Jonus
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrew Ho
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna C. Cole
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kelly C. Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
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28
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Jin X, Yang GY. Pathophysiological roles and applications of glycosphingolipids in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer diseases. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 91:101241. [PMID: 37524133 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101241] [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: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are major amphiphilic glycolipids present on the surface of living cell membranes. They have important biological functions, including maintaining plasma membrane stability, regulating signal transduction, and mediating cell recognition and adhesion. Specific GSLs and related enzymes are abnormally expressed in many cancer diseases and affect the malignant characteristics of tumors. The regulatory roles of GSLs in signaling pathways suggest that they are involved in tumor pathogenesis. GSLs have therefore been widely studied as diagnostic markers of cancer diseases and important targets of immunotherapy. This review describes the tumor-related biological functions of GSLs and systematically introduces recent progress in using diverse GSLs and related enzymes to diagnose and treat tumor diseases. Development of drugs and biomarkers for personalized cancer therapy based on GSL structure is also discussed. These advances, combined with recent progress in the preparation of GSLs derivatives through synthetic biology technologies, suggest a strong future for the use of customized GSL libraries in treating human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences and the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Guang-Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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29
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Bottino C, Vitale C, Dondero A, Castriconi R. B7-H3 in Pediatric Tumors: Far beyond Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3279. [PMID: 37444389 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133279] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
B7-H3 is a 4Ig transmembrane protein that emerged as a tumor-associated antigen in neuroblastoma. It belongs to the B7 family, shows an immunoregulatory role toward NK and T cells, and, therefore, has been included in the growing family of immune checkpoints. Besides neuroblastoma, B7-H3 is expressed by many pediatric cancers including tumors of the central nervous system, sarcomas, and acute myeloid leukemia. In children, particularly those affected by solid tumors, the therapeutic protocols are aggressive and cause important life-threatening side effects. Moreover, despite the improved survival observed in the last decade, a relevant number of patients show therapy resistance and fatal relapses. Immunotherapy represents a new frontier in the cure of cancer patients and the targeting of tumor antigens or immune checkpoints blockade showed exciting results in adults. In this encouraging scenario, researchers and clinicians are exploring the possibility to use immunotherapeutics targeting B7-H3; these include mAbs and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T). These tools are rapidly evolving to improve the efficacy and decrease the unwanted side effects; drug-conjugated mAbs, bi-tri-specific mAbs or CAR-T, and, very recently, NK cell engagers (NKCE), tetra-specific molecules engaging a tumor-associated antigen and NK cells, have been generated. Preclinical data are promising, and clinical trials are ongoing. Hopefully, the B7-H3 targeting will provide important benefits to cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bottino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dondero
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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30
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Yin L, Chen GL, Xiang Z, Liu YL, Li XY, Bi JW, Wang Q. Current progress in chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114648. [PMID: 37023621 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women. Around 20-30% breast cancer patients undergo invasion or metastasis after radical surgical resection and eventually die. Number of breast cancer patients show poor sensitivity toward treatments despite the advances in chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and molecular targeted treatments. Therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence or metastasis develop with the ongoing treatments. Conducive treatment strategies are thus required. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T-cell therapy has progressed as a part of tumor immunotherapy. However, CAR-T treatment has not been effective in solid tumors because of tumor microenvironment complexity, inhibitory effects of extracellular matrix, and lacking ideal tumor antigens. Herein, the prospects of CAR-T cell therapy for metastatic breast cancer are discussed, and the targets for CAR-T therapy in breast cancer (HER-2, C-MET, MSLN, CEA, MUC1, ROR1, EGFR) at clinical level are reviewed. Moreover, solutions are proposed for the challenges of breast cancer CAR-T therapy regarding off-target effects, heterogeneous antigen expression by tumor cells and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Ideas for improving the therapeutics of CAR-T cell therapy in metastatic breast cancer are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250023 Jinan, China; Oncology Department, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, 250023 Jinan, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 250355 Jinan, China
| | - Gui-Lai Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250023 Jinan, China; Oncology Department, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, 250023 Jinan, China
| | - Zhuo Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250023 Jinan, China; Oncology Department, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, 250023 Jinan, China
| | - Yu-Lin Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250023 Jinan, China; Oncology Department, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, 250023 Jinan, China
| | - Xing-Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, China
| | - Jing-Wang Bi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250023 Jinan, China; Oncology Department, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, 250023 Jinan, China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250023 Jinan, China; Oncology Department, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, 250023 Jinan, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, China.
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Gillmann KM, Temme JS, Marglous S, Brown CE, Gildersleeve JC. Anti-glycan monoclonal antibodies: Basic research and clinical applications. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 74:102281. [PMID: 36905763 PMCID: PMC10732169 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102281] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Anti-glycan monoclonal antibodies have important applications in human health and basic research. Therapeutic antibodies that recognize cancer- or pathogen-associated glycans have been investigated in numerous clinical trials, resulting in two FDA-approved biopharmaceuticals. Anti-glycan antibodies are also utilized to diagnose, prognosticate, and monitor disease progression, as well as to study the biological roles and expression of glycans. High-quality anti-glycan mAbs are still in limited supply, highlighting the need for new technologies for anti-glycan antibody discovery. This review discusses anti-glycan monoclonal antibodies with applications to basic research, diagnostics, and therapeutics, focusing on recent advances in mAbs targeting cancer- and infectious disease-associated glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara M Gillmann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - J Sebastian Temme
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Samantha Marglous
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Claire E Brown
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Gildersleeve
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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Li X, Yan X, Wang Y, Kaur B, Han H, Yu J. The Notch signaling pathway: a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:45. [PMID: 37131214 PMCID: PMC10155406 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the Notch signaling pathway, which is highly conserved across species, can drive aberrant epigenetic modification, transcription, and translation. Defective gene regulation caused by dysregulated Notch signaling often affects networks controlling oncogenesis and tumor progression. Meanwhile, Notch signaling can modulate immune cells involved in anti- or pro-tumor responses and tumor immunogenicity. A comprehensive understanding of these processes can help with designing new drugs that target Notch signaling, thereby enhancing the effects of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of how Notch signaling intrinsically regulates immune cells and how alterations in Notch signaling in tumor cells or stromal cells extrinsically regulate immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We also discuss the potential role of Notch signaling in tumor immunity mediated by gut microbiota. Finally, we propose strategies for targeting Notch signaling in cancer immunotherapy. These include oncolytic virotherapy combined with inhibition of Notch signaling, nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Notch signaling regulators to specifically target tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to repolarize their functions and remodel the TME, combining specific and efficient inhibitors or activators of Notch signaling with immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) for synergistic anti-tumor therapy, and implementing a customized and effective synNotch circuit system to enhance safety of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immune cells. Collectively, this review aims to summarize how Notch signaling intrinsically and extrinsically shapes immune responses to improve immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Li
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianchun Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Cancer Institute, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77225, USA
| | - Hua Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
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Rasic P, Jeremic M, Jeremic R, Dusanovic Pjevic M, Rasic M, Djuricic SM, Milickovic M, Vukadin M, Mijovic T, Savic D. Targeting B7-H3-A Novel Strategy for the Design of Anticancer Agents for Extracranial Pediatric Solid Tumors Treatment. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083356. [PMID: 37110590 PMCID: PMC10145344 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083356] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent scientific data recognize the B7-H3 checkpoint molecule as a potential target for immunotherapy of pediatric solid tumors (PSTs). B7-H3 is highly expressed in extracranial PSTs such as neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, nephroblastoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma, whereas its expression is absent or very low in normal tissues and organs. The influence of B7-H3 on the biological behavior of malignant solid neoplasms of childhood is expressed through different molecular mechanisms, including stimulation of immune evasion and tumor invasion, and cell-cycle disruption. It has been shown that B7-H3 knockdown decreased tumor cell proliferation and migration, suppressed tumor growth, and enhanced anti-tumor immune response in some pediatric solid cancers. Antibody-drug conjugates targeting B7-H3 exhibited profound anti-tumor effects against preclinical models of pediatric solid malignancies. Moreover, B7-H3-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells demonstrated significant in vivo activity against different xenograft models of neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and osteosarcoma. Finally, clinical studies demonstrated the potent anti-tumor activity of B7-H3-targeting antibody-radioimmunoconjugates in metastatic neuroblastoma. This review summarizes the established data from various PST-related studies, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research, and explains all the benefits and potential obstacles of targeting B7-H3 by novel immunotherapeutic agents designed to treat malignant extracranial solid tumors of childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Rasic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Cupic", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Jeremic
- Institute of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rada Jeremic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Dusanovic Pjevic
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Rasic
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slavisa M Djuricic
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Cupic", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Maja Milickovic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Cupic", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miroslav Vukadin
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Cupic", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tanja Mijovic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Cupic", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Djordje Savic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Cupic", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Cui T, Zhang Y, Qin G, Wei Y, Yang J, Huang Y, Ren J, Qu X. A neutrophil mimicking metal-porphyrin-based nanodevice loaded with porcine pancreatic elastase for cancer therapy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1974. [PMID: 37031242 PMCID: PMC10082843 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37580-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise discrimination and eradication of cancer cells by immune cells independent of antigen recognition is promising for solid tumor therapeutics, yet remains a tremendous challenge. Inspired by neutrophils, here we design and construct a tumor discrimination nanodevice based on the differential histone H1 isoform expression. In this nanodevice, neutrophil membrane camouflage and glutathione (GSH)-unlocking effect on Fe-porphyrin metal-organic framework structure ensures selectivity to cancer cells. The released porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) simulates neutrophils' action to induce histone H1 release-dependent selective cancer cell killing. Meanwhile, nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide-tagged porphyrin (porphyrin-NLS) acts as in-situ singlet oxygen (1O2) generator to amplify histone H1 nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation by inducing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) under laser irradiation, further promoting elimination of cancer cells. The overexpressed histone H1 isoform in cancer cells improves selectivity of our nanodevice to cancer cells. In vivo studies demonstrate that our design can not only inhibit primary tumor growth, but also induce adaptive T-cell response-mediated abscopal effect to against distal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Geng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Jinsong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Xiaogang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China.
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China.
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35
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Celichowski P, Turi M, Charvátová S, Radhakrishnan D, Feizi N, Chyra Z, Šimíček M, Jelínek T, Bago JR, Hájek R, Hrdinka M. Tuning CARs: recent advances in modulating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell activity for improved safety, efficacy, and flexibility. J Transl Med 2023; 21:197. [PMID: 36922828 PMCID: PMC10015723 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04041-6] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies utilizing genetically engineered T cells have emerged as powerful personalized therapeutic agents showing dramatic preclinical and clinical results, particularly in hematological malignancies. Ectopically expressed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) reprogram immune cells to target and eliminate cancer. However, CAR T cell therapy's success depends on the balance between effective anti-tumor activity and minimizing harmful side effects. To improve CAR T cell therapy outcomes and mitigate associated toxicities, scientists from different fields are cooperating in developing next-generation products using the latest molecular cell biology and synthetic biology tools and technologies. The immunotherapy field is rapidly evolving, with new approaches and strategies being reported at a fast pace. This comprehensive literature review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the latest developments in controlling CAR T cell activity for improved safety, efficacy, and flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Celichowski
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Marcello Turi
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Sandra Charvátová
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Dhwani Radhakrishnan
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Neda Feizi
- Department of Internal Clinical Sciences, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuzana Chyra
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Šimíček
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Jelínek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Juli Rodriguez Bago
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Hájek
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Hrdinka
- Department of Haematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
- Department of Haematooncology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
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Synthetic biology-inspired cell engineering in diagnosis, treatment, and drug development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:112. [PMID: 36906608 PMCID: PMC10007681 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The fast-developing synthetic biology (SB) has provided many genetic tools to reprogram and engineer cells for improved performance, novel functions, and diverse applications. Such cell engineering resources can play a critical role in the research and development of novel therapeutics. However, there are certain limitations and challenges in applying genetically engineered cells in clinical practice. This literature review updates the recent advances in biomedical applications, including diagnosis, treatment, and drug development, of SB-inspired cell engineering. It describes technologies and relevant examples in a clinical and experimental setup that may significantly impact the biomedicine field. At last, this review concludes the results with future directions to optimize the performances of synthetic gene circuits to regulate the therapeutic activities of cell-based tools in specific diseases.
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Novel scFv against Notch Ligand JAG1 Suitable for Development of Cell Therapies toward JAG1-Positive Tumors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030459. [PMID: 36979394 PMCID: PMC10046313 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling ligand JAG1 is overexpressed in various aggressive tumors and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Hence, therapies targeting oncogenic JAG1 hold great potential for the treatment of certain tumors. Here, we report the identification of specific anti-JAG1 single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), one of them endowing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with cytotoxicity against JAG1-positive cells. Anti-JAG1 scFvs were identified from human phage display libraries, reformatted into full-length monoclonal antibodies (Abs), and produced in mammalian cells. The characterization of these Abs identified two specific anti-JAG1 Abs (J1.B5 and J1.F1) with nanomolar affinities. Cloning the respective scFv sequences in our second- and third-generation CAR backbones resulted in six anti-JAG1 CAR constructs, which were screened for JAG1-mediated T-cell activation in Jurkat T cells in coculture assays with JAG1-positive cell lines. Studies in primary T cells demonstrated that one CAR harboring the J1.B5 scFv significantly induced effective T-cell activation in the presence of JAG1-positive, but not in JAG1-knockout, cancer cells, and enabled specific killing of JAG1-positive cells. Thus, this new anti-JAG1 scFv represents a promising candidate for the development of cell therapies against JAG1-positive tumors.
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Srour SA, Akin S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: The Past and the Future. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY AND PRECISION ONCOLOGY 2023; 6:19-30. [PMID: 36751657 PMCID: PMC9888521 DOI: 10.36401/jipo-22-7] [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: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the new standard treatment for various indications in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Despite the several preclinical and early phase clinical trials, the overall clinical experience has been disappointing when applying this innovative therapy in solid tumors. The failure of CAR T-cell therapy and its limited antitumor activity in solid tumors have been attributed to several mechanisms, including tumor antigen heterogeneity, the hostile tumor microenvironment and poor trafficking of CAR T cells into tumor sites, and the unacceptable toxicities in some settings, among others. However, remarkable improvements have been made in understanding many of these failure mechanisms for which several emerging novel approaches are being applied to overcome these challenges. In this review, after a brief historic background for immunotherapy in solid tumors, we highlight the recent developments achieved in CAR T-cell designs, summarize completed clinical trials, and discuss current challenges facing CAR T-cell therapy and the suggested strategies to overcome these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer A. Srour
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Serkan Akin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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39
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Li S, Tang H, Li C, Ma J, Ali M, Dong Q, Wu J, Hui Y, Sun C. Synthetic Biology Technologies And Genetically Engineering Strategies For Enhanced Cell Therapeutics. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:309-321. [PMID: 36166137 PMCID: PMC9514184 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10454-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell therapy mainly uses natural stem cells for transplantation, and the use of genetic engineering to optimize stem cell products is a very important process. This article reviews successful gene modification methods in the field of immune cell therapy and summarizes some attempts at stem cell gene editing in current research. Cell bridging is an innovative cutting-edge strategy that includes the specific recognition and signal transduction of artificial receptors. The "off-the-shelf" cell strategies mainly introduce the advantages of allogeneic cell therapy and how to overcome issues such as immunogenicity. Gene regulatory systems allow us to manipulate cells with small molecules to control cellular phenotypes. In addition, we also summarize some important genes that can provide a reference for cell genetic engineering. In conclusion, we summarize a variety of technical strategies for gene editing cells to provide useful ideas and experiences for future stem cell therapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Maqsood Ali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Dong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Hui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China.
- Basic Medical Institute of Heilongjiang Medical Science Academy, Harbin, China.
| | - Chongran Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou City, Xihu District, 310058, People's Republic of China.
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40
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Fierro Pineda JC, Wedekind MF, Glod JW. Immunotherapy approaches for rare pediatric solid tumors: advances and future directions. Curr Opin Pediatr 2023; 35:63-74. [PMID: 36420774 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Immunotherapy for pediatric tumors is rapidly evolving. From major successes in pediatric hematologic malignancies, immunotherapy utility increased in the pediatric solid tumor landscape. Numerous pediatric solid tumors are defined as rare with limitations in diagnosis and treatment. This review will describe four major immunotherapies used in pediatrics and discuss results seen in rare pediatric tumors. We will also briefly review the challenges of immunotherapy in solid tumors and opportunities to drive this therapy forward. RECENT FINDINGS Despite rare success employing immunotherapy for pediatric solid tumors, recently there have been several successes in pediatric rare solid tumors. After describing the evolving landscape of rare pediatric tumors, we will demonstrate the successes or disappointments of immunotherapy. We will describe the mechanism of four immunotherapies used in the pediatrics, followed by the published results. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities for immunotherapies in pediatric rare tumors. SUMMARY Pediatric rare tumors are lacking in treatment options. Despite numerous disappointments utilizing immunotherapies in the more common pediatric solid tumors, there have been several successes within the pediatric rare tumor landscape. Much work is still needed to enhance our understanding and knowledge on utilizing these immunotherapies for pediatric rare solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Fierro Pineda
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary Frances Wedekind
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
| | - John W Glod
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
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41
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Yan T, Zhu L, Chen J. Current advances and challenges in CAR T-Cell therapy for solid tumors: tumor-associated antigens and the tumor microenvironment. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 36707873 PMCID: PMC9883880 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed ongoing progress in immune therapy to ameliorate human health. As an emerging technique, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has the advantages of specific killing of cancer cells, a high remission rate of cancer-induced symptoms, rapid tumor eradication, and long-lasting tumor immunity, opening a new window for tumor treatment. However, challenges remain in CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors due to target diversity, tumor heterogeneity, and the complex microenvironment. In this review, we have outlined the development of the CAR T-cell technique, summarized the current advances in tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), and highlighted the importance of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) or neoantigens for solid tumors. We also addressed the challenge of the TAA binding domain in CARs to overcome off-tumor toxicity. Moreover, we illustrated the dominant tumor microenvironment (TME)-induced challenges and new strategies based on TME-associated antigens (TMAs) for solid tumor CAR T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yan
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China
| | - Lingfeng Zhu
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China
| | - Jin Chen
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China ,grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311 Hainan China
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Zang B, Ding L, Liu L, Arun Kumar S, Liu W, Zhou C, Duan Y. The immunotherapy advancement targeting malignant blastomas in early childhood. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1015115. [PMID: 36874100 PMCID: PMC9978522 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1015115] [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: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant blastomas develop relentlessly in all functional body organs inflicting severe health ailments in younger children. Malignant blastomas exhibit diverse clinical characteristics in compliance with their emergence in functional body organs. Surprisingly, neither of these preferred treatment types (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) showed promise or were effective in treating malignant blastomas among child patients. N ew, innovative immunotherapeutic procedures including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric-antigen based receptor (CAR) cell therapy, coupled with the clinical study of reliable therapeutic targets and immune regulatory pathways targeting malignant blastomas, have attracted the attention of clinicians recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolun Zang
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Luyue Ding
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Senthil Arun Kumar
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chongchen Zhou
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongtao Duan
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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43
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Sun M, Cao Y, Okada R, Reyes-González JM, Stack HG, Qin H, Li N, Seibert C, Kelly MC, Ruppin E, Ho M, Thiele CJ, Nguyen R. Preclinical optimization of a GPC2-targeting CAR T-cell therapy for neuroblastoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e005881. [PMID: 36631162 PMCID: PMC9835961 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although most patients with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) achieve remission after initial therapy, more than 50% experience late relapses caused by minimal residual disease (MRD) and succumb to their cancer. Therapeutic strategies to target MRD may benefit these children. We developed a new chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting glypican-2 (GPC2) and conducted iterative preclinical engineering of the CAR structure to maximize its anti-tumor efficacy before clinical translation. METHODS We evaluated different GPC2-CAR constructs by measuring the CAR activity in vitro. NOD-SCID mice engrafted orthotopically with human NB cell lines or patient-derived xenografts and treated with human CAR T cells served as in vivo models. Mechanistic studies were performed using single-cell RNA-sequencing. RESULTS Applying stringent in vitro assays and orthotopic in vivo NB models, we demonstrated that our single-chain variable fragment, CT3, integrated into a CAR vector with a CD28 hinge, CD28 transmembrane, and 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain (CT3.28H.BBζ) elicits the best preclinical anti-NB activity compared with other tested CAR constructs. This enhanced activity was associated with an enrichment of CD8+ effector T cells in the tumor-microenvironment and upregulation of several effector molecules such as GNLY, GZMB, ZNF683, and HMGN2. Finally, we also showed that the CT3.28H.BBζ CAR we developed was more potent than a recently clinically tested GD2-targeted CAR to control NB growth in vivo. CONCLUSION Given the robust preclinical activity of CT3.28H.BBζ, these results form a promising basis for further clinical testing in children with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Sun
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yingying Cao
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Reona Okada
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Haiying Qin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Charlie Seibert
- Center for Cancer Research Single Cell Analysis Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Rosa Nguyen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Overcoming on-target, off-tumour toxicity of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:49-62. [PMID: 36418477 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00704-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Therapies with genetically modified T cells that express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) specific for CD19 or B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) are approved to treat certain B cell malignancies. However, translating these successes into treatments for patients with solid tumours presents various challenges, including the risk of clinically serious on-target, off-tumour toxicity (OTOT) owing to CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against non-malignant tissues expressing the target antigen. Indeed, severe OTOT has been observed in various CAR T cell clinical trials involving patients with solid tumours, highlighting the importance of establishing strategies to predict, mitigate and control the onset of this effect. In this Review, we summarize current clinical evidence of OTOT with CAR T cells in the treatment of solid tumours and discuss the utility of preclinical mouse models in predicting clinical OTOT. We then describe novel strategies being developed to improve the specificity of CAR T cells in solid tumours, particularly the role of affinity tuning of target binders, logic circuits and synthetic biology. Furthermore, we highlight control strategies that can be used to mitigate clinical OTOT following cell infusion such as regulating or eliminating CAR T cell activity, exogenous control of CAR expression, and local administration of CAR T cells.
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45
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Yu U, Xu H, Chen S, Yi M, Liu C, Zhang X, Wang C, Song J, Gan Y, Wang J, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Sun J, Xia B, Zhang G, Li C, Wen F, Liu S, Yuan X. A Retrospective Analysis of the Therapeutic Outcomes of 117 Neuroblastoma Patients Treated at a Single Pediatric Oncology Center in China. Cancer Control 2023; 30:10732748231187837. [PMID: 37575028 PMCID: PMC10426302 DOI: 10.1177/10732748231187837] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent therapeutic advances have greatly enhanced the survival rates of patients with neuroblastoma (NB). However, the outcomes of neuroblastoma patients in China, particularly those with high-risk (HR) NB, remain limited. METHOD We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and outcomes of NB patients who were treated at a tertiary pediatric cancer facility in China between January 2013 and October 2021. RESULTS A total of 117 NB patients were recruited. Patients with very low-risk (VLR), low-risk (LR), intermediate-risk (IR), and HR-NB patients made up 4%, 27%, 15%, and 54% of total patient population, respectively. Patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 were treated according to the protocol of Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center and those diagnosed between 2019 and 2021 were treated according to the COG ANBL0531 or ANBL0532 protocol with or without autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The 5-year EFS and OS of all risk groups of patients were 67.29% and 77.90%, respectively. EFS and OS were significantly decreased in patients with higher risk classifications (EFS: VLR/LR vs IR vs HR: 97.22% vs 67.28% vs 51.83%; ***P = .001; OS: VLR/LR vs IR vs HR: 97.06% vs 94.12% vs 64.38%; *P = .046). In HR-NB patients treated according to the COG protocol between 2019 and 2021, the 3-year OS of patients who received tandem ASCT was significantly greater than those who did not receive ASCT (93.33% % vs 47.41%; *P = .046; log-rank test). EFS was not significantly different between patients with and without ASCT (72.16% vs 60.32%). CONCLUSION Our findings show that patients with lower risk classification have a positive prognosis for survival. The prognosis of patients with HR-NB remains in need of improvement. ASCT may enhance OS in HR-NB patients; however, protocol adjustment may be necessary to increase EFS in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uet Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huanli Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Senmin Chen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meng Yi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunjing Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianming Song
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yungen Gan
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianyao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanxiang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junjie Sun
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bei Xia
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gongwei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changgang Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Feiqiu Wen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sixi Liu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiuli Yuan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Lontos K, Wang Y, Colbert M, Kumar A, Joshi S, Philbin M, Wang Y, Frisch A, Lohmueller J, Rivadeneira DB, Delgoffe GM. Fully murine CD105-targeted CAR-T cells provide an immunocompetent model for CAR-T cell biology. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2131229. [PMID: 36275862 PMCID: PMC9586682 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2131229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The modeling of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies has been mostly focused on immunodeficient models. However, there are many advantages in studying CAR-T cell biology in an immunocompetent setting. We generated a fully murine CAR targeting CD105 (endoglin), a component of the TGFβ receptor expressed on the surface of certain solid tumors and acute leukemias. CD105-targeted CAR-T cells can be grown from various murine backgrounds, tracked in vivo by congenic marks, and be activated by CD105 in isolation or expressed by tumor cells. CD105-targeted CAR-T cells were toxic at higher doses but proved safe in lower doses and modestly effective in treating wild-type B16 melanoma-bearing mice. CAR-T cells infiltrating the tumor expressed high levels of exhaustion markers and exhibited metabolic insufficiencies. We also generated a human CD105 CAR, which was efficacious in treating human melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia in vivo. Our work details a new murine model of CAR-T cell therapy that can be used from immunologists to further our understanding of CAR-T cell biology. We also set the foundation for further exploration of CD105 as a possible human CAR-T cell target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Lontos
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiyang Wang
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, Peking, China
| | - Mason Colbert
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alok Kumar
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Supriya Joshi
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mary Philbin
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yupeng Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, Peking, China
| | - Andrew Frisch
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jason Lohmueller
- Department of Surgery, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dayana B. Rivadeneira
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Greg M. Delgoffe
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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47
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Wang L, Chen X, Zhang L, Niu B, Li L, Sun Y, Yuan X. CAR cell design strategies in solid tumors. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109345. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Louault K, Porras T, Lee MH, Muthugounder S, Kennedy RJ, Blavier L, Sarte E, Fernandez GE, Yang F, Pawel BR, Shimada H, Asgharzadeh S, DeClerck YA. Fibroblasts and macrophages cooperate to create a pro-tumorigenic and immune resistant environment via activation of TGF-β/IL-6 pathway in neuroblastoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2146860. [PMID: 36479153 PMCID: PMC9721439 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2146860] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and their precursor mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are often detected together in tumors, but how they cooperate is not well understood. Here, we show that TAM and CAF are the most abundant nonmalignant cells and are present together in untreated human neuroblastoma (NB) tumors that are also poorly infiltrated with T and natural killer (NK) cells. We then show that MSC and CAF-MSC harvested from NB tumors protected human monocytes (MN) from spontaneous apoptosis in an interleukin (IL)-6 dependent mechanism. The interactions of MN and MSC with NB cells resulted in a significant induction or increase in the expression of several pro-tumorigenic cytokines/chemokines (TGF-β1, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-4) but not of anti-tumorigenic cytokines (TNF-α, IL-12) by MN or MSC, while also inducing cytokine expression in quiescent NB cells. We then identified a TGF-β1/IL-6 pathway where TGF-β1 stimulated the expression of IL-6 in NB cells and MSC, promoting TAM survival. Evidence for the contribution of TAM and MSC to the activation of this pathway was then provided in xenotransplanted NB tumors and patients with primary tumors by demonstrating a direct correlation between the presence of CAF and p-SMAD2 and p-STAT3. The data highlight a new mechanism of interaction between TAM and CAF supporting their pro-tumorigenic function in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Louault
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tania Porras
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng-Hua Lee
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sakunthala Muthugounder
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rebekah J. Kennedy
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laurence Blavier
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emily Sarte
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - G. Esteban Fernandez
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fusheng Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruce R. Pawel
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yves A. DeClerck
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,CONTACT Yves A. DeClerck ; Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90027, USA
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Yu Y, Zhao Y, Choi J, Shi Z, Guo L, Elizarraras J, Gu A, Cheng F, Pei Y, Lu D, Fabbri M, Agarwal S, Zhang C, Jung SY, Foster JH, Yang J. ERK Inhibitor Ulixertinib Inhibits High-Risk Neuroblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225534. [PMID: 36428626 PMCID: PMC9688897 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor of the peripheral nervous system. Approximately 80% of relapsed NB show RAS-MAPK pathway mutations that activate ERK, resulting in the promotion of cell proliferation and drug resistance. Ulixertinib, a first-in-class ERK-specific inhibitor, has shown promising antitumor activity in phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors. Here, we show that ulixertinib significantly and dose-dependently inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation in different NB cell lines, including PDX cells. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ulixertinib extensively inhibits different oncogenic and neuronal developmental pathways, including EGFR, VEGF, WNT, MAPK, NGF, and NTRK1. The proteomic analysis further revealed that ulixertinib inhibits the cell cycle and promotes apoptosis in NB cells. Additionally, ulixertinib treatment significantly sensitized NB cells to the conventional chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. Furthermore, ulixertinib potently inhibited NB tumor growth and prolonged the overall survival of the treated mice in two different NB mice models. Our preclinical study demonstrates that ulixertinib, either as a single agent or in combination with current therapies, is a novel and practical therapeutic approach for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jongmin Choi
- Advanced Technology Cores/Office of Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongcheng Shi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77003, USA
| | - Linjie Guo
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John Elizarraras
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andy Gu
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Feng Cheng
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Yanxin Pei
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Dai Lu
- Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Muller Fabbri
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Chunchao Zhang
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sung Yun Jung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77003, USA
| | - Jennifer H. Foster
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (J.H.F.); (J.Y.); Tel.: +1-832-822-4556 (J.H.F.); +1-202-476-5772 (J.Y.)
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Correspondence: (J.H.F.); (J.Y.); Tel.: +1-832-822-4556 (J.H.F.); +1-202-476-5772 (J.Y.)
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Zhou M, Chen M, Shi B, Di S, Sun R, Jiang H, Li Z. Radiation enhances the efficacy of EGFR-targeted CAR-T cells against triple-negative breast cancer by activating NF-κB/Icam1 signaling. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3379-3393. [PMID: 35927951 PMCID: PMC9637637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, with limited treatment options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is reported to be expressed in 50%-75% of TNBC patients, making it a promising target for cancer treatment. Here we show that EGFR-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy combined with radiotherapy provides enhanced antitumor efficacy in immunocompetent and immunodeficient orthotopic TNBC mice. Intriguingly, this combination therapy resulted in a substantial increase in the number of tumor-infiltrating CAR-T cells. The efficacy of this combination was independent of tumor radiosensitivity and lymphodepleting preconditioning. Cytokine profiling showed that this combination did not increase the risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed that EGFR-targeting CAR-T therapy combined with radiotherapy increased the infiltration of CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells into tumors. Mechanistically, radiation significantly increased Icam1 expression on TNBC cells via activating nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling, thereby promoting CAR-T cell infiltration and killing. These results suggest that CAR-T therapy combined with radiotherapy may be a promising strategy for TNBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Muhua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bizhi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shengmeng Di
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ruixin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Zonghai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes & Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China.
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